eBook distributor Smashwords announced today in a posting from founder Mark Coker that as of today all of their titles are being sold on an agency basis. “Our authors and publishers spoke (and some wrote, screamed, begged and politely asked), and we listened,” Coker writes. Smashwords had been using a hybrid model–selling on an agency basis to the iBookstore and Diesel, and selling wholesale to Barnes & Noble, Sony and Kobo. Those three have all agreed to the new agency pricing, with Coker writing: “I think each retail partner decided on their own that what is best for Smashwords authors […]
Updates of All Kinds
1. Despite the skepticism expressed yesterday by co-author of the self-published success THE INVESTMENT ANSWER Dan Goldie about “whether there could be advantages” to having an established publisher take over, people familiar with the negotiations tell us that agent Laurie Liss at Sterling Lord Literistic is well along the path towards a sale, reportedly with multiple seven-figure bids offered and a deal announcement expected shortly. 2. If you read at least some mild skepticism in Barnes & Noble‘s report yesterday on the status of their investigation of strategic options for the company, then you will find credence in this report […]
Yes Virginia, There Is a Google eBook Service
Google has been saying most recently that they will launch their new ebook service in the US before the end of the year, and last night the WSJ reported that the company is “in the final stages of launching its long-awaited e-book retailing venture”–missing the first night of Hanukkah, but with a good shot at arriving before Christmas. But “publishers cautioned [the service] has been delayed before and could be delayed again.” ABA members have begun executing contracts to participate, and numerous publishers have told us they have signed on, and “several publishers said they were exchanging files with Google–a […]
Penguin Will Finish Year With New Oprah Pick
Next Monday, December 6, Jonathan Franzen will appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show–and the host will announce her new book club pick. It’s a big fat paperback from Penguin, with an unknown page count but a listed shipping weight of 1.9 pounds. The print book has a list price of $20, but the ebook currently has an agency price of only $7.99.
People
Patricia Eisemann is joining Henry Holt as director of publicity on January 3, 2011. She was most recently assistant director, media relations and community affairs/corporate communications at The New York Times, after having been director of publicity at Scribner. Maggie Sivon has been promoted to deputy director of publicity. Counterpoint managing editor Laura Mazer will take on the additional role of executive editor for Soft Skull Press as well, managing acquisitions and operations for Soft Skull on top of her other responsibilities. Counterpoint’s Charlie Winton, Jack Shoemaker, Dan Smetanka, Julie Pinkerton and Roxanna Aliaga will all acquire for Soft Skull alongside […]
Press Drives Sales Burst for Dying Banker’s Self-Published Investment Guide
A Friday NYT piece covered a short self-published investment book from retired banker Gordon Murray, who is dying from glioblastoma. Murray wrote THE INVESTMENT ADVISER in a matter of months this summer with friend and financial adviser Daniel Goldie after being told he had just six more months to live. They self-published the book in August, and are distributing through Baker & Taylor. At first they gave the book away as a free PDF. The Times wrote: “It is plenty useful for anyone who isn’t already investing in a collection of index or similar funds and dutifully rebalancing every so […]