Borders ebookstore–powered by Kobo–has reached an agreement “in principle” to partner with Spring Design’s nook-alike Alex ereader. While it makes perfect sense–after all, Alex can’t use BN.com as their store partner like so many other readers while they are suing them–it’s an opportunistic victory for Borders as they play ereading catch-up on a limited budget. Reuters adds, “the Alex e-reader will give the borders.com e-book site top billing, featuring it on its initial screen, a Borders spokeswoman told Reuters, though shoppers will be able to buy and read books from other sources on their Alex e-reader.“ Though they did not […]
Lulu.com Eyes C$50M Initial Public Offering – WSJ.com
While big publishers wring their hands over whether it’s ok to make money from self-publishing, the dedicated self-publishers continue to be on a roll. Bouncing back from cutbacks in late 2008, Lulu.com is reported to have retained Genuity Capital Markets and CIBC World Markets lead underwriters for an initial public offering later this year, apparently on the Toronto stock exchange. Dow Jones says they hope to raise $50 million (Canadian) in capital. When forced to cut staff previously, founder Bob Young blamed “the credit and capital markets [as] frozen solid.”Dow Jones
Barnes & Noble Holiday Comps Down 5.4%; Earnings Guidance Reduced
The nine-week holiday selling period at Barnes & Noble was another rough one, with same-store sales down 5.4 percent at $1.1 billion (and bear in mind that the comps a year ago were down 7 percent from 2007). Sales at BN.com rose 17 percent however, at $134 million, in large part because of nook revenues recognized in that period. (BN.com had sales of $114 million in the same period a year ago. When the company reported second quarter earnings in late November, BN.com was up 9 percent for the period. So figure that recognized nook revenues are roughly between $10 […]
Today's CES eReader Guide
With ever-more ereaders and other announcements coming out of CES, we’ve attempted to organize the information that we think is most relevant to our audience below. As indicated earlier, we’re particularly interested in who is selling the ebooks for these new devices (some are starting their own stores, RCA has partnered with BN.com); whether the physical retail base for ereaders is expanding (as with 1,000 Sprint stores selling the Skiff); and who else can play (B&T’s Blio says its can easily be deployed by other etailers). MORE eREADERS SamsungNumber of models: 2 (6-inch and 10-inch)Wireless connection?: Wi-fiPromised for: “early 2010”Special […]
People
The Library of America has hired Trish Hoard as production editor. Hoard was previously managing editor at Counterpoint Press and associate publisher at Shoemaker & Hoard. She replaces retiring managing editor Sharon Graham, who had overseen the publication of all 200 volumes in the Library of America series, dating back to 1982, along with numerous special publications. HarperOne associate publisher Claudia Boutote is being promoted to senior vice president, and executive editor Gideon Weil has been made a vice president. Ronit Feldman has been promoted to associate editor at Nan A. Talese books. Jennifer Abbots will join Victoria Sanders & […]
Bookselling: Revolution Books "In Peril"
The New York City story is having a benefit this Friday night, featuring Wally Shawn, as part of their drive to raise $100,000 to keep the store “open and thriving.”Revolution home page