Yesterday we reported Amazon’s announcement of a 46% jump in net sales for the first quarter of 2010. In the current economic climate you might be forgiven for thinking that Amazon would be eager to trouser as much of that cash as possible. Actually, it is worth mentioning Amazon operate a grant system through invited…
The State of Irish Publishing: Maverick Style!
There is a fascinating guest blog over on Irish Publishing News which again touches on the burning question of books and literature in Ireland. In February this year Julian Gough, the Irish novelist, took a swipe at modern Irish authors for being fixated with the past, and in particular with themes and settings from 1950’s Ireland. We covered…
Distribution or Be Damned?
Should a publisher ever pay for shelf space in a bookstore, even if the publisher is the author? The quick and immediate answer is absolutely not. Take a deep breath, pause for thirty seconds while contemplating the models of business for mainstream publishing and the various opportunities and avenues for authors looking to self-publish their…
Amazon’s 46% Jump in Net Sales Tell Us – No Recession Around Here!
Amazon.com have just announced their financial results for the first quarter of the year – ending March 31, 2010. There will not be too many retailers reporting net sales of +46%! From the media release: Operating cash flow was $2.78 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $1.76 billion for the trailing twelve months…
Blurb Launch Online Bookshow Widget
Blurb has announced the launch of their Blurb BookShow, a preview feature enabling authors to share their books in a showcase format on Facebook, Twitter, their blog, a web site, and many other social media networks allowing third-party programs. Blurb has become a very popular option for self-publishers, micro-publishers, photographers and artists to publish good quality…
The Valley of the Squinting Windows: Delvin Book Fair 2010
In 1918 a seemingly unremarkable novel appeared for the first time, published by Sampson Low, Marston, a small publisher in London, the novel was called The Valley of the Squinting Windows and was it written by Irish author Brinsley MacNamara (real name, John Weldon). MacNamara came from a small rural village called Delvin in Co.…
Bookbuzzr Interview: April Hamilton
Bookbuzzr.com interviewed April Hamilton, Publetariat founder and author of The Indie Author Guide, which was ranked fourth among the Top 10 Books of 2009 on BookBuzzr. You can read the full interview with April here. “April L. Hamilton is an author, blogger, Technorati BlogCritic, leading advocate and speaker for the indie author movement, and founder…
London Book Fair: More Content Over Form & Contentment Over Frustration
The final day of the London Book Fair takes place tomorrow and there is no doubt how low-key the event has been so far. The flight restrictions on overseas attendees due to the Icelandic volcano plumes has underlined that while this event is an international fixture on the publishing calendar, the general British press has…
Guernica Magazine: Nicorvo Examines The Death Of Literary Fiction
Guernica, a literary magazine of the arts and politics, features an article by poet and author Jay Baron Nicorvo in their April edition. Third Degree Burns is a fascinating look at what has caused the potential death of literary fiction. Nicorvo has written this feature in response to another article by Ted Genoways called The…
Nielsen Set To Sell Bookseller To its Managing Director
Media research company Nielsen has agreed a deal ‘in principle’ to sell The Bookseller to managing director Nigel Roby. Is is expected the deal may be concluded at the end of this month. Negotiations are expected to conclude at the end of April. All the editorial, sales and marketing and events teams will remain in…