Hot Sheet Index: May 17, 2017
The Hot Sheet Index reviews book sales gains for first quarter of 2017 for Hachette, HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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Statistics from NPD Group show print sales have declined during first quarter of 2017 in romance, graphic novel, and Mass Market paperback.
One Look at the Reading Market Not Based on Sales
Consumer-survey efforts may well surpass the crippled sales-based dataset the industry is limping along with now.
A New Author Marketing Collective to Watch and Learn From
Shatzkin discusses potential for authors to collaborate among themselves to improve their situation, without involving agents or publishers.
Ebook Distributor Pronoun Rolls Out New Features
Pronoun announced another round of new features. These include: Enhanced back matter, and Custom pricing for international markets.
In Berlin: Kobo’s Fiery Warning about the “Attention Economy”
In fifth wave, the fear is publishers may not be able to fight powerful claims on time and attention made by digitally driven competitors.
Hot Sheet Index: May 3, 2017
The Hot Sheet Index reviews overall UK digital and ebook sales while also taking a look at US Amazon prime memberships.
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The Consumer Intelligence Research Partners released an update on Amazon’s Prime program, with an estimated growth line for Prime membership.
The Concern about UK’s “Screen Fatigue” Report
It’s not entirely a surprise to hear skepticism around the UK’s Publishers Association report. As with all sales-data-based attempts at industry assessment, the data is inadequate to the task.
The Peak TV Era: Are There Really More Opportunities for Authors?
Increased opportunities in filmed entertainment may not equate to easy success in the market—especially for unagented and unconnected authors.
Kobo Acquires Shelfie Technology: Here’s Looking at Your Books
Kobo has purchased Shelfie technology after the Shelfie startup inexplicably went under.
A New Sales Tracking Tool for Self-Published Authors
Alternatives to Amazon KDP’s reporting interface.
Amazon Launches Kindle Create Software for Formatting Ebooks
Amazon is offering free software to create an ebook file from Word.
The Growing and Distinctive Self-Publishing Market in Germany—with Traditional Overtones
Germany is considered the West’s “third power” in self-publishing, after US and UK.
Authors Guild Releases Its Guide to E-Publishing
Authors Guild has launched an e-publishing guide and is open to self-publishing as well as aspiring writers.
Links of Interest: April 19, 2017
Links of interest for April 19, 2017,on the topics of marketing, Amazon, and Traditional Publishing.
Hot Sheet Index: April 19, 2017
The Hot Sheet Index looks at Amazon sales and retailer bankruptcies.
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The Atlantic recently wrote about the “great retail apocalypse” and its causes, including the growth of mobile shopping.
Crunch Time for Self-Publishing and BookExpo
BookExpo’s focus on traditional publishing draws criticism from ALLi.
Do Scholarly Writers Want to Self-Publish? Or Is the Question Academic?
Lulu, a self-publishing platform, has created a separate platform for self-publishing academic authors: Glasstree Academic Publishing.
A New Effort by Hachette to Attract More Diverse Writers
To attract more diverse writers, Hachette has launched an initiative called The Future Bookshelf.
Hot Sheet Index: April 5, 2017
The number of publishers and people employed in publishing in Europe; translation rights sales for some European countries.
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The Federation of European Publishers 2017 report looks at the EU book market, both past and present. Germany is the largest market.
Penguin Random House Tries “Differentiated” Pricing to Battle Sales Decline
To combat declining sales, Penguin Random House will implement a differentiated pricing strategy.
How a Self-Published Book Got into WHSmith Travel Shops
UK author Carol Cooper’s self-published novel Hampstead Fever will be featured in WHSmith shops at airports and train stations with a promotion.
Hachette Partners with Wattpad to Release Audiobooks
Wattpad announced a partnership with Hachette, to produce 50 audiobooks based on Wattpad stories.
Upbeat London Book Fair: Whistling Ahead of the News
The mood at London Book Fair (LBF) last week was determinedly upbeat, giving the show floor a mildly giddy tone that belied issues ahead.
New Imprint Announcements: March 22, 2017
New initiatives from traditional publishers include Bonnier Publishing’s IglooBooks and Abram Books decision to publish narrative nonfiction.
The International Publishers Association: Conscience of the Industry
The International Publishers Association (IPA) may be able to help authors facing copyright issues outside the US.
Hot Sheet Index: March 22, 2017
Hot Sheet Index reviews UK book sales across all formats in 2016 versus 2015. Sales of books sold in bookstores in the UK in 2016 vs 2015: +4%
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As in the traditional publishing market in the US, ebooks in the UK have flattened and even declined, Nielsen reported at London Book Fair.
The Latest Disappointing Barnes & Noble Earnings Report
During the holidays, the chain reported comparable-store sales were down 9.1 percent versus 2015. The reason for the drop included slower foot traffic in stores.
Another Author-Facing Startup Would Like Your Attention
Like a combination of Hootsuite and Klout, BuzzTrace assigns a “BuzzScore” to an author’s social networking,
A Quick Look Ahead at London Book Fair’s Author Programming
If you’ll be in London, we recommend considering these Author HQ events in particular.
Links of Interest: March 8, 2017
The latest in news and trends, traditional publishing, and indie authorship.
Hot Sheet Index: March 8, 2017
The Hot Sheet Index reviews the top ten publishers for unit sales in 2016 and also looks at total sales for comics and graphic novels.
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Each country’s total unit ebook sales broken down by publisher type for the United States, Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand.
Still Showing a Lag in Indie Share, Author Earnings Tours Offshore Markets
In a new report from Author Earnings’ Data Guy, the “October surprise” downturn in indie share of Amazon ebook sales seems all but forgotten.
Amazon’s Affiliate Payments Drop Significantly
Amazon announced immediate changes to the commission percentages, reducing earnings for most affiliates, including those who focus on books.
Hachette UK’s Latest Move to Boost Its Digital Profile: Buying Bookouture
One of the Big Five publishers, Hachette UK, announced it had acquired Bookoutoure, an independent British ebook publisher founded in 2012.
Kobo Launches an Ebook Subscription Program in Europe
Kobo, in partnership with online retailer Bol.com, announced an ebook subscription service for Dutch and international titles.
Amazon Launches KDP Print: Does It Make More Sense Than CreateSpace?
KDP Print is now available in beta to KDP accountholders actively selling an ebook edition.
Penn’s Publishing House: Another Stage in Self-Publishing Maturity
UK-based author Joanna Penn introduced Curl Up Press, aimed at building her own print presence and expanding the licensing of her work.
Amazon: A Source of New Jobs in the UK and US
Announced this week, Amazon will create 5,000 new jobs in the UK this year—more than 25 percent of its current level of employment there.
A New Publishing Platform with No Royalty Cut: Bonnier’s Type & Tell
Bonnier—Stockholm’s powerhouse media corporation—quietly launched self-publishing platform Type & Tell in September 2015.
Simon & Schuster and the Milo Yiannopoulos Book Cancellation
“After careful consideration, Simon & Schuster and Threshold Editions imprint have cancelled publication of Dangerous by Milo Yiannopoulos.”