Amazon Recruits Comedians, Engineers for Expanding Audio Service

Amazon.com Inc. is ramping up its investment in podcasts and other radio-style shows to expand the types of programming it offers via Audible, the audio book company it acquired in 2008.Audible has recruited well-known comedians, along with radio and podcast producers for the initiative, and job postings suggest a significant global push. Maria Bamford and Jonathan Katz are taping episodes of "Bedtime Stories," a show in which comedians rewrite fairy tales, according to their manager Bruce Smith.Entertainment plays a crucial role in Amazon's effort to push beyond its core business of selling books, laundry detergent and televisions online. The Seattle-based company's original films and TV shows have won critical acclaim and helped increase the appeal of its $99-a-year Prime service, which includes delivery discounts along with video and music streaming. Audible has more than 250,000 audio programs including books and plays, with downloads available for iPhones, Androids and other smartphone systems. Continue reading at AdAge.com Continue reading at 'Advertising Age'

[ Advertising Age | 2016-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #selling books #laundry detergent #tv shows #music streaming

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How would you change Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite (2012)?

Gone are the days when, if you wanted to read a book in bed, you'd need to take a torch with you. Nowadays, as long as you've got a Kindle Paperwhite, the books will happily illuminate themselves. The device's even front-lighting and engineering... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2014-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HCB buys debut from comedian Campbell

Hodder Children’s Books has acquired Boyface, a debut series from children’s comedian... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Publishing's advances move ahead of the market

The web giant's books imprint flexes its muscles after scoring an ebook No 1, but the little guy may yet win the dayA good month for Amazon's fledgling publishing business – the imaginatively-titled Amazon Publishing – just got better, after the imprint won the rights to Cath Quinn's historical... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Is Barnes & Noble’s Nook Expanding to Brazil?

An email to Brazilian publishers suggested that Barnes & Noble plans to start selling ebooks in Brazil soon, but B&N has yet to confirm. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Your Brain On Audio Books: Distracted, Forgetful, And Bored

Of all the ways to enjoy a book, minds wander most when we're listening to someone else read it.With so much focus in the publishing world on ebooks, you might have missed the recent explosion in the popularity of audio books. They've become a billion-dollar industry with huge annual sales... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2014-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #people read #audio books #publishing world #recent explosion


Action Lab: A Small Publisher Looking To Expand

With a mix of all-ages and adult material, print and digital, Action Lab Entertainment is trying to establish itself while maintaining a balance with a staff located around the country. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In Brazil, Amazon Starts Selling Kindles Direct, Books are Next

After 13 months of using partners to sell Kindles in Brazil, Amazon is now offering direct sales. If they can do that, books are not likely far behind. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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February 2014 Audio Books: In the Studio

All-star cast gathers for ‘Suspicious Incidents’ and more in this month's audio book news. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Talking Audio with January LaVoy

Accomplished theater and television actress January LaVoy has been steadily building a reputation as an audiobook narrator for the past five years, and in 2013 she was named PW’s Audiobook Narrator of the Year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Audio Book Club on The Group

To listen to the Audio Book Club discussion of The Group, click the arrow on the player below. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Curious Fox expands team

Children’s publisher is expanding its team by appointing Helen Freeman to the newly created... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kindle Worlds Expands

Seven new rights holders have signed agreements for Kindle Worlds, Amazon's model that allows writers to publish and sell authorized stories inspired by popular worlds. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon and Kobo tie for title of favorite ebook seller in survey

The survey was conducted by the site Good e-Reader among participants whom Good e-Reader estimated buy between 50 and 100 books a year. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book the Writer service brings authors to book clubs – for a fee

While authors have appeared in person, via Skype or via telephone at book clubs before, Book the Writer has the clubs pay for the author's appearance. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Posts A (Small) Profit

Total sales in Amazon’s fourth quarter in 2013 rose 20% over the last quarter of 2012, hitting $25.59 billion, while net income rose to $239 million from $97 million in last year’s final period. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Publishing Aims at Christian Market with New Imprint

Amazon Publishing adds Waterfall Press to its growing family of publishing imprints. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon US launches Christian imprint

Amazon.com has launched a new Christian publishing imprint called Waterfall Press. The imprint,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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3M Cloud Library Expands to Canada

3M Library Systems has announced that Cloud Library eBook Lending System will now launch in Canada—3M’s first international expansion. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Patrick Carman's 'Half Nelson' proposal: for each Amazon purchase, buy a book at an independent bookstore

'39 Clues' author Patrick Carman says he knows Amazon is a convenient option, but suggests buying a book from an independent bookstore each time you buy from Amazon. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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FBF expands Brazil conferences

The Frankfurt Book Fair has confirmed it plans for expansion in Brazil, with a series of CONTEC... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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