Amazon's updated e-book return policy looks like a big win for authors

Anyone who has been taking advantage of Amazon's liberal return policy regarding e-books could soon be in for a shock. That's because following discussions with the Authors Guild, Amazon has agreed to block automatic returns on digital books that are more than 10 percent read. Currently, the problem for authors on Amazon is that customers can return e-books online anytime within seven days of purchase no matter how much content has been consumed. That means if you can you read a book in less than a week, you can simply return it when you're done for free, resulting in a loss of profits for the author. However, under the new policy which is scheduled to go into effect sometime before the end of the year, Amazon will begin blocking automatic returns on e-books that are more than 10 read, which will then need to be reviewed by a representative to ensure that the return is genuine. The Authors Guild says the goal is to create a deterrent for people who abuse Amazon's current policy and to prevent people from treating Amazon's e-book marketplace as an ersatz library. Issues with Amazon's e-book return policy date back more than a decade, but had recently come under fire again after lifehacks about the company's guidelines began circulating online. And according to NPR, in some cases, abuse of the company's return policy even resulted in some authors having negative earnings balances, which typically happened when customers returned an e-book after the creator had been paid out... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2022-09-23 19:10:20 UTC ]

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These are 2019’s most-borrowed digital books.

Rakuten OverDrive, a platform for digital books (used by more than 43,000 libraries and schools worldwide), has released a list of its most-borrowed ebooks and audiobooks in 2019. There are no real surprises on the list, besides maybe the fact that so many people want to listen to a woman tell... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-01-08 19:19:19 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: January 3, 2020

The year 2019 ends with excellent budget news for IMLS; meet the winners of the 'I Love My Librarian Awards'; and the headlines keep coming in the library e-book market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-03 05:00:00 UTC ]
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What Can Heal the Publisher-Library Divide? Data

The best way to end the e-book standoff between publishers and libraries is to use data. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
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PA welcomes EU court ruling on e-book exhaustion rights

​The Publishers Association has welcomed the latest ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on the exhaustion of e-book rights, which has found the re-sale of second-hand e-books infringes copyright.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-19 20:42:11 UTC ]
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Weekly E-Book Ranking: Adam Kay's festive follow-up shifts back into the top

Adam Kay's Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas (Picador) has re-claimed the Weekly E-Book Ranking number one, topping the chart for the first time since its launch week in October. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-19 16:49:58 UTC ]
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Connect Meetings Acquires BizBash

BizBash, the 19-year old B2B media company for events organizers, has been acquired by Connect Meetings for an undisclosed sum, both sides announced. A subsidiary of the UK-based, global tradeshow company Tarsus Group, Connect serves meeting planners—in particular, those who organize corporate,... Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2019-12-17 20:01:44 UTC ]
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L.A. libraries will stop collecting late fees for overdue books and other materials

L.A. city officials cancel library fines, which some believe discourage working families from taking advantage of books and other library offerings. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-12-13 18:32:41 UTC ]
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L.A. is an e-book borrower's paradise. A major publisher's crackdown could hurt

L.A. County is home to more than 30 library systems, with a growing number of patrons signing up for multiple cards to borrow digital books. But Macmillan Publishers is tightening the rules. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-12-09 13:00:55 UTC ]
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Weekly E-Ranking: Pullman in BBC boost

Lee Child's Blue Moon claimed a second week atop the Weekly E-Book Ranking, bringing the veteran crime author’s total haul of number ones up to eight. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-21 18:28:02 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: November 15, 2019

Among the headlines this week: ALA applauds Trump's choice to lead IMLS; the simple reason why some librarians believe Macmillan's e-book embargo is destined to flop; and administrators finally come clean about why a YA author's library visit was canceled. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-15 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Weekly E-Ranking: Twice in a Blue Moon for Child

Contrary to its namesake, Lee Child's Blue Moon appeared twice in the week ending 2nd November; the title topped the Nielsen BookScan charts in hardback format, and the e-book edition stormed to the top of the Weekly E-Book Ranking. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-14 14:57:35 UTC ]
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Authors Weigh in on Politics: ‘Words Make a Difference’

Use 'bribery' or 'extortion,' not 'quid pro quo,' writes Roxana Robinson to the 'Times,' as the Authors Guild slams Justice's letter to Hachette. The post Authors Weigh in on Politics: ‘Words Make a Difference’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-11-11 03:23:29 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: November 8, 2019

Among the week's headlines: the pressure keeps mounting on Macmillan following its library e-book embargo; a backlash follows after a group of Florida elected officials politicizes the library's New York Times subcription; and an update on the Library of Congress modernization efforts. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-08 05:00:00 UTC ]
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As Boycotts Mount, Macmillan CEO Defends Library E-book Embargo

On Monday, just days after the publisher's controversial embargo on new release e-books in libraries went into effect, Macmillan CEO John Sargent met with a group of state librarians, fleshing out his belief that new release e-books in libraries hurt the publisher's revenues. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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US libraries boycott Macmillan over e-book policy change

A group of US libraries plan to boycott Macmillan over its controversial new e-book lending policy, suspending purchases of digital copies from the publisher. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-01 03:15:48 UTC ]
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Konnie Huq and 90 MPs call for end to 'reading tax' in UK

TV star joins delegation to the chancellor of the exchequer demanding an end to VAT on digital books, which traditional publications escapeChildren’s laureate Cressida Cowell and former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq have joined 90 MPs calling on the government to scrap the “reading tax” on... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-31 15:01:27 UTC ]
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Macmillan stands by e-book lending change amid ALA outcry

Macmillan in the US has apologised to librarians for not informing them of upcoming changes to its e-book lending policy but has refused to amend it amid an outcry and 150,000 signature petition. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-31 03:00:10 UTC ]
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Congress launches digital markets competition inquiry as US e-book lending row continues

Congress has launched an inquiry into digital markets competitions as the row over e-book lending to libraries in the United States continues.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-24 13:43:25 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: October 11, 2019

Among the week's headlines: a new ALA e-book club launches; pushback on Macmillan's library e-book embargo keeps rolling in; and are library workers under siege? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: October 4, 2019

A federal court delivers a mixed decision on net neutrality; OCLC hosts its annual Library Futures Conference; and library supporters continue to hammer Macmillan over its e-book embargo. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-04 04:00:00 UTC ]
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