Orwell estate hits back at Amazon's corporate 'doublespeak'

Internet retailer accused of using tactics from Orwell's 1984 in war of words with the publisher HachetteRepresentatives of George Orwell have described Amazon's selective quoting of the Nineteen Eighty-Four author as "dystopian and shameless" and "as close as one can get to the Ministry of Truth and its doublespeak".Amazon turned to Orwell for support in its long-running and public clash over ebook terms with the publisher Hachette at the weekend, comparing their battle over ebook pricing ("We want lower ebook prices. Hachette does not") to the fight Penguin had when it introduced cheap paperbacks in the 1930s. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-08-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #publisher hachette #ebook terms #ebook pricing

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Tracking Amazon: 'Silent Spring' Moves and Shakes

Thanks to a Google Doodle commemorating Rachel Carson's 107th birthday on May 27, the writer and environmentalist's signature work, "Silent Spring," jumped nearly 3,000 spots on Amazon's bestseller list on Tuesday afternoon. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #tracking amazon #silent spring #107th birthday #bestseller list #tuesday afternoon


Amazon escalates standoff with publisher Hachette Book Group

If you're hoping to pre-order books by J.K. Rowling, Michael Connelly and other Hachette Book Group authors, you'll have to go somewhere besides Amazon.com. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2014-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pre-order books #michael connelly


Amazon Says Hachette Dispute Likely to Drag On

Amazon has finally broken its silence over the dispute with Hachette, saying that while the two sides are working hard, the company is “not optimistic [the issue] will be resolved soon.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette US 'seeks solution' to Amazon dispute

Hachette Book Group in the US has said it is doing “everything in our power to find a... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon halts sales of some Hachette books as publishing battle escalates

Hachette author Jeffery Deaver among those speaking out against Amazon's decision to stop selling certain Hachette titlesStray punches in a corporate slugfest knocked spectacles from authors noses and left readers with black eyes this week, after Amazon, the online retailer, stopped selling... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #online retailer #titles published #put pressure


Amazon Ramps Up War Against Hachette

Amazon has now removed the preorder capabilities for many major forthcoming Hachette titles. The publisher said that it is "doing everything in our power to find a solution to this difficult situation." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #amazon ramps #difficult situation


Alan Johnson wins Orwell Prize

Former home secretary Alan Johnson has won the Orwell Prize for Books with childhood memoir, This... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #orwell prize #childhood memoir


Hodder Children’s signs Wattpad hit

Hodder Children’s Books has acquired a YA fantasy trilogy from debut author Taran Matharu.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Weinstein Has a Hit with 'Finding Me'

"Finding Me," Michelle Knight's account of the decade she spent in captivity at the hands of her kidnapper, Ariel Castro, was the top selling title on PW's nonfiction bestseller list for the week ended May 11. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #michelle knight #ariel castro #week ended


BA re-promotes indies' Amazon tax campaign

Bookshops are being encouraged to redisplay "We Pay Our Taxes" posters following the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AAR Calls Out Amazon in Hachette Dispute

In a letter sent by the AAR to Amazon, which PW has obtained, the organization says it "deplores any attempt by any party that would seek to injure and punish innocent authors...in order to pursue its position in a business dispute." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Quebec's publishing scene taking the written word back to France

The Canadian province has been a stealthy focus for French publishers, but its booksellers are also looking towards ParisThe Canadian province of Quebec has about 6 million French-speaking inhabitants. In comparison there are only 4.2 million French-speakers in Belgium. French publishers have... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #great divide #editorial policy


Tracking Amazon: Killer Book Climbs the Chart

A memoir by a man who claims his father was the Zodiac Killer, kept under lock and key by HarperCollins for months, rocketed up Amazon's bestseller chart on May 13, the book's publication date. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BAM Steps Into Hachette, Amazon Fray

While Amazon slow-tracks HBG titles, at least one chain is stepping up HBG's presence. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Much at Stake in Amazon-HBG Fight

Among the issues in dispute between Amazon and the Hachette Book Group are negotiations over new ebook terms, sources familiar with the matter said. And publishers also see the latest fight with Amazon as part of an ongoing battle to retain retail diversity. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ebook terms #sources familiar #ongoing battle


Hodge on Amazon: 'We should shop elsewhere'

Outspoken MP Margaret Hodge has said customers should not use Amazon after it emerged that the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Open Road, HarperCollins Back in Court

HarperCollins and Open Road were back in court last week, as the parties have not worked out a final resolution to their copyright dispute over Open Road’s ebook edition of Jean Craighead George’s "Julie of the Wolves." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Blurb Debuts Amazon Distribution

The self-publishing platform is expanding its services, adding broader distribution through Amazon.com, a new set of free online design tools, and offset printing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Seven Questions About Amazon’s Acquisition of Comixology

The announcement that Amazon intends to buy Comixology has raised a number of questions from consumers, publishers and retailers. Here are seven big questions about the future of digital comics on Comixology and Amazon. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Net Income Up in Quarter

Net income at Amazon rose nearly 32% in the first quarter of 2014, to $108 million, compared to the same period in 2013 and revenue increased 23%, to $19.74 billion. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #net income #amazon rose