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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Amazon lockers blamed in indie closure

Two bookshops have announced they are due to close this summer due to rising competition from the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon imprint holds author conference

Amazon imprint Thomas & Mercer is flying authors out to a party and conference in Seattle... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Seth Godin on Why “Vilifying Amazon…Makes No Sense”

Seth Godin traces the ups and downs of the independent bookstore since WWII, while proclaiming that today is "a golden age for books," crediting Amazon. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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American Booksellers to Fight Amazon Through Negative Publicity

The ABA's CEO sent an open letter to independent booksellers encouraging them to publicize Amazon as a company "detrimental" to the book business and buyers. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Busy Negotiating First Russian Ebook Contracts

Amazon has contracted Rosman to supply its first ebook titles for sale in Russia. For now, the retailer is concentrating on digital in lieu of establishing a Russian print supply chain. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fourth Estate acquires David Gilbert

Fourth Estate has signed a new novel from American author David Gilbert. His novel, & Sons... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Will Amazon and Washington Post Work Together? Who Knows?!

While the media industry reels from the news that Jeff Bezos purchasing the Washington Post, it's still anyone's guess as to what the Amazon founder plans to do with the paper. An even more intriguing question is, will Amazon and the Post even mingle? Or steer clear of each other? Bezos, it's... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2013-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Quarto Results Hit Expectations

The Quarto Group reported a small decline in sales for the six month period ended June 30, with revenue falling to $72.2 million from $73.2 million in the comparable period last year, while operating profit inched ahead to $4.0 million from $3.9 million. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Marneur acquires Mel Sherratt

Amazon Publishing senior acquisitions editor Emily Marneur has made her first two acquisitions... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple fires back, calls DOJ ebook remedies 'draconian and punitive'

In a filing on Friday, Apple Inc. fired back against a series of measures proposed by federal attorneys that would restrict the company's ability to strike electronic-book deals.     Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fresh workforce controversy for Amazon

Amazon has faced fresh allegations about its treatment of workers after an investigation of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Happy birthday, Harry Potter! A look back at Harry's special days

The birthday of Harry Potter falls on July 31 (which also happens to be the birthday of J.K Rowling). In the Potter universe, the days are usually eventful ones. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon jobs are 'a great example of what's possible,' says Obama as more indie booksellers object

President Obama appeared as scheduled at a Chattanooga, Tenn., Amazon warehouse and praised the business, causing even more independent booksellers to express their displeasure with his endorsement. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nook and Amazon in 99p frontlist offer

A Nook promotion of "Hot Summer Books" is selling ebooks of frontlist titles from... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Are Overstock.com and Amazon in a price war?

Overstock.com is offering 'tens of thousands' of books at '10 percent off Amazon's book prices.' Now Amazon has reduced the prices of many of its bestsellers by as much as 50 to 65 percent. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-07-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Obama appearance at Amazon warehouse angers booksellers

President Obama has angered the American Booksellers Assn. with a planned appearance Tuesday at an Amazon warehouse.President Obama, who faithfully shops at independent bookstores when given the chance, has angered the American Booksellers Assn. with a planned appearance Tuesday at an Amazon... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-07-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Obama's embrace of Amazon dismays many booksellers

President Obama will highlight Amazon as 'a perfect example of the company that is investing in American workers and creating good, high-wage jobs,' according to the White House. Independent booksellers aren't pleased. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-07-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Are Amazon's new book discounts a 'declaration of war'?

The online bookseller had dropped prices on some of its top-selling hardcovers, as much as 64% off retail.Bargain book shoppers must have been pleased looking at Amazon's bestseller list this weekend: The online bookseller had dropped prices on some of its top-selling hardcovers, as much as 64%... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-07-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon hikes sales, but posts $7m loss in second quarter

Amazon posted a surprise loss of $7m (or £4.56m) in its second quarter, despite achieving a... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Kindle Singles will include interviews with 'iconic figures'

Amazon's Kindle Singles will feature interviews with some of the world's biggest names as part of their Kindle Singles store. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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