Streaming of books threatens to sell readers down the river

Scholastic is the latest publisher to phase out downloading, meaning ebooks already purchased might become unreadableScholastic, the publisher of such children's book juggernauts as The Hunger Games and the Harry Potter series, announced recently that its Storia ebook shop would shortly be "transitioning" to a streaming model. What this means for its readers is that books they have already purchased might become unreadable. According to Scholastic's website: "The switch to streaming means that ebooks you've previously purchased may soon no longer be accessible." In one of those brilliant physical/digital metaphors that seem to sum up all of the confusion of virtual cultural objects, the site also says: "You may be able to continue using your ebooks by making sure to open them on a bookshelf at least once by 15 October."Unlike some previous depressing episodes in ebook licensing that also hit UK readers, such as Barnes & Noble's shutting-down of its ebook store Fictionwise in 2012, or Samsung's abrupt closure this year of Readers Hub, when many lost not only their books but also their notes and highlights, Scholastic is offering a year to claim refunds on lost books. Given the continued prevalence of digital rights management (DRM) software, intended to prevent digital piracy, this story is likely to continue for a while. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #streaming model #hunger games #ebook licensing #barnes noble

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Paul Hollywood’s new baking book expected to sell like you-know-what

Bloomsbury to publish Great British Bake Off judge’s A Baker’s Life, accompanied by new four-part TV series, in NovemberBloomsbury, the publisher of Paul Hollywood’s new book, A Baker’s Life, is predicting it will be one of the bestsellers this Christmas, thanks in part to the successful... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Italian Publishers’ Report at Frankfurt Book Fair: Focus on Readers

A report from the Italian Publishers Association names low readership as its 'problem of problems' and vows to address the country's shrinking readership. The post Italian Publishers’ Report at Frankfurt Book Fair: Focus on Readers appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-10-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Sci-Fi Novels Are the New Comic Books For Streaming TV

TV creators are raiding the sci-fi section like never before—for some obvious, and not-so-obvious, reasons. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2017-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sylvia Plath's bikini shot: it's time to stop sexualising a serious author to sell books | Cathleen Allyn Conway

The UK cover of a new collection of letters is only the latest to show the acclaimed poet as blond, beaming and in a skimpy outfit. But presenting female writers as mere sex symbols diminishes their literary achievementsOn the US cover of Sylvia Plath’s Collected Letters, a volume out this week... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-09-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Big Titles U.S. Agencies Will be Selling at the 2017 Frankfurt Book Fair

Among the big titles American agents will be talking up in the rights center at Frankfurt are a memoir by David Lynch, an update on Cinderella, and a short story collection from Lionel Shriver. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-09-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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D&D Reader app brings paper reference books to your tablet

Dungeon Masters can rest a bit easier now that the library of Dungeons and Dragons core rulebooks will soon be available in an easy-to-lug digital edition. Instead of a stack of heavy paper-bound volumes, you'll be able to take your iPad or Android t... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2017-09-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Do celebrity book blurbs 'blackmail' readers?

Man Booker prize judge Colin Thubron has complained this week that star endorsements bully readers into admiring books, but it’s long been standard practiceSetting cats among pigeons has long been an unofficial part of the contract for judges of the Booker prize. Remember Chris Mullin’s... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In an Economic Crunch, South African Readers Turn to Used Book Stores

From the VOA: Amid tough economic times in South Africa, consumers are supporting a growing number of used book stores, avoiding new-book prices. The post In an Economic Crunch, South African Readers Turn to Used Book Stores appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Comey Sells Book to Flatiron

James Comey, the embattled former FBI director fired earlier this year by President Trump, has found a home for the book he was rumored to be shopping: Flatiron Books. Comey's book, which is currently untitled, is slated for spring 2018. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rights Update: Swedish Crime Writer’s Debut Book Sells to 10 Territories

Lina Bengtsdotter's crime novel Annabelle is a hit with rights buyers. The book also has its own song by the author's sister and pop singer, Petra Brohäll. The post Rights Update: Swedish Crime Writer’s Debut Book Sells to 10 Territories appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-07-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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10 Books That Puzzle the Reader

N.J. Campbell, author of the mind-bending new novel, 'Found Audio,' picks 10 delightfully puzzling books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookwire’s Spanish Markets Footprint: Selling More Ebooks ‘In the Jet Stream’

'Global vision, local service' is how Bookwire has pushed deep into its Latin American expansion after success in Germany and Spain. The post Bookwire’s Spanish Markets Footprint: Selling More Ebooks ‘In the Jet Stream’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-06-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Freight Books in talks to sell

Scottish independent Freight Books has revealed that it is "exploring the opportunity" to sell off the company. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ebook sales drop as readers favour non-fiction books

Total book sales including physical and digital books rose 6% to £3.5bn, propped up by non-fiction. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2017-04-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kobo will sell discounted digital copies of your paper books

Kobo, the Canadian e-reader titan, has snapped up a little-known ebook platform called Shelfie and will incorporate its features into its apps. Shelfie was a service that sold digital copies of print books you already own at a discount before it shu... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2017-04-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The 11 Best Comic Book Movies You Can Stream Right Now, From Superman to Deadpool

It's a bird… it's a plane… it's a great way to spend your couch time! The post The 11 Best Comic Book Movies You Can Stream Right Now, From Superman to Deadpool appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2017-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Christian Books Selling Well at Hobby Lobby

After expanding its inventory to include popular Christian books, Hobby Lobby is increasing its overall sales while providing a new retail outlet for religion publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair’s LitAg Sells Out; Publishers Rights Corner Is Open

With Frankfurt's agents and scouts center an early sell-out, the fair recommends quick bookings in the Publishers Rights Corner, scheduled for October 10. The post Frankfurt Book Fair’s LitAg Sells Out; Publishers Rights Corner Is Open appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Briefcase 2017: What U.S. Agencies Will be Selling at the London Book Fair

Hot properties include titles from Ursula K. LeGuin, Masha Gessen, Tom Hanks, Joan Didion, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers rush out Trump and Brexit books to traumatised readers

Industry push for titles responding to this year’s shocking votes in the US and UK prompts raft of comedies and sober analysesPublishers are rushing out a raft of titles to meet demand among readers traumatised by the election of Donald Trump and the aftermath of the Brexit referendum. Titles... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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