Jan 8 2013
Tuesday News: Entangled Partners with Macmillan; Txtr and Readerlink to bring digital books to gas stations; and indie bookstore song falls flat
New Distribution Partnership And Joint Venture Between Macmillan, St. Martin’s Press, And Entangled – World News Report – Entangled has partnered with Macmillan to distribute Entangled’s books “in all domestic and international markets and for all platforms where Macmillan currently does business.” It is unstated whether this new distribution deal will represent an increase in prices. Part of Entangled’s success has been the low cost of its books, generally $2.99 and under.
Entangled has been able to price their books in that fashion because it publishes through PubIt! and Kindle Direct whereby they achieve 70% of their sale price. Under Macmillan, the deals cut with retailers may be quite different. In a separate agreement, St. Martin’s Press will launch a new joint venture imprint known as St. Martin’s/Entangled which will bring into print and publish a select number of Entangled’s digital first titles. No word from the press release as to how the books will be picked to be published in the joint venture. The successful books from Entangled appear to be those from the Brazen line, Jennifer Armentrout’s YA titles, and Jennifer Probst’s The Marriage Bargain (which is the property of Simon & Schuster). Press Release
Shop for ebooks at the grocery store, with new txtr/ReaderLink partnership – Txtr and ReaderLink (formerly known as Levy Home Entertainment) have partnered to provide a way to sell ebooks through grocery stores, warehouse clubs and convenience stores. The details of how this will be done (through cards or kiosks) isn’t clear but the goal is to bring digital bookstore conveniences to these well trod retail shopping centers. Txtr also hints at bundling or other “crossover opportunities.” I wasn’t a fan of the txtr app when it was first launched. It’s interface was clunky and the look and feel wasn’t very smooth. Maybe it is time to revisit. paidContent
Awesome Song Promotes Local Bookstores, Not Amazon – A song by booksellers Molly and Colin from Common Good Books in St. Paul Minnesota is floating around the book world as something that should be used to promote indie bookstores. The song is cute and the singers are good but it is possibly the worst promotion of indie bookstores out there. In the song they recognize that the prices might be higher at indies and the selections might be lower, but you should buy from them “Because, just because.” How is that a compelling slogan?
The commenters to the Huffington Post article are indicative of why the local bookstore is struggling. One of them says that they buy local … at the Half Price Bookstore. Another says that their local bookstore doesn’t sell urban fiction books so she has to buy at Amazon and B&N. Two others proclaim their love for the Nook and Kindle. Yet another commenter says that she’ll save her money for the local coffeehouse. Definitely not the responses hoping to be engendered by the cute “pro indies” song. Huffington Post
Get Ready To Hear The Term ‘iPhone mini’ A Lot More In 2013 – I’m constantly reading rumors about upcoming devices, but I thought this was particularly well reasoned. Because of the limited product line, the increased success of Android devices, and Apple’s desire to conquer the world, a smaller iPhone may be in the works for 2013. In total, Strategy Analytics expects that by year’s end, Android will hold 33 percent of the global smartphone market. Apple’s share is expected to hit 21 percent. AppAdvice
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Jan 08, 2013 @ 05:53:30
My teenagers were asking why we don’t have iPhones or smart phones. When I start quoting monthly fees times the number of people in our house they back off. If these mini phones come with a mini price, only then will I be interested.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 07:05:33
Smartphones are not cheap, no matter the carrier. The bill for a family plan for just 2 lines at AT&T goes to $120 or more (that’s with the 2G data plan and unlimited texting). I can only imagine how the numbers would look if you add 4 data plans to a family plan for 4. *shudder*
As to Android holding 33% of the market… all I have to say is WOW. I didn’t realize that it had been gaining so much ground!
I am not surprised at the lack of success of that indie book song. Given how the economy is and how now everyone is officially “trained” to look for the better deal (the cost of living has gone up while salaries remain flat, so anything that is not rent/utilities/groceries is pretty much considered superfluous spending, so most peeps like myself look for ways to make the most of the limited entertainment budget) a “cute” song with lame lyrics to promote an indie bookstore is not going to cut it, and that is happening all over the world. I just found out through one of my cousins (I am half Spaniard) that an iconic bookstore in Barcelona is being shut down. Sad but that is the way of things now.
M
Mireya
Jan 08, 2013 @ 07:38:37
Our local bookstore had a tough time during Sandy and the aftermath, but is generally doing quite well. Our town is quite liberal, but the local bookstore in Princeton shut several years ago, so I can’t give that the credit. The selection could be more varied and include more “genre” fiction, but they’re always willing to order, and they work like hell to create a warm, inviting space, with good recommendations, lots of readings and events, etc. However, 20% off select hardcovers, and 10% off everything else does make it a bit easier to shop there. And that 10% often makes it cheaper than amazon or B&N, especially for mass markets that those two may not discount anyway. But overall, I’ve got no idea what keeps it running, especially with another indie within 10 minutes, and 2 B&N’s within 20 min, I’m just thankful it is.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 07:58:06
@Sandy:
Buy the phones unlocked and see if you can get a better deal on the phone service. You don’t need a data plan, the phones should use wi-fi, which is often free. I rarely use mobile data on my Android phone, but use wi-fi all the time. (Another hint, Android phones come at all different price points and have (depending on price) all or many of the features of an iPhone.)
Jan 08, 2013 @ 08:05:56
I found the deal between Entangled and Macmillan interesting. There are several titles by Entangled that I enjoyed, however their lack of diversity, not only on the main website but their catalogue is disappointing.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 10:15:34
I *did* shop at my local bookstore (Stacy’s in downtown SF). But is closed anyway, and it was the ONLY local indie that carried a wide selection of genre fiction, including romance. Given that there is now not a single bookstore within walking distance of my office (which I find depressing), I shop at Amazon. With Kindle I get instant fiction and with Prime I get research books (and just about everything else on earth) in one or two days.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 10:39:22
@wikkidsexycool: The only reason I’d heard of Entangled was because of DA’s review of Busted in Bollywood which featured Indian characters. It’s why I bought it. I’ve followed Entangled’s progress (as a writer, not reader), but didn’t think to look and see if the other titles strayed from the norm. If they don’t, I’d surely hope they did so in the future.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 10:57:33
@Sylvie:
Thanks Sylvie,
I did read that review. I wonder if they realize that their site doesn’t readily convey its inclusive? Perhaps this is something they will rectify in the future.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 11:40:40
Regarding the Entangled/Macmillan partnership:
I got clarification from my agent this morning, and my understanding is that Macmillan will only be distributing the ebooks for those titles that are also taken to print. For digital-first/digital-only releases, Entangled will still use its current distribution platform.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 12:14:10
@Jackie Barbosa: So then do you think this is in the eventuality of future Jennifer-Probst-style hits? So that they get a bigger piece of the pie rather than having the author sign a print deal elsewhere? Makes sense to me that they’d want that.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 12:47:18
@Jackie Barbosa: That’s interesting, because this part of the press release suggests that Macmillan will be doing all ebook distribution from February 1 (unless I’m misinterpreting, which is entirely possible):
The print agreement is separate:
Jan 08, 2013 @ 12:59:46
@Liz Mc2: Yes, that’s the motivating factor behind the agreement. I believe that Entangled’s current print distributor doesn’t have anywhere near the reach of Macmillan and may not support returns, which is still a major issue as far as print retailers are concerned.
@Sunita: That was the way I read it as well (Macmillan would do all ebook distribution as of 2/1), but my agent assures me that the category titles aren’t part of the agreement unless/until the decision is made to take them to print, at which point, we would be included in that decision.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 13:21:26
@Jackie Barbosa: I guess I am destined to be confused until more information is offered. If your agent is correct, I don’t see why there are two separate agreements at all. But as is more than obvious, I am not in the publishing business.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 13:53:18
@Mireya: Oh, no, Mireya, which one? (I seek out bookstores while vacationing, and enjoyed several in Barcelona last year, especially Altair.)
Jan 08, 2013 @ 14:39:56
I believe the Probst book is Indulgence line and not Brazen, whether that matters or not.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 14:55:19
@Jackie Barbosa: Jackie, I’d check that again with your agent. The notice from Liz to authors is very clear that it is all titles, from all imprints, that will be distributed via Macmillan. The SMP deal is specific to category titles, but the Macmillan one is for everyone.
One of the benefits, Jane, is that it will allow Entangled titles to be available for pre-order, which the current system doesn’t allow. There are probably others too at the back-end of the business that I don’t really understand.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 15:01:10
Interesting comments and articles, as always! Especially about the indie bookstore. Since Borders is gone, in my area the indie is priced basically the same as B&N; both you have to buy into their store loyalty program to get discounts. In that case, I’d rather give a few bucks to the indie and then get my discount. My indie specializes in kids and YA, and since I write YA, it’s a great resource. But for reference books, they are few, and while they carry a great variety, they don’t have the room needed to carry a lot of back titles. So, I find I have to still look to my library or Amazon or B&N/Nook to get all the books I want.
The indie in my area has stayed afloat because they bring in so many authors for events. Tons of great ones. They also benefit from a good location in a downtown district that is crowded on weekends. I hope indies stay in business, but those commenters are right: you’re not winning any new fans with a song about how the prices are higher, but you should go there just because.
Jan 08, 2013 @ 17:46:40
I’m kind of on the fence about Half Price Bookstore not counting as local. If you’re old enough and live in Texas than you might remember it as only a few stores rather than the larger chain it’s become – previously it was only in Texas, and all those stores had a very indie feel to them, and very different stock depending on the managers and local readers. It sells used, but also new, and has always been known as a company that was very giving to certain charities, etc. But now that it’s larger, yeah I guess not so much.
Jan 09, 2013 @ 04:43:39
Okay, I just checked with Liz Pelletier and she’s confirmed that with the new deal, neither digital prices nor author royalties will be changing at Entangled. I don’t know the details of the deal but I do trust that Liz wouldn’t sign anything that would put her authors or her business model at risk.