Borders

Borders First Chapters Contest Results in Two Published Books

Borders First Chapters Contest Results in Two Published Books

Borders and Gather.Com in conjunction with Simon & Schuster held a contest for unpublished authors which began with 2600 contestants and was whittled down to 10 finalists. The winner was Terry Shaw with his entry, The Way Life Should Be. The first runner up, Geoffrey Edwards, was compelling enough to the panel that his book,(…)

Borders Beta Site Is Launched

Borders has lauched a beta of its new online store. The romance page has a top section of featured books and then book covers of upcoming and currently on sale romances (and some that may be loosely described as romances). I like it and find it more attractive than Amazon. How easy it will to(…)

Bookstores Buoyed by Harry Potter But Future Looks Grim

Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Books a Million (BAMM) all experienced profitable quarters due to the scads of people buying Harry Potter books. Borders Sales in the quarter ending in August 2007 rose 10.4%. Excluding the sales of Harry Potter, the same store sales for Borders showed only a 0.4% increase compared to the previous(…)

Borders Looks to Its Own for Next Great Novelist

Borders Looks to Its Own for Next Great Novelist

Borders is offering its 30,000+ employees the opportunity to be published. Starting now and ending in January of 2008, Borders is running a fiction writing contest for its employees. The winner will be awarded a book deal with marketing from Borders including “being featured in the Borders “Shortlist,” an e-mail promotion for Borders Rewards(R) members,(…)

Borders/Gathers Writing Competition Announces Winners

Two male authors were chosen as the winners of the Gather.com’s First Chapters Writing Contest. Simon & Schuster’s Touchstone imprint will publish Terry Shaw’s, The Way Life Should Be, featuring a reporter who investigates his friend’s death, and a historical thriller by Geoffrey Edwards titled, Fire Bell in the Night. Yes, I pulled the sex(…)

Top 10 Peeves from Booksellers and Readers about Author Websites

This is a special post by Bookseller Jolie after talking with some other booksellers and readers. Readers want to buy your books; booksellers want to sell your books. Even though this article is all about the peeves, it’s really about how to help authors get connected to readers. The only way to do that is(…)

Borders Announces Its Literary Idol Finalists

Publishers’ Weekly calls the contest that Borders is holding at Gather.com, the “Literary Idol” and today, Borders announced its top 20 semi-finalists. 12 men and 6 women and 2 initials. The winning contestant supposedly determined in part by the readers’ votes and comments, will win a contract with Simon & Schuster’s Touchstone Imprint and $5,000.00.(…)

Borders Rewarding Customer Loyalty More Often

Yesterday, Borders Rewards members received an email announcing changes to the Rewards program. Last year, when you made purchases, a percentage of those purchases were rebated back to you to spend during the Holidays. This year, you’ll receive a $5 Borders Buck coupon for every $150 spent. This is akin to other shopping programs such(…)

Borders May Have Represented 2-3% of Amazon Sales

Borders May Have Represented 2-3% of Amazon Sales

Borders severing times with Amazon is getting alot of play in the business world. One analyst from Citigroup believes that Borders accounts for 2-3% of Amazon sales. I have real questions about the profitability of the digital download centers. Borders currently buys direct from the publisher at a 40% discount as do most bookstores. It’s(…)

Borders Posts Large 4th Quarter Loss

Borders announced an unexpected fourth quarter loss despite increased sales. Sales rose 2.9% but posted a loss of $73.6 Million versus a profit of $119.1 M posted in the 2005 4th quarter. There was no explanation for the loss but indicated that there would be a re-evaluation of its overseas outlets and an unveiling of(…)

Borders Buy 4 Get 1 Free Romance Special

Borders is having a Buy 4 Get 1 Free Romance Book special. Usually these are only at Waldens so I am glad to see Borders picking up these types of promos when the Waldens seem to be closing all over the country. Send to Kindle

Interview with a Buyer: Sue Grimshaw, BGI

Sue Grimshaw is the romance buyer for BGI. She buys for Borders, Borders Express and Waldenbooks. Since she began her position with BGI, Ms. Grimshaw has increased romance book sales for BGI by 20%. She is a fan of the genre and is devoted toward getting the romance books into the hands of the romance(…)

Borders New CEO Brings in Old Friends

George Jones, the new CEO of Borders Group, is bringing in Robert P. Gruen as the executive vp of merchandising and marketing. Gruen is filling an open position. As executive vp of marketing, Mr. Gruen will be in charge of the product buying, inventory management, merchandising programs and marketing programs. Gruen has worked with Jones(…)

Borders CEO Talks Changes with Shelf Awareness, Says Author Branding Important

Borders CEO, George Jones, gave a far ranging interview with Shelf Awareness. Publishers want Borders’s buyers to travel to NY to enhance relationships. Wants to increase the customer average of $25 which is low compared to the amount of time spent in the store Category management is de-emphasized. Author branding is important. Digital technology and(…)