Dear Author: Romance Novel Reviews, Industry News, and Commentary

Amazon.com showed another great quarter of sales and income.  Net sales ended September 30 are up 31% to 4.26 billion and net income is up 48% to $118 million.  It has been said that Amazon's pricing of hardcovers for the Kindle at $9.99 represents a loss to Amazon for each sale but it is easily absorbing any loss.  Amazon did feel that sales for the full year would be down, however, lowering expectations perhaps in line with what some retailers forecast to be a very slow holiday season.  Kindle sales "account for more than 10% of unit sales for books that are available in both digital and print formats" which is a nebulous number.  Via PublishersWeekly.

From the email:  Fictionwise has always been proud to be the only eBook retailer to actively promote and support independent eBook Publishers. This week, we are featuring all Independent Publishers by offering big savings on nearly 20,000 MultiFormat eBooks! For a limited time, all MultiFormat eBooks are 25% off through October 5th.  see below: http://www.fictionwise.com/Z133282T951/ebooks/multiformat.htmThe multi-format books do not have DRM and include books from Belgrave House, Samhain Publishing, and Amber Quill Press.  Go forth and buy.  Support your indie publisher.

Borders is running a special on romances. If you buy 4, you get 1 free and if your order is over $25, you get free shipping. If the average book you buy is $6.50 or greater, then four books would exceed the $25 mark.

According to the Census Bureau reports (which do not include used books, electronic home shopping, mail-order, or direct sale) that brick and mortar book sales are down in June by 7.6% even though, for the year, the sales have increased 3.1%.

Full census data here.