Of interest to e-authors

[rgraham666]

Barnes & Noble buys Fictionwise.

I have this feeling B&N, since they're opening their own e-book store, is doing this to reduce competition. I'm betting B&N will try to introduce paper publishing royalties on e-books. Sigh.

 

[sadangel]

Barnes & Noble buys Fictionwise.

I have this feeling B&N, since they're opening their own e-book store, is doing this to reduce competition. I'm betting B&N will try to introduce paper publishing royalties on e-books. Sigh.

Damn. That would not be good!

 

[R. Richard]

I can see some possible bad things happening when B&N take over Fictionwise. However, they're keeping, at least for the present, the founders of Fictionwise, Steve and Scott Pendergrast, to run Fictionwise.

 

[Belegon]

I think it is too soon to forecast doom & gloom. It may simply be a wise move by B & N to pick up knowledge and infrastructure for competing with Amazon Kindle.

Also, the battle over royalties is going to be between New York and alternate pubs, not between booksellers.

As e-pub continues to increase market share, traditional publishing will try to protect their own. That's where the threat will originate, not from retail.

Also, as far as royalties versus increased sales go... half of nothing is not as good as 15% of something.

 

[rgraham666]

You're right, Bel.

I'm letting my depression speak for me. Tsk.

 

[Belegon]

You're right, Bel.

I'm letting my depression speak for me. Tsk.

Where it is really gonna get interesting, Rob, is when Nora Roberts insists on the same royalty rate for ebooks that Rob Graham gets...

THAT is when New York will panic.

 

[sr71plt]

I think this is recognition that the market for certain kinds of books (including erotica) really has shifted to e-booking. B&N is just trying to move to where some of the markets are; I don't think they'd have an interest to try to hamper/kill those markets.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I can see some possible bad things happening when B&N take over Fictionwise. However, they're keeping, at least for the present, the founders of Fictionwise, Steve and Scott Pendergrast, to run Fictionwise.

Which is not necessarily a good thing. FW isn't the easiest or most responsive distributor in the world to deal with already. Add a big B&N type to the mix? Ugh. It just may be even more of a nightmare.

Also, as far as royalties versus increased sales go... half of nothing is not as good as 15% of something.

I'm trying to be positive, Bel. But Amazon only gives 35%. How's B&N going to compete if they continue with 50%? *sigh*

The interesting thing is that ARE has started outselling FW (at least for us) and they give us 60%. Although how long THAT is going to last... I keep waiting for the announcement (now that they're not "new" anymore) that they're going to up their percentage...

Not to, ya know, sound like a pessimist...

 

[Belegon]

The interesting thing is that ARE has started outselling FW (at least for us) and they give us 60%. Although how long THAT is going to last... I keep waiting for the announcement (now that they're not "new" anymore) that they're going to up their percentage...

Not to, ya know, sound like a pessimist...

Speaking as someone who proudly calls both of the principal owners of ARE "friend," I don't see that happening while they have any choice on the matter whatsoever.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Speaking as someone who proudly calls both of the principal owners of ARE "friend," I don't see that happening while they have any choice on the matter whatsoever.

I'm crossing my fingers that the downturn in sales won't change their minds! This economy is killer. I can't imagine they'd do it, ya know, just for the hell of it. But to save the site? I'm sure they would if they had to.

 

[impressive]

The interesting thing is that ARE has started outselling FW (at least for us) ...

And for most of Phaze, too.

ARe introduced an iPhone ap. I think that's having an impact.

Barb & Lori are great. I wish them great success. AND, unlike Fictionwise, they'll waive their cut on Coming Together sales (by making a donation in that amount to the target charities).

 

[Selena_Kitt]

And for most of Phaze, too.

ARe introduced an iPhone ap. I think that's having an impact.

Barb & Lori are great. I wish them great success. AND, unlike Fictionwise, they'll waive their cut on Coming Together sales (by making a donation in that amount to the target charities).

Yeah, I know.

Hey, maybe B&N buying FW will have a positive effect! Who knows?

<--trying hard to look on the bright side...

 

[JPMMURPHY]

If you look at print pubs 6% loss in sales last year over previous and e-books 108% gain... you can draw a few conclusions. At the same time, even with 100 plus gains e-books represent less than 2% of total book market (media independent).

B&N purchased FW because FW is the biggest player and every trade article out there says ebook growth will continue for years in the double and tripple digit numbers.

What does surprise me is that B&N made the move and not some big print pub house. Personally I think B&N will muck it up big time.