Sunday 30 August 2009

Archive book biz news


The British PLR, that's public lending rights, is to go through a major shake up - this will enable PLR to include non-print books such as ebooks and audiobooks. The proposals put forward by the government as part of an industry wide consultation is to be welcomed. At the moment PLR equates to 5.98p to the author every time a book is loaned out. And with most public libraries reporting an increase in audiobook loans and the DCMS, the department for culture and sport, have claimed there is an increased demand for ebooks. The government's digital Britain report will be made available in October.

Sainsbury's Supermarket has revealed plans to grow book sales by 30% over the forthcoming Christmas period, giving them a market share estimated at £35 million. The supermarket now boasts 1.62% of the entire UK book market - the trend for supermarkets to dominate is worrying for the book industry. Although it is good for the consumer who can pick up the latest bestsellers at knock down prices it means that mid-list titles are being ignored. The supermarkets are not going to be interested in new writers, said a spokesman for the Society of Authors.

Seth Grahame-Smith will follow up his bestselling Pride and Prejudice with Zombies with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire hunter. Since April his Jane Austin mesh-up has sold 45,000 copies in the UK alone.

For the first time there will be a SImpsons Annual on sale for Christmas. It seems incredible but the long running TV show has not yet spawned an annual for the Christmas market - the book will be published by Titan and be priced at £7.99. And speaking of The Simpsons - Fox have greenlit another two seasons of the show.


Are you a Bookaholic? Bookaholism is the term decided upon by The Booksellers and publishers Association for a forthcoming publicity drive to get more people reading. Tesco supermarket have also thrown their weight behind the concept so expect to hear the term Bookaholic more and more in coming months.

No comments:

VAPING IS SAFER THAN BREATHING

 The UK's new tax on vaping which will come into force in 2026 is not only immoral but patently insane, and will hit those reformed smok...