WORLD BOOK DAY - E-BOOK PRICE FIXING

 Thursday, 03 March 2011 10:35
Patrick Stafford

European eBook publishers have been raided by the European Commission regulator as part of an investigation into price fixing that could potentially result in significant fines.


The inspections come merely weeks after the British Office of Fair Trading sparked its own investigation into the publishing sector, with suspicions that booksellers are forcing retailers to adopt certain prices.

The EU confirmed that it is working closely with the OFT, but would not name any of the companies that were raided.
The commission confirmed on its website that the raids took place earlier this week, unannounced, at the premises of companies selling eBooks in several member states.
"The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and other restrictive business practices."

The EU points out that unannounced inspections are only a preliminary step in an investigation, and do not mean the companies targeted are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour – but did say it has reason to suspect price fixing is occurring.

While major publishers have not confirmed whether their offices were raided, French publisher Albin Michel told 01net that its offices were targeted as part of the investigation. Its president, Francis Esmenard, also claimed that "this operation is masterminded by Amazon".

"They are based in Luxembourg so they don't pay the VAT in France and they would like to be able to sell books at whatever price, like they do in the United States, selling bestsellers for $9.90 US dollars," he said.

The officials are reportedly concerned about whether publishers are setting restrictive pricing rules – Europe has quite strong competition laws regarding these matters.

The Commission introduced laws three decades ago that said governments could fix book prices on the condition that exchanges between states could not be affected. However, eBooks did not exist at that time.

While the EU hasn't revealed too many details about its investigation, it has admitted working with the OFT, indicating the two investigations are at least based on similar grounds.
These raids are usually the beginning of more formal investigations.

WORLD BOOK DAY - ARKANSAS SMITH trade paperback cover

How fitting that on World Book Day, I get sent a proof of the cover design for the forthcoming, large print edition of, Arkansas Smith which will be published in May.

Well what do you all think?

World Book Day - Fucking Tories

Sign up for the campaign - tell the Tories (that's fucking Tories!) to keep their hands off our libraries.

To sign up and follow events go HERE


Author Kate Mosse was among those asking MPs to fight for libraries at a parliamentary event last night (2nd March) organised by the Publishers Association and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Publishing. Mosse joined Viv Bird, chief executive of Booktrust, and The Reading Agency director Miranda McKearney at the event.

Mosse told MPs that all of them should be writing to the head of their local councils over the situation in their own area, also calling for a national library campaign to harness the strength of feeling across the country on the issue.

Meanwhile McKearney told MPs: "It is vital that those making decisions about libraries' future understand that there is a real public need and demand for libraries' reading role." Richard Mollet, chief executive of the Publishers Association, said publishers saw libraries as "integral to promoting literacy and the pleasure of reading" and called on Ministers to "provide a clear strategic direction for the future of libraries and ensure that local authorities everywhere meet their legal obligation to provide a comprehensive and efficient service."

World Book Day - The greatest gift...

You know the greatest gift we can give our children is to instil in them a love of reading - Family Reading Breakfasts are a great way for schools, family learning tutors, children’s centres and breakfast clubs to encourage children – and adults – to develop a love of reading on World Book Day, 3 March 2011. 
We are inviting organisations across the country to bring parents and children together for the biggest family reading activity ever!
Piloted in 2010, the Family Reading Breakfasts are a fun-filled hour in which children and parents enjoy a sample of books and activities together.
How to join in:

• Register now for information and updates about how we can support you
• Download the Family Reading Breakfast toolkit here, which includes lots of activity ideas, worksheets and handouts to give you some inspiration
• Order a Family Reading Breakfast pack (UK Only). Each comprehensive pack includes 20 World Book Day stories, 20 Quick Reads and a range of materials to get your activities started, for just £55.
• Invite your local library or family learning service to get involved too, and think about how you could work together

“The Family Reading Breakfast was a great way to get mothers, fathers and carers involved in their children’s literacy, language and communication development.” Swinton Queen Primary School, Rotherham
“I am finding parents at my door wanting to change their books (just like the children! )” Norfolk Community Primary School, Sheffield

World Book Day - Why do we Read

Comedian Bill Hicks, use to do a routine where he went on about sitting in a diner down South and reading a book, this waitress comes over to him and asks, "Why are you reading for?", not, "What are you reading?", but "Why are you reading for?" I think Hicks's answer went along the lines of - "So I don't have to end up being a waffle waitress," or something along those lines.

Check it out - most everything Bill Hicks did was exceptional, the routine, REDNECK WAFFLE HOUSES is embedded below.

Of course it's not about that,,,,

On a visit to ASDA today, I heard the excited announcement over the in-store PA system that today was World Book Day -' Buy your children an outfit based on fictional characters', the voice said. And that was their sole contribution to World Book Day - there was no special display of books. And indeed no mention of World Book Day in the book section. There was no banner, nothing - only rows upon rows of £1 paperbacks. The actual book section was arranged the same way it always is, no special effort had been made to mark the celebration with a creative book display that might actually encourage folk to purchase.

This was ASDA Tonypandy's way of celebrating World Book Day - by pushing novelty costumes - dumbarses!

Ahh well, I prefer Tesco in any case.

Celebrate World Book Day with a Quick Read

The latest Quick Read titles go on sale today, and this year, for the first time, the books are also available as eBooks.

Ten fantastic new Quick Reads titles have been published today.

Bestselling authors James Patterson, Linwood Barclay, Sheila O'Flanagan, Terry Jones, and Mike Gayle alongside poet Benjamin Zephaniah and footballer Charlie Oatway are among the Quick Reads authors for 2011.

The great mix of titles and their accessible format make Quick Reads perfect for adults who are new to reading, find reading tough or simply want some short entertainment from great writers.

For 2011, Quick Reads will be available as ebooks, to download direct to computers, phones and e-readers. With a range of features, including screen reader capability, this is a great interactive way to use the books.

Also well worth checking out are the Quick Reads Podcasts which feature the likes of Terry Jones, Charley Oatway, Mike Gayle and others talking about their favourite books. HERE

World Book Day

Today marks World Book Day, a truly global celebration of books and reading. For my part I've donated over a dozen books to the local libraries, and I'll be vesting Waterstones (if it's still there) and buying several books as gifts for friends and family. However different countries celebrate the World Book Day on different days, which can be confusing but today Thursday 3rd March 2011 is officially the UK's World Book Day.

Hey, it's World Book Day so get in the groove.

World Book events in previous years have seen a large increase of books sold on the day and this year should be even better - I know of several schools in my area that are holding special books themed events today.

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. The origins of the day we now celebrate in the UK and Ireland come from Catalonia, where roses and books were given as gifts to loved ones on St. George’s Day – a tradition started over 90 years ago. For international information about World Book Day, please click here.

World Book Day 2011 in the UK and Ireland will take place on Thursday 3rd March. Please note that this date applies to the UK and Ireland only. The initiative is so well established in schools here that we want to make sure that the Day happens in term time to really make the most of this opportunity to celebrate books and reading. Most other countries hold World Book Day on 23rd April every year.

World Book Day is a partnership of publishers, booksellers and interested parties who work together to promote books and reading for the personal enrichment and enjoyment of all.
A main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own. To support this aim, a Schools’ Pack full of ideas and activities, display material and more information about how to get involved in World Book Day will be mailed to schools (including those secondary schools that have specially registered to participate) from mid-January 2011. Most of the traditional pack material will migrate online in 2011 – please register to access the new World Book Day Portal, which will be ready for use in January 2011. Registered pre-schools will also receive material around the same time. In the Events section you can see the range of activities and events organised by thousands of people around the country, many of which you can attend. Over the years our activity has been extended to cover both avid and emergent adult readers. Quick Reads are great stories from great writers and are great entertainment.

Thanks to the generosity of National Book Tokens Ltd and numerous participating booksellers, school children are entitled to receive a World Book Day £1 Book Token (or equivalent €1.50 Book Token in Ireland). The Book Token can be exchanged for one of the six specially published World Book Day £1 Books (where stocked and while stocks last), or is redeemable against any book or audiobook of their choice at a participating bookshop or book club (terms and conditions apply).


Right across the UK events will be held:

www.worldbookday.com

- Children's animation 'Eleanor's Secret' will be shown in special screenings in Bath, London, York, Exeter, Stratford and Liverpool. Visit the website for more details of screen times and prices.

- Primary School children in Wales will be performing the Revolting Rhymes after working with poets and drama students to write and perform their own takes on the Road Dahl classics. Wales Millennium Centre – 1pm (029 2063 6464).

- Dr Jonathan Faiers, author and book-buyer for the V & A, gives a lecture: ‘Book Buying in the 21st Century’. V& A Reading Rooms (020 7942 2696 – Booking essential)

- Birmingham is holding a 'Human Library' event where visitors can meet 'people on loan', a group of people who differ widely in age, sex and cultural diversity. Birmingham Central Library. (07876 295 039)

The Irish Writer's Centre celebrates World Book Day with events including a free creative writing session led by Andrew McEneff, lunchtime poetry readings with acclaimed poets, and a screening of James Joyce’s The Dead – Dublin (01-8721302).


- Shoreditch Library will be displaying popular books written in languages spoken by the ethnic minority community from around the area. Shoreditch Library, 9-5pm (020 8356 4350)
- Cambridge Scholar Claire Norman gives a lecture about libraries at Hackney Central Library, followed by ‘The Boscars’ book awards, with open mic recitals and readings. Hackney Central Library (020 8356 2542)

- Norway’s best-selling crime author Gunaar Staalesen visits Willesden Green Library, 7-9pm (020 8937 3400)
- Nottingham Library is holding a Big Book Swap to celebrate World Book Day. Nottingham Central Library, 12pm-2pm. (0115 915 2828)
- A creative story festival, The Big Write, starts at the Discover Story Centre on World Book Day (3-13 March), welcoming Michael Rosen and Rastamouse creator Michael de Souza, among others. Stratford (020 8536 5555).

- The shared reading event ‘Our Read’ will be held; 50,000 free copies of ‘The Unforgotten Coat’ by award-winning author Frank Cottrell will be distributed across the UK. To find out where, visit the Our Read website.

- The Roald Dahl museum is holding an after-school party for children and families to join in with games, story-telling and crafts. Buckinghamshire, 3.30-5pm. (01494 892192)
- The Scottish Book Trust will run a ‘Meet Eoin Colfer’ event, with the Artemis Fowl author broadcast live over the internet (11am).

WORLD BOOK DAY GUEST BLOG - EMMA TAYLOR

Although kids have a short personal history to grow on, that doesn’t mean they can’t appreciate and learn about people and events that happened well before their time. Revolutions, inventors, Presidents, and more can be explored in these fun books that make history come alive.
Biographies
Offer these books to kids who want to learn about important people in history.

1. The Extraordinary Mark Twain: Written from a 13 year old’s perspective, this book shares the story of Mark Twain.
2. What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?: Kids will enjoy this brief biography of the amazing Benjamin Franklin.
3. Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May: This book offers a biography of Patrick Henry from planter to statesman.
4. Millie’s Book: Learn about First Lady Barbara Bush from the perspective of her dog, Millie.

American History
These books cover the Constitution, pilgrims, and much more for kids.

5. Kids Make History: Explore the lives of 20 children living in extraordinary times in Kids Make History.
6. George Washington’s Breakfast: George Washington Allen is a boy who wants to find out all he can about his namesake, including what he ate for breakfast.
7. Lewis and Clark and Me: This book tells the story of Lewis and Clark from Lewis’s dog Seaman’s perspective.
8. We the Kids: We the Kids makes the preamble to the Constitution fun for kids.
9. First Pet: This book discusses the pets of Presidents in the White House.
10. And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?: Find out the rest of Paul Revere’s story in this book.
11. The New York Public Library Amazing Women in American History: Kids can read about facts in American women in history in this book from the New York Public Library.
12. George vs. George: George vs. George shows both sides of the American Revolution.
13. The Crossing: The Crossing explains how George Washington saved the American Revolution.
14. So You Want to Be President?: In this book, kids will learn that anyone can be president.
15. Eating the Plates: This book teaches kids about food and manners for Pilgrims.
16. World War II for Kids: In this book, kids will find a history of World War II with activities.
17. 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet: Kids can meet important American heroes in this book.
18. How the States Got Their Shapes: Read this book to find out how the states became shaped the way they are.
19. My Senator and Me: My Senator and Me shares a dog’s eye view of Washington DC with Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
20. Seabird: Seabird, a carved ivory gull, shares the history of America at sea.
21. We Were There, Too!: Young people in US history share their stories in this book.
22. Children’s Encyclopedia of American History: Let kids look up information and browse through American history in this encyclopedia.
23. You Wouldn’t Want to Be at the Boston Tea Party!: This book brings the history of the Boston Tea Party alive.
24. Minn of the Mississippi: Minn, a young snapping turtle, tells the history of the Mississippi River Valley in Minn of the Mississippi.
25. The Civil War for Kids: Teach kids about the civil war in this activity book.
26. Who’s That Stepping on Plymouth Rock?: Find out how Plymouth Rock became so famous in this book from Jean Fritz.
27. The American Story: The American Story has 100 true tales from American history.
28. Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution: Jean Fritz and Tomie de Paola share an illustrated look at the writing of the Constitution.

World History

29. 100 Women Who Shaped World History: Check out this book that shares the lives of 100 women who are important to history.
30. You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Medieval Knight: Kids can see what life is like as a medieval knight in this book.
31. Pompeii…Buried Alive!: Young readers will be enticed by this book describing the natural disaster of the volcano in Pompeii.
32. King George: What Was His Problem?: This book shares the hilarious story of the American Revolution.
33. Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris: Theodosia’s book shares the history of pre-World War I England through its antiquities.
34. Two Miserable Presidents: Two Miserable Presidents tells the amazing, terrible, and true story of the Civil War.
35. Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?: Kids can read about King George’s problems in this book.
36. Lives of Extraordinary Women: This book shares the lives of women rulers and rebels in history.
37. You Wouldn’t Want to Explore With Marco Polo: In this book, kids can read about exploring with Marco Polo.
38. The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau: Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau’s life is covered in this book.
39. Which Way to the Wild West?: This book points the way to the Wild West for kids.
40. Blockhead: This book takes a look at Fibonacci’s work.
41. 100 Men Who Shaped World History: Read this book o learn about 100 men who made history around the world.

Silly

42. Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum: Kids can read about the history of bubblegum in this book.
43. Who Cut the Cheese?: Who Cut the Cheese offers a cultural history of the fart.
44. The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle: Read this book about surprising inventions.
45. Hot Diggity Dog: Read about the history of the hot dog in the Hot Diggity Dog book.
46. Fart Proudly: Fart Proudly has fun Benjamin Franklin readings.
47. Poop Happened!: Sarah Albee’s book shares a history of the world through poop.
48. Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things: Find out how things like Barbie and honeymoons were invented in this book.
49. Mistakes That Worked: The Tower of Pisa and more are discussed in this book about great mistakes.
50. The Story of Chocolate: Read The Story of Chocolate to find out how the sweet stuff was invented and how it’s made today.

World Book Day 2010

Today is World Book Day and I'm looking forward to visiting a local school this afternoon to give a chat on my western books, get them reading young is what I say. Check out the World Book Day website HERE