What Went Wrong at Borders?
Including Borders' bungled web site and slow reaction to digital books, this insider lists six mistakes that led to its bankruptcy. One reason was the early (and sustained) commitment to music CDs both in inventory and floor space that channeled too much energy and resources away from books. And when the retail CD market cratered …
Borders Store Closings
Borders has asked the bankruptcy court for permission to close 200 stores. The stores combined to lose $2 million per week or over $100 million per year. Borders 2010 losses through late December were estimated at $168 million.
End of Physical Bookstores?
Every twitch in the retail book market spurs new conjecture about the death of physical books. The Borders' bankruptcy has started discussion about the possible death of brick and mortar bookstores.
Or, Will the Indies Return?
Another thought is that the bankruptcy might signal a decrease in the influence of the chain bookstores, heralding a renaissance of the independent booksellers.
Lerner Focuses on Content
While discussing the challenges of the marketplace, Adam Lerner, Publisher at Lerner Publishing Group, said that focusing on the hardware and software of the book industry instead of content can be a costly publisher mistake.
Protests of HarperCollins eBook Policy
Harper Collins has just announced a policy that would limit how many times a library could loan out a HarperCollins eBook to 26. You can read some of the protests here on Twitter.
B&N PubIt
Barnes & Noble introduced a production/ retail platform for self publishers last October called PubIt. Early reports indicate that the service has been widely accepted having made 65,000 titles available in less than six months, but sales figures haven't been released.
B&N/Amazon Feud
Amazon has been fighting sales tax issues in a number of states, including some that have Amazon warehouses in them. After threatening to close its Texas warehouse, B&N sent this letter to Amazon reminding them that it pays sales tax on every sales it transacts...and will be happy to work with Amazon affiliates.
Lacey Act News
The complexities of complying with and enforcing the Lacey Act are discussed from the manufacturing point of view.
Literary Games
If you're a fan of Samuel Beckett's surreal play Waiting for Godot, an equally surreal video game/tribute has been released. A similarly unique game version of The Great Gatsby is also available.
Tax Tips for Authors, Freelancers, etc.
It's that time. Here are some links to tax tips for creative independents in the publishing industry.
New Publisher Tools from WordPress
WordPress has made three new digital tools available for publishers to put their books online. An interesting presentation explains them.
Final thought
If I were blind, I would still take pleasure in holding a beautiful book. Sylvestre de Sacy
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