The digital audiobook industry has been growing exponentially for the past four years and the big five publishers are generating the lionshare of revenue. Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins and S&S accounted for 45% of all US sales from April 2017 to January 2018. Amazon-owned publishing imprints, such as Audible Studios and Brilliance Audio account for a fifth … [Read more...] about Big Five Publishers Accounted for 45% of all Audiobook Sales in 2017
Archives for January 2018
Print Sales Evened Out in 2017
Print sales have evened out in 2017 and unit sales of books increased by a paltry 1.9% last year, which is slightly less than annual growth rates of 3% posted between 2013 to 2016. The low growth is primarily attributed to the adult coloring book sector flatlining and there was no breakout beseller such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Big blockbusters are both a blessing … [Read more...] about Print Sales Evened Out in 2017
Amazon Layoffs in SelfPub Division
According to a report from a local newspaper, Amazon is the latest major company to plan ahead for an uncertain economic front by laying off employees. Unlike major corporations like Walmart/Sams's Club, Carrier, AT&T, and Comcast, Amazon's layoffs were very specific in nature and could be more a sign of the times than an economic struggle. Amazon-owned Createspace is laying … [Read more...] about Amazon Layoffs in SelfPub Division
Waterstones Reports an 80% in profit
Waterstones is one of the most popular bookstore chains in the United Kingdom and they have just reported an 80% jump in profits in 2017. Last year’s sales were boosted by successful children’s books, such as J K Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and children titles by David Walliams. Non-book items, such as greeting cards, stationery and educational toys, also … [Read more...] about Waterstones Reports an 80% in profit
New York Times Releases New Star Wars Book
There plenty of introspectives or history books about Star Wars, but the New York Times has done something different. The newspaper has just released a coffee table book called In a Galaxy Far, Far Away and it compiles most of the publications’ coverage on the franchise. The book begins with a 1973 feature about George Lucas, which revealed that he was working … [Read more...] about New York Times Releases New Star Wars Book
What do you want to see in a new Kobo e-reader?
Kobo tends to release one new e-reader just in time for Mother's Day. This is because the most active digital readers who purchase ebooks from Kobo are women who are aged 45 and older and they spend on average 30 minutes per consuming various genres. What new features would you like to see in a new Kobo e-reader? Kobo has made many advancements over the years, they were the … [Read more...] about What do you want to see in a new Kobo e-reader?
Amazon is recommending CaseBot Cases for New Oasis 2 Purchases
Amazon had their own official case for the second generation Kindle Oasis, but the poor build quality resulted in thousands of negative reviews and Amazon quietly discontinued them. The magnetic attachment failed to close the e-reader properly and built in stand would often fail. Amazon is now recommending a new case when you click Customize & Add to Cart, a new Casebot … [Read more...] about Amazon is recommending CaseBot Cases for New Oasis 2 Purchases
e-Book Sales Continue to Grow in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the strongest ebook markets in Europe and digital continues to grow. In the past twelve months ebook sales increased by 5.8% and they represent 7% of the total book sales. Subscription services for e-books are increasing in popularity and now account for 12.5% ​​of total net sales. The number of e-books that is available in subscription services is … [Read more...] about e-Book Sales Continue to Grow in the Netherlands
Google Audiobooks will launch in the next few weeks
Google Audiobooks has been in development since November and the launch is imminent. There is a new URL and imagery that has been released, promising 50% off your first audiobook title. The new Google Audiobook system will be apart of Google Books, so this app will be updated to include an audiobook player. Details on the player is scarce, but it will likely have standard … [Read more...] about Google Audiobooks will launch in the next few weeks
These are the Main Benefits of Using an e-Reader
E-Readers have really taken off in the past ten years with the advent of the Amazon Kindle and entrants such as Barnes and Noble and Kobo. There are many benefits to reading on an e-ink screen, such as it being easy on the eyes and the screen is not subsettable from glare from the sun. Most e-readers these days have a front-lit screen, which allows you to read in the dark. … [Read more...] about These are the Main Benefits of Using an e-Reader
Amazon Increases the cost of Prime Membership
Amazon has just increased the cost of Prime membership from $10.99 to $12.99 per month, an 18% increase. The existing price structure for Amazon student and people on government assistance will remain the same. If you pay for Prime on a yearly basis, the price remains $99 per year, which Amazon last raised in 2014. The price change is effective immediately for new people who … [Read more...] about Amazon Increases the cost of Prime Membership
Kobo releases their first original audiobook
Kobo has only been involved in the audiobook space for the past five months. They sell audiobooks individually and also charge a monthly subscription. The Toronto company has just launched their first Kobo Original by author Zoe Whittall, who was a 2016 Scotiabank Giller Prize finalist. The title is called the Best Kind of People and here is a short synopsis. "George … [Read more...] about Kobo releases their first original audiobook
Kobo VIP Customers have Received a Huge SuperPoint Gift
Kobo has a VIP program where users pay $10 per year and and can save 10% on anything they purchase. Whenever an audiobook or ebook is purchased on the Kobo website or on an e-reader, a certain number of SuperPoints are put in customer accounts. Once enough points are accrued they can be used to download free content. Kobo has just dispatched a special "New Year's Gift," which … [Read more...] about Kobo VIP Customers have Received a Huge SuperPoint Gift