Digital Publishing News

Apple is planning on unveiling a new tiered approach to subscriptions, by offering bundles. It is likely they will be announced in October, along with new iPhone and iPad models. The bundles, dubbed “Apple One” are designed to encourage customers to subscribe to more Apple services, which will generate more recurring revenue. A basic package will include Apple Music and … [Read more...] about Apple is planning on bundling subscription services

Simon & Schuster has just recorded their second quarter financial results for April, May and June 2020. The publisher reported that there was a 51% increase in ebook sales and a 34% increase in sales of physical audiobook. CEO Jonathan Karp said that there is “no reason to believe the new consumer behavior will change any time soon.” And while that will likely keep online … [Read more...] about Simon & Schuster ebook sales increased by 51%

Wattpad the self-publishing platform that is read by millions of readers every month, has experienced a data breach. Their database with over 270 million user records have been stolen and is being sold on blackmarket websites for over $100,000 USD. Kiel Hume, Director of PR & Communications at Wattpad said that no financial information, phone numbers, stories, or private … [Read more...] about Wattpad logins and passwords have been stolen

Marvel and Scholastic are teaming up to publish a series of original graphic novels that are aimed at young readers. The first title will be available next Spring and it is called Miles Morales: Shock Waves, written by bestselling author Justin A. Reynolds (Opposite of Always and the forthcoming novel, Early Departures) with art by Eisner Award-nominated artist Pablo Leon (The … [Read more...] about Marvel and Scholastic launch graphic novels for young readers

When Apple was in the middle of launching their Apple News program, they were courting major publications like the New York Times and Washington Post to post a few articles a day. Although many of the publishers decided not to join in on the fun, Apple did ink deals with some pretty big named outlets. Today, the New York Times is suspended their relationship with Apple and … [Read more...] about New York Times pulls all articles out of Apple News

Google is launching a new news initiative that will have the search engine giant paying publishers directly so users can access paywalled content. This platform will launch later this year on its  Google News and Discover services.  Google says it’s starting the program with publishers in Germany, Australia, and Brazil, but says that it’s got “more to come soon.” Publishing … [Read more...] about Google will start paying publishers for news content

Apple has announced that iBooks Author will be discontinued in July. Apple will also pull the app from various platforms, including the Mac Store. Books previously published using the iBooks Author app will remain available. This app was first introduced in 2012. The iTunes U app will also be shuttered sometime next year. Apple wants all authors and publishers to use their new … [Read more...] about iBooks Author and iTunes U is being Discontinued

A slew of major publishers have announced today they they will not be attending the Frankfurt Book Fair this year. Hachette, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins and Macmillan said that due to the global pandemic they will not be sending anyone over to Germany. Penguin Random House released a statement today. "As a long-time annual participant in the … [Read more...] about Major Publishers Pull Out of the Frankfurt Book Fair