Amazon E-book Case Sprawls, Lawyers Propose Consolidation: Amazon and its co-conspirators’ anti-competitive agreements causes consumers to be overcharged for e-books purchased through retailers that compete with Amazon.
Bookstore Sales Fell 28.3% in 2020: Book sales in December 2019 were $1.04 billion compared to December 2020’s $879 million.
Dundurn (Toronto) Rebrands, Adding New Storefront and Imprint:
WNDB Launches Black Creatives Fund: We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is partnering with Penguin Random House on a series of programs designed to get more books by Black writers published.
Creating Fairness in Publishing
Ingram Launches Buzz Pick of the Month: A new, free, virtual author series called Buzz Pick of the Month. Ingram representatives said, “The goal of Buzz Pick of the Month is to build title awareness, create an outlet for book lovers and the broader book community, and encourage a shop-local message. Resources are provided to assist readers in supporting their local indie bookstore of choice.”
2021 Great Group Reads list (the 13th annual list).
- Publishers can submit books now through Friday, April 16, 2021 to be read by the Great Group Reads committee.
- 20 books will be selected at the end of July as 2021 Great Group Reads
Preliminary submission guidelines: - Publishers may submit literary fiction, including novels, novellas, short stories, and memoir, including essay collections. Books in translation are eligible.
- Books must be published in the U.S. between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021.
- Titles must be submitted by publishers, be limited to two titles per publisher or imprint, and be readily available through customary distribution channels.
- All formats—except original e-books—are eligible, including trade-paper reprints published within the designated time frame.
- Please do not submit previously submitted titles, previously selected authors, or self-published books.
- Publishers should submit titles to Kristen Knox, Great Group Reads chair, via email at ggr@wnba-books.org (subject line: Great Group Reads 2021). Please include suggested titles and a brief description of each title.
- Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Julie Frey at communications@wnba-books.org directly if you have further questions about Great Group Reads or the Women’s National Book Association.
2021 Workshops and Conferences January through March
Check back for updates as more conferences announce postponements or the decision to have a completely virtual meeting. Many are in limbo due to Covid concerns.
The Independent Book Publisher’s Association (IBPA) announced seven at-large director candidates for election at the 2021 annual meeting of members. The board also selected Patagonia Books’ Karla Olson to the position of board chair.
NetGalley and its owner, Quality Solutions/Firebrand Technologies, have been sold to Media Do International, a Japanese ebook distributor.
B&N has changed its royalty terms from 65% or 40% depending on the sales price. Now ebooks distributed through B&N Press will pay a flat 70% royalty. B&N Press now sends payments 30 days after the end of the month, rather than 60 days.
With revenue over $380 Billion, Bezos Steps Down as Amazon CEO.
