There is a lot of ebook news from the UK, today. Random House UK has adopted the agency model, following a similar move at the beginning of March in the US. As of today, the company's approximately 6,000 ebook titles are available for sale through Apple's iBookstore in the UK as a result.
Random UK spokesperson Maureen Corish says "We were the only major English language trade publisher not to have our ebooks on sale via the iBookstore, so today's announcement sees us forging a new commercial relationship as part of our commitment to increasing consumer choice and making our authors' books available to as many readers as possible in whatever format they prefer."
Asked whether the timing reflects any assessment of the current examination of the agency model by the Office of Fair Trading, she said "we have no comment to make on the ongoing OFT investigation."
Victor Launches Digital Publisher
London-based transatlantic agents Ed Victor Ltd. have announced the creation of Bedford Square Books, focused on reissuing out-of-print and reverted titles from the agency's authors in ebook and POD editions. We know of a number of other agencies currently working on similar plans, so expect more announcements like this to come.
The scale is modest to start, with six titles planned for this September and another six for next January. Bedford Square will start of a line of shorter works next year, offering reprints as well as, potentially, original material. Ed Victor tells the Bookseller he will still look for traditional publishing partners first: "If I had a choice to go with Bedford Square Books or with a publisher, I would always go with the publisher. If you don't do it, I will." Victor also notes, "I'm not doing this in any way to compete with or anger the publishing industry.... I'm doing this for the fun of it, and as a service to my clients."
Somewhat surprisingly, Bedford Square will be a full partner with its authors rather than charging something closer to a traditional commission, even though the agency is not adding staff for the venture. Victor tells the Bookseller Bedford Square will recoup expenses first and then share net receipts 50/50. The unit will publish in the UK for now, and Victor indicates he is talking to Open Road about US distribution.
Digital production company Acorn will produce and distribute the files, and the print-on-demand will be provided through Gardners.
Random UK spokesperson Maureen Corish says "We were the only major English language trade publisher not to have our ebooks on sale via the iBookstore, so today's announcement sees us forging a new commercial relationship as part of our commitment to increasing consumer choice and making our authors' books available to as many readers as possible in whatever format they prefer."
Asked whether the timing reflects any assessment of the current examination of the agency model by the Office of Fair Trading, she said "we have no comment to make on the ongoing OFT investigation."
Victor Launches Digital Publisher
London-based transatlantic agents Ed Victor Ltd. have announced the creation of Bedford Square Books, focused on reissuing out-of-print and reverted titles from the agency's authors in ebook and POD editions. We know of a number of other agencies currently working on similar plans, so expect more announcements like this to come.
The scale is modest to start, with six titles planned for this September and another six for next January. Bedford Square will start of a line of shorter works next year, offering reprints as well as, potentially, original material. Ed Victor tells the Bookseller he will still look for traditional publishing partners first: "If I had a choice to go with Bedford Square Books or with a publisher, I would always go with the publisher. If you don't do it, I will." Victor also notes, "I'm not doing this in any way to compete with or anger the publishing industry.... I'm doing this for the fun of it, and as a service to my clients."
Somewhat surprisingly, Bedford Square will be a full partner with its authors rather than charging something closer to a traditional commission, even though the agency is not adding staff for the venture. Victor tells the Bookseller Bedford Square will recoup expenses first and then share net receipts 50/50. The unit will publish in the UK for now, and Victor indicates he is talking to Open Road about US distribution.
Digital production company Acorn will produce and distribute the files, and the print-on-demand will be provided through Gardners.
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