At the Halfway Point of 2026 Hachette Reports Solid Earnings Despite 'Challenging' Market Conditions - Publishing Perspectives

Authors' agents should have read the contracts.

Panzer found this post on the Publishing Perspectives site. The post is about Hachette's earnings in the first half of 2026.

 

The post includes a section about "An 'Anthropic' Windfall."

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Looks like they'll make a lot of money off the authors' work." 

 

Note: This is a very long post with several links to other information, so you'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Hachette 

Publishers, Internet Archive Trade Reply Briefs in Book Scanning Case - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts our intrepid traveling kitty found one about the latest developments in publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, Wiley, and Penguin Random House's  copyright infringement case against the Internet Archive (IA). IA has been scanning hardback copies of books and then "lending" the scanned copies to people (and libraries) without paying publishers or authors.

 

So, we wait until October.

According to Andrew Albanese's post, the publishers and IA have filed their reply briefs to the Summary Judgement requests both presented to the court earlier this year. (In a previous post Panzer explained about the publishers' and IA's Summary Judgement requests.) The publishers' attorneys presented a 41-page reply to IA's request for a Summary Judgement in IA's favor and IA's attorneys presented a 41-page reply to the publishers' request for a Summary Judgement in the publishers' favor. The post quotes extensively from both reply briefs. Basically, the publishers brief says IA is a piracy site, not a library and IA's brief says publishers are trying to keep libraries from lending scanned books. On October 7 the publishers and IA will have the opportunity to submit reply briefs to these reply briefs.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know Internet Archive was giving these scanned books out worldwide."

 

Note: This is a very, very, very long post. Bring a thermos of tea, a sandwich and a muffin for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Publishers vs. Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Summary Judgement 

Publishers, Internet Archive File Dueling Summary Motions in Scan Suit - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered a post about the lawsuit brought by publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, Wiley, and Penguin Random House against the Internet Archive. The lawsuit has been ongoing for two years now. Back in December Panzer told you about the Internet Archive wanting ten years worth of book sales data from each of the publishers.

 

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the attorneys for the publishers' lawsuit for copyright infringement against the Internet Archive have filed for a summary judgement. In the motion the attorneys say the Internet Archive (IA) is scanning books without permission and without payment to copyright holders and this constitutes copyright infringement and piracy. The attorneys for the Internet Archive (IA) have filed for a summary judgement. In the motion the attorneys say the Internet Archive (IA) is a library and is exercising fair use of the books the company is scanning. The post contains links to previous posts with information about the lawsuit.

 

I am really tired of this case.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks maybe the judge will rule for one motion or the other. Or, maybe the judge will decide the case needs to move into the court."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and muffin for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to Publishers and Internet Archive

To read Panzer;s earlier post tootle over to sales data information 

'Unaffordable, unsustainable and extremely unfair': Libraries battle publishers for equal access to ebooks - Irish Examiner

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was suddenly shaken by crying and the gnashing of teeth. Following all the ruckus, took our brave kitty boy to the Irish Examiner site. There he found a post about the financial problems of Irish libraries.

 

Big 5? Sounds like big bullies to me.

According to the post by Jess Casey, libraries in Ireland are facing funding issues due to the Big Five publishers ebook library policies. The Big Five publishers are Penguin/Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan. The publishers library policies for ebooks include charging libraries license fees, restrictions on the number of library patron loans an ebook can have before re-licensing, time limits before an ebook can become available in the library, and Hachette won't even license ebooks to libraries. The Library Association of Ireland wants legislation enacted so libraries have access to ebooks with reasonable terms and conditions and without embargo.

 ,

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks this is familiar to what's happening to libraries in the U.S."

 

Note: This is a very, very long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Irish libraries

Judge Extends Discovery Deadline in Internet Archive Book Scanning Suit - Publishers Weekly

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty boy found one about the lawsuit against the Internet Archive. Panzer has been telling you about this ongoing court case since it began.

 

10 years?

According to Andrew Albanese's post, the judge in the lawsuit against Internet Archive (IA) has extended the discovery process until January 31, 2022. The lawsuit involves publishers Hachett, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins and Wiley suing the Internet Archive for its practice of scanning and lending the publishers' books without their permission and without payment. The discovery extension comes because the Internet Archive and the publishers have been unable to come to an agreement about IA's demand for the publishers' sales records for all of their print books from 2011 forward. Attorneys for the publishers say this would take months of work to provide this information and has nothing to do with the case. There are several links to other information included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Ten years worth of books sales information for four major publishers? It gives this little kitty a headache just hearing about it."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a muffin. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a thermos of cocoa and four muffins.

 

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to IA stonewalling 

In New Filing, Publishers Accuse Internet Archive of 'Stonewalling' Discovery in Scanning Lawsuit - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a quick stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the copyright infringement suit against the Internet Archive. Panzer has been telling you about this case since it started in June, 2020.

 

What is IA hiding?

According to Andrew Albanese's post, attorneys for the publishers' lawsuit against Internet Archive (IA) have presented a filing to the court that IA is not providing requested discovery paperwork to the attorneys. IA is the subject of a lawsuit by publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, John Wiley and Sons, and Penguin Random House. AI is accused of copyright infringement for scanning the publishers' books and loaning the books without the publishers or authors' permission and without payment. The post includes links to other information about the lawsuit.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders if one of the things requested in discovery was the names of the people who "borrowed" the scanned books?"

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a small muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a thermos of cocoa and four muffins.

 

To read the post tootle over to Publishers vs Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post about the IA lawsuit tootle over to Internet Archive 

Publishers, Amazon Ask Court to Dismiss 'Illogical' E-book Price-Fixing Suit - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about the lawsuit against Amazon and the Big 5 publishers for price-fixing.

 

When the case is explained that way, it makes no sense.

In his post Andrew Albanese reports Amazon and the Big 5 publishers' lawyers have asked the court to dismiss the 'illogical' case. The Big 5 publishers are Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House and Simon and Schuster. Their lawyers say the case is 'illogical' because the case says Amazon and the publishers conspired through e-book price-fixing to make Amazon a monopoly. The lawyers say obviously the publishers wouldn't gain anything "from helping Amazon gain market power."

 

Panzer says, "If the case was held in my Kitty Court, I'd dismiss it."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Publishers and Amazon

Discovery Extension Requested in Internet Archive Book Scanning Suit - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was violently shaken by booing and hissing coming from outside. Following all the chaos took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the Internet Archive was causing all the noise.  For the past year Panzer has been telling you about the publishers who have sued the Internet Archive for copyright infringement.

 

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, last year the four publishers Hachette, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins and Wiley filed a copyright infringement suit against the Internet Archive. The publishers' attorneys have now asked for an extension in the case. The case is set to be heard in court on September 24, but the attorneys have asked to have an extension until December 17. This is based in part on the Internet Archive's (IA) attorneys demand for ten years of monthly book sales reports for all the books published by all four of the publishers involved. The publishers' petition to have IA's discovery motion not granted is filed in another court and no decision has been made on the motion yet. IA isn't contesting the extension as there are several witnesses both sides of the case wish to question before the case is heard in court. The post contains links to other information about the copyright infringement case.

 

It's information on 500,000 books.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wants to know where the Internet Archive is getting all the money to pay for the attorneys."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to IA discovery motion 

Internet Archive Seeking 10 Years of Publishing Sales Data for Its Fair Use Defense - Publishers Weekly

 Today's trip in to the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about the Internet Archive.

According to Andrew Albanese's post, the Internet Archive (IA) is asking the judge in the copyright infringement case against them to order the publishers suing them to turn over 10 years worth of monthly book sales records. The IA's lawyers say they need the records to prove the IA's "loaning" of unauthorized scanned copies of the publishers' books didn't impact book sales. Lawyers for publishers Hachette, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Wiley say asking for that much information is unnecessary. This court case has been ongoing since June 1, 2020.

Hmm ... IA admits to 10 years.

 

Panzer says, "Monthly sales records for every book for 10 years! I am totally meow-less."

Note: This is a medium length post. I wouldn't bring anything to eat or drink for today's reading if I was you. You might spit it all over your monitor and keyboard when you read this post.

 

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive 

Amazon E-book Case Sprawls, Lawyers Propose Consolidation - Publishers Weekly

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts our busy kitty found one about the Amazon ebook price-fixing case. Panzer told you about this court case back in January.

E-book price-fixing? How?

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, there are currently four different lawsuits accusing Amazon and publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, MacMillan, Penguin Random House and Simon and Schuster of ebook price fixing. Lawyers with the Hagens Berman law firm have asked the judge in the case to consolidate all four cases into one class action suit. The post includes links to other information about the price-fixing allegations.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't understand how stacking cases to be able to ask for a class action suit can be common knowledge in the court system and acceptable."

 

Note:This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links, bring a thermos of cocoa and six muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon ebook case 

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Amazon ebook dominance

Internet Archive Answers Publishers' Copyright Lawsuit - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging in the posts at all he found one about the Internet Archive. Our investigative kitty reporter has posted about the Internet Archive a couple of times over the past two months because of the recent lawsuit against it.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the Internet Archive's (IA) attorneys in the court case filed a response to the the copyright infringement lawsuit against IA.  The lawsuit was filed by publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, John Wiley and Sons, and Penguin Random House. The publishers allege in the lawsuit the Internet Archive (IA) is a piracy site performing copyright infringement by scanning the publishers' books and allowing the downloading of the scans.The IA doesn't have the publishers' or the authors' permission to scan their books and makes no payments to either the publishers or the authors. In the attorneys' response to the claims, they say the IA is a library and all libraries can allow their patrons to download digital books. The attorneys say because IA has a purchased copy of the book they can scan it and let people download it.

Ebook is legal. Scanned book is illegal.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... My local library doesn't scan hardback and paperback books to loan out to patrons. My local library buys ebooks from the publishers to loan out to patrons. There is a difference."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to publishers' lawsuit

Internet Archive to Publishers: Drop 'Needless' Copyright Lawsuit and Work With Us - Publishers Weekly

As Panzer was tootling around the Catosphere, he heard laughing and giggling coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took our fun-loving kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the lawsuit against the Internet Archive for copyright infringement. Panzer told you about the publishers' lawsuit last month.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Internet Archive (IA) founder Brewster Kahle held an internet 'press conference' on July 22. In it he implored publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, Wiley and Penuin Random House, who are suing IA for copyright infringement, to drop their lawsuit. During the Zoom conference, he and other speakers explained why IA's book scanning program is good for preserving knowledge and books. Kahle's arguments haven't changed over the years. The arguments are simple. It's okay for IA to scan hard copies of books and let people download them. And it's okay this is done without the publishers' or authors' permission. And it's okay neither is given any payment for their books. And it's okay because he says IA is a library. There are several links to other posts included in this post.

It's not a library.

Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't understand how anybody can say it's okay to take away your stuff without your permission and without paying you. No wonder people are laughing at the joke."

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you follow the links, bring another thermos of tea and another two dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive
To read Panzer's previous post about the lawsuit, tootle over to Internet Archive lawsuit

Hachette Audio & Wax Audio Group Launch Vinyl Audiobook Series, Featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jerry Garcia & More: Exclusive - Billboard

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere just enjoying the ride when he heard a bunch of oohing and ahhing. Chasing after the noises took our inquisitive kitty to the Billboard site. There he discovered a post about the Hachette Book Group's  new plans for their audio books.

According to Keith Caulfield, Hachette Book Group's Hachette Audio has formed a publishing partnership with Wax Audio Group. The two will release audio books and audiobook-on-vinyl (vinyl records/LPs) with their first selection out yesterday. Three more are already in the works with more being issued throughout 2018. The most recent announced selections are at least in part read by the book's author(s).

Nobody knows I did it.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Audiobook-on-vinyl? Just goes to show ... Give it enough time and everything old is new again. This little kitty just wishes he wouldn't have given away all Mom's Grandma's vinyl records."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit).

To read the post tootle over to Hachette vinyl audiobook series

"The ebook is a stupid product. Our business cosists of saying no to three thousand manuscripts and saying yes to one." - Hachett CEO

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard booing and hissing outside. Following the cacophony of noise took our brave kitty pilot to The New Publishing Standard site. There he found a post about publisher Hachette Livre.

He sure hates indie publishers.

According to the post by Mark Williams, Hachette Livre CEO Arnaud Nourry doesn't find Amazon (or any other tech company) a problem to the company's publishing markets. While Amazon is the dominant company in the English speaking readers realm, Hachette concentrates their business in the non-English speaking countries only deriving 25 percent of their market from English readers. Amazon's concentration in the self-publishing arena is also part of the mix. As the title of Mr. Williams' post emphasizes, Mr. Nourry doesn't support self-publishing. Since there are no gatekeepers in the self-publishing realm, he believes most of what is in the reading arena should not have been published at all.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... From this post it looks like Hachette controls the paperback and hardback market outside the English-speaking readers in the United States and Canada."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Hachette CEO

Wattpad now pimping writers to Hachett Romans - The Digital Reader

Today, Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere. Our speedy kitty made a quick jump to The Digital Reader site. There with just a little digging around he found a post about Wattpad and Wattpad Studios.

What about marketing and promotion?

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post,Wattpad has signed a new publishing partnership agreement with Hachette Livre. Chosen Wattpad writers can have French language translation and publishing of their stories by Hachette Livre. Wattpad Studios which handles the selection of stories receives a commission for their services.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This little kitty wants to know if there's more involved than just French translation and publishing."

Note: This is a long-short post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Wattpad

Hachette Partners with Wattpad to Produce Audiobooks - Publishers' Weekly

When Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile today, he found a post scrunched under the passenger seat. Spreading out the post, our fastidious kitty discovered it was from a trip he made to the Publishers' Weekly site. The post was about Hachette and Wattpad's new partnership.

Mom's feeling better.

According to the post by Calvin Reid, Hachette and Wattpad are partnering to produce audiobooks. The audiobooks will use popular Wattpad author's stories. Plans are to have 50 audiobooks available in the summer of this year. They will be available at iTunes and other sellers. No titles or authors have been announced yet.

Panzer says, "It makes this little kitty want to post some of his work at Wattpad. Maybe it will become popular with the readers there."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and one and a half muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Hachette and Wattpad

Hachette to bring in new royalty statement system in 2018 - The Bookseller

Is it really that bad?

Today when Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile our fastidious kitty happened to look under the passenger seat and found a post from last week at The Bookseller site. The post is about Hachette's plans for a new royalty reporting statement system.

According to the post by Katherine Cowdrey, Hachette CEO Tim Hely Hutchinson sent his annual letter to all the company's authors. In the letter Mr. Hely Hutchinson says the company will begin issuing new author royalty statements. He says the new statements will be "better, clearer and more detailed." The post also details the declines in Hachette's book and ebook sales and the possible effect Brexit may have on book sales.

Panzer says, "Mr. Hely Hutchinson's letter doesn't paint a very good picture of ebook and book sales."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Hachette

Hachette Audio Enhance YA Audiobooks With Booktrack Technology Platform - Press Release

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today when he heard music. Following the melodious sounds took our kitty traveler to the Book Business Site. There he found a post about a Hachette press release announcing their partnership with Booktrack to produce audiobooks.

Is the music really worth it?

According to the post, Hachette will use the Booktrack platform to produced enhanced audiobooks. On October 4 Hachette begins sales of their enhanced YA (Young Adult) audiobooks. Enhanced means a soundtrack with music is added to the audio reading track. The audiobooks will be available at Audible, iTunes/iBooks and other retail sites. A link is available in the post to the Hachette's sales page. If you scroll down the page you'll see the initial four audiobooks being offered. If you click on the book you can listen to a sample of each audiobook. There's also a link to the Booktrack site where you can signup for an account, but read the Terms of Service first.

Panzer says, "With the music it does sound like listening to a movie."

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Hachette audio

What the Big 5's Financial Reports Reveal About the State of Traditional Book Publishing - Book Business

Today, Panzer found some interesting information at the Book Business site about the big five traditional publishing companies' financial reports.

According to the post by Thad Mcilroy, three of the Big 5, (Hachett, HarperCollins, and Simon and Schuster) had losses in sales over the same period last year, one (Macmillan) did not report their sales figures, and only one (Penguin Random House) had an increase. The post is a little confusing because it compares figures from different reporting periods for the companies. The end of the post speculates on which publishing companies might be candidates for mergers/takeovers.

Me...OW ... OW. My head hurts.

Panzer says, "Make sure you have an aspirin (or headache tablet). You'll need it by the time you finish the post."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Big 5

Perseus Book Group Split By Hachette and Ingram in Buying Tournament

When will the buying end?

Panzer was tootling around enjoying the view in the Catosphere. Suddenly, he heard yelling and screaming. Following all the cries, our brave kitty found himself at the Publishers' Weekly site. Digging around he found a post by Jim Milliot about Perseus Book Group. When he realized there was still more crying going on, he started digging again and found a second post.This post was by Rachel Deahl and also about Perseus Book Group.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Hachette Book Group announced they are buying Perseus Book Group's publishing arm. Hachette wanted to expand into the non-fiction book market and the Perseus Book Group, in addition to their fiction and children's books, has a market in non-fiction.

According to the second post by Rachel Deahl, the Ingram Content Group announced they are buying Perseus Book Group's distribution arm. Ingram will use the purchase to increase their global distribution.

Panzer says, "Goodbye, Perseus Book Group. Pretty soon all the smaller publisher and distribution companies will be gone and there will only be one or two behemoths left."

Note: Since there are two posts today, bring a b-i-g cup of tea and two muffins.

To read the post about Hachette's acquisition of Perseus Book Group's publishing arm, tootle over to Hachette and Perseus

To read the post about Ingram's acquisition of Perseus Book Group's distribution arm, tootle over to Ingram and Perseus