New Report Offers Post-Pandemic Outlook for Book Business - Publishers Weekly

 Today Panzer decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about a free report about book sales after the pandemic ends.

Can't leave? Shop online.

According to a post by Andrew Albanese, a new free report titled, COVID-19 and Book Publishing: Impacts and Insights for 2021, is now available. The report's five authors are involved in the publishing industry in various capacities. The authors of the report believe based on publishers' increased online sales experiences during the pandemic they will be more willing to publish online first post-pandemic. There is more information drawn from the authors' research included in the post. A link to download the free report is also included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty isn't worried about the extra competition. Big publishers charge too much for their online books."

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

To read the post tootle over to post-pandemic book business

Europe accuses Amazon of misusing third-party retail data, opens new 'Buy Box' investigation - GeekWire

 As Panzer was tootle around in the Catosphere today, he decided to make a stop at the GeekWire site. With a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Amazon and the company's European sales dealings.

 

According to the post by Todd Bishop, the EU's European Commission is investigating if Amazon gives itself or those who use its services an advantage with the company's 'Buy Box.' The Commission is also investigating Prime members' use of the 'Buy Box.' If the Commission determines Amazon is in the wrong, the company could be fined 10 percent of its global annual revenue. There are links to other information about the Commission's investigation included in the post.

 

 They decide if they get the money?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is confused. ... Mom is an Amazon Prime member and she buys stuff on Amazon. Since she pays Amazon to be a Prime member, Amazon gives her special prices and special deals. Sometimes what she orders is shipped from Amazon fulfillment centers and sometimes it's shipped directly from the seller's company.  What is Amazon doing wrong with Prime memberships?"

Note: This is a short medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the included links, bring a thermos of cocoa, four muffins, four chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and two brownies.

To read the post tootle over to Europe Commission vs Amazon

 

 

Portland's Powell's Books says it 'must take a stand' and will stop selling books through Amazon - GeekWire

It's not easy owning an indie bookstore.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the GeekWire site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about Powell's Books a well-known independent bookstore in Portland Oregon.

According to the post by Kurt Schlosser, Powell's Books has announced they will no longer sell books online through Amazon. Owner and CEO Emily Powell announced her decision in an August 26 letter/email sent to the store's customers. During the COVID-19 pandemic the stores have been closed.  Customers have been able to order books through the store's online sales portal Powells.com and through Amazon. Two of Powell's "satellite stores" have now re-opened part time for customers in-store shopping. There's a link included in the post to Emily Powell's customer letters/emails dating from March 17 to the present.

Panzer says, "Powell's is even known in Washington state where we live."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you follow the links in the email, bring an extra muffin.

To read the post tootle over to Portlands Powell's Books and Amazon

Seattle-area booksellers, moved by community support During coronovirus shutdown, say 'indie bookstores will thrive again' - The Seattle Times

Today Panzer decided to make his trip in the Catosphere closer to home (he lives in Washington state), so he stopped in at The Seattle Times Newspaper site. (The city of Seattle is located in Washington state.) With just a little digging in the posts, our inquisitive kitty boy found one about how indie bookstores are doing in the Seattle-area (Washington) with the coronavirus pandemic state-ordered shutdown.

According to the post by Moira Macdonald, Seattle-area (Seattle, Redmond and Mercer Island) independent bookstores are finding creative ways to continue to sell books. Bookstores are adding shopping carts to their websites so buyers can order their books online. Books are then either mailed to the buyer or can be picked up curbside outside the bookstore.  People are also calling in their book orders for mail or pickup. Book buyers are buying from their neighborhood indie bookstores to help keep them from closing permanently.

Don't worry. They'll be open soon.

Panzer says, "The neighborhood bookstore is where humans can go and hold a book in their hands. That's important to a lot of humans."

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

To read the post tootle over to Seattle-area bookstores

Introducing Smashwords Presales - Smashwords Blog

Today as Panzer was taking his afternoon nap, he was shaken from his kitty bed by yelling and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Following all the hubbub took our kitty boy to the Smashwords Blog. There with no digging at all he found a post about Smashwords new presales software feature.

That's interesting news.

According to the post, Smashwords has added a new feature for authors to offer their readers. Readers who purchase through the presales feature have immediate access to the ebook they just bought and this is before general purchasers have access to the ebook. This is also different than a pre-order which is a sale before the book is available to anyone. The post is divided into five sections covering how presales work, why authors should participate in the presales program, an explanation of the patent pending software, information about the licensing of the software to other retailers. and a short wrap up about the future.  By far the largest section is the one explaining the new patent pending software.

Panzer says, "MeWOW! This looks like a major step forward for Smashwords!"

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a half gallon of tea and a half gallon of cocoa and six muffins and six sugar cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Smashwords presales

Amazon Reducing Orders to Publishers - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts our adventuresome kitty found one about Amazon's inventory problems.

Never have only distributor.

According to Jim Milliot, Amazon is cutting back on the company's book orders from publishers. This is a step the company is taking in inventory reduction at its warehouses. By reducing the number of books in inventory the company will have more warehouse space available for other items in upcoming sales during the holiday season. Because of the possible loss of holiday book sales, some publishers are considering using BN.com, Walmart and other distribution outlets for their online book sales.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Maybe ... Amazon needs bigger warehouses/distribution centers?"

Note: Your choice: This is either a long-short length or a short-medium length post. Either way, bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

Court Shakes Up Tax Landscape for Online Sales - Publishers Weekly (Pw)

Panzer was sweeping out the Panzermobile today when he noticed something under his pilot seat. Pulling it out our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was a wadded up post. Flattening it out he found it was from the Publishers Weekly site. Reading it over he saw it was about the United States Supreme Court decision about online sales taxes.

According to the post by Ed Nawota, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a new online sales tax decision. The new decision overturns a 1992 decision and allows states to collect sales taxes on all online purchases to the residents of their state. This does mean the states who don't already have online tax collection laws will have to pass them. However, some states have already put the tax collection laws into effect and have been collecting them. Included in the post are several links to other sites for more information.

Cleaning is a lot of work.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Oh no! This will raise the price on everything Mom buys online for this little kitty."

Note: This is a long length post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post for more information, bring another cup of tea and three more muffins.

To read the Publishers Weekly post tootle over to United States Supreme Court


 

Amazon Could Be as Big as Walmart In About Four Years or So - The Digital Reader

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The Digital Reader site. With no digging at all he found a post about Amazon and Walmart.

The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post addresses the issue of Walmart's late entry into the online sales market. Although Walmart's overall sales size is three times bigger than Amazon, the post states Amazon could overtake Walmart in size in four years. The post includes a lot of information about online sales. End of the year financials comparing online sales revenue show Walmart's increased 44 percent verses Amazon's 31 percent. However, the percentages are misleading. Walmart had lower online sales to begin with, so a 44 percent increase is actually smaller than Amazon's 31 percent on larger beginning online sales. The post includes quotes from press releases. There are also links to financial reports, but Walmart's report wasn't secure and couldn't be viewed.

None of it makes sense to me.

Panzer says, "All those numbers and percentages gave this little kitty a headache and he couldn't make heads nor tails of what the post was trying to say."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon and Walmart

B&N Will Open Five Prototype Stores in Fiscal 2019 - Publishers Weekly

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishers Weekly site. After no digging at all our adventuresome kitty pilot found a post about Barnes and Noble's new strategic business plan. Panzer explained about the implementation of the plan yesterday.

According to Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble has begun another phase of the company's new strategic plan to turn the company around and bring it back to profitability. In the latest phase the company will open five new "prototype" stores in fiscal 2019. (Barnes and Noble's fiscal 2019 year begins in May 2018.) The new "prototype" stores will be smaller and will a cafe. The first store will open in New Jersey. Barnes and Noble's online presence is also part of the turnaround plan. Customers can order a book at Barnes and Noble's online store and then pick it up at the local retail store.

My Cat Wisdom is online at bn.com

Panzer says, "Hmm ... So, if you order a book online and pick it up at the retail store, there's no shipping added to your cost."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble prototype stores

Indigo Reports Its Highest Quarter Revenue Ever - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer was just enjoying tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was buffeted by cheering and clapping. Our brave kitty boy followed all the noise to the Publishers Weekly site. There with no digging at all he found a post about Indigo's quarterly sales and revenue figures.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Canada's Indigo Books and Music announced the latest quarter's revenue was the highest ever. Sales revenue was up 8.2 percent compared to the same quarter in 2016. The largest sales gains were in general merchandise. Online sales were also up. The company still plans to open its first United States store in New Jersey. Company plans include an additional three or four United States stores.

They have cafes too don't they?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks Indigo Books and Music sounds a lot like Barnes and Noble without the Nook. So why is it working in Canada for them, but not here for Barnes and Noble?"

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 Indigo

Barnes & Noble Reports Holiday Revenues Down 6.4 % - The Digital Reader

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our speedy little kitty pilot stopped in at The Digital Reader site. With a little digging he found a post about Barnes and Noble's holiday sales figures.

How can we help them?

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Barnes and Noble announced in a press release that holiday sales revenue was down compared to last year's holiday revenue. It appears lower bricks and mortar store shoppers contributed to the 6.4 percent decline. Online sales also declined, but by only 4.5 percent. The company projects the next quarter sales will also be down.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Obviously ...The restaurants with alcohol in the stores isn't working. Maybe ... Do a little work on the Nook? Or work on the Nook for PC app?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

B&N Reports Falling Sales in Fiscal 2017 Report - Publishers Weekly

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishers Weekly site. There our busy kitty traveler discovered news about Barnes and Noble's 2017 Fiscal Year Report. (Panzer knows it might seem strange for a company to have their end of 2017 year report be announced in June. It just means the company was not started on January 1 but instead part way through the year. Therefore, the company's "year" doesn't start and stop on January 1. This little kitty knows it's confusing, but it's what he expects from humans.)

My ebooks are there online.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble announced their fiscal report for 2017 and the numbers are disappointing. Although according to the report online sales were up 3.7 percent, that wasn't enough to offset the 6 percent decline in retail sales or the 23.4 percent decline in Nook sales. Even though the sales figures do appear to show an abysmal sales record and losses, it does show they are not as bad as the 2016 losses.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Can the new CEO Demos Parneros turn the company around to profitability in the next couple of years? This little kitty hopes so."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

How to kill a New York Times Bestseller - Book Business

Today, Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile when he saw something crumpled up under the passenger seat. Spreading it out flat our ingenious kitty discovered it was a post from the Book Business site about marketing books.

I really need a rest after all that work.

According to the post by Rob Eagar, some book publishers aren't taking advantage of the "New York Times Bestseller" factor. Mr. Eagar points out book buyers want New York Times (NYT) bestsellers. Quoting from The Shatzkin Files blog he says, 69 percent of all books (print, ebook and audio) are sold online. Therefore, publishers should include the NYT bestseller designation in a book description. However, many publishers don't and this results in lost sales to readers looking for them. Mr. Eagar demonstrates how publishers can follow the example of their competition and easily use the NYT bestseller designation at online retail sites.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Maybe this is where indie authors have an advantage. There are several indies I've seen who use their mailing list to reach NYT bestseller status."

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

To read the post, tootle over to New York Times bestseller

February 2017 Big, Bad, Wide & International Report: covering Amazon, Apple, B&N, and Kobo ebook sales in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand - Author Earnings

Today, Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard oohing and aahing. Following the breathless noises took our kitty boy to the Author Earnings site. With no digging at all he found a post about ebook sales all across the e-retail sites.

The post by Data Guy is ebook sales information packed. The post includes information on total e-retailer sales by country, total ebook sales by country, amount of money spent by country, and more. The headline for the post names all the e-retailers ebook sales covered, including Amazon, Apple, B and N, and Kobo. Each company's sales information is included for the English language countries of the US, UK,  Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There are charts and graphs illustrating each section.

After all that, I need a nap too.

Panzer says, "I have a kitty headache from all the information included in the post."

Note: This is a h-u-m-u-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermoses of tea, one dozen muffins and one dozen doughnuts. Also bring a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle.

To read the post, tootle over to Author Earnings

Wharton Uses Zola's Everywhere Store to Launch Online Bookstore - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere today when the Panzermobile was buffeted by a chorus of oohing and aahing. Following all the noise took our adventurous kitty to the Publishers' Weekly site. There he found a post about Zola's Everywhere Store.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has opened their Zola's Everywhere Store. Books by Wharton Digital Press authors and Wharton School faculty will be available for purchase through the online store. Zola's Everywhere Store is a widget authors and publishers can use by putting the code on their website. Once the code is inserted, the store is functioning. The widget is free, but Zola's receives a portion of each sale. There's a link included in the post to the Zola's site.

Hmm ... Should I try it?

Panzer says, "This little kitty followed the link to Zola's site. There's some interesting information and profit charts at Zola's site."

Note: This is a shortish-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the link to Zola's site too, bring an extra muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to Zola's Everywhere Store

Riggio Reaffirms Commitment to Bricks-and-Mortar - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

I don't understand.

Panzer's trip today took him to the Publishers' Weekly (PW) site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about Barnes and Noble's holiday sales report. Last week Panzer told you about Barnes and Noble's 2016 bricks and mortar store holiday sales decline compared to 2015.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble CEO Len Riggio isn't worried about the in store sales decline. Although, bricks and mortar stores sales were down 9.1 percent and online sales at BN.com were up 2 percent, Mr. Riggio says he intends to stay with bricks and mortar stores. This year Barnes and Noble will close twelve under performing stores and open four new concept stores.

Panzer says, "Umm ... I'm just a little kitty and I don't understand human arithmetic. Please explain to me how if you close more stores than you open new ones that equals confidence?"

Note: This is a shortish-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to bricks and mortar stores

To read Panzer's earlier post about Barnes and Noble's holiday sales report , tootle over to holiday sales

Holiday Comp Sales Fell 9% at B&N - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the PW (Publishers' Weekly) site. There our busy kitty boy found a post about Barnes and Noble's retail sales figures.

Maybe I can find more news now.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, compared to 2015 Barnes and Noble reported a 9.1 percent drop in Christmas sales in 2016. The lower sales were attributed to three factors: 1) the decline in adult coloring book sales, 2) no match for last last year's phenomenal Adele album sales, and 3) less in-store customer foot traffic. It was reported, however, that BN.com online sales were up 2 percent.

Panzer says, "Now that the holidays are over, it looks like more publishing news is available and I can back to a regular posting schedule."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Press Release: Wattpad, Gallery Books & Target Partner to Bring Fairy Tale Classics to Life

I want a copy for Mom to read to me.

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Book Business site. A little digging and he found a press release about Wattpad.

According to the press release, ten Wattpad authors have been included in a collection of re-imagined fairy tales called Once Upon Now. The book is published by Gallery Books and sold in Target stores and online. The press release also says the readers on Wattpad got to read and vote for their favorite stories to go in the book.

Panzer says, "Setting fairy tales in today. Sounds like fun."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Wattpad

Winter Institute 11: Report Finds $1 Billion Tax Gap Caused by Amazon - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard crying and the gnashing of teeth. Following all the noise took him to the Publishers' Weekly online site. There our brave kitty explorer found a post by Claire Kirch about the Winter Institute 11 conference.

The post is about a report presented to the attendees at Winter Institute 11. Prepared by the American Booksellers Association and Civic Economics, the report says 23 states and Washington, D.C. do not collect sales tax from Amazon.com. It also says because of the sales at Amazon.com and other online retailers an estimated 30,000 retail businesses were not opened and property taxes not collected from them. Also, 136,000 jobs were not created by those non-existent companies. And, finally, the report says all of the sales taxes, non-existent businesses and non-existent jobs add up to $1 Billion dollars Amazon (and the other unnamed online retailers) have cost.

My head hurts just thinking about it.

Panzer says, "I don't understand human math. If the companies don't exist, how can you know what size they would use for their store? And how can you know, if something doesn't exist. how many employees they didn't hire? And ... Sales Tax? If you didn't collect it, how do you know how much it was?  Nothing plus Nothing plus Nothing equals $1 Billion?"

Note: You'll need a cup of tea and two muffins for your reading today.

To read the post, tootle over to Winter Institute 11

Kobo has created a new e-book section for Wattpad - Good e-Reader

Look what I found.

Panzer stopped in at the Good e-Reader site today. After a little digging around there, our adventurous kitty found a post by Michael Kozlowski about Kobo and Wattpad.

According to Mr. Kozlowski's post, Kobo has created a new section on their site for Wattpad ebook sales. While the Wattpad section is small, it's important to remember they've only been in the publishing business for a short time. Mr. Kozlowski's post includes a link to the Wattpad section at Kobo and a link to a previous post about Wattpad's entrance into the publishing arena.

Panzer says, "I didn't know Wattpad was publishing participant's work."

Note: This is a short post. A cup of tea should be enough for your reading today.

To read the post, tootle over to Kobo and Wattpad