The great book shortage of 2021, explained - Vox

Today Panzer made a trip to the Vox site. There he found some information about the ongoing supply chain problems and books. Panzer has been telling you for months about these problems.

 

According to the post by Constance Grady, supply chain problems for books can be broken down into four major parts. The first is people are reading more as a hobby and for pleasure now. The second is it's costing more to print books, if the printer can even get the paper and ink to print them. The third is it's costing more to ship the books, if drivers can be found. The fourth is it's costing more for labor, if the employees can be found. Ultimately, it looks like the supply chain problems for books are here to stay until some time in 2022.

There are ways around everything.

 

Panzer says, "Can't find a printed book? Buy ebooks. Electrons are everywhere."

Note: This is a long, long post. Bring a pitcher of tea, two muffins, a cupcake, and a brownie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to book shortage

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to book supply chain woes 

Ingram Touts Print-on-Demand Capacity Boost: UK, Australia, US - Publishing Perspectives

Today as Panzer entered the Catosphere his delicate little kitty ears were assailed by clapping and cheering. Following all the noise took him to the Publishing Perspectives site. With no digging at all in the posts he found one about Ingram's Lightning Source.

Always have a backup plan.

According to the post by Porter Anderson, Ingram's Lightning Source has been taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic's spread in China has caused serious problems with the printing of books and, therefore, the distribution of books. Since books and their distribution are considered essential businesses during the pandemic, Ingram has begun business expansions in Australia, the UK and the US. In order to double its printing and shipping capabilities in Australia, the company is building a 50,000 square foot facility in Melbourne.The company is also continuing its upgrading of the facilities in the UK and the US. There are links to other information about Ingram's expansion included in the post.

Panzer says,  "That's a smart move on Ingram's part to expand printing locations now."

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

To read the post tootle over to Ingram

Bankrupt Shipping Company Causing Woes for Publishers - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Today's trip took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging our intrepid kitty pilot found a post about some publisher problems with the Hanjin Shipping Company.

Ships make me sick.

According to a post by Calvin Reid, several publishing companies were using the now bankrupt Hanjin Shipping Company. Hanjin ships were being used to transport the finished print books of HarperCollins, St. Martin's and others from their foreign manufacturers to the United States. Deliveries of the books are either late or not at all. Cargo, including the books, is being seized by Hanjin's creditors. Some ships loaded with cargo are stranded at sea unable to stop at a port.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This isn't a problem with ebooks."

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

To read the post, tootle over to bankrupt shipping company

Smashwords Year in Review 2015 and Plans for 2016 - Smashwords Blog

Panzer took the Panzermobile over to the Smashwords blog today. Our busy kitty boy did a little digging and found a post about how Smashwords' 2015 went and what's planned for 2016.

I can see the future from here.

Panzer always looks forward to Mark Coker's, founder of Smashwords, annual review about how the company has done in the previous year. It's an opportunity for our inquistive kitty to get an overview of the true indie world. In the opening Service Milestones section of Mr. Coker's post he documents Smashwords expanded distribution channels, the added pre-order feature for future ebooks, the added faster shipment, and 8 more improvements to the company. The beginning section is followed by a Business Milestones section and a Miscellaneous Milestones section and ends with a small Smashwords Plans for 2016 section.

Panzer says, "MeWow! The company sure has added a lot of features for indie authors."

Note: The is an e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y l-o-n-g post. You'll need a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for your reading today.

To read the post, tootle over to Smashwords: Smashwords Year in Review 2015 and Plans for 2016: