Lübbe Experiments with Exclusive Follett E-book Sale

By Siobhan O’Leary

Americans aren’t the only ones experimenting with e-book marketing and publication schedules. German publisher Lübbe gave book chain Weltbild exclusive rights to sell the e-book version of Ken Follett’s Die Tore der Welt (The Pillars of the Earth) for three weeks, starting December 28. According to Buchreport, Lübbe wanted to see if the promotion would help boost paperback sales of the book, which is scheduled for release in mid-January (the hardcover has already spent 88 weeks on the Der Spiegel bestseller list). Weltbild offered the book for €12.99, which is the same as the paperback price. The discounting, which undercuts the hardcover price of €24.95 by 48%, rankled some booksellers, who viewed the move it as unfair competition.

About the Author

Siobhan O'Leary

Siobhan O’Leary is a literary agent, translator and writer based in Berlin. She previously worked in the Foreign Rights department of the Crown Publishing Group (Random House) and at the publishing consulting firm Market Partners International.