Israel has repealed its Law for the Protection of Literature and Writers, which required fixed book prices for 18 months and minimum author royalty rates.
Dr. Jessica Sänger: Germany’s Börsenverein Will Back a Constitutional Court Complaint Over Copyright Levies Ruling
As Germany’s publishing industry reels from a Supreme Court ruling on copyright levies that could plunge some houses into bankruptcy, legal counsel to the Börsenverein tells us that a Constitutional Court challenge will be attempted.
UK Society of Authors Advises “Always Compare Contracts”
Kate Pool of the UK Society of Authors warns authors to look at contracts from digital publishers carefully to compare terms with self-publishing options.
New Publisher Canelo Offers UK Authors Strong Incentives
Industry vet Michael Bhaskar’s digital publisher Canelo launches this week with two titles and is offering 50-60% royalties, giving UK authors new options.
Marketing Subscriptions Prompts Amazon’s Royalty Payment Pivot
After offering indie short form authors favorable royalty rates, Amazon has pivoted to attract bestsellers and bolster sales of Unlimited subscriptions.
Salon du Livre Paris: Indie Intros a Success, Authors Continue Protests
At the Salon du Livre in Paris, a new program introduced indie publishers to agents and scouts, while authors continued protesting poor contracts.
French Children’s Book Authors Suffer Pint-sized Payments
With meager advances, often just 500 euros, and royalty rates of 3-8%, French children’s book authors have much to complain about.
Rights on the Money: Publishers Need to Fully Monetize (and Protect) Their IP
Publishing Technology’s Randy Petway on the hazards of not knowing what rights you have, not protecting your intellectual property, and the financial benefits of mining the backlist.
Amazon Pursues Education Market with Kindle Textbook Creator
Amazon has launched a new tool for authors to create and sell digital textbooks. But there are questions about royalty rates on higher priced e-textbooks.
Amazon Appeals Directly to Hachette’s Authors
The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon has gone directly to authors ‘hoping to gain hearts and minds – and leverage’ in its dispute with Hachette.