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Pandora Radio

07.08.2013, No Comments, Uncategorized, by .

pandoraPandora Radio has been getting a lot of flack from musicians over the past few months. Most recently, the surviving members of Pink Floyd penned an open letter in USA TODAY trashing Pandora’s payment to musicians.  How much worse is Pandora than Spotify, terrestrial radio, Sirius XM or others?

The timing of the Pink Floyd letter is interesting as they just agreed to let Spotify stream their music and Apple is starting their own subscription music platform.

I am not taking sides here and do not claim to fully understand who is right and who is wrong.

Musicians have been complaining about the industry since the first song was recorded. Record companies, radio stations and producers have been taking advantage of musicians forever. It is the norm for this conflict to exist.

I like Pandora. I find it a great service and it has helped me discover (and buy) at least 20 albums over the past year. Yes, I buy albums and not singles. I have bought all of these through Apple iTunes but would not have either heard of nor re-discovered many of these bands.

Some of the musicians that I have bought because of Pandora.

  • The Dirty Heads                      the dirty heads
  • The Expendibles
  • Slightly Stoopid
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers (always listened)
  • Green Day (rediscovered their early stuff)
  • Sublime (rediscovered – and use them as the basis for recommendations)
  • Dave Gilmour‘s solo stuff – especially his Live at Gdansk. So even though he is complaining as part of Pink Floyd. I bought his music because of it.images
  • Numerous reggae groups and performers. This is the area that I probably have learned the most and bought albums by Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, obscure Bob Marley stuff, and at least a half dozen others.
  • I created Sublime+++ Radio and have discovered a lot of new artists. I find the recommendations spot on for me.

I completely understand that in this world of digital and downloading that artists continue to get screwed. But it seems to me that Pandora is being singled out for all of the others sins. I like Pandora and at least in my situation, they are responsible for many of my music purchases.

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Carl Hiaasen has a new book out titled BAD MONKEY. It looks great and in the style that I have come to love from Hiaasen. I first started reading him with his first book TOURIST SEASON. Then pretty much read every one of his novels for adults. I have not read the YA ones though.

Hiaasen always appealed to me because of the warped sense of humor and the fantastic characters. Plus his background writing for the Sun-Sentinel newspaper led him to stranger truth than fiction. Many of those real people and situations made it into his novels of the bizarre world of South Florida.

booksHe is a native Floridian and has always been an outspoken critic of big business and their abuse of the land and culture. In 1998, he penned a short book for Ballantine’s Library of American Thought called TEAM RODENT: How Disney Devours the World. Needless to say the book was highly critical of Disney.

eisnerIn 1998, I was Sales Director at Random House. One of my responsibilities was to attend dinners and lunches with key authors and key customers. We were publishing then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner’s autobiography WORK IN PROGRESS. Over a three-day period I had two lunches and one dinner with him and key buyers from B&N, Borders and Costco. The B&N and Borders lunches were in NYC and the Costco one was at the Disney HQ in California.

I was seated next to Eisner at one of the lunches. He asked me what I was reading. Random House had just published Jimmy Buffett’s A PIRATE LOOKS AT FIFTY (more on that in another blog post) and it was a #1 best-seller and a major smash.

0679435271.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_I mentioned Buffett to Eisner. He wasn’t aware of Jimmy and his Parrot-head appeal. So I was reaching for an author to compare. I mentioned that Buffett represented the laid-back life-style and party feel of South Florida and the Caribbean. That he was similar to Carl Hiaasen.

Eisner straighten up and asked, “Isn’t Hiaasen the one who wrote that critical book about Disney?” Whoops?!? I got the sense that Eisner wasn’t use to hearing anything critical of him nor Disney. I said that it was but that Hiaasen’s “fiction is based in fact” – and his “fact is actually based in fiction.” It was a lame excuse.

Everything turned out ok. But I didn’t expect any offers from Disney…

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1984

06.13.2013, No Comments, Uncategorized, by .

The recent NSA spying scandal has had a lot of effects. The one to hit the book world has been the explosion of sales on George Orwell’s classic novel 1984. Most every media outlet has a story regarding the bump at Amazon in all formats — the hard cover, the trade paperback, the mass market edition and the eBook. The 64 year old book is in the top 100 at Amazon in three of the four formats. B&N and independent bookstores have also reported the sales spike in their stores. A book that is as relevant today as it was in 1949. I have probably read it 3-4 times. I am currently reading it again.

Trade Paperback

Trade PB

Goodreads has 419 different editions of 1984 on its site.

Flavorwire has a great look back at the history of the covers.

The biggest seller of these editions is the trade paperback from Plume (a part of Penguin which is part of Bertelsmann). It retails for $16.00 but Amazon sells it for $10.08 (37% off). B&N sells it for $11.76 (26% off).  Many prefer a trade edition because it is bigger.

Mass Market

Mass Market

The mass market edition from Signet Classics (part of Penguin which is now part of Bertelsmann). Publisher suggested price is $9.99. Amazon sells it for $6.92 and B&N for $9.99. The book is available used for as low as $2.00. This edition is the one that sells the most in bulk copies to schools.

There is also a deluxe, cloth-bound with a ribbon edition from Everyman’s Library (part of Knopf which is part of Bertelsman). It is currently out of stock. The retail is $21.00. B&N sells it for $15.48 and Amazon for $15.58. A wonderful gift edition that looks good on the shelf. I am reading this edition now for I like the smell and feel of the pages.

The eBook edition rights are owned by Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt. Ironically, in July 2009, Amazon erased editions of the eBook of 1984 from all Kindles. An Orwellian move in the new digital age. A digital publisher called Mobile Reference had illegally sold the editions. HMH produced an eBook of 1984 after that. Earlier this week, I checked all the retailers and they had a placeholder, ugly cover. Since then, Amazon and B&N Nook have replaced it with a real cover although Apple, Kobo, Google and Sony still have the old placeholder. The prices also were very different, Kindle ($6.57); Nook ($7.12); Kobo and Sony ($9.39); Google and Apple ($9.99) and the publisher suggestion of $12.95.

Deluxe Hardcover

Deluxe Hardcover

"Non-cover" for eBook.

“Non-cover” eBook

Designed eBook cover

Designed eBook cover

Van Halen edition

Van Halen edition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

The 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy is this November.  

The Wall Street Journal recently had an article about Skyhorse Publishing and the 37 titles they have on the JFK assassination conspiracies. They are bringing out eight new titles, reprinting 17 and have an existing 12 in print. Type in “JFK Assassination” into the Amazon search engine and almost 1,800 titles appear.

The WSJ goes on to state that Skyhorse is investing over $1-million on bringing all these titles to market. I think it a smart gamble and they will easily make that money back. I would like to see an interactive, illustrated and enhanced eBook that goes over all of the theories. The new digital medium is perfect to visualize it.

In 1991, Oliver Stone produced and wrote his movie JFK. The movie was engaging and a success, but it played loose with the facts. It also created an enormous increase in all books related to the conspiracy.

I was the History category buyer at Waldenbooks then. At that time, WB was the largest book chain in the nation with over 1,200 stores.  One publisher had cornered the market on JFK Assassination books – Carroll & Graf.  I remember Herman Graf would come in and sell me title after title.

The best selling of all the titles were CROSSFIRE and HIGH TREASON. But Herman had books that blamed the Mafia, the CIA, Castro, LBJ, the KKK, the PTA, the NEA, etc. There was even one that stated it wasn’t a conspiracy but an accidental discharge. That last one didn’t sell.

As the History buyer people would always ask, “what is selling?” My pat answer was “JFK Assassination books.” I answered it so often it was automatic.

I was responsible for all history titles. One of them was a book called THE LAST TSAR – THE LIFE AND DEATH OF NICHOLAS II. The book did very well and the editor wanted to call me to thank me. I knew this because the Doubleday rep, Bebe Cole, called ahead of time and wanted to ensure I was at my desk.

The phone rang and I answered it. The editor of the book about Tsar Nicholas was on the line.  She thanked me for my support and also asked the basic question, “what is selling these days.” I started to give my pat answer of JFK Assassination titles but I stopped myself. I just replied, “books about the presidents always sell.”

The editor who called me?

Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

 

 

 

BEA and ABA

05.27.2013, No Comments, Uncategorized, by .

RndThis week is the annual national book convention, the Book Expo America (BEA). It is in New York. 2013-05-02 23.13.01

This is probably the 20th book convention I have attended. It was once called the American Booksellers Association (ABA) meeting. Not to be confused with the American Bar Association or the American Basketball Association. The name changed and there was a new owner, but overall the meeting remained the same.

My first ABA was in New York City. I was an assistant buyer for Waldenbooks. At that time Walden’s was the largest bookseller in the country with 1200 mall locations. Waldens sold genre fiction titles better than any other retailer. I remember attending the ABA in Miami. It was a few weeks after the Lozano verdict that created riots in Miami. I remember going to dinner and the streets being quite empty. It rained a lot.

I have been at conventions in NYC, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Washington DC. I missed the one in Las Vegas. But friends tell me it was 110 degrees and not pleasant. I also missed a few in the 1990s because the ABA had sued my employer, Random House. Since the ABA ran the convention, RH decided to not display for a few years. Other corporate publishers also pulled out including S&S, Penguin and Harper. Everyone is back now.

I remember the parties. I remember meeting numerous celebrities. It was fun. I met Reagan and Carter on successive nights. Ran into Oprah at the RH booth (she pulled her book after the BEA). I remember how gracious Tim Russert was with everyone (from that BEA I would text message sales reports to him). I can’t even remember how many writers I got to meet. It was always a thrill.

I remember the parties after the parties. Always trying to find the PGW party. It was the one to attend.

I don’t remember ever writing an order at any BEA. I don’t think it ever was much of a show for that. Although in the pre-computer days, people tell me that it was the main reason to go. But my experience was the show is made for flash and not business.

Today, the show has a semi-permanent home in NYC. Made it easier to just do it here every year. The other international book shows remain in the same place – Frankfurt and London and Beijing and Barcelona. So why not NYC?

The show has evolved. There is a full day prior devoted just to digital. There are IPDF and PubLaunch conferences aligned with it. The show is much more educational and less flash.

But I still enjoy it. I still get the thrill of seeing and meeting an author.

It is still a valuable experience.

Zombie Account Management

05.03.2013, No Comments, Uncategorized, by .

I have been consulting for over four years now. I have worked with over 20 clients. The range is wide. I have worked for Fortune 100 companies; literary agencies; major publishers; independent publishers; tech start-ups and industry organizations. I generally try to work with 4-5 clients at a time.

One of the major keys to being a successful consultant is to have enough clients to maintain the business.

It is important to “keep the pipeline” full at all times. Any lull in being at full capacity is a hit in the cash flow. Because as an independent contractor, I only get paid when I work. There are no days off and no paid holidays. Every day not working is a day of not earning.

How to keep the pipeline flowing? I like to classify accounts into the following buckets.

1) Active – these are the ones in play today. Some are accounts that are short-term, others long-term.

a) Retainer-based : Advising on a regular basis. Generally done in 3-month trial and then renewed each month. This is an “always-on-call” relationship and not based on any specific project although there are numerous initiatives. IMG_2775

b) Project-based : A specific task or report. Many of these are a market analysis. There is a definite deliverable and time-frame. Generally these projects can take 2-4 months. Many times a project does evolve into a retainer. Especially helping with the execution of the suggestions.

2) Sleeping – companies that have expressed interest and there is a distinct possibility that an agreement will work out.

a) Morning – A decision has been made to work or not.

b) REM Deep Sleep – Have had a few discussions with the potential client, but there is still a lot of consideration.

c) Early Sleep – Just had an initial meeting. Just starting to figure out the potential (from both sides).

3) Dead – either an account that has ended and is done or a potential one that is not going to happen.

a) 6 Feet Under – Projects end and there is no more work. It is over. Always end on a positive note, but best to move on.

b) Dead can go both ways. It can remain dead or can have a second life or even a third one.

c) Coming back from the dead is a Zombie.

4) Zombie – return from the dead. Some clients return.

a) It can be a few months when a client needs a bit more work done.

b) It can be a year. Many times a project ends and there is no more work until the next budget period.

c) It can be years. Unless the situation was a disaster (and thankfully every client has ended on a positive note), there is always the possibility.

I have been fortunate and have enjoyed working for every client. When I refer to Zombie, it isn’t in the negative. It is a term of endearment for some things long buried can be current quickly.

The key is to always add value and know when it is time to go and time to stay.

 

In OCT 2012, I wrote that MAGA controlled publishing.

Today, I am expanding that to MAGA controls much more.

Here is how MAGA helps me run my small business:

  • MicrosoftTheir business tools are better than anyone else. I use Word, Excel and Powerpoint all the time. It is easy to move between the three to use data from one platform to the other. I have tried to use Apple’s products and find them lacking and surprisingly hard to work with. Plus I found some clients are unable to open a Pages (Apple’s word-processing software).
  • AppleTheir hardware is better than anyone else. I have a MacBook Air, an iPad and an iPhone. Actually we all have iPhones and Macs. These machines work great. Plus if they have problems, there is an Apple store close and they stand behind their products. I had Windows-based machines for decades and had a few instances of viruses. So far, no problems with my Apple products.
  • GoogleTheir search and small business web systems are better than anyone else. I am just starting to understand the power of Google. I use gmail for my main email. But recently decided to switch to jackwperry@38enso.com. It was simple to drive it through Google. For only $50 a year, I get an enormous amount of space plus the quality of Google and my personalized email. I also am just starting to realize the power of Google Analytics.
  • AmazonTheir online selling and platform are better than anyone else.  I currently do not sell products direct to consumer. But if I did, I would sign up to be an Amazon affiliate immediately. They ship and warehouse better than anyone. They also are the main disruptor in the book publishing industry. They keep innovating and making things interesting. This helps as a consultant to the industry. Always something new happening.

So, although I can complain about corporate giants running our lives, I guess I am also reliant on them.

Technology has created tremendous opportunities. I would not have been able to be “independent” without MAGA.

 

Celebrity Twitter

04.10.2013, No Comments, Uncategorized, by .

I enjoy Twitter. I find it a great way to stay in touch with others in the publishing industry, I also use it for news, sports and just general stuff.

I don’t follow many celebrities. I find them boring.

But the accounts with the most followers are generally celebrities… and many don’t even tweet that much.

The top ten (with followers).

  1. @justinbieber (37.3-million).
  2. @ladygaga (36.0-million).
  3. @katyperry (34.8-million).
  4. @BarackObama (29.6-million).
  5. @rihanna (29.1-million).
  6. @YouTube (26.1-million).
  7. @taylorswift13 (26.0-million).
  8. @britneyspears (25.6-million).
  9. @shakari (20.3-million).
  10. @jtimberlake (20.7-million).

Bieber actually tweets with over 21,000. But five of the top 10 have less than 2,500 tweets. That is barely saying anything.

Only one of the top is an organization – YouTube.

8 of the top 10 are musicians. All of them are under 30.

President Obama is the only serious one on the list.

I am closing in on 800 followers! Thank you. I have sent over 11,000 tweets. I have a ways to go to join the top 10!!!

@38enso.

 

 

Goodreads sells to Amazon

03.29.2013, No Comments, Uncategorized, by .

DBW,Yesterday Goodreads was absorbed into the Amazon empire.

At first I was a bit surprised, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. In this world of thousands of start-ups, being sold to a giant is common. Many reasons for this but the capital needed to spur rapid growth is generally a big reason. Plus, the bigger company will have more experience.

I use both Amazon and Goodreads. I like both companies.

Although over my life, I have probably read 1,000 (?) books, I have only list 31 on Goodreads. I like the site and enjoy scanning it for what people are thinking and reading, I am just not that interested in posting my own reading habits. Plus I was reading books long before Goodreads (or Amazon) existed, I am not that keen on going back and reviewing them all. I feel the same way about my list of movies watched – I put them on Flixster.

I get most of my book recommendations from friends in person. Plus I scan publisher’s websites for my research and come across many titles. I probably have a queue of 25 books right now that I want to read.

I have a love-hate relationship with Amazon. I admit, I use them. I love their customer service, their pricing and convenience. If I need a gift delivered across the country and need it there in two-days, Amazon will do that. They are reliable. But, Amazon can also be very hard on their vendors. There are numerous stories re: their feuds with publishers and other suppliers. Plus Amazon works towards monopolies. I wish I could read all my eBooks on my Kindle. But it is closed.

So what will happen to Goodreads? Amazon points out that it will be a stand-alone like IMDB and Zappos. I hope so. Too much authority will kill Goodreads. Amazon reviews are bought and paid for, Goodreads still have credibility. But if things change, people will go elsewhere. It is a world where you must stay on top of your game, a few slips and the downward spiral is fast.

Just look at MySpace…

For more thoughts, I have a new post on DBW.

Zombies are Everywhere

03.25.2013, No Comments, Uncategorized, by .

Read today on TheNextWeb.com that Amazon is creating a TV show based on the movie Zombieland. It will be exclusive to Amazon Prime. I loved the movie and feel the TV show is a natural. I am surprised that Amazon snagged it and not one of the networks. But then, given the way content is being created, owned and distributed. It makes sense for the retailer to also be the creator.

Zombies continue to be hot.

Brad Pitt stars in a huge movie this year — WORLD WAR Z (trailer). Based on the enormously popular novel by Max Brooks. Brooks also wrote two other companion books. If you haven’t read the books, you should. Great fun and quick reads.

AMC-TV has a hit to best Mad Men with WALKING DEAD. Another zombie biggie. I have not seen the show but feel I should. The fans are crazy for it.

Earlier this year, WARM BODIES was a surprise hit movie. It was based on the novel from Isaac Marion. A zombie comedy.

Type in “zombies” on the Amazon book page and almost 14,500 results pop up.

“Erotic Romance” and “New Adult” may be the new hot categories, but don’t overlook a good old standby – ZOMBIES!