This...could get interesting....

[lagilman]

Barnes & Noble Acquires Fictionwise

Barnes & Noble announced that it has purchased the e-book retailer Fictionwise for $15.7 million in cash today.

The major e-book company operates two websites, Fictionwise.com and eReader.com, and both will remain functioning after the sale. According to Fictionwise, founders Steve Pendergrast and Scott Pendergrast will continue to operate the e-book retailer as a separate unit under the Barnes & Noble umbrella.

Here's more from the official release: "Barnes & Noble said it plans to use Fictionwise as part of its overall digital strategy, which includes the launch of an e-Bookstore later this year. In addition to the closing purchase price, Fictionwise may receive earn out payments for achieving certain performance targets over the next two years." (Via TeleRead)

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/web_tech/barnes_noble_acquires_fictionwise_110402.asp

Comments

[havocthecat]

I wonder how that's going to turn out. Interesting.

[spiziks.livejournal.com]

Whoa! Looks like B&N was looking for an establish e-fic presence rather than establishing their own, and they found one.

[lagilman]

They're definitely giving one in the eye to Amazon, which I can only support, but I am wondering how -- if at all -- this will cross over between the two selling platforms. They say they're going to remain independent companies but, um, I got that memo too, once.

I don't know much about eReader... anyone? Bueller?

[ckd]

eReader as a brand, a format, a piece of reader software?

As a brand: it started as Peanut Press, became Palm Digital Media, then became eReader, after which it was bought by Fictionwise.

As a format: I like it. It can be used without DRM (things like Fictionwise "Multiformat" ebooks or Cory Doctorow's books are available in eReader format without DRM) or with, but with a very low level of DRM-based irritation. There's no per-device unlocking system, and the unlock code is based on your name and the CC# you bought the book with; as long as you have those and at least one runnable copy of the eReader software, you can read your book. (You can get Fictionwise/eReader to re-encode your old books with your new CC# so you don't have to remember back over 8 years of "which card did I use for this book?", but if they disappeared tomorrow you could still unlock your current books on new machines.)

As a piece of reader software, it's my favorite. It has a nice clean UI on both the Palm and iPhone platforms, there are desktop versions for PC and Mac, and it gives you lots of options for things like fonts and the like.

My hope is that having Barnes and Noble involved will let them get more books in eReader format (rather than just being a pass-through reseller of the possibly dead Mobipocket DRM format) at better prices (more comparable to the Amazon Kindle pricing).

(Yes, Amazon just shipped a Kindle app for the iPhone. It needs a lot of work.)

[lagilman]

Ahh. I used to have Palm Digital, but went sour on Palm when they stopped supporting their older devices... good stuff to know.

Me, I'm holding out for the multifunctional reader [books, periodicals, spreadhseets, images, and annotating capabilities] with multiple formats that's under $200. I know they can do it.. first one to actually get it done gets my cash and my loyalty.

[ckd]

Yeah. Peanut Press was great; Palm bought the company and renamed it Palm Digital Media, but didn't really know what they were doing with it; it was then sold on to Motricity and renamed eReader, but they also didn't know what they were doing with it either. It was a good day when Fictionwise picked them up.

I'm also pretty unhappy with Palm's slaughter of the PDA line. My iPod touch is a nice replacement, but not a complete one.

[anisosynchronic.livejournal.com]

"Netbooks" are getting closer to that price point (the eePC and its ilk).

[lagilman]

Yeah, and they're exactly the right size... but looking into loading an effective ebook reader on my EEE has shown me again why Linux is not more popular -- it's neither as simple nor as intuitive as we great unwashed need, for our software. And since loading Windows onto Toke is not an option....

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

I'd see it as the only possibly way to compete with Amazon in the E-Space. Next up, alliance with Sony for the E-Reader.

[lagilman]

B&N definitely needed to do something to counter the Kindle Revolution, and I think going for wide-ranging content over a proprietary platform was the right move, but... well, we'll see what happens.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Especially with Kindle's Iphone app now...

Being one of the Kindled, it really is a game changer. Now if they could only get the price down.

[lagilman]

I'm still shying away from their "no books but our books no god but us" mentality. I dislike being told where I can and can't shop for my reading materials, especially since Amazon has been known to decide they're not going to carry something for "objectionable material." I decide what I object to, thanks muchly....

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

You can forward other formats (like PDF) for either a 10 cent wireless charge or for free via USB

[lagilman]

I've seen it demonstrated. It's a PiTA, just as the "translation of format" is (too many steps, too much hassle, and people are already reporting problems with it) when it's much easier and smarter to have an open format reader.

I can wait.

(especially since Amazon has not endeared itself to authors in the past, and I say that with friends who work in Management there... )

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Odd, I found it easy. I emailed myself 8 pdfs, about 8 minutes later they were on the Kindle, and I was out 80 cents.

[filamena.livejournal.com]

I'm going to side with the 'this is good news,' though I have no real foundation for it.

[lagilman]

Right now I'm just calling it "news." We shall see.

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

I don't read e-books, so unless they stop making paper books, I don't care what they do.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

if they would have a download station in the regular store meeybeee...

[lagilman]

That's been predicted for years, first off the POD printshop and now for e-books. Go to a store, see something you like, inset your memory card and your credit chip and hey presto, you have it in your reader.

Welcome to the Future. Beats the hell out of a flying car.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

*yes please*

[klingonguy.livejournal.com]

Hmm... I wonder how this will affect my Fictionwise sales...

[lagilman]

*snerk* I admit to wondering the same.

[onyxhawke.livejournal.com]

Given the state of the chains, my reaction to this was not one of undiluted joy.