Every novel on Man Booker Prize shortlist to be available free for online readers

drago · 10-18-2007, 11:09 AM

This would surely be an interesting developement:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle2681255.ece

VillageReader · 10-18-2007, 11:16 AM

Interesting, but they give no clues where you might find the books on-line. There is no confirming news on the Man Booker site.

HarryT · 10-18-2007, 11:31 AM

If you read the article, it does say:

Quote:

Jonathan Taylor, chairman of The Booker Prize Foundation, said that the initiative was well advanced, although details were still being thrashed out.

which would seem to indicate that it hasn't actually happened yet.

VillageReader · 10-18-2007, 01:11 PM

Yeah, well advanced. The first 90% is done. The last 90% still remains.

(Ok - maybe I'm being cynical, but...)

melmurray · 10-19-2007, 05:37 AM

Bad news I'm afraid. According to The Book Standard site

Booker shortlist 'will not be free'
18.10.07

The British Council has moved to clarify its position on electronic editions of Man Booker Prize shortlisted novels following a report in the Times this morning. The body said that while it is in negotiations with publishers to create an online collection of literature, this would be for sale rather than free.

A spokesperson for the British Council said: "It is true that the British Council is in negotiations with leading publishers to create an online collection of contemporary British literature including the Man Booker Prize winners in the form of e-books, which can be purchased."

They acknowledged that central to this "innovative approach" would be making sure that authors are remunerated for their work. A pilot scheme is planned for 2008 aimed at audiences in India, China and Africa.

The Times reported that organisers of the prize were currently "deep in negotiations" with publishers over digitising the books.

I thought it was unlikely that any writer could afford to pass up the opportunity to make
a decent amount of money from royalties for once in their lives. To say nothing of the publishers.

HarryT · 10-19-2007, 05:43 AM

I think actually that's a much better idea. Books that people want to read made available as low-cost eBooks are a much more viable commercial proposition than giving a few books away free as a "publicity stunt".

JSWolf · 10-19-2007, 05:46 AM

Now here comes the $64,000 question... What format(s) will these books be in and will they have DRM all over them?

I am really hoping they stay away from PDF. But my guess is PDF will be used. And that is going to ruin this 100%.

Liviu_5 · 10-19-2007, 08:51 AM

As usual the details will matter a lot (format, price...) but as a general idea it's great news.

I guess the criticism the ManBooker prize came upon this year (winner which almost nobody read - Nielsen figures showed about 3k hc and 400 pb sold, and most likely a lot of that were library sales) stung.

ischeriad · 10-19-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And that is going to ruin this 100%.

Jon, you are quite pessimistic these days, aren't you?

JSWolf · 10-19-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ischeriad

Jon, you are quite pessimistic these days, aren't you?

We know that the Sony 500/505, Cybook Gen3, iLiad won't handle DRM PDF. And I've been seeing a lot more PDF used for things like library ebooks. I really hope it's not PDF.

vivaldirules · 10-19-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melmurray

A pilot scheme is planned for 2008 aimed at audiences in India, China and Africa.

So it won't be in .LRF format unless Sony changes their USA-only ways. I don't think selling books to these countries that are intended for expensive ebook readers makes any sense anyway. So I'm with Jon. Most likely PDF. But just maybe LIT.

10-18-2007, 11:09 AM	#1
drago Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Budapest, Hungary Device: KPW, BrokenfirstgeniLiad	Every novel on Man Booker Prize shortlist to be available free for online readers This would surely be an interesting developement: http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle2681255.ece

10-19-2007, 05:37 AM	#5
melmurray Enthusiast Posts: 39 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2007	Bad news I'm afraid. According to The Book Standard site Booker shortlist 'will not be free' 18.10.07 The British Council has moved to clarify its position on electronic editions of Man Booker Prize shortlisted novels following a report in the Times this morning. The body said that while it is in negotiations with publishers to create an online collection of literature, this would be for sale rather than free. A spokesperson for the British Council said: "It is true that the British Council is in negotiations with leading publishers to create an online collection of contemporary British literature including the Man Booker Prize winners in the form of e-books, which can be purchased." They acknowledged that central to this "innovative approach" would be making sure that authors are remunerated for their work. A pilot scheme is planned for 2008 aimed at audiences in India, China and Africa. The Times reported that organisers of the prize were currently "deep in negotiations" with publishers over digitising the books. I thought it was unlikely that any writer could afford to pass up the opportunity to make a decent amount of money from royalties for once in their lives. To say nothing of the publishers. Last edited by melmurray; 10-19-2007 at 05:37 AM. Reason: spelling mistake

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10-18-2007, 11:16 AM	#2
VillageReader Evangelist Posts: 430 Karma: 2718 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Iliad	Interesting, but they give no clues where you might find the books on-line. There is no confirming news on the Man Booker site.

10-18-2007, 01:11 PM	#4
VillageReader Evangelist Posts: 430 Karma: 2718 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Iliad	Yeah, well advanced. The first 90% is done. The last 90% still remains. (Ok - maybe I'm being cynical, but...)

10-19-2007, 05:43 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I think actually that's a much better idea. Books that people want to read made available as low-cost eBooks are a much more viable commercial proposition than giving a few books away free as a "publicity stunt".

10-19-2007, 05:46 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,983 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Now here comes the $64,000 question... What format(s) will these books be in and will they have DRM all over them? I am really hoping they stay away from PDF. But my guess is PDF will be used. And that is going to ruin this 100%.

10-19-2007, 08:51 AM	#8
Liviu_5 Books and more books Posts: 917 Karma: 69499 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: White Plains, NY, USA Device: Nook Color, Itouch, Nokia770, Sony 650, Sony 700(dead), Ebk(given)	As usual the details will matter a lot (format, price...) but as a general idea it's great news. I guess the criticism the ManBooker prize came upon this year (winner which almost nobody read - Nielsen figures showed about 3k hc and 400 pb sold, and most likely a lot of that were library sales) stung.