Fictionwise Price Increases? - Page 2

koland · 02-23-2009, 08:43 PM

I've also noticed that the html from the FW ereader files ends up with some of the punctuation not being correct (something like “ for quote marks, for example). Requiring a lot of search/replace in notepad before heading to mobipocket creator. Then, once in Calibre, converting it to MOBI, as the PRC file won't display correctly: the cover is fine, but as you go forward one page at a time, it also increases the font size, until only a single letter fits on the page. The mobi it creates from this looks fine (and the PRC looks fine in mobipocket reader).

Is there a simpler way to get to mobi and not have to manually fix those punctuation characters (it's every quote, apostrophe, emdash and anything with accent or other marks).

AnemicOak · 02-23-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjh215

Think the Star Trek book increases have anything to do with the impending film release? Like how companies rerelease pbooks during similar events? Often new editions, the same text but with new covers, intros and a new price tag.

-MJ

Doubt it. S&S has done major price hikes across the board. At the same time they've really slacked off on available formats. I've sent them a few notes about it. I don't know if someone new is in charge of ebooks or what, but they've gone from one of the best to one of the worst.

MarciaCat · 02-23-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Send a scathing note to Simon & Schuster's Customer Service please.

http://www.simonsays.com/content/con...=feedback_shop

I hope you get a reply, Jon. It's been about four weeks since I contacted them with the same form as well as this one-- http://www.simonandschuster.com/about/contact_us and I haven't gotten a response. I waited 10 days and wrote again, still nothing.

I really, really hope you get a response; I'll keep looking here for an update.

MarciaCat · 02-23-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

Speaking of this...today's dilemma is:

Star Trek: Titan - Over a Torrent Sea
Kindle version 7.99
Fictionwise: 8.49 - 20% = 6.79

BUT, FW only has it in ereader format right now - no LIT, no Mobi

Which would you go for? I normally don't buy ereader format, just because, but I might have to this week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This definitely is a downward trend for Simon & Schuster.

Also it's not good for Fictionwise to only have it in eReader format.

My problem is twofold; 1) I've got loads of micropay waiting to be used so I want to get it from Fictionwise, but 2) I've been stymied

by mobi and ereader deDRM programs despite help from MR experts so I have to use LIT. I got the last Trek PB in Adobe ePub but it wasn't very attractive however it only cost $2.09 from Powell's with a $5 off coupon so I can't really complain.

JSWolf · 02-23-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

FWIW, I probably am just going to get it in ereader from FW. I have a 25% coupon I need to use in the next few days plus I have $100 in micropay...so I'll suck it up and buy it in ereader.

Star Trek: Titan: Over a Torrent Sea has a 20% micropay discount and because you are ordering eReader format, you get an additional 5% for a grand total of 25%.

texasnightowl · 02-24-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Star Trek: Titan: Over a Torrent Sea has a 20% micropay discount and because you are ordering eReader format, you get an additional 5% for a grand total of 25%.

Actually, no additional 5% listed I think because it is only available that way so there was no incentive to choose ereader.

Anyway, I was using my 25% coupon code for completing the survey last week, so my club price on it was $6.37 and then I get $1.58 micropay...pretty good deal.

I also picked up Rhys Bowen's "Her Royal Spyness".

CleverClothe · 02-24-2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

Actually, no additional 5% listed I think because it is only available that way so there was no incentive to choose ereader.

This is what I get when I try adding it to my cart:

Reg. Price: $9.99
Club Price: $8.49
Micropay Rebate: $2.12

2.12 / 8.49 = 0.249705536

The eReader discount is there, just not listed separately. THAT could be because it is only in eReader, usually they list the eReader discount separately.

texasnightowl · 02-24-2009, 02:31 AM

OK, just fair warning for anyone else who buys the ereader version from FW....the html is crap. My eyes hurt. Line breaks instead of paragraphs, code repeats that causes "Chapter ONE" to be displayed as
Chapter O
NE
all sorts of other goodies such as useless a name inserts for page numbers that do nothing and oh, did I mention the line breaks?

texasnightowl · 02-24-2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleverClothe

This is what I get when I try adding it to my cart:

Reg. Price: $9.99
Club Price: $8.49
Micropay Rebate: $2.12

2.12 / 8.49 = 0.249705536

The eReader discount is there, just not listed separately. THAT could be because it is only in eReader, usually they list the eReader discount separately.

ahh...yes, you seem to be right...I didn't take the time to do the math since it is normally listed separately. Good catch.

JSWolf · 02-24-2009, 01:02 PM

I did purchase the eReader version of Star Trek: Titan: Over a Torrent Sea. I've been converting it using Book Designer. It's not too bad really. Once I figured out how to load it in, cleaning it up was not hard. And I am adding in a proper cover too. Why Simon & Shuster think it's a good idea to leave out the cover these days is beyond me.

texasnightowl · 02-24-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I did purchase the eReader version of Star Trek: Titan: Over a Torrent Sea. I've been converting it using Book Designer. It's not too bad really. Once I figured out how to load it in, cleaning it up was not hard. And I am adding in a proper cover too. Why Simon & Shuster think it's a good idea to leave out the cover these days is beyond me.

Hmm...I haven't tried Book Designer yet. I may take a look. But I did get the html file cleaned up to an acceptable standard. My biggest complaint was all about the line breaks. Seriously, if you can't indent you need to at least have a blank line between paragraphs.

Justy · 02-26-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

Speaking of this...today's dilemma is:
BUT, FW only has it in ereader format right now - no LIT, no Mobi

You may want to wait a few days. I've noticed that eBooks released on Monday often show up only in eReader format but then other formats show up on Thursday or Friday. It's an odd practice on FW part, but by waiting till the weekend I've managed to get most of the eBooks I want in the format I want.

MarciaCat · 02-26-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

Speaking of this...today's dilemma is:
BUT, FW only has it in ereader format right now - no LIT, no Mobi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justy

You may want to wait a few days. I've noticed that eBooks released on Monday often show up only in eReader format but then other formats show up on Thursday or Friday. It's an odd practice on FW part, but by waiting till the weekend I've managed to get most of the eBooks I want in the format I want.

Unfortunately with the Trek books (and all S & S) titles this problem dates back to last November. The last Star Trek title I was able to get in LIT format was released October 28. I've been patient and waited but nothing changes. It just irritates me so much!!

JSWolf · 02-26-2009, 03:40 PM

I have no idea why there is no Mobipocket edition since one does exist. But actually, it was fairly easy to go through and fix all the missing line spaces and the ToC chapter titles.

But this is really a sad state of affairs. Simon & Shuster is a big deal and here they are mucking up eBooks and charging too much.

HarryT · 02-27-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have no idea why there is no Mobipocket edition since one does exist. But actually, it was fairly easy to go through and fix all the missing line spaces and the ToC chapter titles.

Who is selling it in Mobi format? BoB only have PDF, LIT, and eReader versions.

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02-23-2009, 08:43 PM	#16
koland Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,563 Karma: 8033155 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: TN, USA Device: kindle(all), nook, nookcolor, Sony, Kobo, epic, iphone, iPad, pc	I've also noticed that the html from the FW ereader files ends up with some of the punctuation not being correct (something like “ for quote marks, for example). Requiring a lot of search/replace in notepad before heading to mobipocket creator. Then, once in Calibre, converting it to MOBI, as the PRC file won't display correctly: the cover is fine, but as you go forward one page at a time, it also increases the font size, until only a single letter fits on the page. The mobi it creates from this looks fine (and the PRC looks fine in mobipocket reader). Is there a simpler way to get to mobi and not have to manually fix those punctuation characters (it's every quote, apostrophe, emdash and anything with accent or other marks).

02-24-2009, 02:31 AM	#23
texasnightowl Guru Posts: 812 Karma: 2873645 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Device: PW5, Oasis 3, K4B(NT), K3/KK	OK, just fair warning for anyone else who buys the ereader version from FW....the html is crap. My eyes hurt. Line breaks instead of paragraphs, code repeats that causes "Chapter ONE" to be displayed as Chapter O NE all sorts of other goodies such as useless a name inserts for page numbers that do nothing and oh, did I mention the line breaks?

02-24-2009, 01:02 PM	#25
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I did purchase the eReader version of Star Trek: Titan: Over a Torrent Sea. I've been converting it using Book Designer. It's not too bad really. Once I figured out how to load it in, cleaning it up was not hard. And I am adding in a proper cover too. Why Simon & Shuster think it's a good idea to leave out the cover these days is beyond me.

02-26-2009, 03:40 PM	#29
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have no idea why there is no Mobipocket edition since one does exist. But actually, it was fairly easy to go through and fix all the missing line spaces and the ToC chapter titles. But this is really a sad state of affairs. Simon & Shuster is a big deal and here they are mucking up eBooks and charging too much.