Problem with a penguin

problem with a penguin

There are any number of alternatives to Antarctica such as skiing or being in space. – Penguin

David Thorne had a problem with a penguin. Or rather Penguin had a problem with his use of a penguin. He had no problems at all, other than problems with Penguin.

David Thorne had issues with Penguin. On the front cover of his book he had an image of a penguin sticking its finger up. Penguin took umbrage. They insisted he desist forthwith.

Since the release of the first book by Penguin, I am occasionally asked for advice regarding the publishing industry. Which is like asking a five-year-old child to explain Gene Ray’s Timecube theory. I generally just wing it and see what happens; regardless of the outcome, it is usually at least interesting and there is far too much wank involved to take it seriously.

The decision not to publish the second book with Penguin was based on timing, not on any dissatisfaction. Working with a large publisher like Penguin has benefits, such as a marketing budget, but the process from initial contract to release of royalties is. so. slow. 

When the second book was released a couple of weeks ago, the cover featured a penguin giving the finger. It ambiguously made sense with the title, was cute, and… I had no marketing budget.

problem with a penguin

David Thorne complied to the letter. He changed his penguin to one holding flowers. Penguin was not amused

The exchange of e-mails between David Thorne and Penguin is an absolute must read. A delight to read, very witty, he runs rings around Penguin.

On a more serious note, the exchange of e-mails shows what a farce copyright has become.

If one wrote a book about Penguin, it would seem reasonable to put their logo on the front. Penguin would think otherwise.

Top Story in Books! Books! Books! (Thursday 1 November 2012).

• Mergers and acquisitions in the book trade
• Photographing your furniture may be a breach of copyright!
• Copyright abuse over who owns the image of a London red bus

Mergers and acquisitions in the book trade

Penguin Books Random House

Random House and Penguin are planning a £2.4 billion merger. Described by so-called media analyst Theresa Wise on a BBC business programme as a a pretty good deal. Anything but, it is a bad for writers, bad for readers and must be stopped.

• Random House and Penguin merge to take on Amazon, Apple
• Penguin and Random House confident merger will be approved
• Penguin-Random House Merger Would Create Publishing Monster
• What the Random House-Penguin Merger Means for Authors
• Penguin and Random House merger to create biggest book publisher ever seen
• Penguin and Random House merger: key facts
• Penguin and Random House merger: is it a good deal for consumers?
• Penguin and Random House to merge
• Penguin and Random House merger a “pretty good deal”

The merger would create a publishing conglomerate that would control 40% of the book trade in the US. In the UK the group would control 25% of the book market. Worldwide 25% of the English language market.

Murdoch has tried to buy Penguin, to merge with HarperCollins.

• Penguin authors and agents ‘terrified’ at prospect of News Corp takeover

In Brazil, Amazon are looking to buy the e-book business of book chain Saraiva which is trying to sell its online business.

• All eyes on Amazon as Brazil’s Saraiva looks to sell online unit

It is not good news when huge global corporations control the book business and turn books into a commodity.

We have seen this with the music business, music reduced to a commodity.

Now we are seeing it in publishing, the search for the latest me-too blockbuster. We saw it with me-too Da Vinci Codes, we saw it with every Scandinavian writer described as the next Stieg Larsson. Now we are seeing it with clones of 50 Shades of Crap.

Publishers are destroying our independent bookshops. In a space of five years we have lost a quarter of our independent bookshops.

• A quarter of independent bookshops lost in last five years

Waterstone’s is able to offer substantial discounts on best-sellers, because they in turn get substantial discounts from the publishers, discounts which are not available to small independent bookshops.

Last winter, Jamie Oliver had out a new cook book, cover price £30. It was in supermarket chain Sainsbury’s at £9-99, half price in Waterstone’s. His latest cook book 15 Minute Meals, cover price £26, WH Smith £7-99 if you make other purchases.

J K Rowling has a new novel, £20 cover price, half price in supermarket chain Morrisons, £9 from Amazon.

Amazon dominates the e-book business. The books have a propriety format, you do not own them, you rent them. At any time, Amazon without rhyme nor reason can wipe all the books off your Kindle, block your account, and give you no explanation.

• How safe are your e-books?

There is a need for an open source format for e-books that all devices and platforms can read. Publishers and authors can then supply direct.

There is a need for a site like bandcamp for musicians where authors can upload their works, readers can then read on-line, share or download.

The Random House Merger must be stopped. There is a need for an investigation, not only into this merger, but also the predatory pricing and other dodgy practices.