The following article about Amazon Publishing and Penny Marshall's book, My Mother was Nuts, dates back to 2011, but I wanted to do a follow up post since Marshall's book deal was announced to see where Marshall's book is and how it's been doing. I haven't seen much around, and I haven't read the book myself. But I'm thinking of buying the kindle version this week. I have a heavy fiction schedule until this summer and I like reading books like this for pleasure.
Ms. Marshall's memoir will be published as both a hardcover and an e-book in the fall of 2012. Terms were not disclosed, but an industry executive with knowledge of the auction said that Amazon paid $850,000 for world English-language rights. The executive said that was around $100,000 more than the next-highest bid, and that the price included an “Amazon premium” on account of the acquisition's being a kind of trial balloon.
Despite being part of a bookselling powerhouse, the new imprint has a disadvantage when it comes to bookstore distribution for physical books, which still make up most of the market. Many independent booksellers, as well as bookstore chain and archrival Barnes & Noble, are considered unlikely to carry any Amazon titles.
It was huge news when it happened. I don't have any facts to back me up, but I would be curious to see if they still consider Amazon at a "disadvantage" with regard to distribution, brick and mortar bookstores, and print books. Even though a lot has balanced out now with e-books since then, a lot of those "independent booksellers" and chains haven't been reporting great sales, some have gone under, and I'm not sure if anyone cares whether or not they carry Amazon titles. The fact remains if I want the book, as a consumer, I don't have to go to them. I can go to Amazon...for print or digital.
This is what other industry "veterans" had to say at the time:
Other industry veterans pointed out that if Amazon overpaid for a less-than-stellar project, it would only make the new publishing imprint just like every other literary house in New York.
“They're going to come to understand our business, and it's going to be painful,” said one longtime publishing executive.
This is what I saw this morning on Amazon for Penny Marshall's book ranking:
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Entertainers
- #1 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Entertainers
- #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Actors & Actresses
Evidently, the book is still number one in three different categories. I don't know how long it's been there, or how well the book has done compared to other celeb bios pubbed by other large publishers. But when a book reaches this point, everyone involved with that book did something right.
Madonna as Boy Scout
The GLAAD awards were held last night and Madonna not only showed up in a quasi boy scout uniform, but she also made her feelings known about how she feels about the boy scout's stand with regard to gays.
Dressed in an oversized Boy Scout uniform, Madonna took the organization to task for its policy that bans gay people from joining. “I wanted to be a Boy Scout, but they wouldn’t let me join,” she said during a 10-minute speech. “I think that’s f–ked up. I know how to build a fire. I can pitch a tent … most importantly, I know how to scout for boys.”
You can read more here. She also dives into a few other issues that frustrate her. I'm not sure this is the kind of thing that always helps the quest, especially for those gay people who aren't as outrageous as Madonna and don't particularly care for Madonna's style. But at least she's saying something and she gets points for that with me. What we need are a few more to speak up, in different ways.
Ryan Seacrest Break Up
Stop rolling your eyes. I know what you're thinking while you're reading this post. I'm just putting down the facts now. This is what I've read so far about the Seacrest and Hough break up. And no, I wasn't born yesterday (smile).
Entertainment mogul Ryan Seacrest and his dancer-actress girlfriend Julianne Hough have reportedly ended their relationship.
I like Seacrest. I don't know who Hough is, nor do I care. I'm sure she cares nothing about me. We'll both live happy lives in spite of this.
The pair reportedly dated for more than two years. Seacrest gushed about Hough two months ago to TV-host Chelsea Handler, calling his then-girlfriend “phenomenal” and “the best part of each day.”
The source claimed their busy work schedules were challenging and that they’ve decided to live apart, People magazine reported.
There are a few comments from Hough, which you can read here.
What more can be said? As I stated above, I like Seacrest no matter who he's dating...or not dating. But I do think it's time he found a wholesome nice girl to settle down with (big smile).
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