(Last updated: 14/10/2009) Just in from Twitter: Amazon will now ship the Kindle internationally. According to Bookseller+Publisher:

Kindles are available to order for US$279 (A$313) from the Amazon website now and will begin shipping from 19 October. Amazon’s director of merchandising Laura Porco is scheduled to run a demonstration of the device in Sydney on Monday 26 October. An Amazon spokesperson told WBN that it had ‘not been confirmed as yet whether [books from] Australian publishers will be available’ to read on the device.

CNET Australia provides some technical details:

The reader can either download books via USB or by 3G or 2G wireless, without any mobile contracts … but the spokesperson could not (more)

History Lesson 3 by Sanja Gjenero (via stock.xchng)

Today’s SMH reports that the Productivity Commission is likely to recommend the removal of parallel importation restrictions (PIR) on books to Australia.

If this happens, despite the Productivity Commission receiving a majority of submissions in support of retaining all or part of the current restrictions, it will be clear that the loudest voices in the media have prevailed.

It helps, of course, if your lobby group includes former NSW Premier Bob Carr, and former ACCC chairman Allan Fels.

Lobbying for cheaper prices

Carr has written several editorials in support of an open market for books, citing affordability and availability to children. It’s ironic that local authors of children’s books believe they’ll be one of the hardest hit by an open market. This is because illustrated children’s books are more expensive to produce due to their larger, non-standard formats, and because authors have to split the royalties with illustrators. (more)

Abandoned Book by swotai (via Flickr)

If you’ve been following the debate on the parallel importation of books in Australia, The 7.30 Report ran a segment yesterday on the debate. Unfortunately, it didn’t look past the usual rhetoric surrounding the issue.

In fact I don’t think the segment even highlighted all the main arguments on either side or the parallel importation debate. I’m particularly frustrated by the final comment from Allan Fels, former ACCC chairman, Dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government:

It’s also claimed that Australian books in fact are priced much the same as the rest of the world. I don’t agree. But if it is true, what have we got to fear from removing the import restrictions?

What we fear is that change might actually harm the industry, (more)

Through The Clock's Workings (Anthology)

Tempted All Night giveaway winner: SonomaLass

The winner of our first book giveaway is SonomaLass, whose biggest temptation is

…just one more chapter in a great book. Late at night, when I know I should be getting to bed because I have to work in the morning….

SonomaLass, I’ve sent you an email, but in case you don’t get it, please email me your address. Thanks to everyone who entered! It was fun judging this one, and the results were very close.

Remix My Lit Anthology

Through the Clock’s Workings, the world first remixed and remixable anthology of literature, is now available:

So how do you use a remixable anthology? Simple. (more)

See more Lolcats and funny pictures

I’ve been meaning to write another post on the issue of parallel import restrictions (PIR) in Australia, but I’ve been putting it off because, well, I just can’t decide where I stand on this issue. Anyway, when I found myself commenting on this post, Parallel importing and ebooks in Australia, over at bookbook blog, I decided to move my comment diarrhoea here instead. Before you read any further, you should check out that link as this will be a response to that post.

I have to confess, I’m on the fence with this one. I agree that book prices in Australia have to come down. I recently spent $55 to buy a hardcover. I’m crazy, I know, and it gives new meaning to the term “book crack”. But I also don’t think an open market is the solution.

First, let’s talk about price

I believe the abolition of PIR will probably result in lower wholesale prices. Will these savings be passed on to consumers? Maybe, but if Angus & Robertson admit to pricing above the RRP now, it’s certainly not guaranteed. (more)

Romance Book of the Year finalists

The Romance Writers of Australia has announced the finalists for this year’s R*BY Awards:

Short Sweet
Claire Baxter — The Single Dad’s Patchwork Family
Melissa James — A Mother in a Million
Marion Lennox — His Island Bride
Fiona McArthur — The Midwife’s Baby

(more)

In Bed With... (Anthology)

Isn’t that just the most luscious cover? Designer Allison Colpoys (Penguin) was named young designer of the year at the Australian Publishers Association Book Design Awards last week. I picked up this book the last time I was in a bookstore, and the only reason I didn’t buy it was that I’m very picky with erotica. Here’s the blurb:

Hot sex, anywhere, anytime, anyone?

Here is the hottest, raunchiest collection of romance, love, fantasy and – let’s be honest – sex.

Designed to tantalise and tease, these quirky adult-only tales are sensual and surprising, always imaginative and unashamedly risqué. Featuring a sex addict, a Spanish percussionist, a topless gardener, a Kiwi farm-hand, virgins, prostitutes, ballerinas, college research assistants, new ladettes and a spanking dominatrix; (more)

Romance authors in the media

Australian romance author Anne Gracie was interviewed on the 9am show with David & Kim (click on Entertainment, then Books).

Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan, the women behind popular romance blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books and authors of Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels, were interviewed by Alan Brough on ABC Radio in Melbourne. Hilarity ensues.

Coming not so soon

I’ve been told that the Australian release date for Anna Campbell’s next novel, Captive of Sin, is December 16. Just in time for Christmas, but still so much longer than the US date. I don’t know if I can wait that long, to be honest. I haven’t seen any images of the cover yet.

Parallel import restriction debates continue

The Productivity Commission was due to hand in its report regarding restrictions on the parallel importation of books to Australia on Wednesday, but they’ve asked for and have been granted an extension until June. Until then, I expect we’ll hear more about the issue in the media. For some good arguments from both sides: (more)

Photo by circulating (via Flickr)

The battle of the petitions: responses to Productivity Commission closed on Friday

Look, I have a confession to make: I haven’t read the full draft of the Productivity Commission’s discussion draft on parallel importation restrictions. But over the last few weeks, there’s been a buzz on the blogs, on Twitter, and to a smaller extent in the mainstream press about what the draft recommendations would mean to authors, publishers, booksellers and consumers.

Dymocks’s strategy of emailing members of its Booklovers program came under fire (here’s why I didn’t sign it), but I think it worked. I’m planning to write about this some more (next week, I hope!) but, essentially, they framed the issue for consumers, who until now haven’t really been involved in the discussion. And if this opinion essay (The Australian) is any indication, Dymocks has done its job well. (Not to mention that The Australian’s editorial quality is on the decline. Because really—research much?)

On the opposing side, Australians for Australian Books has been using social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter to encourage people to sign their petition opposing (more)

On Thursday, I wrote a post on why I wouldn’t be signing the petition that Dymocks urged its Booklovers subscribers to sign. I never imagined it would get as much attention as it did, so a big welcome to new readers and visitors. If you’re interested, children’s author Sheryl Gwyther is organising a protest against Dymocks on Thursday, April 16, at 10.30am at the Brisbane Dymocks store (cnr Queen and Edward Sts). Click here for details. (Via Christine Bongers)

To clarify: I’m not trying to foist my personal opinion on parallel importation on anyone else, but I’m encouraging people to hear more than just one side of the debate before signing the petition (or not).

Romance book sales are up

You may have already seen this in various blogs, but according to the NY Times: “In a recession, what people want is a happy ending.” Sales of romance books are up, and there are some very good quotes and insights on the buying habits of romance readers: “Romance readers are considered among the most loyal fans, (more)