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)

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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)

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)

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1. I don’t trust you. Emailing a customer mailing list with your political agenda is dodgy. Also dodgy is pretending to be something other than a group of chain retailers lobbying the government to change the law so you can increase your profits.

2. We don’t need to change copyright law to buy cheaper books. Readers can buy online. Not only do we take advantage of cheaper prices overseas, but we don’t have to pay GST. The Book Depository doesn’t even charge for shipping. I don’t see you lobbying to have the GST removed from books, or to have the government enforce the GST on overseas companies. Maybe it can’t. That’s not my fault.

3. Not everyone buys books according to price. The experience of being in a bookstore is what I want when I go into a bookstore. Otherwise, I’d buy online. I like seeing a book, touching it, reading the blurb and maybe a few pages. I can’t do that online. (more)

MOO cards (see Flickr for more)

I totally forgot to announce this before I left for ARRC, but we had some MOO cards made to give away to people we met. Wandergurl was very good at handing hers out, whereas I kept forgetting. So anyway, here they are in case you missed  out. (If you want one, let me know!)

ARRC Round-up

More ARRC round-ups are appearing on the blogs, and I’ve collated links that I know of:

Gnomeangel — Adventures with a bleeding heart
Reading Adventures — Reminiscing about ARRC09 – Saturday
Tez Says — Tez in the City, Part II

Bronwyn Parry — ARRC09
Desirabelles — The Australian Romance readers conference 2009
Erica Hayes — tha kikass convenshun, we haz it
Paula Roe — Aussie Romance Readers Convention ‘09

Publishers Weekly — This, that and the Other Thing Monday (more)

ARRC update

The Australian Romance Readers Convention is less than two weeks away, and as part of the lead up to this event, the ARRC committee has been running a Reader Challenge. If you’ve registered for the convention, don’t forget to drop by the ARRC Lounge, read the entries, and vote for your favourite (hopefully one of ours *g*). You’ll need to be signed up to the ARRC Lounge to vote. This week’s round ends tomorrow, and next week is the final round, so if you’re planning to enter, you need to get your reviews in to Bek this weekend.

The ARRC website also has a guest blog for authors supporting the convention. It seems everyone is jealous of our summer. All I can say is that I hope nothing happens to the air conditioning that weekend! (more)