MAN BOOKER SHORTLIST WILL NOT BE FREE

THIS FROM THE BOOKSELLER:

The British Council has moved to clarify its position on electronic editions of Man Booker Prize shortlisted novels following a report in the Times this morning. The newspaper reported that the Man Booker Prize hopes to place all six of its shortlisted novels online for free. But the British Council said that while it is in negotiations with publishers to create an online collection of literature, this would be for sale rather than free.

A spokesperson for the British Council said: "It is true that the British Council is in negotiations with leading publishers to create an online collection of contemporary British literature including the Man Booker Prize winners in the form of e-books, which can be purchased.

"They acknowledged that central to this "innovative approach" would be making sure that authors are remunerated for their work. A pilot scheme is planned for 2008 aimed at audiences in India, China and Africa.The Times reported that organizers of the prize were currently "deep in negotiations" with publishers over digitizing the books.