Is Penguin Trying to Rewrite History?
By Andrew Wilkins

MELBOURNE: You may have heard of it. Last year, in celebration of its 75th anniversary, Penguin launched a series of books dubbed "Popular Penguins" in Australia, New Zealand and India. Priced at just AU$9.95, they are a series of classic titles which are priced cheaper than a pack of cigarettes, the original notion when the very idea of a Penguin paperback was launched in the last century.

Much as I'm full of admiration for Penguin's campaign, which has seen titles from its "Popular Penguins" series appear seemingly everywhere, dare I suggest there's some mythologizing going on here?

(read on ...)

In the Age of E-books, Does the Cheap Paperback Have a Future?

 By Edward Nawotka


Today's lead story (above) discusses Penguin's 75th anniversary campaign in Australia, New Zealand and India which has seen the company reissue backlist titles from their line at the low price of AU$9.95. The result has been sales that have exceeded more than 250,000 copies in their first three months -- a phenomenal sales pace. The series has proved so popular that the company is issuing even more titles in this low cost format.

(read on ...)