Publishers join Oz iBookstore, 'heaps' want to follow

03.11.10 - Katie Allen - The Bookseller

Six publishers including Macmillan, Hachette and HarperCollins have joined the Australian iBookstore, although "heaps" have not yet signed up, according to the Australian Publishers Association (APA).

Hardie Grant, Murdoch and Wiley also signed up, the ItWire website reports. However, exceptions include Penguin Australia, Pearson and Mills & Boon books publisher, Harlequin.

The Australian Publishers Association (APA) has claimed that "heaps" of publishers have been unable to join up. The Australian reports that there has been a deluge of complaints from members unable to get distribution deals with Apple. APA chief Maree McGaskill said: "Heaps of them are coming back and saying they had no idea so it's obviously selectively negotiated."

Hachette imprints include Hachette Australia and Hodder Moa, and authors include Maeve Binchy, Patricia Cornwell and Stephenie Meyer. The company is promising simultaneous availability with the printed versions of future books, and that its full catalogue will be available on the site.

"The iBookstore in the US and UK have been a huge success, and it is incredibly exciting that Australian readers can now have a store perfectly tailored for their needs, and that Hachette's many authors have an innovative new outlet for their works," said Hachette Australia m.d. Malcolm Edwards.

HC said that the company’s full local and international e-book catalogue would be available on the iBookstore, with local titles including Naked Cruelty by Colleen McCullough and Mercy by Rebecca Lim, plus international authors such as Cathy Kelly and Russell Brand.
"Having HarperCollins' e-books available in Apple’s iBookstore when it launches represents a significant opportunity for the Australian consumer to get further access to a fantastic array of books," said c.e.o. Michael Moynahan.

John Wiley said Australian titles under the Wrightbooks imprint included My Dad’s Got Mojo by Gary Bertwistle and The Power of Influence by Sarah Prout. The company will also offer a "wide range" of its global bestsellers.

Murdoch titles will include Meals in Heels by Jennifer Joyce, which it claims is one of the first illustrated cookbooks to be published in the e-format.


Until today, Australian owners of an iPad (which launched in the country in May) have only been able to use iBooks to access free out-of-copyright titles.