eNews: Indiebound Reader App Launches; eBooks in Europe; and More

PublishersLunch

Indiebound has launched its ebook reading app, Indiebound Reader, in conjunction with Bluefire, as announced in August (and originally set for release in October). So far the app is only available for Android devices, but "it will soon be available" for iOS devices. Consistnet with Apple's revised rules, the iOS version will be for reading only, and will not include in-app purchasing.
Indiebound Reader page

At the same Reuters Global Media summit where Penguin ceo John Makinson spoke of "dark clouds" hovering over the publishing horizon in 2012, Hachette ceo Arnaud Nourry was more optimistic about the prospects for digital adoption in France, thanks in part to the recent Kindle store launch and FNAC's partnership with Kobo. "My bet is that in the first half of next year we're going to see the first signs of the e-book market taking off in France," Nourry said. "I don't see why the French readers would not want to read in digital form, (but) I also believe it will go slower and perhaps not to the same point as other markets."

To that point, the NYT added its own take on the European ebook market, similar to a recent piece in the WSJ, focusing on the higher VAT rates on ebooks over print books in most EU nations. The European Parliament approved a nonbinding resolution calling for a reduction in ebook taxes in mid-November. The article takes some note of the booming business in ebooks sold out of Luxembourg by Amazon, where the VAT rate of 15 percent is lower than in many other EU countries.

Paperless Publishing, which focuses on digital short-form works, has a new joint development agreement with Skyhorse, starting this month. The companies are acquiring and developing titles together, with Paperless handling digital distribution and Skyhorse producing and distributing paperback versions.

Footnote:

Penguin USA ceo David Shanks is PW's "person of the year," cited "for his leadership role in building a solid foundation for his company while making the necessary investments and changes to build for the future."