BTW News Briefs

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version

Pennsylvania House Pushes Congress Toward E-Fairness

The Pennsylvania House passed House Resolution 571 Tuesday, which calls on the United States Congress to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 or alternative e-fairness legislation. The resolution details the benefits of leveling the playing field between online and bricks-and-mortar retailers, including improved Main Street retailing and local jobs.

The resolution will be sent to President Obama, presiding officers in Congress, and to each member of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation.

More Consumers to Finish Holiday Shopping Online

According to data released on Monday by the National Retail Federation, 49.9 percent of holiday shoppers are planning to do the remainder of their shopping online, which amounts to the highest number in the survey’s 11-year history. Nearly 30 percent said they planned to finish by Wednesday, December 18; 14.2 percent by Friday; 12.3 percent on Saturday; and 10.1 percent on Christmas Eve. The study also noted that as of December 9, 32 million shoppers had not yet started on their lists.

Just over nine percent of respondents also reported plans to shop online on Christmas day, a significant rise from 2009’s 4.9 percent.

National Book Foundation Calls for Innovations in Reading Nominations

The National Book Foundation is calling for nominations for its sixth annual Innovations in Reading Prize, which acknowledges initiatives or programs that create and sustain a lifelong love for reading.

The foundation is looking in particular for interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate innovations in design, technology, and social activism. Winners will receive $2,500 and prominent recognition on the NBF’s website and in other publicity. The deadline for entries is February 19, 2014.

Candlewick Reaches Out to Teens Through E-Volt Tumblr

Candlewick Press has launched E-Volt, a website on the Tumblr microblogging and social networking platform that features e-book deals and information for young adult readers. Readers can sign up to receive monthly alerts about deals on new releases and backlist titles, and titles are available for a range of e-readers, including Kobo. Readers will also have access to bonus content, including chapter teasers, audio clips, videos, author bios, and quotes.

“Tumblr is a haven for teens and young adults so we think this is a great platform to reach out to them about our YA e-books,” said Raquel Stecher, online marketing manager at Candlewick Press. “E-Volt will be a way for YA readers to discover titles and authors and get great deals, regardless of which e-reader they might have.”

Making Information Pay Conference to Co-Locate With Digital Publishing Forum at BEA

The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) will be co-locating its 2014 Making Information Pay conference with the International Digital Publishing Forum’s (IDPF) annual Digital Book Conference at BookExpo America. The conference will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014. Registration for IDPF Digital Book is currently open and includes access to the Making Information Pay conference, in addition to the BEA exhibit hall.

“We are delighted to partner with IDPF on Making Information Pay,” said BISG Executive Director Len Vlahos. “By bringing our two audiences together, we amplify each organization’s mission, enabling us to deliver more robust, high quality content.”