Monday Publishing News

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Barnes & Noble Launches Audiobook Store
By Jim Milliot -- Publishers Weekly, 4/27/2009 7:35:00 AM
From: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6654459.html

Barnes & Noble has taken another step in deepening its role in the digital marketplace, launching its Audiobook MP3 Store on Barnes & Noble.com. The store will feature spokenword audiobook MP3s available for download and transfer to iPods, iPhones, MP3 players and other portable devices. The site is launching with more than 10,000 titles across all genres, priced between $10 and $20 per download.

"As the use of MP3 players, iPods, iPhones and other digital devices continues to increase, it is important for Barnes & Noble to continue to expand our audio selections," said Tom Burke, executive v-p, E-Commerce Barnes & Noble. Overdrive is managing the distribution of titles through the BN.com site. Later this year, B&N is expected to launch an e-bookstore, following its acquisition earlier this year of Fictionwise.

My opinion: I looked around the MP3 store at B&N a bit this weekend. I'm a B&N member at $25 per year -- money well spent since I have a book addiction. I found out about the MP3 store this weekend when I got my 50% off an MP3 coupon from B&N. (Great promo.) I spent some time comparing the site to Audible.com (HUGE AUDIBLE FAN here!). My take: Not bad. I'll probably use the coupon tonight to buy Little Brother by Corey Doctorow since it's not available at Audible. I'll let you know what I think.

M