Industry News: Kindle Fire Struggles (or not), Expanded Role for Agents, Vintage Romance Imprint

Kindle Fire: Edsel or Not?

The New York Times compared it to New Coke, the Apple Newton, and the Ford Edsel. The off switch is easy to accidentally push, there’s limited privacy, and web pages take too long to load. And Amazon is already working on fixes for its Fire tablet. But does that make the device a failure? This Huffington Post article suggests its flaws are no more ubiquitous than the more respected Apple iPad2. In other words, the Fire and all its competitors aren’t perfect, which is to be expected. The tablet product line is still immature. Kindle also isn’t the first manufacturer to release a product and immediately follow up with fixes and updates. Last year, the Nook Color rolled out before Christmas with a planned update in April that turned it from an e-reader into a tablet. The bottom line is that it’s more important than ever to do your homework up front, and go to Best Buy or another retailer and check the device first before making a purchase. But even if you mess up, you’re only out $199 to $249, not the several hundred dollars you’d spend on an iPad, laptop, or other higher-priced option.

Surprising Things Literary Agents Do

As the publishing world continues through its revolutionary change, the role of literary agents may be morphing into something new, as well. This Huffington Post article is short of details, but lists some things agencies are doing to innovate. Curtis Brown, for instance, is offering writing classes. As we’ve previously noted, some agencies are dabbling in publishing. And some are offering paid editing services. As the lines in the publishing world continue to blur, it’s more important than ever to check an agency out before committing money to them. And check out the AAR canon of ethics and ask your agency if they adhere to it.

Samhain Publishing Launches Vintage Romance Imprint

If you’re a fan of out-of-print romance novels, you may be in luck. Samhain Publishing is launching a Retro Romance imprint that will republish out-of-print titles from authors including Sharon DeVita, Kate Donovan, Patricia Hagan, Karen Kay, and Debra Mullins. The titles will be released digitally, according to a release on Samhain’s website. The publisher is soliciting authors for the imprint.

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