Comments on: Happy links for readers and writers

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:30:05 +0000

Hi – sorry, that sounds like something you need to talk to Kobo about. I generally find the apps won’t appear on my device when the app is not compatible with my device.

By: C. Lynecia Wright-Harris

C. Lynecia Wright-Harris — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:22:29 +0000

Hello, I need help. I have an account that I cannot access since the switch from ShortCovers to Kobo, and the icon does not appear even after I re-downloaded the application. Since SC had updated me through the link when you open your account through the SC icon, I deleted the SC app. Now I have no way to get to Kobo. I have a Blackberry Curve 8330. PLEASE help me.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:58:40 +0000

That’s really very interesting. Please do come back and update us when you see what happens, because worldwide rights should translate to no geographic restrictions.

I know that when I tried uploading a non-fiction work of mine to the Kindle store, it asked me if I had worldwide rights, and I presumed saying ‘yes’ would have ensured no restrictions – but I don’t know since it turned out I needed a US bank account to be a Kindle publisher so I never got to find out.

The point being, maybe whoever sent your book on to B&N forgot to check the book for worldwide rights or something…

(Lord, between not being allowed to publish via Kindle and these random geographic restrictions, I can see why there’s not dozens of Australian ebook publishers out there.)

By: Vicki

Vicki — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:30:35 +0000

Thanks for the plug, Wendy. If your readers visit my website, there’s a code to download the book for free until 31-Dec-2009.

From Smashwords terms of service:
“The Author hereby grants and assigns to Smashwords the nonexclusive worldwide right to digitally publish, distribute, market and sell (“Publish”), and to license others to do so, the work identified on the front page of your submission (the “Work”).”

And this is the B&N link to my ebook: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Thin-Blood/Vicki-Tyley/e/2940000705148/?itm=1&USRI=tyley

It doesn’t make sense, does it. I was going to wait to see what happens with the other distributors and then query it with Smashwords.

Cheers
Vicki

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:17:41 +0000

That’s interesting – do you know what ebook rights you leased out when you signed your author contract? I haven’t had any geographical restrictions applied to mine (as far as I know) [or, if you're self-pubbed, that's even weirder]; I’m with a US publisher for my two current works.

I’m in the process of starting up an Australian SF ebook publisher (www.winterbournepublishing.com.au) and as far as I am aware, if I obtain electronic rights from the author, no geographic restrictions will apply. I certainly hope this is the case, because it would be extremely stupid to have Australian-originated content having to be sold through US-based ebook stores and yet not allowing Australians to buy it.

Merry Christmas to you too.

Readers: if you enjoy mystery and suspense, check out Vicki’s book since she was a little too shy to link to it herself …we independent Australian authors have to look out for each other:
http://www.smashwords.com/b/4439

By: Vicki

Vicki — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:13:22 +0000

Hi Wendy,

A Google alert on “geographical restrictions” brought me to you blog. Like you, I am frustrated on the restrictions placed on Australians wanting to purchase eBooks. I was assured that it was a publisher issue, not a distributor issue. However, I recently published one of my novels through Smashwords and have discovered that purchase on Barnes & Noble is restricted to US residents. Even if I wantedto, I couldn’t even buy my own book!

Thankfully, it’s available restriction-free on Smashwords, but it does make me wonder what is going on. It’s due to be listed on Kobo, Sony, and Amazon soon. It’ll be interesting to see what restrictions, if any, are placed on an Australian-authored novel.

Merry Christmas!