Comments on: Canadian journalists bemoan limited Kindle offerings up North: Where’s Michael Crichton’s latest? Stephen King’s?

By: Anna Nicolle

Anna Nicolle — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:20:36 +0000

I really like the Kindle device but I am frustrated by the lack of content in Canada. I contacted Amazon and complained. They suggested I contact the publishers. If Amazon is going to offer an e-book device they should ensure that the content is available. Putting the onus on the reader to deal with the publishers is unacceptable. I will not be recommending the Kindle to any of my friends who are in the market for an e-book reader for just this reason. I’m still undecided if I should send mine back for a refund and go with a Sony.

By: kindle-schmindle

kindle-schmindle — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:43:02 +0000

It’s not the publishers or the agents! amazon put kindle into the Canadian market knowing nothing would be available because they want the Canadian publishers to give them rock-bottom deals on electronic rights. amazon are known for this kind of rapacious behavior. They think if they do this everyone will pressure the publishers to knuckle under and give amazon what they want. I think it stinks but I think the people you should be complaining to are amazon.

By: Canuck Kindle User

Canuck Kindle User — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:29:09 +0000

I am impressed with the Kindle but I also noticed right away that many of the books I wanted out of the gate were not available to download in Canada. I may contact a friend in the US and change my address to there… but what about Amazon finding out? Will they delete my ebooks from the US at that point? Probably.

By: asphalt

asphalt — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:29:48 +0000

I seem to recall an Australian publisher having expressed concern that Australians would all purchase U.S. editions of books if both were available to them. So the language limitation won’t make that publisher happy. Never mind the fact that there are likely more people *outside* of Australia than *within* who would like to purchase Australian editions. (I’ve mentioned in other comments that publishers are dumb, right?)

In the meantime, can U.S. publishers *possibly* believe that if I can’t get a title by a French (or fill in your language here) author in the original, I would ever consider reading an English translation? Or do French publishers simply have no idea how many French speakers there are outside Europe?

Publishers are dumb.

By: karen wester newton

karen wester newton — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:26:08 +0000

If Fictionwise has the books in the right format (unsecure Mobi) you can easily put them on a Kindle. I suspect though, that fooks from major publishers will only be available with DRM’d Mobi or similar restrictions.

By: Devini

Devini — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:02:38 +0000

Canadian publishers should be selling to their readers. Simple as that. Whatever happened to the adage: “The customer is always right”. If we are willing to buy something sell it to us. This Amazon Kindle thing is ridiculous. Sony will sell these books to us in Canada. Barnes & Noble who own Fictionwise & eReader will sell them to us– although for the life of me I don’t understand why Barnes & Noble themselves won’t. Publishers, authors & agents should be thinking that if someone is willing to pay for the ebook then lets sell it to them. Read Douglas Hunter’s online article in the Globe and Mail on his assessment of the Kindle. Very informative. Publishers/authors/agents WAKE UP!!!