TeleRead, the oldest Web site devoted to general-interest news and views on e-books and related topics, is again in the hands of its founder, David H. Rothman.
Philadelphia-based NAPCO Media, the seller, has decided to focus on its core brands, markets and growth areas such as events, e-learning and video services. The Rothman-NAPCO deal closed May 19.
"I am grateful to NAPCO for giving me a chance to preserve an important piece of Web and e-book history," Rothman says. "TeleRead in one form or another goes back to the mid 1990s and has been a major voice on such issues as consumer e-book standards and the need for well-stocked national digital libraries. The much-appreciated Juli Monroe will still be editor-in-chief, and I’ll be publisher. All of four of our gifted writers will remain. At the same time, we’ll increase the number of posts, especially on nuts-and-bolts topics of core interest to our fellow e-book lovers.
"Plenty has changed since the sale of TeleRead in 2010 to NAPCO. E-reading apps and tablets and phones count more. Dedicated e-book readers aren’t as hot as before. The e-book industry is much bigger, thanks partly to the ePub standard that TeleRead championed early on. I’m especially pleased to see an explosion of interest in e-books for schools and libraries. We’ll be talking up such causes as the creation of national digital library endowments throughout the world, and e-books in developing countries. Plus, cell phone book clubs to help narrow the reading and digital divides."
Rothman, who sold TeleRead to focus on his health and other writing-related projects, is also a veteran freelance writer. He has appeared in publications ranging from the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Nation, TheAtlantic.com, Library Journal, and an MIT Press/ASIS information science collection. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, he is the author of The Silicon Jungle (Ballantine Books) and six other books. He is also a cofounder of LibraryCity.org, devoted to library advocacy, as well as a former blogger for Publisher’s
Weekly.
"TeleRead dates back to the 1990s and was a real jewel in our crown, but our core strength is in business-to-business endeavors," said NAPCO Media President Dave Leskusky, "so we have sold it back to the original owner, David H. Rothman of Alexandria, Virginia. This will enable us to devote
more resources to our core areas of expertise. We know the TeleRead audience will benefit from David being back at the helm.”
"I’ve got a head start with the wonderful staff NAPCO Media is passing on," Rothman said. "Senior Writer Joanna Cabot and Contributing Writer Chris Meadows did fabulous work for TeleRead during my time there, and I look forward to more. And now TeleRead can also benefit from three talents from the NAPCO era–Editor-in-Chief Juli Monroe and Contributing Writers Paul St
John Mackintosh and Susan Lulgjuraj."
Representing David Rothman in the transaction was Susan Chaires of Chaires and Associates in Washington, D.C. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
About NAPCO Media
NAPCO Media is a leading B-to-B media company specializing in the creation and cross-channel distribution of exceptional content. We connect our customers to their target audience through integrated media programs, video services, marketing services, events and event management, custom content and eLearning. Our mission is to build community between our audience and
our clients. Our services are designed to deliver value and provoke actions that generate measurable results.
Okay, everyone, that is the official statement. Juli and I will be interested in your suggestions on the future direction of TeleRead. What do you like and what do you not like about the content and presentation of the site as it exists now? Please see our About Page for our mission statement.
Juli can comment back to you–she is still editor, and we are very lucky to have her.
One definite change: we’ll replace the current WordPress theme and will especially welcome your suggestions on this topic. Search and comment systems also will be upgraded.
Happy TeleReading,
David
(Updated at 14:20 and deliberately kept at or near the top of comments—so community members know of the sale and will feel free to share their valuable feedback.)
My suggestion: Expand on what’s always been great about Teleread. It has never been a trade publication focusing on reprinting press releases and publishing soft stories. Get even more aggressive.
1. Do hard-hitting interviews with people who matter from industry executives to prominent writers. I’d love to see executives at Amazon and the major publishers explain what they’ve done wrong in the last few years, particularly vis a vi one another, and what they’d have done differently. And don’t just bash James Patterson. Interview him.
2. Do something that’s rare in today’s media, genuine investigative journalism, particularly from an author’s perspective. Go into how much ebook authors get paid per sale and the legal restraints embedded in their contracts. Point out the good and bad of each outlet. In particular, do something about Teleread’s reputation as Amazon fanboys.
One of my gripes about digital publishing is that the contracts often have the retailer wanting to have all of the benefits of being a publisher (i.e. dictating pricing and exclusivity) without taking on any of the burdens (advertising or a legal defense). I’d love to see a detailed list of what benefits and burdens an author acquires when they retail through the major retailers: Amazon, Apple, B&N, Smashwords etc. along with a comparison to what a traditional publisher offers.
And yes, the Teleread website is more than a little dated in appearance. Acquire a new look. Ads are OK if they’re not auto-activate videos on dancing GIFs. That might help cover costs.
Best wishes with these changes.
–Mike Perry
Great priorities, Mike!
1. We are planning a TeleRead Newsmakers feature and will ask the questions that matter. Alas, Patterson won’t even reply to e-mail. I tried him in connection with the idea of a national digital library endowment.
2. Agree about investigative journalism. It’s an issue of resources and expectations. We’re already getting far, far out of our writers than we have a right to expect. But if the spirit moves them, yes, I’m game!
3. Yes, this site is an antique! We’re at work on the case now. Don’t expect immediate results. But you’re right on the money!
Best wishes right back, and keep the feedback coming!
David
Looking forward to the décor change. I keep my adblocker off here, simply because your ads don’t dance and move and autoplay and annoy the tar out of me. I also click links and shop from your ads when it’s something I want.
I’ve always thought of Teleread as a somewhat consumer oriented site, and I appreciate that it’s not totally focused on authors—there are plenty of those sites already on the net and I avoid them like the plague. I’m a reader and not a writer, so that’s where my focus is on a daily basis.
I enjoy the “how-to” and help articles that you’ve done in the past (the one on Calibre in all those parts was terrific). All the best as your make this transition.
Michael, I love your suggestions! I’ve done a few interviews over the year and I enjoy that kind of story as well. I did an interview last month with the owner of No Starch Press, and I have also done interviews with Michael Serbinis of Kobo and with Patricia Ryan, a traditionally published author who now publishes her own things. If we can get willing participants, I’d love to see more of those articles too.
To address your ‘investigative journalism’ request, you might be interested to know that I plan to make my ‘newbie Kindle self-publisher’ stories a monthly feature. I will talk about both the pros and the cons, and yes, I will go disclose (at least for my first year!) how much I earn. Perhaps one of the reasons you perceive people being ‘fanboys’ is a lack of other options in some cases. For myself, I am currently publishing at an alternative venue as well. My first sale there netted me 29 cents in profit. My first sale at Amazon netted me over a dollar. That can account for part of the reason Amazon remains so popular.
That said, I do live in a country where Amazon has to fight a little harder for their number-one status. I am not a fan of Kobo’s iOS app, which was part of the reason I switched back to Amazon. But I have written before about how they excel at producing and promoting local content. That is one area in which Amazon is weak, and I would love to see someone challenge them and build a better system.
As for the sale back to David Rothman, he has been a long-time friend of mine, and we have stayed in touch over the years he was less involved with Teleread. It is so nice to have him back, and I am delighted that he was up for a return to his blog. I am excited to be part of his team to help grow this blog and make it even better.
Hmm. Very useful feedback, Mrsmac. Thank you! I’m extra-grateful for for your thoughts on consumer-oriented items vs. author-oriented ones. I’d welcome others’ opinions on this topic!
Yes, we do hope to do more how-to pieces. Specific suggestions welcome, from you and others–especially reader-oriented ideas!
David
Oh, Wow!
Congrats on the deal!
Thanks, Nate! Juli and I both remain huge Ink, Bits, & Pixels fan!
Best,
David
Joanna–so happy to see your series. We’ll do our best to help out both regular booklovers and content creators (bad word, but pretty inclusive).
> I am excited to be part of his team to help grow this blog and make it even better.
And Juli and I are just as excited to have you as a team member!
Meanwhile it’ll be great to get suggestions from still more people in regard to our Back to the Future act.
Best,
David
Congrats, David! I look forward to reading your voice again.
I vote for more journalism, more news of interest to readers and industry alike. I’m always hungry for news, analysis and trends. Seems like there are some people making names with snark and negativity. That’s a turnoff to me. Good journalists ask the tough questions but keep it professional.
I look forward to an even more interesting Teleread.
Mark: Thanks for your suggestions. I can’t resist a brag. Years ago you asked me what SmashWords should be like. Well, I said, for one thing it would be nice if you guys avoided DRM. Hey, you listened (at least in cases where you had control). Now if only the big boys will wise up and do the same!
Cheers,
David
Frank: I appreciated the kind words—especially the “even.” Please hang around and keep commenting. Even when we disagree, I always enjoy your remarks. TeleRead’s articulate and thoughtful commenters add major value to the site.
Best,
David