If the three secrets to success in real estate are location, location, location, then the three secrets to success in thee-reader marketare books, books, books. The devices themselves are fairly similar — but it’s the content that really sets things apart. Apple seems to have figured that out fromAmazon, but until James Patterson starts coming directly to Steve Jobs with manuscripts, collecting books that people actually want to read means greasing the wheels with publishers. For the device’s launch, Apple managed to put together agreements with five of the world’s largest book pushers. Recognize the names, but not sure what they’ll bring to the iPad? Here’s a quick dossier on Apple’s new best friends.
Owner:Pearson PLC
Notable Brands:Puffin Books, Viking Press, Allen Lane, The Complete Idiot’s Guide, E.P. Dutton
Popular Titles:The Scarpetta Factorby Patricia Cornwell,Tom Clancy’s HAWXby David Michaels,Food Rulesby Michael Pollan,Getting Things Doneby David Allen,The Godfatherby Mario Puzo
Harper Collins
Owner:News Corp
NotableBrands:Ecco, Avon Books, Regan Books, William Morrow & Company
Popular Titles:Going Rogue by Sarah Palin,Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Manby Steve Harvey,Pirate Latitudesby Michael Crichton,SuperFreakonomicsby Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner,Game Changeby John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
Simon & Schuster
Owner:CBS Corporation
NotableBrands:Aladdin Paperbacks, Free Press, Scriber, Howard Books, Atria
Popular Titles:Last Wordsby George Carlin,Under the Domeby Stephen King,Thirst No. 2by Christopher Pike,Days of Goldby Jude Deveraux,Eating the Dinosaurby Chuck Klosterman
Owner:Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck
NotableBrands:Bedford, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Pan Books, St. Martins Press, Tor Books
Popular Titles:Sarah’s Keyby Tatiana de Rosnay,Wolf Hallby Hilary Mante,Nightby Elie Wiesel, Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich,Impactby Douglas Preston
Owner:Lagardère SCA
NotableBrands:Twelve, Orbit Books, Yen Press, Grand Central Publishing, Vision
Popular Titles:Twilightby Stephenie Meyer,Dear Johnby Nicholas Sparks,Alex Crossby James Patterson,The Shackby William P. Young,The Swan Thievesby Elizabeth Kostova
