Featured Author - Wentworth M Johnson

Wentworth M. Johnson is a Canadian writer. He was born in March 1939, Cambridgeshire, England. He is the great grandson of William Edward Bourne 1851-1925 (playwright, dramatist and theatrical producer).

His early career was with the Royal Air Force working with the Ghurkha regiment reclaiming Borneo after it had been invaded by Indonesia and later as navigator with 1125 Marine Craft unit, chasing pirates in the South China Sea. He spent two years in Nairobi on international communications and handed the Small station over to the Kenyan Army.

He moved to Canada after leaving the RAF in 1967 and worked in a lumber factory for a short while. Then spent five years working in a munitions factory and laboratory after a disagreement with the boss walked out and immediately got a job with a local television station and worked there for some twenty-eight years. Took early retirement in the year 2000.

Johnson has published newspaper and magazine articles, as well as a number of fiction and non-fiction books including The Bill Breyner Mystey Series: Fiend's Gold, Mania, Edinburgh Cuckoos, Damp Graves, Lions and Christians, The Canadian, The Dutchman and The Mermaid.

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Delivery delays to USA and Canada

Some packets that would normally be sent by air are now being sent by surface mail. This is because the United States Department of Homeland Security is continuing to require increased security measures for items carried on passenger airlines.

Most items, including personal letters and cards, magazines, CDs, DVDs and lightweight packets, will be delivered in the US within a few days of posting. However, there are delays of about two weeks for some heavier packets.

OFT responds to Amazon 'Price Parity' complaints

The Office of Fair Trading have responded to MEP Graham Watson about the complaint that have been made about Amazon's 'Price Parity' policy:

"...The OFT is aware of the concerns in relation to Amazon's policy. Although the OFT has not yet launched a formal investigation, we are currently considering the issues raised under our powers and in accordance with our priorirtisation principles..."

Also see:
Amazon introduces Price Parity policy

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Amazon seller forums unavailable

Anyone else getting a 'cannot display webpage' when trying to access Amazon.co.uk marketplace seller forums?

I tried viewing the 'Seller Connection' forum this morning and it is still unavailable this afternoon. I can still read Amazon's announcements but there is no mention of this problem. The Amazon.com forums are still available.

Amazon increases shipping fees

Amazon has, without notification, increased the shipping fee from £2.75 to £2.80. I have just tried listing a single book and it looks as if the seller profit is increased by the full 5p. I have updated my Amazon Marketplace Profit Calculator to match, but please use with caution until Amazon make a definitive statment:

Amazon Marketplace Profit Calculator

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1,000,000 books to be given away

20,000 book lovers will give away 1,000,000 books on the inaugural World Book Night which will take place on Saturday 5 March 2011 and will be broadcast in partnership with BBC Two.

An independent editorial committee composed of a broad mix of booksellers, librarians, authors, broadcasters and other individuals selected the 25 titles to be given away to the public on World Book Night. Prior to this, the book trade was canvassed for recommendations and hundreds of lists were received.

More from World Book Night

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Fake book reviews on Amazon?

Publishers are being accused of hijacking Amazon's customer book reviews to praise their own volumes and disparage the opposition.

We have been aware that authors have been organising favourable reviews for their books, but now it seems to have taken on a whole new dimension - it has been reported that authors are turning on each other, agencies are charging up to £5,000 to place favourable fake reviews and Amazon has recruited a team of amateur critics to restore the balance.

Read more from The Daily Mail

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Amazon takes on publishers over eBook prices

Amazon has posted an open letter to Kindle owners on its website urging customers to 'vote with their purchaes' against publishers who set fixed prices for electronic editions.