Latest news with #BrandonSanderson
Mint
16 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
How to share your Kindle e-books with a reading buddy
Let me be clear at the outset: This isn't a 'How to jailbreak your Kindle' manual. Nor is it a paean to Amazon. As someone whose working life has revolved around editing and reviewing books, I am all too aware of the problematic business model followed by the global behemoth when it comes to selling books, among other things. This piece is, rather, a PSA of sorts, for those who aren't aware of a less-visible feature in Kindle devices that allows users to share their library with others. Given Amazon's tendency to bury such options deep inside its ecosystem, it is likely that this hack may be news to many readers. If you want to legally share your library with another user, you can use the Amazon Household platform, and it works pretty much like Amazon Prime's family plan. Before I come to the nuts and bolts of the process, some statutory warnings and plain facts. For those who aren't already in the know, Amazon holds a near monopoly in the book-selling business, one of the segments with which the venture started. Currently, the company owns about 50% of the physical and 80% of the digital book market share. Amazon's e-commerce model, which is based on aggressive discounting and superfast delivery, even while incurring losses, has endangered brick-and-mortar bookshops around the world. While Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), the company's self-publishing platform, has made book publishing more egalitarian, it has also led to a drastic erosion of quality. The terms and conditions for putting out work on KDP are stringent—especially if a writer opts out of KDP's preferred pricing model, which leads to a steep reduction in royalty share. When it comes to audio-books, the royalty shares are higher in Amazon's favour. By default, Audible, the company's audio-books platform, takes a 60% cut from all books available exclusively on it. If a writer decides to opt out of the exclusivity deal, the share could go as high as 75%. A few years ago, best-selling fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson got into a pickle with Amazon over audiobook royalty shares for a series he had self-published. Amazon, apparently, conceded somewhat to his terms, though it's not clear how it tangibly changed the overall royalty structure for newbies and lesser known writers. Most shocking to a reader would be the fact that you don't own any of the books you buy on Kindle. As the fine print says, you aren't buying the book itself—as you would with a physical book you may purchase from a bookshop—but simply paying for a license to read it. Amazon can, at any stage, remove a book from your library if you violate its terms and conditions or the company is forced by other exigencies. In 2009, it deleted an e-book version of George Orwell's iconic novel, 1984, from Kindle devices, simply because the publisher who sold that edition didn't have the right to do so. In a series of informative videos, YouTuber Jared Henderson has been highlighting such misdemeanours by Amazon, including the fact that the company can change a cover of a book you purchased. Henderson saw this happen when a TV series based on Robert Jordan's fantasy series, The Wheel of Time, came out. Without seeking his consent, Amazon swapped the cover of his old Kindle edition with the new one. In a further tightening of the leash, Amazon recently decided to prevent users from downloading copies of the books they purchase and store them locally. This feature gave the option to users to strip the Digital Management Rights (DRM) from these files and share with others—much like you would lend out a physical copy of a book you've paid good money for to others, should you wish to. The silver lining in all this is that you can now at least lend your library to one adult and four kids in your family. You could either send an email invitation to the person you want to share your library with by following the steps described on the Amazon Household page. Or else, you can log into your Amazon account, go to Accounts & Lists, Shopping Programs & Rentals under it, and find Amazon Household there. Depending on the way you configure the Amazon Household account, you can share other digital content from your Prime library—games, shows, and movies—too. This is the closest you can come to sharing your digital library of books with your reading buddy—even if they are in another city—for now. Until Amazon decides to change its mind again.
Screen Geek
3 days ago
- Business
- Screen Geek
Amazon Prime Video Cancels Fan-Favorite Series After 3 Seasons
It looks like another fan-favorite Amazon Prime Video series has come to an end. This time the streaming platform decided this show was concluded after airing 3 seasons on their streaming platform. It looks like it took Amazon Prime 'lengthy deliberations' to come to this decision. The economic environment just wasn't feasible enough to keep this series going, apparently, as 'the streamer's executives' are said to have liked the series 'creatively.' While the series initially performed well, it seems as though ratings began to slip during its third season, leading to this tough decision. Though because they knew the end was coming, it's been said that 'the Season 3 finale was designed to offer some closure.' While fans would have no doubt liked to have had more seasons to continue the story – it's nice that the series will offer some kind of conclusion. As shared via Deadline: 'Prime Video will not be renewing The Wheel of Time for a fourth season. The decision, which comes more than a month after the Season 3 finale was released April 17, followed lengthy deliberations.' It's certainly an unfortunate announcement as The Wheel of Time had plenty of potential to continue running on the platform. The series, based on the book series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, is a fantasy drama that became Prime Video's most watched series premiere in 2021. It was also one of the Top 5 series launches of all time for Amazon Prime. As such, fans can continue to watch the existing three seasons of The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional streaming and television updates as we have them. It's certainly become a tough industry for high-concept shows like this to thrive, but at least fans got a worthwhile three seasons out of this particular property.
Tom's Guide
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Prime Video cancels hit fantasy series 'The Wheel of Time' after its best season yet
We thought "The Wheel of Time" season 3 was its best season yet, and last month's explosive finale left us excited for more. Sadly, we won't be getting any, since Amazon won't be renewing its hit fantasy drama for a fourth season. The decision came after "lengthy deliberations," Deadline reported this week, as the streamer's executives enjoyed what the programming offered. However, high fantasy can come with high production costs, and viewership slipped with season 3 to a point that Prime Video could not justify a season 4 commitment. Co-produced by Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios, "The Wheel of Time" is an adaptation of the much-loved fantasy book series of the same name by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. We count it as one of the best Prime Video shows, so it's frustrating to see it get the axe. Granted, the first two seasons got off to a rocky start thanks to notable deviations from the source material that sparked backlash from fans of the books. If we're talking viewership, though, it was a verified hit, becoming Prime Video's most-watched series premiere of the year in 2021 and one of its top five series launches of all time. Season 3 marked a high point that seemed to finally win over the fanbase. It earned a near-perfect 97% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest for the series yet, and was equally popular among audiences. "I think it'd be hard to argue that this third chapter hasn't been bigger and better than ever, and that meant this finale felt huge," my colleague Martin Shore wrote in his "The Wheel of Time" season 3 finale review. "The finale hurtled along at a clip, constantly delivering more spectacle, more reveals and more terrific performances." Now Prime Video's "Lord of the Rings" prequel, "The Rings of Power," is the streamer's sole remaining fantasy series in production. Prime Video has officially renewed "The Rings of Power" for a third season, so fantasy fans will have that to look forward to at least. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Wheel of Time cancelled by Prime Video after three seasons
The Wheel of Time has been cancelled by Prime Video after three seasons due to financial reasons. The high-end fantasy drama adaptation of the book series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson follows Rosamund Pike as a sorceress named Moiraine Damodred. Debuting its third season in march, the Prime Video show returned to rave reviews, though it has not been enough to save it from the dreaded axe. According to Deadline, the show will not be getting renewed for a fourth season after lengthy deliberations, which seemingly came down to the high production cost of the show. Related: The Wheel of Time star lands next movie role in The Mummy remake Debuting in 2021, The Wheel of Time got off to a great start, becoming the streaming service's most watched season premiere of the year and one of the streamers top five series launches of all time. Season three proved a hit among critics, with a score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, giving it the highest critic ranking of all three seasons, up from season two's score of 86% and season one's 81% score. According to Nielsen's Top 10 Originals chart, which reflects viewership in the US only, viewer numbers slipped during season three of the show, which dropped out of the charts after the first three weeks. Related: Five-star post-apocalyptic series confirms return date Despite this, decisions surrounding renewals are usually based on how a show does globally and season three did rank at number one on the Prime Video charts in a number of countries. However, it hasn't been enough to save the show and, according to the article, the decision was made to cancel the fantasy epic after discussions with lead studio Sony TV. Per the article, the ending of season three was made with the possibility of a cancellation in mind and was designed to offer fans some closure. The Wheel of Time streams on Prime Video. Digital Spy's first print magazine is here! Buy British Comedy Legends in newsagents or online, now priced at just £3.99.£49.99 at at at Audible at EE at at £99.00 at Amazon at at at at at at EE£91.40 at at at Amazon£54.98 at at at at at at at at at Game at EE at at at Pandora at at Sky Mobile at at at Game£123.99 at at at Three at at at at Pandora at at at at at at at at AO£199.99 at Fitbit at $15.00 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at John Lewis£157.00 at John Lewis£44.99 at at at at at at at at at at John Lewis & Partners at Amazon at Three£32.99 at Amazon at at at at at at John Lewis & Partners at at at Fitbit$29.85 at at at Amazon at £49.99 at Amazon at at at at Apple£293.81 at at Three at at at at at at at at at at at at at at EE at at John Lewis at Audible at at John Lewis at EE at at £379.00 at at at at Amazon at at at Apple at at at Apple at at Three at $365.00 at Microsoft at at John Lewis at at Samsung at at Samsung at at Amazon at at John Lewis£1199.00 at AO at at at crunchyroll at at Microsoft£79.98 at at at Microsoft at John Lewis & Partners£92.98 at at at at Amazon at at at at at John Lewis at now at at at John Lewis & Partners at at at at at Microsoft£399.00 at John Lewis at at at £6.65 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is The Wheel of Time Season 4 releasing on Prime Video? Here's the final word
After three seasons of magic, epic battles, and deep character journeys, the American drama series 'The Wheel of Time' is coming to an end, as per a report. Prime Video has decided not to move forward with a fourth season of the fantasy series due to financial reasons after lengthy deliberations with its co-producers Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios , according to the Deadline report. Details About The Wheel of Time Season 4 Decision This comes more than a month after the Season 3 finale of 'The Wheel of Time' was released on Prime Video on April 17, as the viewership had dropped compared to Season 2 and Season 1, as per the report. Deadline's sources also revealed that 'The Wheel of Time' Season 3's overall performance was also not strong enough compared to the cost for Prime Video to renew Season 4 and it was not feasible for the streamer, even after examining different scenarios and following discussions with lead studio Sony TV, according to the report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like OMEA Award for Indian Manufacturers ansoim Learn More Undo The Wheel of Time's Strong Start, But Viewership Slipped 'The Wheel of Time', based on the book series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, had started off strong in 2021 and was Prime Video's most watched series premiere of that year, along with being one of the platform's top 5 series launches of all time, reported Deadline. While Season 3 did rank as number 1 on Prime Video in multiple countries, it dropped out of Nielsen's Top 10 Originals chart after the first three weeks of the latest season, as per the report. Season 3: A Creative High Point However, 'The Wheel of Time' fans have appreciated Season 3 to be the series' best creativity, according to Deadline. Even Prime Video executives have said that the show was getting better creatively every season, which is also supported by critics, as Season 3 ranks 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, increasing from 86% for Season 2 and 81% for Season 1, reported Deadline. Live Events FAQs Why is The Wheel of Time ending ? Because of high production costs and a drop in viewership that made it financially unfeasible to continue, as per Deadline. What is The Wheel of Time based on? The Wheel of Time is adapted from the fantasy book series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, as per Deadline.
