Barnes & Noble Acquires Fictionwise

Bookseller Barnes & Noble announced that it has purchased the e-book retailer Fictionwise for $15.7 million in cash today.

The major e-book company operates two websites, Fictionwise.com and eReader.com, and both will remain functioning after the sale. According to Fictionwise, founders Steve Pendergrast and Scott Pendergrast will continue to operate the e-book retailer as a separate unit under the Barnes & Noble umbrella.

Here’s more from the official release: “Barnes & Noble said it plans to use Fictionwise as part of its overall digital strategy, which includes the launch of an e-Bookstore later this year. In addition to the closing purchase price, Fictionwise may receive earn out payments for achieving certain performance targets over the next two years.” (Via TeleRead)

Create a social media strategy, launch your campaign, and track the results in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. The online event and workshop will feature speakers including The Onion‘s Baratunde Thurston (left), Facebook’s Morin Oluwole, and bitly’s Tim Devane. Register now.