I have felt for a while that Amazon is obsessed with controlling the reader’s relationship with the content in a way that was not possible in the world of print books. Notably this is seen by the “locked down” nature of the Kindle and the capability of remotely removing content from the device.

The Macmillan fiasco appears to reflect that same obsession with control, in a somewhat different form. We had words for people like this in the sixties. The mildest is “control freak”. Most of the others would not be appropriate in a blog where civility is valued.

Let’s just say I don’t think the megacorps are our friends.

-Steve

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There isn’t just shipping and printing invovled in making a book. But editing, covers, etc are in the print cost. As consumers see it, ebooks cost little to nothing. So, they don’t want to pay $15, or even $10 for something they can’t resell later.

Yep this is hurting author’s in the short term. But this is very important for readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents in the long term.

Everyone invovled is still trying to figure out the new technology. Look at the mp3 and record label debacle. They will never recover.

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/02/what-should-e-book-cost.html

http://ireaderreview.com/2010/02/03/things-publishers-will-do-to-kill-ebooks/

http://aprillhamilton.blogspot.com/2010/01/amazon-v-macmillan-authors-are-you.html
.-= asrai´s last blog ..Writing Success =-.

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Steve, I agree completely with what Kristan has said here; it’s not about the money so much as it is about disapproving of this tactic by Amazon (namely stripping Buy links to books as a means of “punishing” or even trying to control the publisher). It’s not fair to the publisher–who should have the right to control pricing on their intellectual properties–and it’s definitely not fair to the authors.

All that said, it looks like Amazon is putting those links back right NOW! Thanks to PW for the update:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6717892.html?desc=topstory So glad this is nearing some sort of resolution.

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Note also that we are not upset about the pricing, but about the fact that Amazon is hurting both writers and readers (and a lot of people in between) by refusing to directly sell Macmillan’s titles right now.
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..The wordy nerdy halfie chameleon =-.

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Sorry, I know everyone should earn something for their efforts but $15+ for something they don’t have to print or ship is just ridiculous.

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Most of my backlist was published in the US by Tor, so I am affected by this, but it’s those writers like Meyers, with novels just out, who will suffer most.

I thought I’d read somewhere that Amazon had capitulated, but our books are still missing from the site.

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