Okay, this just pisses me off. Several big name authors have written an open letter to Amazon, calling on the company to resolve its dispute with Hachette without hurting authors. So far, so good. But the letter, drafted by Douglas Preston, the letter has been signed by David Baldacci, Lee Child, Amanda Foreman, John Grisham, James Patterson, Anita Shreve, Scott Turow, Anne Applebaum, Clive Cussler, Richard North Patterson and Simon Winchester, according to the Bookseller, goes on to say: As writers--some but not all published by Hachette--we feel strongly that no bookseller should block the sale of books or otherwise prevent or discourage customers from ordering or receiving the books they want. It is not right for Amazon to single out a group of authors, who are not involved in the dispute, for selective retaliation.” Guess what? Bookstores discriminate all the time. Independents refuse to sell books published by Amazon imprints. Seems to me thats blocking and discouraging customers from ordering books they want. Barnes & Noble, while theyll order books if you request them (reluctantly, in my experience), stock space that publishers have paid for. Its all about stocking fees, and BN doesnt carry Amazon imprints, either. Amazons quarrel with Hachette has to do with the onerous e-book prices that Hachette wants to charge customers. Amazon believes that customers deserve to pay e-book--not trade paper or hardcover--prices for e-books. Amazon also believes authors should receive a great share of e-book profits than most publishers are willing to give. Seems to me this open letter is at best self-serving, and at worst a perpetuation of the myth that Amazon wants to destroy publishing. Check out BOTH sides of the story, people, before you decide whos the bad guy in this dispute. shelf-awareness/issue.html?issue=2289#m24853
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 17:26:14 +0000
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