tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771589069545279175.post2197985273799096442..comments2023-09-20T09:08:24.505+01:00Comments on Remember It's the Future: Compromise, and some bandwagon-jumping about AmazonBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16677076598470332030noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771589069545279175.post-15051523323038802222011-06-22T22:56:59.771+01:002011-06-22T22:56:59.771+01:00Thanks for the link to my blog about Amazon. I und...Thanks for the link to my blog about Amazon. I understand your points, but for me the big issue is Amazon's 'price matching'. This little feature kills an indie author's control over pricing. Amazon have kindly sent me a 'we do not wish to discuss the matter further' email when I asked why they had reduced the price of my books too match another online supplier who had my books at a discounted price, but without my permission. Additionally, I do not publish with this suppliier, but they source my books from Smashwords. So I lose. A drop of royalty rate for nothing of my own doing.<br /> <br />As for the two royalty rates, the $0.99 - 30% royalty model is killing the market. The author makes a pittance, and it devalues what a book is worth. Consider why Amazon's 70% rate only begins at $2.99. What happened to books priced at $1.00 to $2.98? It's because Amazon make a killing on selling $0.99 crud. And if they get a purchase from a non-US buyer, they get $1.33 on top for their theiving 'international delivery fee'. Not bad. For Amazon.<br /><br />Unfortunately, for the moment Kindle is king as far as selling books, so we're stuck with the situation. I had hoped Apple may have made some difference, but they have really fallen flat. Smashwords is only known by a small indie crowd and doesn't offer auto delivery. So, it's Amazon or nothing. With all of it's exploitive faults.Derek Haineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660770790492846319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771589069545279175.post-23036620694385362652011-06-22T20:10:28.602+01:002011-06-22T20:10:28.602+01:00Rik:
Thanks for linking to my blog, I also wrote a...Rik:<br />Thanks for linking to my blog, I also wrote another more recent one with a similar theme about why I removed my book from Amazon all together <a href="http://dryanleask.blogspot.com/2011/06/im-no-longer-supporting-or-selling-on.html" rel="nofollow">here</a><br />In that blog I was not as concerned about Amazon dropping the 70% royalty "loophole" as I was about them dropping self publishing altogether. I have decided to hedge my bets on Smashwords and one of their outlets exploding onto the market (apple anyone?). Unless you feel the absolute need to stand on principle (like me) I'd say keep selling on Amazon but please don't buy from there.D Ryan Leaskhttp://mybrainfartsstink.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771589069545279175.post-46272580881865448862011-06-22T15:23:57.044+01:002011-06-22T15:23:57.044+01:00There is little escaping the corporate side of pub...There is little escaping the corporate side of publishing. Amazon raised its rates for certain price ranges to 70% out of corporate competition with Apple and Barnes & Noble. The biggest self-publishing platforms have deeper corporate ties than the major publishing houses. There are big issues, but unlike the above (disconcertingly condescending) commenter, I'm glad you're finding some sort of compromise. I'll join you in fears that Amazon will yank the rug out from underneath us.John Wiswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07416044628686736927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771589069545279175.post-18625454970149666182011-06-22T12:18:36.502+01:002011-06-22T12:18:36.502+01:00You misseed the part in the title that said 'c...You misseed the part in the title that said 'compromise', then? Without wanting to sound shirty, I wasn't trying to write a call to action but a call to thought. I think starting a revolution against Amazon now - in the midst of a revolution they are leading - would be premature and counterproductive.<br /><br />My interest is in getting the best deal for indie authors like myself, not needless posturing. Right now, that means waiting. A 'revolution' now would fail.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16677076598470332030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771589069545279175.post-14704380223127385862011-06-22T01:44:01.409+01:002011-06-22T01:44:01.409+01:00Meh. Not angry, not moved, none to excited either...Meh. Not angry, not moved, none to excited either. I was a little excited there for a bit. "Here is a man with convictions and man with principals," quickly turned to "What a sell out". <br /><br />If you would have thrown your fist down, said I'm pulling my stuff, I would have joined you. Sounds great. Good reasoning. Start a revolution. Unfortunately your call to action, turned into a "I'm not going to do it yet..." <br /><br />History books aren't filled with people who said "maybe someday."<br /><br />Your public rant is dually noted, and Amazon is counting your profits in their coffers. Are they money hungry bastards? Perhaps. Do I agree with you? On quite a few of your points... except one. <br /><br />Amazon may actually lower their profit margin. They wouldn't be the first major corporation to do so. eBay did it not too long ago and it was advantageous for all involved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com