Amazon, the greedy giant with small publishers in its grip

To sell online, indie publishers must use Amazon. But its methods leave them out of pocket – or out of sight, paying hidden charges, says the founder of Linen Press Indie publishers need transparency and support from online companies that sell their books. Amazon fails such publishers on both counts. Ostensibly, it offers two ways of selling, but only one – the costly Amazon Advantage – does the job. So, in effect, Amazon offers no choice at all, since the successful sales method is financially prohibitive. The cheaper, more confusing marketing option disadvantages small publishers by making them less visible on Amazon and landing them with hidden problems and costs. Related: Amazon's profits are small publishers' losses Related: Amazon is not the small publisher's enemy We’re down to a profit of 60p. But after the author's royalty, we're in minus figures Related: My week as an Amazon insider Our authors expect us to sell on Amazon, but they don't always know the full and hidden story Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #small publishers #indie publishers #online companies #small publisher

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Oprah's book club return is good news for publishers

Though results aren't what they used to be, sales still spiked for the first pick. Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2012-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #good news


More deals as publishers embrace erotica

The erotica trend sparked by Fifty Shades of Grey looks set to sizzle all summer, with... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #fifty shades


Ann Patchett calls out Amazon

In a speech at BookExpo America, the author and bookstore owner said Amazon 'wants to kill us.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bookexpo america #bookstore owner


Self-publishing fuels growth of print books

The romance with the printed word shows no signs of abating. Despite the rapid growth in ebook sales in recent years, print book output in 2011 grew by 6%, to 347,178 titles, compared to the prior year. The preliminary numbers released Tuesday by bibliographic database Bowker are "the most... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2012-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #viable alternative #vice president #digital content


Self-publishing boosts US print output

New figures suggest that recent growth in the self-publishing market has led to the first... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #recent growth


Publishers tussle over DRM at BEA

The pros and cons of DRM have been a hot topic at this year's BookExpo America, with at least... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers tussle #hot topic #bookexpo america


Led by Self Publishing, ‘Traditional’ Title Output Rose 6% in 2011

The number of traditionally published print books rose 6% in 2011, to 347,178, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday morning by Bowker. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder Blog: Attacking Amazon, Authors Group Urges Opposition to E-Book Settlement

The Authors Guild is encouraging its 8,500 members to submit comments against the proposed settlement between the Department of Justice and three large publishers. The settlement, the guild argues, will only benefit Amazon. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #e-book settlement #proposed settlement #authors guild #large publishers


Amazon rolls out software update for $79 Kindle, promises improved legibility

Amazon has a bit of good news today for those that have opted for its least expensive e-reader. The company has just begun rolling out a new software update that brings with it a new reading font that's said to be "higher contrast and crisper" for an even more "paper-like reading experience."... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #reading experience #restrict access #web browser #kindle store #source link


HarperCollins to publish Whitney Houston bio

Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's gospel-singer mom, has sold a book about her late daughter to HarperCollins Publishers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Ms. Houston, who is 78, met with publishers in New York in April to pitch them on the project, according to a report in The... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2012-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #long history #recent weeks #price tag


Media Decoder Blog: Rielle Hunter to Publish a Memoir This Month

Rielle Hunter, who had an affair with John Edwards and later gave birth to their daughter, has written a book titled "What Really Happened: John Edwards, Our Daughter and Me.'' Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #john edwards #book titled


RCUK embargo rule 'would cause publisher collapse'

Making journals free after a six-month embargo period would lead to libraries cancelling... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon 'predatory', Penguin tells DoJ

Penguin and Macmillan have hit back at US government claims that they colluded to fix the price... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #hit back #government claims


Amazon and IPG US reach settlement

Amazon and the Independent Publishers Group in the US have reached a settlement over their ebook... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-published smash for MJ

Michael Joseph has acquired a debut novel, On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves, which was self-... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Total Media lands Random House and Transworld Publishers online accounts

Random House Children's Publishers UK and Transworld Publishers have appointed Total Media to handle their online media planning and buying. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2012-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tax protest disrupts Amazon shareholders meeting

A protest demonstration has disrupted Amazon.com's latest shareholder meeting in Seattle,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-publishing: 'under 10% of authors earn living'

Self-published writers who have an agent, or who use the DIY route to get a traditional deal... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-05-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #self-published writers #diy route


4 Ways Publishers are Using TinyPass for Paid Content

When Google gave up on its One Pass paid content system last month, RR Donnelley’s Press+ strengthened its standing as the paid content platform of choice for a growing number of news publishers. However, with audience revenue models evolvi ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #paid content #growing number #news publishers


A Captcha Alternative for Publishers

As if there weren’t enough distractions on the Web, captchas have long caused annoyance for both Internet consumers and content creators. Meredith Corp. found an alternative for weeding out bots and quantifying consumer interaction with Solve Media, a performance-based brand advertising business. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2012-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #content creators #meredith corp