When will publishers wake up to the challenge of Amazon?

The books industry still underestimates the disruptive power of Jeff Bezos's awesome ambitionSo Amazon are the bad guys, again. At least according to Harper's Magazine they are. For the former Amazon employee James Marcus, Brad Stone "drops the ball" in his biography of Jeff Bezos, The Everything Store, when he accepts "what is literally the company line – that these extorted dollars 'create the foundation on which everyday low prices become possible'." Marcus tells how some publishers are being "pressured" to pay "for the privilege of presenting their lists to [Amazon] marketing team and buyers" – a story denied in a footnote by an unnamed "Amazon spokesperson" – and goes on to assemble an impressive rap sheet of sharp practice:Of course it's legal. So is Amazon's control of an estimated 65 percent of the ebook market, a near monopoly that's apparently of no concern to the supine Department of Justice. So is its bare-bones price of $9.99 for popular ebooks, a loss-leading tactic that might be classified as predatory pricing if there weren't so many legal hurdles to making such a charge stick. So is the funneling of its British revenues through a subsidiary in Luxembourg ...... and on it goes. But Amazon's aggressive style of doing business is nothing new. What astonishes me is the continuing ability of publishers to underestimate how radically Amazon has changed the industry.Mike Shatzkin is one of those who have understood Amazon's disruptive power all along. But such... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2013-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #literary culture

Other news stories related to: "When will publishers wake up to the challenge of Amazon?"


When will publishers wake up to the challenge of Amazon?

The books industry still underestimates the disruptive power of Jeff Bezos's awesome ambitionSo Amazon are the bad guys, again. At least according to Harper's Magazine they are. For the former Amazon employee James Marcus, Brad Stone "drops the ball" in his biography of Jeff Bezos, The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2013-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #literary culture


Your Tuesday Wake-Up Call: Amazon Feels the Love. And Facebook Just Gave Publishers the Jitters

$10 millionCalifornia billionaire Tom Steyer is waging a $10 million campaign to convince lawmakers to impeach President Trump. His video ad is to-the-point: He calls Trump "a clear and present danger who is mentally unstable and armed with nuclear weapons." Money says his commercials have run... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2017-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #opinion piece #present danger


Challenge board: Publishers speak out during the Digiday Publishing Summit

During this spring’s Digiday Publishing Summit in Vail, Colorado, publishers filled the challenge board with a whole host of issues that ranged from traffic troubles to AI anxiety. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2024-04-08 04:01:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing summit #publishers speak


Amazon Publishing Launches Amazon Crossing Kids

The new imprint will publish English-language translations of picture books from around the world. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-01-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mikyla Bruder, Publisher of Amazon Publishing Worldwide: ‘When the Stories Are Good’

'We can use the marketing muscle and the global strength that we have to support this ever-widening range of storytellers,' says Mikyla Bruder, publisher of Amazon Publishing. The post Mikyla Bruder, Publisher of Amazon Publishing Worldwide: ‘When the Stories Are Good’ appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #amazon publishing #marketing muscle #mikyla bruder


Amazon Publishing Books Faring Better on Amazon's New Bestseller Lists

Four Amazon Publishing titles, which drew poor BookScan print sales numbers, are among the top 20 fiction bestsellers on the latest iteration of the e-tailer's new weekly bestseller list, bolstered by sales in non-print formats. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #latest iteration #bestseller lists


German Publishers Association Cheers EC Commitments from Amazon: ‘Another Victory for Publishers’

Perhaps nowhere is there such a jubilant response to the European Commission's pressure on Amazon than in Germany. The Börsenverein hails the week's events. The post German Publishers Association Cheers EC Commitments from Amazon: ‘Another Victory for Publishers’ appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishing in the Pacific Northwest: Amazon Becomes a Publishing Force

Since its 2009 launch, Amazon Publishing has steadily ramped up its program, and is now the Pacific northwest's largest publisher. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Challenge Board Confessions: Publishers get real about platform challenges

Being a publisher today is hard work. On Day Two of the Digiday Publishing Summit, we granted publishers anonymity to share their biggest challenges. Publishers see big opportunity to reach new audiences on social media. But distributing to platforms efficiently and without giving up reader... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Publishing will get new publisher, based in Seattle

Amazon Publishing will have a new leader when publisher Larry Kirshbaum leaves on Jan. 17 and is replaced by Daphne Durham. Durham will be based in Seattle — not the New York office. She has served as editor in chief and has already taken over responsibility for adult trade books and children’s... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2013-10-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Academic Religion Publishing Faces Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities

Ahead of the SBL and AAR’s annual meeting, PW talked with 14 university press directors, trade publishers, and editors about today’s landscape and what they see on the horizon. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-11-01 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #religion publishing #trade publishers #pw talked #annual meeting


Bookstores Challenge Amazon with Olympic Campaign

The ABA has unveiled "Indies Take The Gold," an Olympics-themed marketing campaign encouraging people to shop at independent bookstores on Amazon Prime Days, July 16 and 17. The Paris summer Olympics begin July 26. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-06-27 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #independent bookstores


The Rundown: How Amazon is wooing publishers to bolster its $50 billion ad business

Enhancements to Amazon Publisher Cloud and debut of Signal IQ represent the triopolist’s latest adland overture. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2024-05-21 04:01:00 UTC ]
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Amazon restricts authors from self-publishing more than three books a day after AI concerns

The company announced the new limitations after an influx of suspected AI-generated material was listed for sale but said that ‘very few’ publishers will be affectedAmazon has created a new rule limiting the number of books that authors can self-publish on its site to three a day, after an... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-09-20 16:22:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #self-publish #kindle #recent months #company announced


Self-publishers must declare if content sold on Amazon’s site is AI-generated

Retailer announces new rules for its Kindle Direct Publishing forum after complaints about AI-produced works being sold under human writers’ namesAmazon has introduced new rules and guidance for Kindle books generated by artificial intelligence tools, including the requirement that authors... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-09-11 17:08:53 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #kindle #self-publish #beginning today #company announced


Amazon's New European Sourcing Policies Raise Concerns for U.S. Publishers

A decision by the e-tailer, to stop importing books from U.S. publishers that are destined to be sold in its stores in Europe in favor of sourcing them locally, is leading to higher costs and lost sales, publishers contend. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Court to Hear Bids by Amazon, Publishers to Dismiss Revived Price Fixing Case

The hearing on the revived case comes some 10 months after magistrate judge Valerie Figueredo found insufficient evidence for the initial case to proceed. The suit accuses Amazon and the Big Five publishers of a conspiracy to fix e-book prices, a claim the publishers insist is "implausible" and... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #e-book


BISG Members Challenged to Rethink Publishing Supply Chain Strategies

The annual meeting, held on April 28 at the Harvard Club of New York, included a daylong program with panel discussions and presentations that highlighted accomplishments and key challenges facing BISG's members. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #panel discussions #harvard club #annual meeting


Amazon Publishing’s World Book Day #ReadTheWorld Giveaway

The World Book Day promotion from Amazon Publishing this year offers international reads from several imprints and nine countries. The post Amazon Publishing’s World Book Day #ReadTheWorld Giveaway appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-25 16:30:04 UTC ]
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Religion Publishers Face Up to DEI Challenges

Executives told PW while the economy is stifling hiring, they are pushing ahead to acquire and market more BIPOC authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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