Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfwreck
Wasted overhead for returns and printing-delivery-storage costs. Inventory tracking. "Shrinkage"/theft costs. Damaged goods costs.
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I was not, in any way defending the publishers, I was just trying to point out that there are values they can add that do have a cost. However, like you pointed out, there are also things that physical publishing does to reduce the bottom line as well.
Over the next few years, as the battle rages, it will all shake out and people will vote with their money where the final line will be drawn.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfwreck
Authors who come into mainstream publishing from successful indie/self-publish routes are going to demand to know why publishers want more than 50% of the list price of the book. (Or rather, why they should sign a contract to that extent. Why publishers *want* that much money is obvious.) 10% of a $20 book is $2--so's 50% of a $4 book. The author is going to want to know why the publisher thinks they won't sell five times as many $4 books.
Publishers are going to have to get over the idea that "higher price = more valuable product," because a lot of readers aren't accepting that anymore.
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I agree completely, the authors will want and think exactly what you said. On the other hand, the big publishers will want and think the exact opposite. Ultimately it will end up somewhere in the middle, after both of them find out what most of the people that actually buy books think.