|
It's not just about small publishers.
I am informed that Amazon.co.uk have been leaning hard on Hachette Group -- owners of Little, Brown and Orbit, among other major brands: they're one of the six major multinational publishing groups -- to increase their discount margin, which is already over 50% and larger than the discount Hachette give any other retailer. Their lever of choice is allegedly to remove the "buy" button from selected Orbit and Little, Brown authors' books. The books are still available via Amazon affiliates, but this directly pressures the author, and through them, the publisher.
I'm extremely surprised not to have heard about lawsuits and complaints to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on this subject, if it can be clearly proven.
Amazon is increasingly becoming a toxic enemy of authors and publishers, to say nothing of their alleged union-busting tactics, and I'd seriously advise everyone to try and use a local speciality store first before lining Jeff Bezos' pockets.
|