Quote:
Originally Posted by AnemicOak
That's assuming that they plan on their store being anything more than any publishers store has ever been. That being an extra outlet to get books from and not an operation to actually compete in any real sense with the retailers who are the publishers life blood. Most publishers (big ones anyway [except Harlequin]) don't run their stores (pbook or ebook) in order to get large volumes of sales and therefore have little expectation for them as far as sales numbers go. Can't see them pulling their stuff from other stores and selling only direct either.
Tor may do something like Harlequin does and offer titles directly a month ahead of their official publication date before releasing them to other retailers. During that early release period they could sell for whatever price they want, before raising the price when the books hit regular markets.
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I think that John Sargent plans it to be more, much more. According to the announcement, they had been planning this for a while. Its hard to believe that this has no connection with the major issue concerning the ebook marketplace- agency pricing/Amazon/diversity of ebook retailers. I don't think that Sargent just "saw the light"about the ethical goodfulness of going DRM free, either.
Other facts to consider:
1. Macmillan was part of Bookish, which is a joint venture by several publishers to establish a direct marketing/sales channel. He pulled out late in 2009.
2. Sargent led the agency pricing charge against Amazon in February 2010, and is one of those who are contesting the DOJ action. He is right in the middle of the BPH effort to cut down on Amazon's influence.
Based on all that, I think there is something more than just a minor inconsequential effort to do what publishers have always done. .