Quote:
Originally Posted by crich70
While the reasons for posting it may be less than pure (depending on viewpoint) the clip in the OP does make a very good point. Without us, the reader, there is no publishing industry or published author's either. Just as without customers no restaurant will stay open for very long. Books nourish us just as much as food does, though in a different manner of course.  Everyone has their own tastes in reading, and there needs to be new books now and then to keep things interesting, but it isn't the publisher who keeps things going in the end, but the reader who buys the product. |
Exactly.
Like it or not, we all have a stake in this ongoing conflict.
We are the ones footing the bill for the party.
If you like high ebook prices, tradpub has you covered. Agency at 2005 price levels is their end game.
If you like reasonable ebook prices, even for titles from millionaire authors, then like it or not, despise them or not, Amazon is your champion today.
It's not a matter of good guys or bad guys, it is strictly a matter of prices. We all saw what agency did (20% hike) and what removal of agency brought (BPH bestseller prices even lower than the "unacceptable" $9.99 price point).
Hachette publicly said they want no-discount Agency, HC and Macmillan just told the court then intend to ask for it when their contracts come up for negotiation.
So, yes, it is all about Agency.
What we are seeing now is simply an extension of the 2010 conspiracy; the BPHs aren't colluding again--they are colluding still. Sticking to their 2010 accords.
Everything is is just a smokescreen: the only question in play is Agency yes or no.
It really is that simple.
Place your bets accordingly.