As a self-published author, I was amused when I got my email from Amazon asking me to write to Hachette. What exactly do they think is in it for me? Why should I want BPH books to be cheaper?
If Amazon were to offer
me 100% of sales then maybe I'd be a bit more enthusiastic in my support
. Even just the right to discount my books occasionally on Amazon without going exclusive would be a nice incentive. But no, this is just big business playing games with public opinion. I doubt if things will change much for me, whichever way this eventually comes out.
(This may sound a bit mercenary, but then the whole dispute is based on self-interest - no point kidding ourselves that Amazon are doing this "for the readers", they're just trying to sell it that way. As a reader I may like to see some books available cheaper ... but then, I live in Australia, so that's not going to happen in a hurry whatever Amazon and Hachette decide.)
I'm not specifically pro BPH, nor specifically pro Amazon. If I had to pick a side I'd go with Amazon from the self-interest perspective that it has done a lot to make self-publishing a viable alternative. ... But in this dispute? Meh. I accept that both sides are in it to make as much out of it as the market will let them. Paperback releases have been delayed in order that bigger margins could be made on hardcovers going to those that can't wait. I don't see the ebook price thing that much differently. I'll let the big boys fight it out and live with the result (as if I had a choice).