The problem with the publisher's argument is yes, I do believe there's a similar amount of work that goes into an ebook as a book, between editing, typesetting, cover design, etc, etc. However, those prices are covered by a *paperback* that goes through a decent run - not a hardback. Unless they're trying to convince me that a hardback is better edited, better typeset and has a better/more expensive cover design - none of which, from my experience is true. As a matter of fact, it's usually the latter, since hardbacks tend to be more established authors and the covers are often little more than their name in large font.
Heck, for many authors, by the time they reach hardback status their work actually decreases in editing quality, because they have enough power to object to edits that would actually make their work stronger.
It feels like the thought is that if he shouts loudly enough and uses super!fear tactics, that people will suddenly forget that the very same book he can't afford to sell at over 15 now will be under 8 dollars in 6 months.
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