Penguin to publish new titles simultaneously as e-books

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

as for retailers, obviously they don't have to follow the suggestion of the publisher, however they are subject to competition, and i don't mind checking 2 or 3 different sites to see which is the least expensive when i buy...

you know the expression, "vote with your pocketbook"...

While they do not have to sell at list price the wholesale price is usually related so if the publisher thinks that the list price is the same as a pbook then the wholesale price is likely to be the same as the pbook also. Retailers are not free to pick any price they want and still make a profit.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

While they do not have to sell at list price the wholesale price is usually related so if the publisher thinks that the list price is the same as a pbook then the wholesale price is likely to be the same as the pbook also. Retailers are not free to pick any price they want and still make a profit.

Yes, I understand. So, if the wholesale of the Pbook and the Ebook is also the same then the retailer will likley give them the same markup and price.

BOb

[zelda_pinwheel]

...which is why the reduction must originate with the publisher.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

well, i think you're partly right (they haven't figured a *lot* of stuff out) but i'm not sure i would go so far as to think they "blew me off". they did send an identical letter to at least 2 of us (and probably everyone who wrote)...

FYI, I did not get any response from my e-mail. (Didn't think it came off too harsh...)

[FizzyWater]

Hey, this is a price reduction for them - for at least some of their books.

Check this link:

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007...re-outrageous/

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

Hey, this is a price reduction for them - for at least some of their books.

Check this link:

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007...re-outrageous/

Also have a read over here too...

http://selenakittyn.com/Blog/?p=805

[zelda_pinwheel]

interesting, although discouraging, reading. thanks for the links. in order to avoid setting off yet another pointless and circular debate i will refrain from stating what those articles make me want to do...

all the more reason to protest loudly and persistently, by every means possible (including not buying over-priced ebooks...).

my stars, i love PG more every day. and my public library. hah ! take that, Penguin...

[RobertJSawyer]

Originally Posted by RWood

At least they are not priced higher than the normal releases as is sometimes the case.

Sadly, in a meaningful sense, they are: if Amazon discounts the hardcover 30% or more, as it routinely does with new titles from Penguin and other major publishers, then the ebook will indeed be effectively more expensive than the printed version.

----------------
ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer

Hugo Award winner for HOMINIDS
Nebula Award winner for THE TERMINAL EXPERIMENT
John W. Campbell Memorial Award winner for MINDSCAN

http://www.sfwriter.com * sawyer@sfwriter.com
----------------

[zelda_pinwheel]

following my reply to their reply to my original email, penguin has just sent me this very laconic but nonetheless encouraging reply :

Thank you very much for your feedback - I have forwarded your email on to the relevant parties.

Best regards
Penguin Online

i know, they don't actually say *anything*, however if they have in fact forwarded my mail to someone perhaps this someone will take note. and perhaps they have realized the error of their past ways. a girl can dream after all...

[zelda_pinwheel]

oh by the way, i forgot to mention that this is ALL THE MORE REASON FOR Y'ALL TO WRITE TO THEM AS WELL !! seriously, what are you waiting for ? sheesh.

[tirsales]

I feel like a gravedigger writing to this thread ...
Did anybody get more responses?
Or has anybody told Penguin about the DRM-problematic?

[zelda_pinwheel]

i did not receive any further replies than the ones i posted... and i didn't mention DRM for the moment.

even if i had gotten more replies, i would encourage you to write as well ; the more people manifest their wishes to penguin, the more likely penguin is to begin to take us seriously.

if you do write, feel free to dig up this thread whenever you like to tell us all about it. i for one am interested.

if you look near the start of the thread there are a couple of email addresses you can try, unless you find something more suited (in which case, please post the one(s) you find).

[tirsales]

Thanks for the update
I sure as hell will mail them and will of course keep you informed.