Roger Zelazny Amber Series - Is this legit?

Valhalla · 06-07-2014, 08:01 PM

Just saw this on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Nine-Princes-A.../dp/B00KTCVGXE

Price seems low for such a book. Is it self-published? By Who?

Thanks.
Glenn

Valhalla · 06-07-2014, 08:04 PM

Mmmm - even more dubious!

http://www.amazon.com/Great-Book-Amb.../dp/B00KUCY43C

Valhalla · 06-07-2014, 08:11 PM

At that price I couldn't resist. Looks very dodgy - no copyright notices, no TOC, chapter breaks only for each book, BIG paragraph breaks. I might have to return it.

Dr. Drib · 06-07-2014, 08:12 PM

The formatting looks horrible.

JSWolf · 06-07-2014, 08:18 PM

This is a prime example of why Amazon's self publishing needs manual validation before the eBooks are allowed on the site for sale.

crich70 · 06-07-2014, 10:04 PM

I ended up returning a book not long ago. The actual 'text' was over pictures and was far shorter than expected (not to mention hard to read) and most of the file was about an offer for another book that you could get free after purchasing the book I'd bought. It was a complete waste of $ I felt.

AnemicOak · 06-07-2014, 10:55 PM

Looking at the sample I see a badly scanned original cover, no copyright info at the start of the book (although I have seen a few where it's in the back) and not so great formatting. Certainly makes me question if it's legit, but who knows there have been some very poorly put together self-pubbed backlist stuff put out for sale.

pwalker8 · 06-08-2014, 02:09 AM

We talk about it in the backlist thread in General discussions. I reported it to Amazon and got a response saying that they have permission from the publisher. If it's not legit, then I'm sure the copyright holder will be serving Amazon with a take down notice within the next week. I'm fairly dubious of it myself, given that the rest of the Zelazny backlist is being published by iBooks which doesn't list the Amber series in their website.

AnemicOak · 06-08-2014, 04:10 AM

Seems an odd response from Amazon. Who's the they that have permission from the publisher? The book(s) appears to be published through KDP so whoever put it up could be considered the publisher in this case. Also a crappy scan of the cover from an old UK paperback? Seems they'd need separate rights to use that artwork as well.

On the other one (the omnibus from post #2) it looks like Trent Zelazny is commenting that that one at least is indeed not legit.

Quote:

The bottom feeder who published this book on kindle may very well find their pirating self in serious trouble if this book isn't pulled. It is a copyrighted work and not as yet legally available. The proper agents and attorneys have already been alerted to this matter.

The "It is a copyrighted work and not as yet legally available." could imply that the other listing for just book one is also not legit.

drofgnal · 06-08-2014, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valhalla

Mmmm - even more dubious!

http://www.amazon.com/Great-Book-Amb.../dp/B00KUCY43C

I bought this paperback release from a Barns and Noble Store about 3 years ago for 20 bucks. It is legit. Although, it could use a proofread. Some mistakes.

pdurrant · 06-08-2014, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drofgnal

I bought this paperback release from a Barns and Noble Store about 3 years ago for 20 bucks. It is legit. Although, it could use a proofread. Some mistakes.

The paperback is authorised. The Kindle version isn't.

Calenorn · 06-08-2014, 07:27 AM

Trent Zelazny certainly would know.

I wonder if Amazon will make these books 'disappear' from purchasers accounts when they are forced to pull it from the store.

Also, we can hope that this incident would convince the parties involved to set their differences aside and agree to sell Mr. Zelazny's ebooks.

pwalker8 · 06-08-2014, 07:35 AM

My understanding is that Amazon depends on the "publishers" to maintain the kindle ebook store. This is pretty obvious given the vast amount of PD ebooks and porn that populates the various categories. Their attitude seems to be that as long as they have a signed letter from someone saying they are the ebook rights to a book, then that is all they need. It's only after they get a take down notice from the actual copyright holder that they will do something.

Who ever did this was actually kind of clever. iBook is legitimately putting out some of the Zelazny back catalog, two or three books a month. So, it's pretty easy to slide this in on the same day that the others come out and it looks legit. I suspect that there is enough of a delay in sending out the money that whoever did it won't get a dime. I have had some purchases pulled in the past and Amazon is pretty good about automatically giving you credit for books that are recalled.

pwalker8 · 06-08-2014, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calenorn

Trent Zelazny certainly would know.

I wonder if Amazon will make these books 'disappear' from purchasers accounts when they are forced to pull it from the store.

Also, we can hope that this incident would convince the parties involved to set their differences aside and agree to sell Mr. Zelazny's ebooks.

They actually are selling some of Roger Zelazny's ebooks. I don't know which books iBooks has the rights to, but they have published 9 so far, all from his less popular works. I would guess that the Amber series and the Lord of Light, are not included in this particular deal.

jscarbo · 06-08-2014, 10:43 AM

Zelazny fans have been waiting for years for the Amber books to be released in ebook format but rights are apparently still tied up in his estate.

What a disappointment that this edition is an illegal pirated edition. I'm certain Amazon will take it down as soon as the Zelazny lawyers contact them. In the meantime, please don't buy it and support piracy.

06-07-2014, 08:01 PM	#1
Valhalla Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 495253 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Roger Zelazny Amber Series - Is this legit? Just saw this on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Nine-Princes-A.../dp/B00KTCVGXE Price seems low for such a book. Is it self-published? By Who? Thanks. Glenn

06-07-2014, 10:55 PM	#7
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Looking at the sample I see a badly scanned original cover, no copyright info at the start of the book (although I have seen a few where it's in the back) and not so great formatting. Certainly makes me question if it's legit, but who knows there have been some very poorly put together self-pubbed backlist stuff put out for sale. Last edited by AnemicOak; 06-07-2014 at 10:58 PM.

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06-07-2014, 08:04 PM	#2
Valhalla Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 495253 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Mmmm - even more dubious! http://www.amazon.com/Great-Book-Amb.../dp/B00KUCY43C

06-07-2014, 08:11 PM	#3
Valhalla Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 495253 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	At that price I couldn't resist. Looks very dodgy - no copyright notices, no TOC, chapter breaks only for each book, BIG paragraph breaks. I might have to return it.

06-07-2014, 08:12 PM	#4
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,593 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	The formatting looks horrible.

06-07-2014, 08:18 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,665 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	This is a prime example of why Amazon's self publishing needs manual validation before the eBooks are allowed on the site for sale.

06-07-2014, 10:04 PM	#6
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	I ended up returning a book not long ago. The actual 'text' was over pictures and was far shorter than expected (not to mention hard to read) and most of the file was about an offer for another book that you could get free after purchasing the book I'd bought. It was a complete waste of $ I felt.

06-08-2014, 02:09 AM	#8
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	We talk about it in the backlist thread in General discussions. I reported it to Amazon and got a response saying that they have permission from the publisher. If it's not legit, then I'm sure the copyright holder will be serving Amazon with a take down notice within the next week. I'm fairly dubious of it myself, given that the rest of the Zelazny backlist is being published by iBooks which doesn't list the Amber series in their website.

06-08-2014, 07:27 AM	#12
Calenorn Brash Fumbler Posts: 1,203 Karma: 9224939 Join Date: May 2013 Device: NST, Kobo Mini	Trent Zelazny certainly would know. I wonder if Amazon will make these books 'disappear' from purchasers accounts when they are forced to pull it from the store. Also, we can hope that this incident would convince the parties involved to set their differences aside and agree to sell Mr. Zelazny's ebooks.

06-08-2014, 07:35 AM	#13
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	My understanding is that Amazon depends on the "publishers" to maintain the kindle ebook store. This is pretty obvious given the vast amount of PD ebooks and porn that populates the various categories. Their attitude seems to be that as long as they have a signed letter from someone saying they are the ebook rights to a book, then that is all they need. It's only after they get a take down notice from the actual copyright holder that they will do something. Who ever did this was actually kind of clever. iBook is legitimately putting out some of the Zelazny back catalog, two or three books a month. So, it's pretty easy to slide this in on the same day that the others come out and it looks legit. I suspect that there is enough of a delay in sending out the money that whoever did it won't get a dime. I have had some purchases pulled in the past and Amazon is pretty good about automatically giving you credit for books that are recalled.

06-08-2014, 10:43 AM	#15
jscarbo Addict Posts: 220 Karma: 1075434 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Costa Rica Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle PW2, Nook HD+, Nexus 7	Zelazny fans have been waiting for years for the Amber books to be released in ebook format but rights are apparently still tied up in his estate. What a disappointment that this edition is an illegal pirated edition. I'm certain Amazon will take it down as soon as the Zelazny lawyers contact them. In the meantime, please don't buy it and support piracy.