Amazon announces a 70 percent royalty option

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

Does this mean it's only available for books that have a print version as well?

That was my interpretation, Elfwreck. It seems to imply that a print version must exist that costs at least 20% more than the ebook, but self-publishers can easily offer a print version through Amazon's BookSurge publishing service.

[mores]

Originally Posted by Daithi

So why is Amazon doing this if publishers won't sign up? Because Amazon is going after the authors.
Make no mistake about, baby -- Amazon just declared war!

Sounds like a plan!

[K-Thom]

Actually, Amazon uses this offer as an "incentive" to set prices below 10 US$. "Make your ebooks a bargain and get a reward" is the message.

For me who already has most of his eBooks way below US$ 10.- (about 500 titles), this is a pure bargain with hardly any catch.

[phenomshel]

I know a couple of authors who have the rights back to previously published works and/or ebooks who are going to be very happy. I forwarded the whole article to one of them, I'm anxious to hear her take on it.

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

I know a couple of authors who have the rights back to previously published works and/or ebooks who are going to be very happy. I forwarded the whole article to one of them, I'm anxious to hear her take on it.

Who'd a thunk gay-hating, closeted, DRM ridden, greedy corporatists like Amazon would ever be the ones to be on the author's side.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Who'd a thunk gay-hating, closeted, DRM ridden, greedy corporatists like Amazon would ever be the ones to be on the author's side.

At the moment I'm torn between two old sayings, one being "Never look a gift horse in the mouth"....but the old story about Trojans bearing gifts is hovering in the back of my mind too.

I agree with most everyone who is posting. Amazon is either running scared from something or someone, or this is their way of sticking it to the publishers for that harebrained idea of delaying ebooks. Or both, for all I know. I am not naive enough to think Amazon is doing this purely out of altruism, greedy corporatists don't know what that is.

[eGeezer]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

I am not naive enough to think Amazon is doing this purely out of altruism, greedy corporatists don't know what that is.

Isn't that when Al Gore says something that is factual?

[Blue Tyson]

Originally Posted by Pardoz

Straight from the press release at http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix....977&highlight=:



Since the author has global rights by default unless they sell them, it's a nice tactic to encourage authors to keep global electronic rights, squeezing publishers out of the picture (and leaving a bigger piece of pie for Amazon), while also pleasing readers.

Also to encourage backlists to be placed with them, rather than anyone else as that becomes more popular.

[jasoraso]

Is there anything in Amazon's requirement for this pay structure that requires Authors/Publishers make the ebook exclusive for Amazon / Kindle?

Maybe Amazon is not only firing a shot across the bow of the big publisher houses, but also trying to make the Kindle more attractive because of lower priced ebooks in bid to attract Kindle customers away from Apple's soon to be announced iSlate and ebooks on iTunes?

[Blue Tyson]

Originally Posted by K-Thom

Actually, Amazon uses this offer as an "incentive" to set prices below 10 US$. "Make your ebooks a bargain and get a reward" is the message.

For me who already has most of his eBooks way below US$ 10.- (about 500 titles), this is a pure bargain with hardly any catch.

Although the over 2.99 floor is odd - means they are looking for longer work I suppose?

Do they think 2.99 sells more than 1.99 - people more likely to buy those?

Because for 1.99 and close to doubling what the author gets is approaching 10% of a trade paperback price?

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by jasoraso

Is there anything in Amazon's requirement for this pay structure that requires Authors/Publishers make the ebook exclusive for Amazon / Kindle?

Maybe Amazon is not only firing a shot across the bow of the big publisher houses, but also trying to make the Kindle more attractive because of lower priced ebooks in bid to attract Kindle customers away from Apple's soon to be announced iSlate and ebooks on iTunes?

Nothing in the Amazon announcement mentions preventing authors from selling through other outlets. In regards to a Kindle version, I can't think why you would want to. However, Amazon's agreement doesn't stop an author from offering a Sony version and a B&N version. Now if Sony and B&N will just give authors a better share of the revenue.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Daithi

Nothing in the Amazon announcement mentions preventing authors from selling through other outlets.

They can't, however, sell at a lower price thru other outlets, right?

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by kjk

They can't, however, sell at a lower price thru other outlets, right?

I don't know.

I am assuming that Amazon expects than an author would set a digital list price for their book the same as they set a list price for the paper version. The retailer then pays the publisher/author a certain percentage for the book based on the list price. In the case of ebooks they would pay a certain percentage for the book based on the digital list price. Generally you only have one list price (or in this case, one list price, and one digital list price).

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by kjk

They can't, however, sell at a lower price thru other outlets, right?

That is correct--or Amazon will only pay royalties on the lower price. They already had a pretty standard "non-compete" clause in their rules; this is updated. It's pretty standard business procedure to say, 'You can't offer this yourself or via another retailer with a price structure that beats what you offer us..."

I think it is great news all around. Amazon has offered opportunity (regardless of the whys) and opportunity has been sorely needed in the publishing business.

Oh--those of you talking about DRM--it is up to the publisher whether to include DRM. Their current upload process allows me and other authors to opt out of DRM.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Daithi

I don't know.

I am assuming that Amazon expects than an author would set a digital list price for their book the same as they set a list price for the paper version. The retailer then pays the publisher/author a certain percentage for the book based on the list price. In the case of ebooks they would pay a certain percentage for the book based on the digital list price. Generally you only have one list price (or in this case, one list price, and one digital list price).

Actually, the clause states that the ebook price should be 20 percent lower than the lowest print copy (they are taking into account hardback or trade or mass market).