Stephen Covey ditches Simon & Schuster, gives exclusive rights to Amazon - Page 2

wallflower75 · 12-15-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I hope Amazon exclusivity doesn't signal even MORE books locked into Topaz! Yecchh!
(Will somebody PLEASE crack it now?)

I was thinking the same thing. When the K4PC came out, I noticed that books in Topaz looked like they'd been scanned in. I was disappointed because three of the books I'd really been looking forward to buying were Topaz---so now I'm waiting for someone to crack the DRM (oops, did I say that out loud??) before I go ahead and get them.

Xerxes · 12-15-2009, 11:38 AM

Booooo Amazon exclusivity.

borax99 · 12-15-2009, 12:17 PM

THIS IS BAD NEWS FOR THOSE AUTHORS - THEY ARE LIMITING THEIR POTENTIAL READERSHIP BY GOING WITH A SINGLE SELLER, HOWEVER LARGE. I, FOR ONE, REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN KINDLE NONSENSE - I use Sony and eReader, may add an eSlick.

=X= · 12-15-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darqref

What I find worrying about this isn't the publisher relations, but that the author deals with Amazon exclusively. I realize that I'll probably be able to strip drm from Kindle4pc soon, but right now I can't buy something from the Kindle store and get it to my Cybook. I'd really prefer to see Authors use some service that lets books go to any retailer and format, instead of limiting things to just one.

Well Amazon is getting better by at least making it possible for most folks to buy the books. In the past one HAD to own a kindle.
Books have always had exclusive deals, eBooks exclusive deals just effect consumers more because of DRM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

EDIT: With this move Amazon have also signalled the end of the agent/publisher relationship. The agent publisher relationship was all about minimizing risks on new talent and re-negotiation the deals for old talent.

Well I think this is a battle won but the war is far from over. The publishers still have a lot of control over the new content, remember this is just a deal over the older books.

If the publishers ajust and react they have a chance because they hold the biggest value, contracts with authors.

So why do I agree with you that Amazon has won... because of the last two paragraphs. Where Amazon criticizes S&S for their resistance to accept eBooks and S&S replies by denying it. Their head is dug in a hole and they refuse to see the light.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

I think they've just become (or are in the process of becoming) the biggest book publisher in the world. They only need a few authors of Stephen King or Maeve Binchy popularity and that's it, game over for traditional publishing.

Personally I'm expecting Amazon to sign an exclusive deal with J.K. Rowling. My true feeling about this woman is she does not so much hate eBooks but is a smart businesswoman and is holding off to get as much of a payout as possible.

=X=

wallcraft · 12-15-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borax99

THIS IS BAD NEWS FOR THOSE AUTHORS - THEY ARE LIMITING THEIR POTENTIAL READERSHIP BY GOING WITH A SINGLE SELLER, HOWEVER LARGE.

RosettaBooks (Covey's ebook publisher) does not normally limit their ebooks to the Kindle, so Amazon must be giving them really great terms. Note that the exclusivity deal is for one year. So they will be in the Sony Store eventually.

Exclusivity or not, any author with a significant backlist that isn't currently available as ebooks is loosing a ton of money. The traditional publishers are making noises about owning rights to older titles, but if they got their act together and actually published backlist ebooks they would be on much firmer ground.

I don't like exclusivity, but I have no problem with authors maximizing income and at present any backlist title published as a ebook is a net win for everyone. So on balance, this is good thing.

tompe · 12-15-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectrum

There are two layers between author and the reader: publisher and seller.
This would eliminate one layer and hope this trend continues for ebooks..

This is the wrong layer to eliminate. The filtering and editing is still needed.

Elfwreck · 12-15-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsvick

Is amazon also going to do the proofreading, editing, promoting, and all the other 1001 details that go into the production of a quality book. I'm not saying that they aren't or that they can't, it is is just a consideration that they need to address.

No, they don't.

Amazon is working on quantity-over-quality; if they make pennies on each of thousands of low-quality books, that's worth more to them than making dollars on high-quality books that they had to invest substantial effort in.

Right now, Amazon's effort is almost entirely automated. Cost-per-book production is negligible; it's part of overall server load. If they took on editing tasks, they'd need to give each book individual attention--cost per book jumps to astronomical levels when compared to the current immeasurably small amounts.

They're counting on reader reviews to sort out the good books and encourage other readers to buy them; they don't need to invest in an editorial staff to pre-identify those books.

It's a horrifically inefficient process... but the wasted time & effort is all on the buyer's end.

=X= · 12-15-2009, 02:29 PM

Well his books are not exclusive yet, his books are available at Fictionwise

7 Habtis of Highly Effective People

And Principle-Centered Leadership

I bought his book "7 Habits" I wonder if this book will get pulled from my bookshelf. That is another reason why DRM should be avoided.

=X=

anurag · 12-15-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by =X=

Well his books are not exclusive yet, his books are available at Fictionwise

7 Habtis of Highly Effective People

And Principle-Centered Leadership

I bought his book "7 Habits" I wonder if this book will get pulled from my bookshelf. That is another reason why DRM should be avoided.

=X=

The 7 habits on Fictionwise is not the actual ebook - it seems to be some sort of workbook, and it's available on at least 10 sites:
http://inkmesh.com/ebooks/7-habits-o...n-covey-ebook/

Principle Centered Leadership is indeed available only at Fictionwise. It was made available through Franklin Covey (partly owned by Stephen Covey) instead of S&S, so I suppose they can re-issue the ebook rights to Amazon.

onewayherway · 12-15-2009, 02:42 PM

What would the public do if you could only watch Survivor or The Dog Whisperer only on a Samsung TV. This seems like a restraint of trade issue to me.

dsvick · 12-15-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

No, they don't.

Amazon is working on quantity-over-quality

...

It's a horrifically inefficient process... but the wasted time & effort is all on the buyer's end.

I never thought of it that way, but I bet you are correct. It is sad but most likely true. However, if that is the case then that is an opportunity that traditional publishers have, maybe their only one, to prevent Amazon from taking over.

I would also hope that authors would realize this as well and not stand for crappy ebooks being put out with their name on them, unfortunately, in many cases, the almighty dollar will shut them up pretty quick.

Maye that is why they are only looking at backlists at this point - all the heavy lifting has been done.

chilady1 · 12-15-2009, 02:59 PM

Anyone else feel like this is Amazon's way of getting back at publishers for making the stupid decision this week to delay certain e-books for four months?

Yoshi 1080 · 12-15-2009, 03:08 PM

Well, you just can't stop progress. Trying to hold the eBook market back by releasing eBook titles four month later, tsk ... if you ask me, they asked for it!

captobie · 12-15-2009, 03:23 PM

I didn't know anyone still read Covey's books.

poohbear_nc · 12-15-2009, 03:36 PM

I know it's mean & petty & cynical of me - but after reading all the publishers' BS press announcements this week, I am hoping a MAJOR selling author (such as Rowling - as mentioned in another speculative post, or Stephanie Meyer, etc) jumps ship from their publisher and locks into a deal with Amazon. While I deplore added restrictions on a book's availability, the sheer stupid ineptitude - I can't even think of a word strong enough to describe their ignorance level - of publishers in regards to ebook publication leads me to conclude that the ONLY way to get their attention is through their pocket-book. If not a readers' boycott -- then an authors' boycott - of their alleged services.

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12-15-2009, 11:38 AM	#17
Xerxes Addict Posts: 355 Karma: 90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX Device: Astak EZReader, Pocket Pro	Booooo Amazon exclusivity.

12-15-2009, 12:17 PM	#18
borax99 Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Tablet PC - P1610	THIS IS BAD NEWS FOR THOSE AUTHORS - THEY ARE LIMITING THEIR POTENTIAL READERSHIP BY GOING WITH A SINGLE SELLER, HOWEVER LARGE. I, FOR ONE, REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN KINDLE NONSENSE - I use Sony and eReader, may add an eSlick.

12-15-2009, 02:29 PM	#23
=X= Wizard Posts: 3,671 Karma: 12205348 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Galaxy S, Nook w/CM7	Well his books are not exclusive yet, his books are available at Fictionwise 7 Habtis of Highly Effective People And Principle-Centered Leadership I bought his book "7 Habits" I wonder if this book will get pulled from my bookshelf. That is another reason why DRM should be avoided. =X=

12-15-2009, 02:42 PM	#25
onewayherway Enthusiast Posts: 46 Karma: 38 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony reader 505	What would the public do if you could only watch Survivor or The Dog Whisperer only on a Samsung TV. This seems like a restraint of trade issue to me.

12-15-2009, 02:59 PM	#27
chilady1 I devour books! Posts: 789 Karma: 1285226 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad Air, Kindle 3/Kobo Aura HD, iPhone 6	Anyone else feel like this is Amazon's way of getting back at publishers for making the stupid decision this week to delay certain e-books for four months?

12-15-2009, 03:08 PM	#28
Yoshi 1080 Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 204 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Germany Device: iPad, iPhone, Mac	Well, you just can't stop progress. Trying to hold the eBook market back by releasing eBook titles four month later, tsk ... if you ask me, they asked for it!

12-15-2009, 03:23 PM	#29
captobie Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PDA (Mobipocket, eReader), nook (it's here!)	I didn't know anyone still read Covey's books.

12-15-2009, 03:36 PM	#30
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 63,603 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	I know it's mean & petty & cynical of me - but after reading all the publishers' BS press announcements this week, I am hoping a MAJOR selling author (such as Rowling - as mentioned in another speculative post, or Stephanie Meyer, etc) jumps ship from their publisher and locks into a deal with Amazon. While I deplore added restrictions on a book's availability, the sheer stupid ineptitude - I can't even think of a word strong enough to describe their ignorance level - of publishers in regards to ebook publication leads me to conclude that the ONLY way to get their attention is through their pocket-book. If not a readers' boycott -- then an authors' boycott - of their alleged services.

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