Author shocked as Amazon slashes his prices

brianlawrenson · 10-06-2010, 02:48 AM

The division of Amazon that oversees Kindle content announced this 1st October that they were dropping the price of 35 popular Kindle eBooks, to zero.

These titles included four titles by Australian author, Brian Lawrenson. Brian’s popular Silk Road Series eBooks normally sell for $2.99. These books are in the travel genre. Twenty of Brian’s eBooks are “shorts” which mean they are short stories that can be read in less than 30 minutes.

The now free eBooks immediately soared in popularity and there were over 4,000 downloads the first day. The most popular title, The Secrets of the Terracotta Warriors, jumped to #1 Best seller in the Travel, China category. This title raced on to the Kindle Top 100 Best Seller list overnight.

Brian commented, “Had Amazon told me that they were making this change, I would have been better prepared for it. My commission is normally 70% on USA sales and 35% for other locations. 70% of zero is still zero”.

The Amazon action comes from a fine print clause that allows them to change prices of an eBook if they find it selling elsewhere for less than the Amazon price. Well, the Silk Road Series of books is listed as free on Barnes and Nobles eBook site. The titles are also on Diesel, Kobo, iBooks and Sony shops. These titles are distributed by Smashwords and the initial pricing was set at zero.

So, if you are into free eBooks, you’d better visit the Kindle bookstore soon.

MrPLD · 10-06-2010, 02:53 AM

In other forums, people who were on the 35% deal are rejoicing at this move - as they do get their royalties, of which has accumulated for some to over $1000.

Paul.

GeoffC · 10-06-2010, 03:41 AM

Welcome to mobileread ....

[Why, oh why, may I ask, did you not write this introduction, instead of posting a commentary?]

neilmarr · 10-06-2010, 05:11 AM

Good to have your company, Brian. Forgive my rudeness, but do you wear a toupe? Yup, Amazon works in mysterious ways its blunders to perform. And do remember that they are NOT paying you a 70% or 35% 'royalty', even when they do sell your book at cover price. Amazon is not a publisher by any means; it is a retailer. They are actually taking (respectively) a 30% or 65% sales commission. And these arbitrary freebies are to promote the Kindle store, not a work or its author. Best wishes. Neil

MickeyC · 10-06-2010, 06:37 AM

Hi Brian and welcome to MobileRead

ficbot · 10-06-2010, 07:18 AM

What an odd intro. It looks like you are the author mentioned, and yet the whole thing is written in third person. Weird.

neilmarr · 10-06-2010, 09:10 AM

C'mon, Ficbot. Nothing weird about it ... Brian's playing a tongue-in-cheek game with straight reportage. Liked his approach a lot. Makes a refreshing change from temptation online to play in the key of 'I'. Cheers and bestest. Neil

ImogenRose · 10-06-2010, 09:14 AM

Hello and welcome to MR!

Imogen

desertgrandma · 10-06-2010, 10:08 AM

Welcome to MoblileRead, brianlawrenson

GeoffC · 10-06-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

C'mon, Ficbot. Nothing weird about it ... Brian's playing a tongue-in-cheek game with straight reportage. Liked his approach a lot. Makes a refreshing change from temptation online to play in the key of 'I'. Cheers and bestest. Neil

But this is the Introduce Yourself Forum (last I looked

)

happy_terd · 10-06-2010, 01:59 PM

hello and welcome to MR!!!

CaraM · 10-06-2010, 03:37 PM

Welcome. I know other authors who are happy with what Amazon did. They're making good money.

Valmore Daniels · 10-07-2010, 09:05 AM

welcome

I'm happy for your windfall

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10-06-2010, 02:48 AM	#1
brianlawrenson Author & eBook Publisher Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kindle	Author shocked as Amazon slashes his prices The division of Amazon that oversees Kindle content announced this 1st October that they were dropping the price of 35 popular Kindle eBooks, to zero. These titles included four titles by Australian author, Brian Lawrenson. Brian’s popular Silk Road Series eBooks normally sell for $2.99. These books are in the travel genre. Twenty of Brian’s eBooks are “shorts” which mean they are short stories that can be read in less than 30 minutes. The now free eBooks immediately soared in popularity and there were over 4,000 downloads the first day. The most popular title, The Secrets of the Terracotta Warriors, jumped to #1 Best seller in the Travel, China category. This title raced on to the Kindle Top 100 Best Seller list overnight. Brian commented, “Had Amazon told me that they were making this change, I would have been better prepared for it. My commission is normally 70% on USA sales and 35% for other locations. 70% of zero is still zero”. The Amazon action comes from a fine print clause that allows them to change prices of an eBook if they find it selling elsewhere for less than the Amazon price. Well, the Silk Road Series of books is listed as free on Barnes and Nobles eBook site. The titles are also on Diesel, Kobo, iBooks and Sony shops. These titles are distributed by Smashwords and the initial pricing was set at zero. So, if you are into free eBooks, you’d better visit the Kindle bookstore soon.

10-06-2010, 02:53 AM	#2
MrPLD Author's pet-geek Posts: 933 Karma: 1040670 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: North Queensland, Australia Device: Kindle 3 Wifi, Onyx Boox M96	In other forums, people who were on the 35% deal are rejoicing at this move - as they do get their royalties, of which has accumulated for some to over $1000. Paul.

10-06-2010, 03:41 AM	#3
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Welcome to mobileread .... [Why, oh why, may I ask, did you not write this introduction, instead of posting a commentary?]

10-06-2010, 05:11 AM	#4
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,216 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Good to have your company, Brian. Forgive my rudeness, but do you wear a toupe? Yup, Amazon works in mysterious ways its blunders to perform. And do remember that they are NOT paying you a 70% or 35% 'royalty', even when they do sell your book at cover price. Amazon is not a publisher by any means; it is a retailer. They are actually taking (respectively) a 30% or 65% sales commission. And these arbitrary freebies are to promote the Kindle store, not a work or its author. Best wishes. Neil

10-06-2010, 06:37 AM	#5
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi Brian and welcome to MobileRead

10-06-2010, 07:18 AM	#6
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	What an odd intro. It looks like you are the author mentioned, and yet the whole thing is written in third person. Weird.

10-06-2010, 09:10 AM	#7
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,216 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	C'mon, Ficbot. Nothing weird about it ... Brian's playing a tongue-in-cheek game with straight reportage. Liked his approach a lot. Makes a refreshing change from temptation online to play in the key of 'I'. Cheers and bestest. Neil

10-06-2010, 09:14 AM	#8
ImogenRose PORTAL Posts: 7,204 Karma: 2884640 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle 1, Kindle 3 (3G), iPhone	Hello and welcome to MR! Imogen

10-06-2010, 10:08 AM	#9
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Welcome to MoblileRead, brianlawrenson

10-06-2010, 01:59 PM	#11
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	hello and welcome to MR!!!

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10-06-2010, 03:37 PM	#12
CaraM Guru Posts: 924 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	Welcome. I know other authors who are happy with what Amazon did. They're making good money.

10-07-2010, 09:05 AM	#13
Valmore Daniels Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,592 Karma: 2822668 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle	welcome I'm happy for your windfall