big_old_dave's picture
big_old_dave from Watford, about 20 miles outside London, Uk August 8, 2014 - 5:22am

Intresting Article didn't even know this was happening
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28703264

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated August 8, 2014 - 8:43am

Why wouldn't they be pro them getting more money?

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like August 8, 2014 - 9:25am

I'm not an amazon true believer, but I'm also not particularly sympathetic towards the Big Five.

The whole issue is a minefield of hyperbole. Big Pub have been complaining about retailers cutting prices since before amazon. They make lots of money and could choose not to sell to amazon if they wanted. The authors can only make the choice not to use amazon if they retain control over distribution. Once they take a B5 deal, I guess they're allied with their publisher for better or worse and must either go along with the company's tactics or remain silent.

L.W. Flouisa's picture
L.W. Flouisa from Tennessee is reading More Murakami August 8, 2014 - 12:51pm

I ended up with smashwords, just because I'm more of a poet. So this whole Amazon vs. Big 5 thing is actually recent news to me.

(I stopped following publishing stuff, like i did UFOology -- it's hopeless either side you cut on, and nobody seems to settle for peace.)

Chacron's picture
Chacron from England, South Coast is reading Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobb August 8, 2014 - 1:16pm

I do Smashwords AND Amazon, and am not anti-Amazon despite not wanting to sign up to KDP Select or KDP Unlimited. On this occasion I agree with them about the overpriced ebooks. 14.99 for an e-book is fucking ridiculous, and I'd never pay it even for an author I really like. Stephen King added his name to the petition, just as an example, and I buy his books in hardcover almost every time he brings out a new one, but I never pay the full price - I wait for the inevitable discount. I'm not alone in this. If I'm doing this for actual paper books then there's no way I'd pay a full hardcover price for an ebook either.

Not sure about the rest of the big picture with the Hachette debate, but Amazon are not always the devil.

L.W. Flouisa's picture
L.W. Flouisa from Tennessee is reading More Murakami August 8, 2014 - 4:36pm

I kid you not, I once found a $16.99 ebook. Print was like $36 dollars.

Maybe if I were like Bill Gates.

I'm not sure if I really want to side though, I'm still largely confused.

Oh look, isn't that special. Another article wanting me to take sides. ... Even though I have no idea what's going on in the issue, and not picking a side saves face.