Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Power of Amazon

The big news starting this week off was Barnes & Noble’s declaration that it would not sell in its stores books released by Amazon Publishing. A lot of authors publish their e-books via Amazon – probably a lot of you. This even affects some imprints, like New Harvest, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

According to Jaime Carey, B&N’s chief merchandising officer, “… Amazon’s continued push for exclusivity with publishers, agents and the authors they represent … has proven they would not be a good publishing partner to Barnes & Noble as they continue to pull content off the market for their own self interest.”

Would it stop you from publishing via Amazon if you knew you could not have your print books sold through Barnes & Noble? For most writers, despite the prestige of having your books displayed in Barnes & Noble stores, the decision comes down to where you would make the most money? On Amazon or in a B&N store and in their online store?

According to literary agent, Elyse Cheney, “If you’re doing a print book, you kind of have to be in Barnes & Noble.” The article agreed and said that it seemed unlikely “that many of the 1,900 independent bookstores in the United States would be willing to stock Amazon books.”

To me, this sounds rather like a line being drawn in the sand -- Amazon on one side, bookstores on the other. At the moment, authors are poised on the line itself and having to make a decision what to do. What do you think is best for you?

14 comments:

  1. ...what's that famous quote that immediately comes to mind? "Why can't we all just get along?"

    In a perfect world, having both marketing opportunities at one's disposal would be the perfect scenario. In this case however, sounds as though the two big dogs are once again nipping at each other's tails.

    I agree, if printed, not having one's publication in B & N would be a tough road to climb. On the other hand, going digital without Amazon makes for a lonely day at the office as well.

    Frustrating...

    El

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  2. I have been wondering this myself. Would we landup in a situation where there would be big players in this ebook bonanza at the price of everything else. Like I've said before, I'm waiting for the dust to settle before I make my move. Doesn't anyone know whether you can remove your book once you've published it on Amazon?

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  3. I understand why B&N is doing this. The publishing world is at war now and what's at stake is a whole lot of money. Unfortunately I think it's B&N that's going to lose as digital publishing becomes the established way of doing things. I don't like it, but I believe it's true. (Who uses film cameras anymore? Did you ever think Kodak would be declaring bankruptcy?) If authors have to choose, and it's unfortunate that they may have to, I think Amazon would be better for them.

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  4. Since most of my sales are digital anyway I don't really care much about the fight. I publish my ebooks separately to both B&N and Amazon. If someone wants my paperback, they'll just have to buy it at Amazon. Both sides have taken steps that I think are wrong but not much I can do about it.

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  5. I'm not too happy with B&N these days as they no longer carry my books and will not let me do book signings. Since Borders went under B&N has a bit of a snobby attitude. So go go Amazon!

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  6. And go go Indie bookstores too!

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  7. Odds are pretty good none of my stuff will ever grace a B&N bookshelf anyway ... so, I'll continue to hack my way through the jungle.

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  8. I'm with Christopher. I doubt very much I'll ever be a position to have a book stocked by B&N. I imagine it's going to be ebooks in my future.

    But really, it makes me want to roll my eyes and say, "get over yourselves." Oh wait, I did do that.

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  9. I think B&N is making a last ditch effort to stay in business. Amazon is the big player right now and B&N doesn't want to me marginalized and with so many bookstores going out of business, B&N is one of the last bookstore chains with any kind of clout.

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  10. Amazon digital is the wave this year, and I'm trying to stay afloat. I've read countless blogs on the subject, and in regards to a lot of self published books - out of the trunk of the car is the way to go. I'm finding that's true myself and I get to pocket the profit. B&N serves its purpose, but I can live without them. Another crazy publishing year is shaping up.

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  11. Oh my stars! This is just what authors need. Argh! It's so frustrating. I'll have to see what my publisher is going to do. Thanks for the heads up.

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  12. Doesn't it always come down to money? They draw their lines and writers, who just want to write, have to figure out which side is best for them.
    I'm counting on my blog world friends to help make it clear.

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  13. All publishers, large, small, and indie have to approach the marketing of their books differently in the coming future with fewer bookstores opened. And are bookstores the biggest sellers for publishers? Maybe not, maybe most money is in resales of subsidiary rights, ebook sales which cost very little to distribute. With bookstores you have the risk of returns which cost A Lot of money.

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  14. As always each writer will have to make a choice that's suits them. It is the same with Indie stores.
    If B&N remains pompous they will only hurt themselves. People soon tire of hearing, "We don't carry them because ..." You hear that a few times and you don't bother making the trip to the store. (2 hours round trip for me to the nearest)

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