Amazon v Hachette: Part II

John Guillen19 Comments

Okay guys, this is going to be a rather short post because the a/c has not worked in my house for more than 24 hours and we found out that the unit can’t be fixed. So now we’re waiting for a new one. But sitting at the computer is making me sweat, so you’re getting a short post. It was right around 90 degrees in the house all night. Ugh.

So you all should know a little about the Amazon v Hachette dispute. Though it can’t be confirmed, the rumor is that the dispute is over how ebook prices will be split between the two. Typically retailers will take 30% of the list price, but word has it that Amazon wants more. That’s what we believe is at the heart of the dispute. As a result, Amazon has delayed the shipping of Hachette books and halted preorders.

But that’s not what I’m here to talk about. I already wrote about that here. Recently Amazon offered to fund an author pool in conjunction with Hachette so that all affected authors would receive the full price of their books sold while negotiations are ongoing. But Hachette declined.

So before you go thinking Amazon is this evil empire trying to take over the universe, why not first ask the question of whether Hachette is really doing all this for their authors. I’m not so sure.

That’s all. I’m so hot I’m going to melt before this even publishes.

19 thoughts on “Amazon v Hachette: Part II”

  1. I’m confused why I don’t hear people talking about the fact that Hachette was one of the publishers that conspired with Apple to keep the prices of ebooks high. Hachette has a reputation for trying to overcharge customers and underpay authors. I have to side with Amazon on this one.

    It’s funny now that there is a big enough kid in the sandbox to not be bullied by the big publishing houses, now they are crying about bullies. The big “traditional” publishers have been bullying and manipulating the publishing industry for decades, if not centuries. It feels good as an aspiring author to know I have access to readers now thanks to Amazon and other companies like them.

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    • Because people are so quick to criticize Amazon, for anything. They hear or read dispute and decide that they’re against Amazon. Have you seen the numbers circulating about what Apple is likely to pay once they eventually decide their fight is all but over in the case you referenced? I may be mistaken, but I think I read that they’re preparing to pay hundreds of millions as a result.

      Let’s call it what it is. The Big 5 have what essentially amounts to a monopoly of traditional publishing in America. And now they’re trying to maintain the status quo at any cost. But they won’t be able to, not for long.

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  2. I’m not familiar with Hachette or this debate, but I can sympathize with the broken AC. Ugh! I don’t know if you live in the South like I do, but a broken AC in July is hell on Earth.

    I’m a huge fan of Amazon in general though. I much prefer them over Apple. Their mp3 download service is much more flexible, and I loved their textbook buyback service in college.

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  4. Aww!!! I hate being hot (another great reason for living in the north), so I hope you get a new A/C soon!
    I’m impartial when it comes to the debate. I’ve always loved Amazon, but I understand why people don’t like them. However, since I’m not trying to sell anything or publish yet, I’m not too upset. But for those who are affected, I feel bad for them.
    Michigan’s a little cool this week (60s, low 70s). Let’s see if I can send some of that your way.

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  6. Ooh, Hatchette was always conveyed as the underdog in other posts…there’s some sort of publishing company conspiracy shenanigans going down here!

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