Amazon cuts royalties for its self-published authors

A bad sign that the ten-ton gorilla is showing its true colors. Maybe not such a good idea to be self-published, after all.


Writers who are likely to have a small readership, particularly in niche markets, are being penalised if they want to sell their books at a high price.
If authors sell their books directly through Amazon’s Kindle site the company will hand over 70pc of all sales, providing the cover price is between $2.99 and $9.99 (£1.98 and £6.60).
Any books priced above that will be given only 35pc royalties. Critics say the move is designed to keep the price of books down on Kindle to make it more attractive in an increasingly competitive online market.
But it is feared the move is preventing small time or specialist authors from earning even a modest income from their efforts and could drive some small independent publishers to the wall.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9920920/Self-published-authors-hit-by-Amazon-online-royalties-cut.html