Writing

mainer

(12,157 posts)

9. I'm aware of Joe Konrath's blog. He's a smart guy.

Sat Sep 22, 2012, 07:36 AM

Sep 2012

And he makes excellent points.

However, I still rebel against the inherent unfairness of any artist/publisher being unable to set their own prices for their own products. And that's what Amazon is doing -- telling traditionally published authors/publishers that they have no right to decide what their books should sell for. Since Amazon is the biggest bookseller in the world -- and soon may be the only bookseller in the world -- this is a frightening prospect for writers who want to retain some control over how to value their own work.

If you SELF-publish through Amazon, you're allowed to set your own price. Why can't Amazon allow traditionally published books the same courtesy? Why does Amazon get to decide that it must go for nine bucks?

If you think the price of an e-book is too high JUST DON'T BUY IT. No one is forcing you to. Ditto if the price is a house is just too high, DON'T BUY IT. Buy a cheaper one.

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Okay, what does this mean to us as writers. [View all] Baitball Blogger Sep 2012 OP

I think the ruling is a good thing. sybylla Sep 2012 #1

The end result IS limiting of markets. With Amazon as the monopoly. mainer Sep 2012 #2

Don't disagree with you. But the solution shouldn't be illegal price fixing. sybylla Sep 2012 #3

Ridiculous WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #4

Imagine a world with no publishers, no brick and mortar stores, and no print books mainer Sep 2012 #5

I'm going to make an educated guess that you're aware of this blog: kentauros Sep 2012 #6

I'm aware of Joe Konrath's blog. He's a smart guy. mainer Sep 2012 #9

Amazon gets to decide book prices kentauros Sep 2012 #12

Why is it self-published authors can set their prices and publishers can't? mainer Sep 2012 #13

I don't know why there's a difference. kentauros Sep 2012 #14

It's not about the prices set by publishers WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #16

So if there's one other book for 99 cents, Amazon can price all books at 99 cents? mainer Sep 2012 #25

They don't WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #29

Do you think the manufacturer of hammers WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #18

Amazon undercuts prices at a loss... mainer Sep 2012 #20

Yes, they undercut prices WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #27

How will libraries exist if publishers don't exist? mainer Sep 2012 #10

If you ever read Joe Konrath's blog, you'd know the answer to that question. kentauros Sep 2012 #11

Libraries will WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #17

So you're fine with the extinction of print books. mainer Sep 2012 #21

I don think they'll ever be extinct WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #28

Price fixing is illegal WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #15

I never needed a day job. mainer Sep 2012 #24

Exceptions to the Rule WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #26

This is complicated marions ghost Sep 2012 #7

There are plenty of 99 cent books you can buy. mainer Sep 2012 #8

Really? WeekendWarrior Sep 2012 #19

I get the strong feeling that I'm the only traditionally published writer posting here mainer Sep 2012 #22

It sounds like the pulp route is a very difficult process to break into. Baitball Blogger Sep 2012 #23