Booklocker versus Amazon

Nandi · Aug 28, 2009

This week, subsidy publisher Booklocker announced that its lawsuit against Amazon was moving forward to the discovery phase. The judge threw out Amazon's motion to dismiss.You can read details here

The gist of the lawsuit is to oppose Amazon's requirement that POD publishers use Amazon's printer, BookSurge, if they want their books available through Amazon's main sales channel.

In this David vs. Goliath drama, I'm rooting for the little guy.

nitaworm · Aug 28, 2009

That is so unfair. It is obvious that Amazon wants to push out the little guy.

HistorySleuth · Sep 12, 2009

Booklocker v. Amazon anti-trust lawsuit

I hear Amazon is no longer going to sell books printed by other self-publishing companies, without some sort of agreement from them, which looks to be geared to put them out of business. Lots on the net about that. Its a lawsuit actually Booklocker v. Amazon.
http://antitrust.booklocker.com/federal-judge-denies-amazons-motion-to-dismiss-in-antitrust-lawsuit

It would effect us as authors obviously, who may have used places like Booklocker and others of the same type.

Nandi · Sep 15, 2009

HistorySleuth, I started a thread about a week or so before this one with almost the same title. My book, published with Booklocker, is still available on the Amazon website. Booklocker made it available there about two months ago, and I had no trouble from Amazon when I chose to add the "search inside" feature.

Those who are using other POD or subsidy publishers probably should talk to their publisher to find out what they are doing about this. Some may have chosen to increase the price of the book. My hunch (and that's all it is) is that perhaps Amazon is waiting to see how this lawsuit plays out before taking action that would impact books published by other POD and subsidy publishers.

MacAllister · Sep 15, 2009

Merging threads.

Nandi · Sep 15, 2009

MacAllister said:
Merging threads.

Thank you, MacAllister!

MickRooney · Sep 15, 2009

Nandi said:
My hunch (and that's all it is) is that perhaps Amazon is waiting to see how this lawsuit plays out before taking action that would impact books published by other POD and subsidy publishers.

Bullseye! That's why much of the hoola about this has gone quiet.

The latest Amazon distraction with publishers is wanting them to submit PDF's weeks (months?) in advance to participate in the SITB (search inside the book) program. Do I hear the cracking of knuckles again?

http://mickrooney.blogspot.com/2009/09/are-amazon-overstepping-their-mark-with.html

HistorySleuth · Sep 15, 2009

OOPS! My mistookey! Usually when I see it written that way people are asking about the decisions to use one printer over another.

Sigh.... us newbies huh?

seaaircarol · Nov 20, 2009

Nandi said:
My book, published with Booklocker, is still available on the Amazon website. Booklocker made it available there about two months ago, and I had no trouble from Amazon when I chose to add the "search inside" feature.

Nandi, if you don't mind my asking, how long did it take you to get the "search inside" feature? I have also just published with Booklocker. If I understand the procedure correctly, you need to ask Amazon for a special account, and then you upload your pdf file once you have that. Is that correct? I sent them an email asking for an account, but I haven't heard from them in almost a week

Thanks!
Carol

AncientEagle · Nov 20, 2009

My book, Through the Dark Waters, published by Llumina Press, was put up for sale on Amazon in early October and has sold, at least in dribbles, ever since. However, I've not yet checked on setting it up for the "search inside" feature.

Nandi · Nov 21, 2009

seaaircarol said:
Nandi, if you don't mind my asking, how long did it take you to get the "search inside" feature? I have also just published with Booklocker. If I understand the procedure correctly, you need to ask Amazon for a special account, and then you upload your pdf file once you have that. Is that correct? I sent them an email asking for an account, but I haven't heard from them in almost a week

Thanks!
Carol

Carol, I think it only took about 3 days for them to respond to my request for an account. I received an e-mail from Amazon inviting me to become "a Seller Central user." After that, once I uploaded the files, I think it was a little less than a week before "Search Inside" appeared. I just followed the step-by-step instructions Angela provided. The process you described sounds right. If you've not heard back within the next few days, perhaps you could send another e-mail.

seaaircarol · Nov 21, 2009

Thanks, Nandi!

Looks like your book is doing well. Congratulations!!!

Carol

Nandi · Nov 21, 2009

seaaircarol said:
Thanks, Nandi!

Looks like your book is doing well. Congratulations!!!

Carol

Thanks, Carol. I hope you hear back from Amazon soon. Although the royalties are better if readers order directly from Booklocker, I know quite a few people who prefer to order from Amazon, and I think the "Search Inside" feature is helpful.

Booklocker versus Amazon

Nandi

nitaworm

AW Addict

HistorySleuth

Researching History's Mysteries

Nandi

MacAllister

Tired and worried.

Nandi

MickRooney

HistorySleuth

Researching History's Mysteries

seaaircarol

Frustrated Pluviophile

AncientEagle

Old kid, no need to be gentle.

Nandi

seaaircarol

Frustrated Pluviophile

Nandi