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...unilaterally.
http://www.jimchines.com/2012/02/amazon-ebook-price/
The above is from the blog of a successful author, who self-publishes some e-books and who also has a number of books published through ordinary means.
The summary is that Amazon decided to reduce the list price of one of his titles from $2.99 to $0.99; without letting him know in advance, let alone asking him or giving him a reason. His royalty has gone down accordingly, from $2.09 to $0.35. Amazon's Kindle And Direct Publishing Terms And Conditions grant Amazon the right to do this. To wit:
This is something that ordinary publishers, be they major or small press, often have the privilege to do. It is impossible (or unwise) for self-publishing writers to ignore Amazon because doing so would cut them out from most of the e-book buying market. This means that people have to accept that this can happen to them. All they can do is make their work available through other online sources at prices (and royalties) that they favor and hope that enough of their readers know about those sources through the writers' blogs and will choose to buy from there instead; but the consumer is an inherently selfish animal, and will gravitate towards buying at a price that is favorable to them, without regard to the consequences for the writer.
One of the advantages of self-publishing is that the writer can set the price and by extension, the royalty. I have to ask, then, that if Amazon — which is arguably the number one enabler of self-publishing — retains the right to set the price, then is this really self-publishing?
http://www.jimchines.com/2012/02/amazon-ebook-price/
The above is from the blog of a successful author, who self-publishes some e-books and who also has a number of books published through ordinary means.
The summary is that Amazon decided to reduce the list price of one of his titles from $2.99 to $0.99; without letting him know in advance, let alone asking him or giving him a reason. His royalty has gone down accordingly, from $2.09 to $0.35. Amazon's Kindle And Direct Publishing Terms And Conditions grant Amazon the right to do this. To wit:
5.3.2 Customer Prices.To the extent permissible under applicable local laws, we have sole and complete discretion to set the retail price at which your Digital Books are sold through the Program. We are solely responsible for processing payments, payment collection, requests for refunds and related customer service, and will have sole ownership and control of all data obtained from customers and prospective customers in connection with the Program.
This is something that ordinary publishers, be they major or small press, often have the privilege to do. It is impossible (or unwise) for self-publishing writers to ignore Amazon because doing so would cut them out from most of the e-book buying market. This means that people have to accept that this can happen to them. All they can do is make their work available through other online sources at prices (and royalties) that they favor and hope that enough of their readers know about those sources through the writers' blogs and will choose to buy from there instead; but the consumer is an inherently selfish animal, and will gravitate towards buying at a price that is favorable to them, without regard to the consequences for the writer.
One of the advantages of self-publishing is that the writer can set the price and by extension, the royalty. I have to ask, then, that if Amazon — which is arguably the number one enabler of self-publishing — retains the right to set the price, then is this really self-publishing?