Breaking News: Amazon's Latest Publishing Venture
View this report from Book Business Editorial Director Noelle Skodzinski on Amazon.com's new imprint and increasing expansion into the publishing world.
May 18, 2011
|
Please install the latest version of Flash to view this content.
You can find the latest version of Flash here: Flash
As Borders struggles to find a bidder to buy at least a large portion of the chain to rescue it from shuttering completely, one of its primary competitors, Amazon.com is busy expanding its foray into the book-publishing world. Here, Book Business Editorial Director Noelle Skodzinski offers her take on the development.
Companies Mentioned:
 |
|
|
COMMENTS
Click here to leave a comment...
Most Recent Comments:
John Patrick Grace - Posted on May 26, 2011
Amazon's aggressive bid to "take over publishing" has not at all been welcomed by existing publishers, of whatever size, from what I've been able to see. The publishing world has descended into a wholly new level of chaos from the traditional zoo described in that classic New Yorker piece years ago by Ken Auletta, entitled "The Impossible Business." I expect to see serious pushback from the industry, including agents, authors and bricks and mortar booksellers, as well as publishers. New models are definitely needed -- models that will protect books from the current takeover onslaught from Amazon.
Amazon's aggressive bid to "take over publishing" has not at all been welcomed by existing publishers, of whatever size, from what I've been able to see. The publishing world has descended into a wholly new level of chaos from the traditional zoo described in that classic New Yorker piece years ago by Ken Auletta, entitled "The Impossible Business." I expect to see serious pushback from the industry, including agents, authors and bricks and mortar booksellers, as well as publishers. New models are definitely needed -- models that will protect books from the current takeover onslaught from Amazon.
Theresa M. Moore - Posted on May 19, 2011
Essentially what this means is that Amazon is now in direct competition with me to sell my own books. It also means that in the long run Amazon will most likely begin edging out other publishers in favor of its own imprints instead of allowing others to sell through its bookstores. I am now glad I just removed all Amazon links from my site because I can't sell books as long as Amazon dominates the book market. Maybe now readers will begin exploring other sites like mine. If Amazon is going to enter the publishing field it had better do better at selling than hyping. Their constant changes to their selling model for selling books is driving us authors and publishers crazy.
Essentially what this means is that Amazon is now in direct competition with me to sell my own books. It also means that in the long run Amazon will most likely begin edging out other publishers in favor of its own imprints instead of allowing others to sell through its bookstores. I am now glad I just removed all Amazon links from my site because I can't sell books as long as Amazon dominates the book market. Maybe now readers will begin exploring other sites like mine. If Amazon is going to enter the publishing field it had better do better at selling than hyping. Their constant changes to their selling model for selling books is driving us authors and publishers crazy.
LuAnn Zettle - Posted on May 19, 2011
Not only does Amazon need to restructure their royalty scale, Amazon and the rest of the ebook world (Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc) all need to get on the same page as to the format used for ebook distribution. Right now different distribution venues are using different formats for electronic devices and it's a nightmare-- Kindle, Nook and Sony readers should all be the same format for publishing to.
Not only does Amazon need to restructure their royalty scale, Amazon and the rest of the ebook world (Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc) all need to get on the same page as to the format used for ebook distribution. Right now different distribution venues are using different formats for electronic devices and it's a nightmare-- Kindle, Nook and Sony readers should all be the same format for publishing to.
Stephen Goldberg - Posted on May 18, 2011
eBooks would sell much better if amazon offered better terms for publishers. Presently amazon is providing publishers only a 35% royalty for books priced more than $10. Amazon will provide the publisher a higher royalty if the books are priced less than $10. This makes it difficult for publishers of more expensive books, such as professional textbooks to enter into an agreement with amazon. Supposedly, the publisher would profit from low priced eBooks since there would be greater distribution around the world, but until there are real statistics as to the degree eBooks will sell around the world, it will be difficult for many publishers to enter the eBook market.
eBooks would sell much better if amazon offered better terms for publishers. Presently amazon is providing publishers only a 35% royalty for books priced more than $10. Amazon will provide the publisher a higher royalty if the books are priced less than $10. This makes it difficult for publishers of more expensive books, such as professional textbooks to enter into an agreement with amazon. Supposedly, the publisher would profit from low priced eBooks since there would be greater distribution around the world, but until there are real statistics as to the degree eBooks will sell around the world, it will be difficult for many publishers to enter the eBook market.
Click here to view archived comments...
Archived Comments:
John Patrick Grace - Posted on May 26, 2011
Amazon's aggressive bid to "take over publishing" has not at all been welcomed by existing publishers, of whatever size, from what I've been able to see. The publishing world has descended into a wholly new level of chaos from the traditional zoo described in that classic New Yorker piece years ago by Ken Auletta, entitled "The Impossible Business." I expect to see serious pushback from the industry, including agents, authors and bricks and mortar booksellers, as well as publishers. New models are definitely needed -- models that will protect books from the current takeover onslaught from Amazon.
Amazon's aggressive bid to "take over publishing" has not at all been welcomed by existing publishers, of whatever size, from what I've been able to see. The publishing world has descended into a wholly new level of chaos from the traditional zoo described in that classic New Yorker piece years ago by Ken Auletta, entitled "The Impossible Business." I expect to see serious pushback from the industry, including agents, authors and bricks and mortar booksellers, as well as publishers. New models are definitely needed -- models that will protect books from the current takeover onslaught from Amazon.
Theresa M. Moore - Posted on May 19, 2011
Essentially what this means is that Amazon is now in direct competition with me to sell my own books. It also means that in the long run Amazon will most likely begin edging out other publishers in favor of its own imprints instead of allowing others to sell through its bookstores. I am now glad I just removed all Amazon links from my site because I can't sell books as long as Amazon dominates the book market. Maybe now readers will begin exploring other sites like mine. If Amazon is going to enter the publishing field it had better do better at selling than hyping. Their constant changes to their selling model for selling books is driving us authors and publishers crazy.
Essentially what this means is that Amazon is now in direct competition with me to sell my own books. It also means that in the long run Amazon will most likely begin edging out other publishers in favor of its own imprints instead of allowing others to sell through its bookstores. I am now glad I just removed all Amazon links from my site because I can't sell books as long as Amazon dominates the book market. Maybe now readers will begin exploring other sites like mine. If Amazon is going to enter the publishing field it had better do better at selling than hyping. Their constant changes to their selling model for selling books is driving us authors and publishers crazy.
LuAnn Zettle - Posted on May 19, 2011
Not only does Amazon need to restructure their royalty scale, Amazon and the rest of the ebook world (Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc) all need to get on the same page as to the format used for ebook distribution. Right now different distribution venues are using different formats for electronic devices and it's a nightmare-- Kindle, Nook and Sony readers should all be the same format for publishing to.
Not only does Amazon need to restructure their royalty scale, Amazon and the rest of the ebook world (Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc) all need to get on the same page as to the format used for ebook distribution. Right now different distribution venues are using different formats for electronic devices and it's a nightmare-- Kindle, Nook and Sony readers should all be the same format for publishing to.
Stephen Goldberg - Posted on May 18, 2011
eBooks would sell much better if amazon offered better terms for publishers. Presently amazon is providing publishers only a 35% royalty for books priced more than $10. Amazon will provide the publisher a higher royalty if the books are priced less than $10. This makes it difficult for publishers of more expensive books, such as professional textbooks to enter into an agreement with amazon. Supposedly, the publisher would profit from low priced eBooks since there would be greater distribution around the world, but until there are real statistics as to the degree eBooks will sell around the world, it will be difficult for many publishers to enter the eBook market.
eBooks would sell much better if amazon offered better terms for publishers. Presently amazon is providing publishers only a 35% royalty for books priced more than $10. Amazon will provide the publisher a higher royalty if the books are priced less than $10. This makes it difficult for publishers of more expensive books, such as professional textbooks to enter into an agreement with amazon. Supposedly, the publisher would profit from low priced eBooks since there would be greater distribution around the world, but until there are real statistics as to the degree eBooks will sell around the world, it will be difficult for many publishers to enter the eBook market.
