And new champeen!

[rolanni]

Macmillan wins, via Teleread, who has it from Boing-Boing.

Money quote: . . .we will have to capitulate and accept Macmillan’s terms because Macmillan has a monopoly over their own titles. . .

Um, what?

No, never mind. I'm very, very tired of both combatants, now.

"I'm a victim!"

"No, I'm a victim!"

"Mom! He's looking at me!"

And these are the people who control the paychecks of writers.


Edited to add: Scalzi does the weekend wrap-up

Comments

[muirecan.livejournal.com]

/facepalm

There really isn't anymore that can be said about that. They are acting like little children. ::sigh::

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

In some circles, this is called "blaming the victim."

[elbales]

This is my face right now: O___o

Well...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

"And these are the people who control the paychecks of writers."

Only the ones who work for them.

Don't make me stop this internet and come back there...

[brock-tn.livejournal.com]

This whole episode makes me want to buy an Espresso Book Machine and go into business for myself.

[keristor.livejournal.com]

In the words of Woodstock (from Peanuts): ??!? !?!!?? !?!?!

[autopope.livejournal.com]

If I wasn't an author I'd be, like, LOLBookseller!!!?!!

[painoarvokas.livejournal.com]

That particular quote is quite correct. Of course, that monopoly is generally considered an acceptable tradeoff.

Edited to add: The monopoly I refer to is copyright, which (so far as is relevant to this case) belongs originally to the authors and was subsequently leased to the publisher. – Amazon still fails on the general merits.

Silver Lining

[dellaster.livejournal.com]

After a weekend of reading authors revile Amazon while offering frenzied cheering to Macmillan, it's refreshing to see someone take a more rational stance. No, Amazon isn't a "good guy", but Macmillan winning means I'll have to pay thirteen-fifteen bucks for an ebook when there's a paperback out for eight dollars. I can no longer support any author who thinks that's a wonderful thing, like Stross and Scalzi. Nor will I buy Tor books anymore.

I read a lot, however, so I needed to look for alternatives. You're one I've found, and after Google-ing for your blog I see that you're not another author desiring to screw me with ebook prices twice as high as paperback. So I just bought Foundling at webscription.net a few minutes ago. If I like it I'll get the eARC sequel. I'm not against paying fifteen bucks if I'm getting something for it, as in this case being able to read it well ahead of the hardcover printing.

Looks good so far (I read a few chapters on the site). I hope I've found another favorite author.

[pedanther]

Macmillan winning means I'll have to pay thirteen-fifteen bucks for an ebook when there's a paperback out for eight dollars

Has this specifically been stated anywhere that you could point me to?

The impression I got from the official Macmillan statement was that ebooks would start at fifteen dollars when the hardcover was released, and then get cheaper when the paperback came out.

[dellaster.livejournal.com]

The Macmillan statement is vague. Some ebooks will be cheap (backlist? unpopular authors?), new and bestselling ebooks will be $13-$15 (bestselling even if the paperback is out?), there will be a change over time (how much time until the ebook drops to paperback price -- after the paperback goes out of print, maybe?).

Fortunately we don't have to parse Macmillan's statement. They've already had an Agency deal going for ebooks for years, at Mobipocket.com (they sell ebooks at exactly what the publisher wishes). Take a look at the Tor ebook list prices: http://tinyurl.com/yjxoabg

$14-$15 for the vast majority, of which many/most have been in paperback for years. Macmillan could have implemented tiered pricing at Mobipocket if they actually wanted to do that kind of deal. They didn't; they don't. Clearly.

Re: Silver Lining

[amm-me.livejournal.com]

For one limited set of three authors, go to http://www.closed-circle.net/. And give them a few months to get more content up; they just opened the doors in December, and they took off and played hookey in January to attend the figure skating national championships, seeing that they are avid skaters and it was held in their own home rink! CJ Cherryh, Jane Fancher, and Lynn Abbey have started their own e-book store and "publishing house," for their backlist and maybe some new work. Cherryh is starting a short story exclusively for Closed Circle right now. Prices range from free to ten dollars.

Re: Silver Lining

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Psst? While I adore Fledgling and Saltation, you might also want to take a look at the Agent of Change series -- which is kind of the core. Start with Agent of Change or Conflict of Honors, then follow the clan through Carpe Diem, Plan B, I Dare, and many, many short stories. Good reading ahead!

Re: Silver Lining

[dellaster.livejournal.com]

mbarker, are you suggesting I put aside Fledgling and start my reading with the Agent of Change sequence? I haven't had a chance yet to dig into the book, only up to about chapter five, so it's not to late to switch to the earlier books if that will give me a better experience.

Re: Silver Lining

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

I think you'll do fine with Fledgling and Saltation. I'm biased, I started with the Agent of Change sequence years ago. Depends on what you're interested in, I guess. How can I say this without spoilers? The Agent of Change sequence is kind of the main history, while Fledgling/Saltation introduces a part of the history that is a little off to the side... until it runs into it? They're all great stories, but somewhat different in emphasis? I guess it really depends on what kind of story you like. If you're enjoying Fledgling, go with it! And you'll want the others, too :-)

Re: Silver Lining

[dellaster.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll just continue on with the novel I have, then see about the others if I like what I've read.

[gingerwood.livejournal.com]

I agree with most of what Scalzi says, except for his conclusion of :
7. Because Of the Idiotic Events of This Weekend, People Will Just Want an iPad Even More.

I doubt it, in 60 days people will have largely forgotten this kurfluffle, assuming that they noticed it in the first place. They'll buy an iPad if it appeals to them, and then shop around for the best value for content. If the price seems too high, then the tech-savy and those related to them will look around for 'alternative' means of aquisition. The non-tech savy will go to their library.