A quick word on Amazon and current events

In case there are folks who don't know, Amazon has pulled from their virtual shelves all books published by Macmillan, including the entire Tor front and backlists as a result of a dispute over pricing. This seems to me to be part and parcel of things like the Google Settlement and Amazon's 1984 fiasco, a technology company using their tech to muscle in and do things Their Way because they can in the face of longer established business models and conventions. It looks to me like the new media throwing a temper tantrum (although, according to the NYT, it was a tantrum a long time coming). It's quicker action than any traditional book chain might ever have been able to effect, which is why it's having such a dramatic impact. I understand the reasons why they did what they've done and they're within their rights to do it. But it looks like strong-arm tactics in part because of the instantaneous nature of the action--poof!--and titles are gone: unsubtle and surely a way to piss off both suppliers and customers.

For fuller observations about and analysis of the situation, I will point you to better informed sources than myself: John Scalzi, Jay Lake, and Tobias Buckell. And here's Macmillan's response to the situation in a letter posted to Publisher's Lunch.

Yes, I've been paying attention, but longtime followers of my LJ know that with some rare exception I don't talk much about business or politics for several reasons: 1) there are many folks out there far more eloquent and informed than I am about the subjects in question, and 2) I am occasionally prone to dramatic overstatement and, being sensible of same, try to self-edit to avoid looking, well, dramatically overstated.

Though it's hard to imagine that this won't get sorted out and that Amazon won't start carrying Macmillan products again, I think the consequences of this situation will have lasting effects, especially on e-publishing.

I'll go back to my chair now, be quiet, and watch events unfold. I am currently only an interested observer of this race, but I know people who have thoroughbreds on the track and I want them to win.

Amazon "capitulates"

The Washington Post has it that Amazon has given in on the Macmillan situation. Here's the full text of Amazon's concession and, my goodness, a pissier, whinier, more passive aggressive document has not been seen in years:

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Dear Customers:

Macmillan, one of the "big six" publishers, has clearly communicated to us that, regardless of our viewpoint, they are committed to switching to an agency model and charging $12.99 to $14.99 for e-book versions of bestsellers and most hardcover releases. We have expressed our strong disagreement and the seriousness of our disagreement by temporarily ceasing the sale of all Macmillan titles. We want you to know that ultimately, however, we will have to capitulate and accept Macmillan's terms because Macmillan has a monopoly over their own titles, and we will want to offer them to you even at prices we believe are needlessly high for e-books. Amazon customers will at that point decide for themselves whether they believe it's reasonable to pay $14.99 for a bestselling e-book. We don't believe that all of the major publishers will take the same route as Macmillan. And we know for sure that many independent presses and self-published authors will see this as an opportunity to provide attractively priced e-books as an alternative. Kindle is a business for Amazon, and it is also a mission. We never expected it to be easy!

Thank you for being a customer.
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I'm impressed at the attempts here to manipulate buyers into thinking that poor widdle Amazon has been abused by that Big Bad Publisher! We'll struggle along--this publishing business is a jungle! Our loyal customers will show 'em who's boss, though! Just you wait and see!

The truth is that Jeff Bezos had a hissy fit and Macmillan decided not to indulge a child's tantrum. Bezos will be pouting for quite while yet I suspect.

ETA: Scalzi wraps it up nicely for us.