Amazon (AMZN) is breaking under consumer pressure and now says it will release JK Rowling’s new book after a slew of delays because of an ebook contract battle.
AMZN’s battle with publisher Hachette now appears to be on hiatus — Rowling’s The Silkworm will be released in book form and as an ebook.
Amazon had listed the book as available for back-order which would have taken months, but now says it will honor purchases on the release date.
Publisher website Publishers Lunch had reported that “social media and the Kindle discussion forum started filling with complaints and questions, since Amazon had previously told customers who pre-ordered Hachette Book Group titles when they were available that those orders would be honoured on publication date.”
But as of Friday morning, both the book and ebook were available via normal ordering times — with books offered with an only one- or two-day delay (normal for the online retailer.).
Via The Guardian:
The feud [between Amazon and Hachette] is believed to boil down to terms. Philip Jones, editor of the Bookseller, pointed earlier this week to a presentation from Hachette Livre chief executive Arnaud Nourry, in which – when asked about Amazon – he said that it was “easier when you want to dramatically change terms in the business, to start with one, rather than five.”
“No one on the outside knows the details of these discussions, but some things have crystallised,” wrote Jones. “The clear consensus both in the US and UK is that Amazon wants to shift its agency commission from 30% to 50%. On a $12 ebook this would have the impact of reducing the publisher’s revenue from each sale by $2.40, from $8.40 to $6, or by 30%.”
Read more on the feud here: How Walmart Is Taking Advantage of Amazon-Hachette
AMZN stock is down 1% in early trading.
