These days, the buzz within the publishing world has been focused on Amazon’s move to monopolize… oops, I mean, decision to tie the availability of all self-published pod (print of demand) books and terms of sales to the production of their subsidiary company, BookSurge.
Huh ? What does that mean ?
Basically, Amazon is now requiring all POD authors to use their BookSurge program or their seller rights on Amazon.com will cease.
According to Amazon’s “open letter" that was posted on March 31, 2008*, their defense is a follows:
“ …Simply put, we can provide a better, more timely customer experience if the POD titles are printed inside our own fulfillment centers. In addition, printing these titles in our own fulfillment centers saves transportation costs and transportation fuel.
Another question we've seen: Do I need to switch completely to having my POD titles printed at Amazon?
No, there is no request for exclusivity. Any publisher can use Amazon's POD service just for those units that ship from Amazon and continue to use a different POD service provider for distribution through other channels.
Alternatively, you can use a different POD service provider for all your units. In that case, we ask that you pre-produce a small number of copies of each title (typically five copies), and send those to us in advance (Amazon Advantage Program-successfully used by thousands of big and small publishers). We will inventory those copies. That small cache of inventory allows us to provide the same rapid fulfillment capability to our customers that we would have if we were printing the titles ourselves on POD printing machines located inside our fulfillment centers. Unlike POD, this alternative is not completely "inventoryless." However, as a practical matter, five copies is a small enough quantity that it is economically close to an inventoryless model.
Might Amazon reconsider this new policy? Only if we can find an even better way to serve our customers faster. Over the years we've made many improvements to our service level for consumers…."
The bottom line is that Amazon's decision leaves no choice for pod authors. Good business? I think not. Amazon would be better off promoting quality work for the books they display instead of monopolizing the market. Just think about Macy’s and Gimbels….
It is important for all authors who choose the route of self-publishing to earnestly do their due diligence and understand the business of publishing. A one-stop shop should never be used as a “publisher" and an author, who is serious about their work, must obtain their own block of isbn numbers. Another factor should be that an author should never leave the design or branding to any one-stop house because they’ll never get quality work. (See my How To Self Publish and Stay Sane series on this site.)
As my mantra has always been, ignorance is not bliss .
From my professional viewpoint and experience, BookSurge is not the choice that any serious author should consider. Although owned by Amazon, BookSurge lacks quality and is a business solely based on quantity.
A designer with over twenty-five years experience in publishing, I am comfortable to publicly state that there are only two pod companies I would recommend and only for short-run printing : Lightening Source and Printmedia Books. The rest, including BookSurge, are what I call “The WalMart" of printing.
Silence never accomplishes anything and I urge all who take pride in their work and value the ability to make choices to sign this petition. And, if by chance, the Amazon.com Book Team happens upon this article, I would be more than happy to show them not only how to satisfy customers but also how to put together a book that looks professional and not home-grown. Self-publishing is no longer about vanity… unless they choose BookSurge, that is! Self-publishing should be about choices. My final comment: Shame on you, Amazon !
Judi Lynn Lake has kept up with leading edge business trends throughout her varied and successful career. She had already had her ‘15 minutes of fame’ over and over again before starting her family. Judi and her family now reside in South Carolina but, having been born and raised on Long Island, NY, it is clearly evident that she will always be a "New Yorker." Today, she successfully runs her own advertising agency which handles everything from logos, branding and package design while she continues to work closely with self-published authors from design to promotion.
» left by April Lorier (232 days 17 hours ago.)
Good job, Miss New York! You actually wrote out your rage! I didn't think you would, so shame on April! I already signed the petition. Thanks for sending it to me! Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(2,860) Judi Lake (232 days 16 hours ago.)
A - Ha! and I thought you might have meant that I could have been a beauty pagent winner by calling me Miss New York... (smile) Seriously, I am appalled by Amazon's antics yet, in all honesty, I urge all self-publishing authors to do their homework and learn this business; which is what publishing is: a business. There is no such thing as surprises and there can also be very expensive lessons. Presently, I have a number of ex-BookSurge clients and can't believe the quality of work they received nor the extortion practices of the company -- One author requested for a copy of his own work from BookSurge and was told he could have it for a sum of $250.00 -- You do know what I told BookSurge, dear April, don't you?... ahum... I take care of clients; companies like BookSurge only nickel and dime people to death and not one person is anymore enlightened through the process. Respond to this comment
» left by jcrn from midwest (232 days 14 hours ago.)
Hi,
Jcorn here. Wow, I'm totally impressed and you know I'll sign, as well as other family members I can get to do so, friends, writers, etc. I hope it rocks Amazon's world - and not the way a baby is rocked gently but like an earthquake! The only thing I'd add is that POD and self-published authors should take a look at Kindle and Ebook publishing and see if that is the next place where there will be crackdowns and requirements to use this or that publisher AND venue to sell.
How many big name publishers would be screaming if Amazon forced them to print their books through BookSurge and also sell there. Would anyone walk into a store to buy a pair of pants and be told they could ONLY buy from a specific tailor rather than off the rack? I see this as similar, limited consumer and producer choice. Remember when Walmart forced longtime sellers to either produce their good outside America or sell them for no profit at Walmart? This is not a good business practice, not in the long run. That is the way I see it. Others call it "free enterprise" Ha! Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(2,860) Judi Lake (232 days 14 hours ago.)
Hi Jane! Actually, I credit you in enlightening me about this whole situation. Had I not happened upon your article, I would have been in the dark so I am grateful to you. Like you, I am hoping many, many sign the petition and maybe, just maybe, "the little people" can have a voice that matters. I love your analogy about rocking Amazon -- I'm with you! Thanks for commenting, Jane! Respond to this comment
» left by jcrn from midwest (232 days 14 hours ago.)
Sorry for all the typos in my last comment, not sure how to edit here or if I can but I did notice them :) Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(2,860) Judi Lake (232 days 14 hours ago.)
J -- I wrote this article so quickly that I am the one who should apologize for typos and grammar errors -- no worries, I got your message loud and clear. Hope your night goes well! Respond to this comment
» left by Sandra E. Graham(2,232) Sandra E. Graham from Paragould, Arkansas, USA (231 days 21 hours ago.)
Great article, Judi. Although I have never used POD I'm glad there is someone out there keeping their eye on the Conglomerates that rule our world!
Great job.
SEG Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(2,860) Judi Lake (230 days 14 hours ago.)
Actually, Sandra, I was unaware of this move until I happened upon an article written by Jane Coin and then ventured to do a bit of research myself. Companies, such as BookSurge, fail to educate and often a self-published author really needs sheparding in the process. Thanks for commenting and wishing you a great weekend! Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(2,860) Judi Lake (230 days 14 hours ago.)
Well, Ken, that's what's great about networking and being involved; we always learn from each other. Even though publishing is a big part of my business, I found this news out after the fact that Amazon started this nonsense. I hope the petition rattles some cages... Thanks for commenting! Respond to this comment
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