Amazon removes pre-order buttons in battle with publisher Hachette
Online retailer removes pre-order buttons for works by JK Rowling and Michael Connelly in feud with Hachette, reportedly over e-books
The online retailer, which had already been slowing delivery on a wide range of Hachette titles, has removed pre-order buttons for such books as Connelly's and Rowling's , a detective story coming out next month that she wrote under the pen name Robert Galbraith.
"We are doing everything in our power to find a solution to this difficult situation, one that best serves our authors and their work, and that preserves our ability to survive and thrive as a strong and author-centric publishing company," Hachette said. Later, Hachette released a more strongly worded statement, saying it was "sparing no effort and exploring all options".
Amazon declined to comment. Numerous Hachette authors have criticised Amazon in recent weeks, including Sherman Alexie and James Patterson, who on his Facebook page noted that the purchase of books written by him, Malcolm Gladwell, Nicholas Sparks and others had been made more difficult.
"What I don't understand about this particular battle tactic is how it is in the best interest of Amazon customers," Patterson wrote. "It certainly doesn't appear to be in the best interest of authors."
Amazon and Hachette are reportedly at odds over terms for e-book prices, at a time when Amazon is in a position of strength and vulnerability. The company is the most powerful force in the book market, believed to have a share of more than 60 per cent of e-book sales and at least a third of book sales overall. Rivals have struggled to compete with Amazon's discounts and customer service. But recent earnings reports have been disappointing, and Amazon's stock prices, which surged for years despite narrow profits, have dropped sharply this year.
"Giant internet-only companies make no profit but are still worth billions," read a recent tweet from Alexie, whose is among the books being delayed by Amazon. "Wish poetry worked that way."
[This tactic] certainly doesn't appear to be in the best interest of authors
Amazon has a history of aggressive actions with publishers, most dramatically in 2010 when it removed the buy buttons for releases by Macmillan. Its authors include Jonathan Franzen, Bill O'Reilly and Augusten Burroughs. The issue was also e-books; Apple was about to launch its iBookstore. Macmillan, Hachette and other publishers worried over Amazon's US$9.99 offerings for popular e-books wanted Amazon to accept a system established by Apple - the agency model - that would allow publishers to set the prices.
Amazon relented, but the system unravelled after the US Department of Justice sued Apple and five publishers in 2012 for alleged price-fixing. The publishers, including Macmillan and Hachette, settled and a federal judge in New York last year ruled against Apple.
Other books currently being delayed or otherwise disrupted include Tina Fey's , Gladwell's and Brad Stone's , a critical portrait of Amazon and founder Jeff Bezos.
