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Amazon could phase out publishers

19.05.08

Forbes.com looks at "how Amazon could change publishing".

The first major technology-enabled change in the books industry came when digital print-on-demand presses started becoming affordable, but for authors looking to gain serious readership, the big question still remains unanswered: How would they market and distribute their books?

"Enter Amazon.com," writes entrepreneur Sramana Mitra. "Some surveys suggest that online booksellers could become the largest channel for book sales by 2009, and Amazon is certainly the 800-pound gorilla in that market--it's the largest bookseller in the world" and "what really keeps customers coming back is the outstanding user experience", in great part due to its recommendation system.

In addition, in 2005, Amazon acquired the print-on-demand company BookSurge and Mobipocket.com, an e-book software company, and in November, it launched the e-book reader Kindle. According to Forbes, Amazon is now poised to revolutionise the book printing business through vertical integration.

The company recently announced it would require all print-on-demand publishers to use its BookSurge print-on-demand, and "over the next few years, Amazon likely will use its power to build direct relationships with authors and gradually phase out publishers and agents", predicts Mitra. "It will first go after the independent print-on-demand self-publishers and get the best authors from that world. Amazon will then take on the large publishers. For decades, the publishing industry has taken advantage of authors. Amazon: authors are counting on you to turn the table!"

Forbes.com

Retail amazon BookSurge Global

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Comments on this article

By Clive Keeble

The Bookseller would have been better advised to have quoted from the comments which display a far more realistic vision about the predatory tactics of Amazon and an indication of just where publishing, and authors, could end up if AZ should gain a monopoly foothold. Where on earth is the balance of views from the other side : very slipshod "reporting" by TheBookseller.

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By Rupert

Amazon are not a friend of authors. If they can, and do, push around major publishers, they will eat the self-published alive. It's a jungle out there, and Amazon is right in the middle of it.

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By Anon

Will Amazon be printing/publishing unedited books then - since publishers and agents are due to be 'phased out'?! I know how much editorial work goes into some manuscripts, so I look forward to seeing the general standard of published material dropping considerably, that will be good for the industry!

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By Sheila

What I find obnoxious about Amazon's policy is that BookSurge charges up to $3000 and then Amazon takes another 15% of the cover price! My own book would cost me over $1000 - I cannot afford BookSurge even if I wanted to. I am self-publishing due to the nature and market of my book ( it is a non-fiction reference book for collector's of Louis L'Amour) and so I do not have the option of mainstream publishers.

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