I actually can’t believe what I’m reading. In fact, this news comes as a complete shock even to me. Then I read the statement by Barnes and Noble’s chief of merchandising. “Our decision is based on Amazon’s continued push for exclusivity with publishers, agents and the authors they represent.” Okay Maybe now I don’t feel so bad for Amazon. “These exclusives have prohibited us from offering certain e-books to our customers. Their actions have undermined the industry as a whole and have prevented millions of customers from having access to content.” Amazon and Barnes & Noble are the two top retailers for ebook readers and physical book sales.
With Amazons recent ascend into the publishing world, Barnes & Noble has lost opportunities to sell such bestsellers as the 47 books of deceased mystery author Ed McBain and the memoir of Hollywood Producer Penny Marshall. This naturally, has pissed off B&N and for good reason. No access to bestsellers can make any distributor not happy. Especially since many bestsellers of B&N are available on Amazon.com. “If Amazon wants to publish books, let Amazon sell them,” says Vivien Jennings of Rainy Day Books in Kansas. This apparently is suddenly becoming the sentiment for a lot of independent bookstores. What does this mean for indie authors? Well, many are saying that this sudden change just might convince some authors not to sign with any of Amazon’s six imprints. It’s definitely not gonna encourage anyone.
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