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Amazon makes move into publishing

30.08.07 Tom Tivnan

Amazon has made its first foray into publishing with a new print-on-demand service for would-be authors. But the launch has prompted a storm of comment across the internet, with Timo Hannay, Nature Publishing Group's director of web publishing, suggesting that the move could be "the publishing news of the decade".

CreateSpace, currently available only through the US site Amazon.com, is a self-publishing service that enables authors to upload content from a PDF directly onto the internet retailer's site. The books are printed on demand and shipped within 24 hours from when they are ordered.

The service will compete with print-on-demand companies such as Lightning Source and Antony Rowe, as well as self-publishing companies Lulu and AuthorHouse, and enables authors to set the price for the book. Amazon charges authors a flat $3.15 (£1.57) per copy, plus a 2-cent (1p) charge per page and a percentage of the list price (30% for sales through Amazon.com).
The service has had teething problems thus far with some potential authors complaining of long upload times of up to 21 days before being listed on the site.

The pricing has also raised concerns: Macmillan c.e.o. Richard Charkin pointed out on his blog that charging $10 (£4.98) for a 200-page paperback means the author would actually owe Amazon $0.15 (£0.07).

Comment online has suggested that the move could knock publishers and other literary third parties out of the equation. Hannay wrote on his Nature blog: "Amazon becomes the ultimate clearing house for books of all kinds (and much else besides), with none of the traditional middlemen getting a look in. Genius. If you're an agent, publisher, wholesaler, or retailer of books and you haven't just soiled your undies, then you don't understand what's going on."

Dan Penny, director and lead analyst at publishing consultants Outsell, believes that CreateSpace could ultimately have a positive impact on trade publishers. "I think it will be a hurry-up call to upgrade their own online systems. I would love to see HarperCollins or Random House produce their own CreateSpace-type programmes."

Lightning Source c.e.o. and president J Kirby Best said the added competition in the sector would "only make the industry stronger and publishers more successful". He added: "As the on-demand market continues to grow, additional solutions will continue to evolve and develop for all types of publishers." Amazon.co.uk said it had "no immediate plans" to introduce the service in the UK.

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Comments on this article

By Ron Pramschufer

For a little bit different look at the same subject, visit http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=210 I am sure readers will find it interesting.

30 Aug 07 15:26

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By Toby Rhind-Tutt

"If you're an agent, publisher, wholesaler, or retailer of books and you haven't just soiled your undies, then you don't understand what's going on" Is it a threat? Perhaps. Should we be heading to M&S for a fresh pair of smalls? I doubt it. This may be a threat to publishing as we know it, but how serious is it? The reason we have slush piles in publishers and agents is so we have a modicum of quality control. Just because I write something on a blog doesn't mean it's good, or that anyone will read it. (The irony of saying this in a comments page is not lost) Likewise for the printed word. People will always (I believe) come to respected publishers for quality titles whether it be a work of fiction or fact. Perhaps HC and RH should look at such DIY publishing aspects, but it does beg the question of even if we can, should we? I'd rather see a competition of new writing, judged fairly and objectively than every Thomas Dickens and Hardy paying £15 to see their memoirs in print with a respected imprint logo on the jacket

30 Aug 07 15:29

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By Bhagouauty

Well, the exellence with comparison is not possible. Though, I would not name any publisher, however, the dealings with the writers and authors is becoming as if they are just tools to produce books, while there is need of global literary missions, it needs a sincere effort that we pay respect to the writers. Any move that helps the writers, will surely help the readers and and global awareness for craetive writing. The publishers may give better options for them as this one is from the Amazon as the create space for relief. In any home country one can go to the consumer services, but when one is from foreign country, whom one says that the works are not going well. I would request to the publishers and the readers as well, that the writers need attention as they are the people, who want to live and learn as a child. We seem in the dire need to keep them creactive by offering such services making all works and services easier. I apprecaite such a good move and hope it will help our global needs for litraray tastes. Thanks! With regrads.

02 Sep 07 15:37

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