Authors United Declares Victory Over Amazon, Announces "Merger" With The Authors Guild - The Digital Reader

Today's trip into the Catosphere was another short one. Panzer went to The Digital Reader site. There our traveling kitty found a post about the Authors United group.

Think they'll go away now?

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, bestselling author Douglas Preston has announced his group Authors United is "merging" (joining?) the Authors Guild. In case you don't remember, Authors United is a group Mr. Preston started a couple of years ago during the contract dispute between Amazon and the Hachette publishing group. Since the Hachette publishing group no longer had a contract with the company, Amazon stopped selling and/or promoting Hachette books. This is when Authors United was formed. There is a link included in this post to a longer post about Mr. Preston's announcement at The Bookseller site.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Unlike cats, humans have to justify their existence somehow."

Note: This is a short post. If you plan to only read the original post, bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection; but, if you plan to read the second post as well, you'll also need a muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to  Authors United

WI11: Richard Russo, Douglas Preston on Amazon - Shelf-Awareness

Panzer is fighting a kitty cold, so today's trip into the Catosphere was very quick. Our sniffling, coughing Panzermobile pilot stopped in at the Shelf-Awareness site to get more information on the Winter Institute 11 (WI11).

At the ShelfAwareness site in between achoos our sick kitty traveler found a post about Authors United founder and author Douglas Preston, American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher, and Authors Guild Vice-president and author Richard Russo's round table assault on Amazon. Panzer already posted on January 26 about the WI11 and the American Book Sellers report that told about Amazon's $1 Billion Tax Gap created by retail businesses not opening and not hiring employees. Apparently the round table discussion was a rehash of Mr. Preston and Authors United's push to get the Department of Justice to investigate Amazon as a monopoly.

There are better uses of my time.

Panzer says, "Maybe they need a new hobby ... like writing books. Just a suggestion. I'm writing a new book and there's no time for me to obsess about Amazon."

Note: You'll need a cup of tea and a muffin to read the Shelf-Awareness post. If you plan to read Panzer's first post about WI11, you'll need another cup of tea.

To read the Shelf-Awareness post, tootle over to Winter Institute 11

To read the post about the American Booksellers Association report on Amazon, tootle over to Amazon report

At Authors United Event, a Call to Bust Amazon "Monopoly" - Publishers' Weekly (PW)

As soon as Panzer hit the Catosphere today his tender little kitty ears were buffeted by moaning and groaning. He followed the noise over to the Publishers' Weekly site today. It didn't take any digging at all to find the source of all the cries.

A monopoly?

According to a post by Bethanne Patrick, Douglas Preston's Authors United group held an event in Washington, D.C. on January 27 titled Amazon's Book Monopoly - A Threat to Freedom of Expression. Also participating in the event were the American Booksellers Association, the Association of Authors' Representatives, and the Authors Guild. It's not surprising that the event focused on the push to get the Department of Justice (DoJ) to investigate Authors United's antitrust allegations against Amazon. Panels discussed the legal possibilities of the antitrust allegations against Amazon, that Amazon is destroying book publishing and other topics.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Amazon is a monopoly? ... What about: Smashwords, Kobo, Barnes and Noble?"

Note: A cup of tea and cookie for today's reading.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Freedom of Expression?

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere just enjoying the day. Then our kitty's sensitive hearing was bombarded by a bunch of laughing and guffawing. Following all the noise took him to J. A. Konrath's blog, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing. There he found a post by Barry Eisler and Joe Konrath. The post deals with an upcoming event to demonize Amazon.

Watch them run around like mice.

According to the post, the group New America is holding an event called Amazon's Book Monopoly: A Threat to Freedom of Speech? The group believes Amazon is somehow capable of stopping the dissemination of books and information from reaching the public. The fact that Amazon's KDP service lets anyone publish anything they want seems to have escaped the group's notice. Of course, the group does include in the event Douglas Preston and Scott Turow who are both well known Amazon detractors.

Panzer says, "How can this New America group say Amazon stops the flow of information to them? Amazon let me (a cat) publish my book Cat Wisdom for humans there. Oh ... Wait a minute ... It's a group of humans ... and ... They think Amazon won't let anybody publish there. That explains everything. My book isn't really there."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post with lots of links. You'll need two thermoses of tea, a dozen muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap part way through your reading today.

Warning: This post has some bad words and bad actions in it. Not recommended for those under 18 years old or those easily offended.

To read this post, tootle over to A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Freedom of Expression?:

A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Douglas Preston's Fail-A-Thon Continues

I need to rest.

Panzer made a trip over to author J.A. Konrath's Blog today. He hasn't been there for quite a while now. Our big bad kitty boy found a post there addressing author Douglas Preston's newest attack on the evil Amazon empire.

Mr. Konrath's post is in the form of an imaginary interview which is where some his best posts shine. He can be funny and acerbic at the same time in them. The post is based on an interview Mr. Preston did with the American Book Sellers Association. Apparently Mr. Preston and his friends have sent another letter to the Dept. of Justice.  Mr. Konrath takes Mr. Preston and his friends to task for statements made about and against Amazon and the letter itself. But the post addresses other issues as well. Mr. Konrath also includes quotes from Mr. Preston spotlighting his disrespect for readers in general and those who use Amazon in particular "for their sense of entitlement" and wanting low book prices. There's much more included this post.

Panzer says, "I only have a limited amount of awake time and I have to put it to good use. So I'm letting Mr. Konrath and others duke it out in the Catosphere arena without my expertise."

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post and needs a v-e-r-y l-a-r-g-e cup of tea, but it's worth your time.

To read the post, tootle over to A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Douglas Preston's Fail-A-Thon Continues:

Douglas Preston and Authors United vs. Amazon Continues

Panzer was trying to take a nap this afternoon when he got bounced out of his cat bed by some whiny noises coming from the Catosphere. Against his better judgement my poor tired kitty boy took the Panzermobile out to track down the crying. It didn't take long to find the source of all the tears in a post by Judith Rosen at the Publishers' Weekly site.

It turns out best selling author Douglas Preston and his Authors United group is still  chasing after Amazon and nipping at its heels. Mr. Preston isn't satisfied with Hachette and Amazon's contract agreement and hopes to hamstring the bookseller by siccing the U.S. Department of Justice on it.

Why?

Amazon is too big. They sell too many books.

And ...

And this is the really big reason ...

Really? You don't know how?

Amazon doesn't treat books as authors' children ... they treat books as commodities, like TVs and diapers. According to Amazon, books don't need to have their noses wiped and their diapers changed. Books are to be sold.

Panzer says, "Um, Mr. Preston, apparently that's one of the big differences between cats and humans. Cats know where babies come from and it's not from pushing keys on a keyboard."

To read the full post, tootle over to Douglas Preston

Foes want probe, but antitrust law favors Amazon

Doesn't look bad to me.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere and he found a post he missed a couple of days ago.

According to Jay Greene at The Seattle Times newspaper site, it may be harder to prove Amazon is a monopoly than The New Republic magazine's Franklin Foer and Authors United's Douglas Preston might think. Mr. Greene addresses two salient points against Mr. Foer and Mr. Preston's assertion that Amazon is a monopoly. First: there is no argument that Amazon is the biggest dog in the pen ... but ... there are other dogs in there too. Second: the argument that Amazon causes harm to consumers is refuted by the fact Amazon wants to lower the prices of ebooks to the consumers.

Panzer says, "Lower prices makes sense to me."

To read the full post, tootle over to Foes want probe, but antitrust law favors Amazon | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times

Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Amazon? Not German Publishers.

I saw it coming. Did you?

Panzer was doing his usual search in the Catosphere for the latest news today. My big, bad, black kitty stopped in at the Biz Community blog. He found a post about Amazon in Germany.

According to the post, Heinrich Riethmueller, President, German Publishers and Booksellers Assn., says German publishers are well-positioned to withstand an Amazon invasion. Publishers have had a year to watch Amazon's movements in Germany. Not only is Amazon dealing with tax issues there, but in August German authors started a petition similar to Douglas Preston's Authors United petition.

Panzer says, "Is Amazon sending a representative to Frankfurt, Germany, for the International Book Fair? Why? It sounds like they're not welcome."

To read the full post, tootle over to German publishers

Literary Agent Asks Clients To Join Authors United

Today Panzer was cruising in the Catosphere when he felt a thump. The Panzermobile got caught in a tractor beam and pulled over to the New York Times site. There my bad boy found it was a post by David Streitfeld that caught him.

My tummy hurts I have no literary merit

Turns out Authors United has a new standard bearer. Literary agent Andrew Wylie has sent a letter to all of his clients asking them to join bestselling author Douglas Preston's Authors United group and quite a few of them have agreed to join. According to Mr. Streitfeld's post, Mr. Wylie says Amazon's lack of marketing some books will lead to the "end of literary culture in America."

Panzer says, "But ... wait. Does that mean my books sold now on Amazon don't contribute to the literary culture? Don't my books have literary merit?"

Warning: You'll need a very b-i-g cup of tea. This is a very l-o-n-g post because it has quotes from not only Mr. Wylie but some of his clients as well.

To read the whole post, tootle over to more Authors United

Douglas Preston-Authors United vs Amazon Continues

You guys are washing the Panzermobile.

Panzer headed out into the Catosphere, but his radar wasn't working because he immediately ran into a Douglas Preston-Hachette-Authors United vs Amazon cloud.

My poor little kitty could barely see out to keep control of the Panzermobile while he was dodging all the flying fertilizer and guano.

My intrepid captain finally landed the ship at the Publisher's Weekly site first. There he found a post by Paige Crutcher. The post was about the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance's luncheon for bestselling author James Patterson. Also present was Michael Pietsch representing Mr. Patterson's publisher Hachette.

As one of Panzer's friends, you'll remember that Mr. Patterson is one of the signers of Douglas Preston's letter/ad in the New York Times and the letter to the Amazon Board of Directors.

While neither Mr. Patterson or Mr. Pietsch made any direct comments about their dispute with Amazon, Mr. Patterson did make a disparaging joke about Amazon. All in all, the post makes interesting reading.

However, what was really splatting the Panzermobile was the post Panzer found when he stopped at The Passive Voice site next. It seems bestselling author Douglas Preston and his Authors United group have come up with another letter. This one is to the U.S. Department of Justice.

For what?

They want the DoJ to start an antitrust investigation of Amazon because they don't like the way the company does business.

Panzer says, "Let me get this straight ... Hachette still hasn't signed a new contract with Amazon to sell their books, but you guys want the DoJ and the US government to spend money to force Amazon to sell Hachette's books as if there was a contract."

To read the post about the letter to the DoJ, tootle over to Douglas Preston and Company

Douglas Preston-Authors United-Hachette vs. Amazon

Are we FOR us or AGAINST us?

Panzer is doing a little clean-up work in the Catosphere today. Last week he told you about bestselling author, Douglas Preston's email to all his Authors United friends. Mr. Preston was alerting all of them to be ready for his next foray into Hachette's contract dispute with Amazon.

Well, my bad boy has the latest for you.

Mr. Preston and his cadre of knights on their white steeds are ready to do battle. They have sent a letter to each of the ten members of the Amazon Board of Directors telling them to pick sides in the dispute. According to these gallant knights, surely the Board of Directors will agree with them and pick the right side. Either the Board of Directors agree with Amazon's right to not carry certain merchandise during the contract dispute or the Board of Directors disagrees with Amazon's right to not carry merchandise and orders them to carry the merchandise during the contract dispute.

Panzer say, "Pick a sides? Okay, Amazon Board of Directors. Are you on the side for yourself? Or are you on the side against yourself? You are the Board of Directors. Come on. Pick a side."

To read the full letter, tootle over to Authors United letter

Douglas Preston-Hachette vs. Amazon

Guess what? You aren't the biggest tomcat.

Panzer heard yowling and CATerwauling from the Catosphere this morning so he headed out in the Panzermobile. He followed all the noise over to the Publishers Weekly site.

My bad boy discovered bestselling author Douglas Preston is continuing his foray into the Amazon-Hachette contract dispute. Mr. Preston sent an email to the authors who signed his New York Times advertisement aimed at Amazon last month to be ready to start another initiative (claws unsheathed cat fight) against Amazon. Until Mr. Preston decides what his tactic will be this time, he wants his anti-Amazon 900 authors strong army to start a writing campaign of blog posts, social media posts and newspaper opinion pieces against Amazon

Panzer says, "Hey guys, did you every hear the phrase, 'Don't shoot  yourself in the foot?' I'm sorry to tell you, but in case you didn't know, nobody can tell a retailer they have to carry a product (book or ebook or whatever) if they don't want to."

If you want to read the whole post, tootle over to Douglas Preston

Hachette's Pietsch Responds To Amazon's Readers Emails

Mine! Now get out of there!

Panzer is back home after a trip to Publishers Weekly's site in the Catosphere.

My bad boy found a post there about Amazon's response to Douglas Preston's New York Times advertisement asking people who support him to email Amazon's Jeff Bezos. In response, Amazon setup an online site and asked people who support Amazon to email Hachette CEO Michael Pietsch.

So ...

Mr. Pietsch sent letters to the supporters of Amazon who have been emailing him.

Panzer says, "Would you guys get out of my litter box? It's so full I can't even get in to use it."

To read the latest in the Douglas Preston-Amazon and Amazon-Hachette disputes, tootle over to Hachette's Pietsch

The Douglas Preston vs. Amazon Dispute Continues

Be quiet! I need sleep!

Panzer is not a happy kitty. First, my bad boy hasn't been able to get any sleep because of all the noise in the Catosphere about the Amazon-Hachette dispute. Now, the Douglas Preston-Amazon dispute my sleepy kitty told you about is making noise again. This time Mr. Preston tells David Streitfeld at the New York Times website he's worried because his book sales at Amazon are down.

So ...

His letter to Amazon (that he's had all over the Catosphere for weeks) will finally appear in Sunday's New York Times newspaper in a full page ad. Some of the authors from Mr. Preston's Authors United group who signed the letter paid the $104,000 price tag for the ad.

Panzer says, "Can't you humans get it straight, Mr. Preston? You never ever bite the hand that feeds you (or sells your books)."

Be prepared. This is a very long post and the comments section is long too. You'll also find a link in the post to the letter from authors who support Amazon in the Amazon-Hachette dispute.
 
To read the latest from Douglas Preston about his Authors United group and his views on Amazon, tootle over to writers battle amazon

Douglas Preston and 900 Other Authors' Letter To Amazon

Finally.

Panzer got jarred out of his morning nap by yowling and hissing coming from the Catosphere. My bad boy jumped into the Panzermobile and followed all the noise to the Publishers Weekly site. Once there, he found a copy of bestselling author Douglas Preston's much talked and blogged about letter to Amazon about the Amazon-Hachette dispute. The letter has now been officially signed by 900 authors and will be published as a full-page ad in Sunday's New York Times newspaper.

The full letter and all of the signatures are included at the end of the article.

Panzer says, "Well ... after all these weeks of threatening to do the letter and the ad, finally, we get to see who signed it."

To read the letter and see if your favorite authors signed it, tootle over to open letter to amazon

Amazon Poses Possible New Offer To Hachette Author

Humans. Pfftttt.

Panzer got a late start in his Catosphere search today. But heading out late was worth the trip. The Publishers' Weekly site has an update on the Amazon-Hachette dispute.

Amazon made a "what if" offer to bestselling author Douglas Preston (who started the letter against Amazon). In the offer Amazon said, "what if" they starting carrying and selling Hachette's books again ... and "what if" the royalties from those sales was given to the authors ... and "what if" the money Amazon and Hachette's each earned from those sales was given to a literacy charity ... and "what if" Amazon and Hachette kept negotiating then ... would Douglas Preston and Hachette's other authors refrain from speaking out against Amazon?

Mr. Preston's response was the same as last time, "No."

Panzer says, "Humans. I'll never understand them."

If you want to read the latest in the Amazon-Hachette contract negotiations, tootle over to Amazon to authors

Amazon-Hachette Contract Dispute Continues

I can't get away from it. It's everywhere!

Panzer just can't get any quiet. Just when he thought he might be able to get a nap, the CATerwauling started again. My bad boy dragged his sleep deprived body into the Catosphere and discovered all the latest over at The Passive Voice blog.

As my poor kitty told you earlier this week bestselling author Douglas Preston was circulating a letter to Amazon. He managed to get 300 authors to sign it.  Now bestselling indie author Hugh Howey is circulating a letter supporting Amazon which has 3,000+ signers.

Panzer says, "Will you guys just sign the contract and get all this over with. I've got to get some sleep!"

To read the latest on the Amazon-Hachette dispute, tootle over to Amazon-Hachette fight

300 Authors Join Amazon-Hachette Contract Dispute

Don't try to understand them.

It's happened again. Panzer hasn't been able to get any sleep today. There's been CATerwauling going on all day.  When my bad boy couldn't stand the noise any longer, he went out in the Panzermobile. He searched and he searched all over the Catosphere. Finally he found the answer at Publishers Weekly.

All the yowling is about the Amazon-Hachette contract dispute. Panzer told you about the ongoing disagreements in his Amazon doesn't need Hachette post. Now, it turns out Hachette's authors are jumping into the contract negotiations. Bestselling author Douglas Preston has drafted a letter to Amazon. So far he's gotten 300 authors to sign it. In the letter he asks Amazon to stop the slow response times for the availability of Hachette books. Since Hachette hasn't agreed to the new contract, Amazon is not making their books immediately available with the pre-order option. Also, shipment of books may take two to four weeks instead of immediately. The letter wants Amazon to proceed with the sales of Hachette's books as if the contract is already signed.

Panzer says, "Let me get this straight. Hachette won't agree to the contract, but you want Amazon to sell their books anyway? Hmmm. Shouldn't the authors be sending their publisher (Hachette) a letter telling them to sign the contract instead? But then I'm just a CAT. What do I know about how you humans think."

To read the full post, tootle over to authors ask Amazon to settle