Harper Collins, Harper Union Move to Solve Labor Dispute with Independent Mediator - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer  went to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts he found one about the strike at publisher Harper Collins.

 

How much do they want?

According to the post by Emell Derra Adolphus, publisher Harper Collins unionized workers have been on strike since November 2022. With hopes of bringing the strike to an end, the publisher and Harper Union have agreed to have a mediator help with their negotiations. The workers will continue with their picketing and strike activities until a contract agreement is reached.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't say anything about workers' strikes. Well ... Usually I don't."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a big mug of cocoa and a large muffin for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Harper Union strike

Amazon Says Lower Ebook Prices and Increase Royalties

Is the end in sight? Do I see it?

Panzer was searching around in the Catosphere for today's post and guess what he found at the Publishers' Weekly site?

More Amazon-Hachette news.

Amazon posted to their Kindle forum their side of the dispute.

And what is their side?

Lower ebook prices and higher author royalties.

Panzer says, "Makes sense to me. What's holding up the contract?"

To read the full post and the link to the Kindle forum post, tootle over to Amazon's claims in Hachette dispute

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

Smashwords CEO on Why He as an Indie Author Supports Hachette Against Amazon

Stop! My ears hurt! My head hurts!

Okay ... now Panzer is really confused. He stopped in at the Digital Book World site today. Now not only are his ears ringing, but he's got a headache too.

Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, has jumped into the Amazon-Hachette dispute. Mr. Coker says as an indie author he supports Hachette in the dispute. After you read Mr. Coker's reasons for his decision, continue to the related articles section for more information on who's picking which side in the dispute and why.

Panzer says, "Ummm. Mr. Coker, are you still trying to get direct distribution of Smashwords' indie pubbed ebooks to the Amazon store? I don't think this will help."

If you want to read the latest on the Amazon-Hachette mess, tootle over to Smashwords CEO on Why He as an Indie Author Supports Hachette Against Amazon

Authors Guild Sends Letter In Amazon-Hachette Dispute

There must be quiet somewhere!

No matter how far Panzer travels in the Catosphere he can't get away from all the noise of the Amazon-Hachette dispute. Publisher's Weekly has an update on the situation. Now, the Authors' Guild has jumped into the dispute because of Amazon's letter suggesting Amazon and Hachette give authors all the ebook sales profits.

Panzer says, "The circle of yowling and caterwauling just gets bigger and bigger."

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

Hachette Turns Down Amazon's Author Offer

Will it ever end?

Panzer followed the Amazon-Hachette yowling again today and wound up at Publisher's Weekly's blog.

Now the dispute is whether or not Amazon and Hachette should give author's 100 percent of the royalties from ebook sales while the big boys are fighting in the sandbox. After you read Publisher's Weekly's post, read the arguing going on in the comments section.

To read the newest in the Amazon-Hachette contract dispute, tootle over to Amazon's latest proposal

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