Why Should We Care about the Macmillan E-Book Embargo?

27 Tuesday Aug 2019

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

Thank you Krysta for this post. Libraries are not the enemy of authors, and we should all take a stand against what John Sargent is doing.

13 thoughts on “Why Should We Care about the Macmillan E-Book Embargo?”

confessionsofayareader said:

August 27, 2019 at 12:50 pm

I love Macmillan, but this is a dumb idea. I really don’t think it will do anything for sales. It’s just going to make people angry.

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- By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
  
  August 27, 2019 at 1:11 pm
  
  They’re one of my favorite publishers, but I’m furious! He’s used sketchy data, most have which has been refuted and is trying to pit libraries and authors against each other.🤬
  
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  - Krysta said:
    
    August 27, 2019 at 1:17 pm
    
    The Authors Guild supports the move, but I read an interesting point in the Chicago Tribune where the writer (an author) note most authors are paid in advances and only make royalties after they earn back the advance. Most never earn back the advance, anyway.
    
    So, to benefit authors, Macmillan’s move would have to mean a very large number of e-book sales are “stolen” by libraries. But is it enough that authors would suddenly earn back their advances and then some if the public then bought those e-books instead? I highly doubt that. I think, if Macmillan were honest, this isn’t going to raise author incomes. It’s just going to help Macmillan (assuming they actually get noticeably increased sales).
    
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  - By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
    
    August 27, 2019 at 1:20 pm
    
    When I first read about this I didn’t see how this would benefit authors given the way they’re paid. No. This is all about Sargent lining his and Macmillan’s pockets.
    
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  - Krysta said:
    
    August 27, 2019 at 1:24 pm
    
    Yeah, that’s why I don’t understand the response of the Authors Guild. They know most authors are already paid more than their books typically earn back. Maybe they were just predisposed to believe libraries are taking all their proceeds.
    
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  - By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
    
    August 27, 2019 at 1:30 pm
    
    I read their statement and it doesn’t seem like they’ve done their research into this.🤷🏻‍♀️
    
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  - confessionsofayareader said:
    
    August 27, 2019 at 1:42 pm
    
    😦 There are so many issues with publishers and libraries lately. It makes me both sad and angry.
    
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  - By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
    
    August 27, 2019 at 2:16 pm
    
    They should be working together.
    
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  - confessionsofayareader said:
    
    August 27, 2019 at 6:24 pm
    
    Yes, I agree.
    
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beetleypete said:

August 27, 2019 at 1:08 pm

I hadn’t heard of this, but I fear it could start a worrying trend.
Best wishes, Pete.

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- By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
  
  August 27, 2019 at 1:11 pm
  
  This has serious, far reaching repercussions Pete!
  
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Lelia T said:

September 4, 2019 at 4:21 am

This will increase piracy, for sure.

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- By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
  
  September 4, 2019 at 11:17 am
  
  Absolutely.
  
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