Amazon Kindle vs. Amazon Books

There is a battle brewing within Amazon books and Amazon Kindle.

I was looking up Scott Turow's new book, Innocent, released May 4, 2010, a sort of sequel to Presumed Innocent written in 1987 and Turow's signature book.

I was struck by two things.
1. The book was drastically discounted at $15.11 (from $27.99) and the Kindle version was only a few cents less at $14.99

2. Innocent as of today has an average of 2 1/2 stars in its reviews.

What is this all about?

I checked the reviews and it is hardly a reflection of how real readers liked Turow's book. There were five 5 star reviews, three 4 star reviews, and one 3 star review, who all basically liked the book. Then there were eleven 1 star reviews, who were basically Kindle readers taking umbrage at Amazon's policy of pricing hard cover books at a little over Kindle prices. They were very upset and voted with their stars.

What is Amazon doing?

I noticed this deep discounting happening with Stieg Larson's new book, The Girl who Kicked Hornets' Nests, which will be released at the end of the month, but it, of course, is already a bestseller. However, Amazon gave a much better price to Kindle readers. The Kindle price is $9.99 and the book costs $11.50 from hard cover original price of $27.95. The reviews were almost all five stars and no disgruntled Kindler users because the Kindle users got a decent price.

Why is Amazon doing this?

I can see why Amazon wants to get as many sales of Stieg Larsons' three books as they can: Kindle and hardback now and paperback later. It is a worldwide phenomenom with three books, three Swedish movies and now American versions of the movies being produced with American actresses begging to play Lisbeth being made of the books. The world is fascinated by this triology,especially with the knowledge that the author is dead.

Why are they doing this to Scott Turow's books? Will it hurt or harm the sale of his new book? It may give him more publicity, but will Kindle owners take their marbles elsewhere? Will they buy their hard copies elsewhere? I own a Kindle, but I still read most of my books the old-fashioned way. I am also inclined to see to see what the prices are in person at Borders or Barnes and Noble.

Both of my books are on Kindle. Right now How To Negotiate Like A Pro is ranked #1 in Labor and Employment Law and #1 in two separate Consumer Law categories although the total ranking is 51,130. This is constantly in flux and will probably have changed by the time you read this blog. Personally, I make a lot more royalty on a Kindle sale that comes directly from Amazon than on a paperback sale that goes through iUniverse, my self-publishing company.

What is surprising to me is why Amazon, who owns Kindle, would want to hurt Kindle readers when there are new e-book devices out there competing with Kindle. Don't they know that Kindle readers can take their business elsewhere?

I don't have the answers, but am wondering what you think. If you have an opinion on Amazon vs. Kindle, let me know.


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit AWard, South Florida Writers AssociationEmail: howtonegotiate@aol.comwww.marygreenwood.com