New JK Rowling book pre-order, e-book $19.99

[Teggy]

The new JK Rowling book (out in the fall) has been put up for pre-order. The news is not the book's subject, but the fact that the Kindle version is $19.99, with the hardcover $21.00.

Not sure what the publisher was thinking there, especially since this book does not have "Harry Potter" in the title. Needless to say, the Amazon comments are not positive.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Casual-Vacancy-ebook/dp/B007THA4FI/ref=sr_tr_sr_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1334252835&sr=1-1

[Crusis]

Ken Follett's new book was released last year for the same price and it went straight to number one. I think it will encourage piracy. OTOH this book will sell a ton of copies, they probably figure that will mitigate the stolen ones. On the other other hand - wow. That is some greed on the publishers part.

[Bullwinkle]

I think the publisher was thinking, "This'll sell a shit ton of copies.  Let's charge $20 for it."

The bigger issue is that this news is hitting on the same day the US Treasury is suing Publishers (and Apple) for greedily increasing the price of ebooks.

[Teggy]

I think the publisher was thinking, "This'll sell a shit ton of copies.  Let's charge $20 for it."

The bigger issue is that this news is hitting on the same day the US Treasury is suing Publishers (and Apple) for greedily increasing the price of ebooks.

Yeah, I believe this particular publisher was one that decided to settle rather than go to trial.

[metallicorphan]

not sure how much books should be in U.S(or here TBH),but the book sounds dull as dishwater anyway 

On Amazon.co.uk the kindle edition is £11.99,while the Hardback is £10.00

currency converter currently has $20>>£12.5($21>>£13.1)

The new Stephen King book due out in a few days is a quid cheaper at £10.99 for the kindle edition and Hardback edition is 2 quid more (than the JK offering)at £11.99

[Blackjack]

Man, every time I see an article on her new book that's for adults, they headline it as "Rowling Writes First Adult Novel!" like it's for Penthouse or something.  Maybe they're better off just saying it's the first novel she didn't expressly write for children, which isn't to say that zillions of adults didn't enjoy the Potter stuff too.

[gellar]

Gotsta get paid, yo.

[Bullwinkle]

Gotsta get paid, Jo.

FTFY

[Misguided]

I think the publisher was thinking, "This'll sell a shit ton of copies.  Let's charge $20 for it."

The bigger issue is that this news is hitting on the same day the US Treasury is suing Publishers (and Apple) for greedily increasing the price of ebooks.

That simply isn't accurate. Publishers actually get less money under the agency model in many cases, but they were willing to do that to allow other booksellers to compete and keep Amazon from building an overwhelming monopoly. I think one of the DoJ's main concerns may be the Most Favored Nation type clauses in their contracts with the publishers, that say that other retailers can't sell the books for less than Apple can.

[Bullwinkle]

I think the publisher was thinking, "This'll sell a shit ton of copies.  Let's charge $20 for it."

The bigger issue is that this news is hitting on the same day the US Treasury is suing Publishers (and Apple) for greedily increasing the price of ebooks.

That simply isn't accurate. Publishers actually get less money under the agency model in many cases, but they were willing to do that to allow other booksellers to compete and keep Amazon from building an overwhelming monopoly. I think one of the DoJ's main concerns may be the Most Favored Nation type clauses in their contracts with the publishers, that say that other retailers can't sell the books for less than Apple can.

Well, I don't think "simple" factors into anything like this.  However, while I wasn't going for an in-depth discourse of the case with my flippant remark, even the scenario you describe involves greed.  Apple trying to be greedy with control is the obvious one, but you don't think Publishers were doing this because they're big Steve Jobs fans, do you?

[Rumpy]

Man, every time I see an article on her new book that's for adults, they headline it as "Rowling Writes First Adult Novel!" like it's for Penthouse or something.  Maybe they're better off just saying it's the first novel she didn't expressly write for children, which isn't to say that zillions of adults didn't enjoy the Potter stuff too.

Yep, that's the way I see it too. The headlines I've seen make it sound like she's writing something shocking and scandalous when it's likely just that it's her first novel not written expressly for children.

[CeeKay]

I'll just get it from the library.

[PR_GMR]

I'll just get it from the library.

What are you? A hobo? 

[CeeKay]

I'll just get it from the library.

What are you? A hobo? 

ain't no way I'm spending a dime on this one with their insane eBook pricing, so I figure I'll read it for free 

[Bullwinkle]

I'll just get it from the library.

What are you? A hobo? 

ain't no way I'm spending a dime on this one with their insane eBook pricing, so I figure I'll read it for free 

Just make sure you go to a library with the right chalk mark outside.  Look for one with free soup.

[rickfc]

I'll just get it from the library.

What are you? A hobo? 

ain't no way I'm spending a dime on this one with their insane eBook pricing, so I figure I'll read it for free 

Like I responded to someone's Facebook post about this book, I hope that the government's recent lawsuit against Apple and book publishers will affect this as it nears release. That being said, I'm pretty positive my wife will want it. Maybe I can persuade her to wait long enough for it to be, um, free on the internet...