In a press release dated March 27, 2008 http://www.publishamerica.com/amazon.htm PublishAmerica states their refusal to acceed to the bullying tactics of Amazon.
It seems that already all books which are printed by a POD company other than BookSurge (an Amazon company) have been disabled and can no longer be purchased there. In the U.K., Amazon did the same some time ago but reinstated the "Buy" buttons two days later.
The issue has exploded across the Internet. Authors and publishers alike are calling for a boycott of Amazon worldwide and are further calling for a thorough investigation by the U.S. Attorny General under the Sherman Act Anti-Trust provisions.
_________________________________________________
In an e-mail sent by PublishAmerica CEO Willem Meiners to Amazon's John Clifford jcliffo.amazon.com, PublishAmerica responds publicly to Amazon/Booksurge in an old-fashioned American tradition: "NUTS."
Dear Mr. Clifford:
This is to let you know that, as far as PublishAmerica is concerned, your company's recent strong-arming tactics are having the opposite effect.
Quite some time ago, sir, long before you were born, American soldiers fought the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. When the 101st Airborne Division found itself surrounded by the enemy, the Germans presented U.S. general McAuliffe with a piece of paper that demanded his surrender.
McAuliffe looked at it, borrowed a soldier's pen, wrote in caps, "NUTS!", then proceeded to win the battle.
There's our answer, sir. Couldn't have said it any better.
We'll be happy to work with your company again, as soon as you are ready for business as usual. Meanwhile we will continue to make our almost 30,000 titles available to Amazon as we always have, in ways that have always worked just fine. But PublishAmerica will not surrender to your bullying and your ultimatum.
When Amazon comes to its senses again, please let us know.
Enjoy your weekend.
For PublishAmerica, Inc., --willem meiners
*** Barnes & Noble also provides free shipping for purchases over $25. Check it out!
Share
Save