Random Goes Rogue

TrueSlant.com blogger Roger Theriault has picked up a story from the MobileRead forums that Random House will go against the recent rush by its Big Six buddies to the "agency" e-book retail model recently introduced by Apple.

Apple's approach is for publishers to retain control over the list price, rather than allowing the list price to be pegged by the e-tailer, as is currently employed by Amazon. It also allows publishers flexibility in timing release of e-books - delaying them rather than releasing them simultaneously with publication of hardcover editions.

The move to the Apple model by three major houses spearheaded by Macmillan was the cause of a controversy that triggered removal of Macmillan's buy buttons by Amazon for a week, at the end of which the e-book retailing landscape was altered, possibly forever. (For background see Apple Promoting a New (and Radical!) Model for Selling E-Books? and Publishing's Weekend War: 48 Hours that Changed an Industry.)

Random's decision is based on two approaches to e-book publishing that are at odds with the philosophy of at least three of its fellow publishers. A RH spokesperson voiced the opinion that publishers “have no real experience at setting retail prices.” That explains why Random held back from embracing Apple's iPad tablet. The other reason is timing of e-book releases. “Our current policy is we release e-books at the same time as physical books,” she said. "I haven’t been convinced that it’s good for the author or consumer to delay the release."

You can read details here: Random House sides with Amazon, e-book readers on pricing

Richard Curtis