Thank you for your answers.  My post, believe it or not, was somewhat edited thus some points not clear or completely missing.

Firstly let me say that it was not a personal attack on you, the author.  To some extent I feel your position is unenviable; caught in the crossfire between Consumer and Publisher and it is these ends of the balance my ‘greed’ comment was levelled at.  Neither do I think you are blameless; it has become necessary for you to pick a side and shape the industry’s future which you have clearly done.

I worked in the music industry for 20 years (before the ‘change’) and have seen all your arguments before.  The ‘Myth’ of print and distribution is quite correct in the context you use it.  However that is a smoke screen.  Even if we take your figures as gospel, 12% is still over double 5% quoted in your example.  This ‘myth’, however, was one perpetrated by your own industry when it attempted to insult people’s intelligence over the pricing of CDs.  The problem is, it is now back to haunt them.

I feel your ‘Amazon selling millions of ebooks, therefore the price is right’, logic is flawed. That backs up ‘people are basically honest and lazy’ and that the pricing is ALMOST right.  Otherwise we would not be having this discussion. 

Your opinion of the consumer seems more jaded than mine; I don’t believe people steal ebooks because it is easy.  Firstly the term ‘easy’ is somewhat subjective and, more importantly, I have to believe we don’t live in a world populated by thieves. 

Remember we are arguing over a product you purchase but don’t own. An almost intangible item that can not be coveted or treasured. That is, more often than not, lost or deleted after reading and that you will have to pay for again should you desire a re-read a few years hence.  It’s an almost alien concept to me that requires a whole new mindset.  Trying to apply ‘old school’ marketing just isn’t going to work.

Furthermore and finally, dare I suggest you stop harking back to the glory days of retail?  You mention it twice in this reply and many times throughout your posts.  I could counter your argument by saying that books were overpriced a few years ago but that would not be valid either. Your creativity should, undoubtedly, be rewarded; you bring enjoyment to millions and long may that last.  But maybe it’s time to recognise the reward is not as lucrative as it once was and the fault lies with the industry taking more of your share than it should, not that the consumer refuses pay it’s due.
