Self-publishing isn't really an issue here. The fact that it's self-published (through Amazon services) and is available exclusively at Amazon is what pisses off this syndicate.
Which I find weird because they'd expect the author to handle shipment to the 3000+ bookshops all by himself ? I've heard some self-published authors do that, but this is madness.
Further: the Amazon 'CreateSpace' self-publishing contract is apparently non-exclusive.
If any traditional publisher wanted to offer an edition of this book – which is now award-nominated! – they could make the author an offer.
These bookshops thus have a sort of 'Stockholm Syndrome', identifying with the traditional publishers on whom they have become overly-dependent, and whose disinterest in this apparently-meritorious book has created the problem for the bookshops.
right. i understand why booksellers would be upset that they aren't able to stock a bestselling book. but i don't understand why they're mad at amazon and not at publishers for not working with the author.
> France is highly supportive of its independent booksellers: it has fixed book prices, and caps discounts at 5%, passing a bill in 2013 to stop retailers such as Amazon from combining the 5% discount with free delivery.
Which I find weird because they'd expect the author to handle shipment to the 3000+ bookshops all by himself ? I've heard some self-published authors do that, but this is madness.