HarperCollins has launched a program giving its authors an additional 10% net royalty on all sales of their titles--e-book and print books--sold through the HarperCollins website, hc.com, which was relaunched in July and can sell titles directly to consumers.
HarperCollins suggested that authors add a buy button linking to hc.com on their sites, integrate the hc.com shopping cart directly to their sites and use social media to direct consumers to purchase products from hc.com.
"While our first priority is to sell books through as many different retail channels as possible, we are pleased to provide this platform for our authors who want to sell directly," said HarperCollins president and CEO Brian Murray. "Our authors can also be certain that their books will always be available to consumers through HarperCollins, even if they are difficult to find or experiencing shipping delays elsewhere. Since we view this program as both a service to our authors and a partnership with them, those who participate will receive additional earnings."
The e-commerce program will start in the U.S. and expand to other HarperCollins divisions over the coming months. Royalties will be paid through the royalty system and will appear on an author's royalty statement.
Some observers saw the move as competitive against Amazon in general, and particularly if the e-tailer ever treats HarperCollins books the way it is treating Hachette titles now. Some authors and agents complained that the extra royalty should more properly be called a referral fee or commission, and one author said authors are being "put in the middle" between the publisher and bookstores--and at the same time, not sharing equitably in direct-sale savings.
