@Linda: Changed my address to one of my foreign residences, got it taken care of.

Does anyone else think the formatting/spacing is different for Changes than the previous books?

ok, finally figured it out.

please help! where can I change my address to get this done?

Thanks so much for the tip on Changes!! I was feeling very upset when I saw that folks in the U.K. could purchase the kindle version, but the U.S. could not; and I didn't want to have to buy the hardcover when I got the kindle to save trees!!! ;) Love all the books!

Thanks so much. I really wanted to read this on my Kindle, and make sure Jim got his share. Worked like a charm.

NB to Amazon and Penguin idiots.. this kind of thing will make folks find ways to read what they want to read in other ways. It's not the money. I know. I've read the book. Now I'm paying Jim.

Nevermind... I got it figured out. :P

Just downloaded Changes for the Kindle using the address swap. Brillant idea, now i get the book and Jim gets his share. Very happy thanks for the tip.

Hmm how did you guys do this? Sorry really slow...

Josh.

Yep, I am much happier paying for it, as well. I wonder when the powers that are trying to be will figure out how to close that loophole? :) Thx, again! I'm hoping the same thing will work for the next Harris Sookie Stackhouse book in early May!

I'm glad the work around has helped some of you. I think it's silly that we have to resort to this, but I'd much rather jump through a few hoops and buy it this way than download it from some torrent and Jim not see any of the money.

Any chance a tip jar could be posted on the site? While Penguin is bickering this book IS available if you know where to look. Unfortunately I've not been able to give Jim his due upon obtaining it and I'd like to. If a tip jar could be setup I'm quite sure that some of us who have obtained this book would be happy to chip in...

Sally, you just discovered my "work around" also. Make certain you change your address back, however. I believe the imprint is Hachette Digital. Its funny, when you click on the "littlebrown co UK" they still list Jim Butcher as "working in the computer industry?!" Must be an old bio -- very "English" website. But, the book is the same, table of contents. Very odd distribution channel.

@Linda - My point was not about the content, it was about the file format. eReaders only work with the book seller you buy them from. Yes, the Kindle reads txt and pdf, but I don't know of any publisher that releases fiction books in these formats. The Kindle file will not work on a Nook and vice-versa. But it seems that the iPad will be able to read Kindle files, Nook files, as well as iBook, so it is a start toward a universal reader.

As for different content between versions, give it time. I know that the latest novel from Kim Harrison had some digital extras if you got the book from the iStore. Who knows what will happen, since eBooks are 'only two years old', it is still a developing format.

Never mind the last question. And you're a superstar, btw! :)

Where did you change the address? Under your credit card billing address?

Dani - I just switched addresses and bought Changes for my Kindle and it worked. Thanks!!

Wow! OutSTANDing, then!

Drew, I did this previously with another book that isn't available in the States yet. I rarely turn off my wireless and it's been about a month. Still there. It also still shows in my Amazon purchases just like any other Kindle purchase.

Are Amazon and Penguin still negotiating, or is that dead and we aren't going to see Kindle books from Penguin until things go into paperback, or some worse situation. Anyone know anything new? Most news appears to be circa April 1st.

btw - I wouldn't put your Kindle back online until you finish reading Changes - it might get yanked off again! :=)

I've just purchased Changes for my Kindle. I changed my address on file to a UK address (just pulled one off the Internet), purchased it for download to my computer, then changed my address back to a US address. Works just fine.

@Raymond: eventually the DRM will disappear. As someone who travels and reads a lot, it is great having a way to carry your books without adding weight to your carry on or your suitcase. I read the entire Dresden series when I went to Aruba for a week long vacation. I wish I had my Kindle then because carrying 10 paper backs sucked. And I had to buy a few more books because I made my way through the series pretty easily while lying on a beach for a week.

I spent 2 weeks in Australia and New Zealand this year. I had over 300 books with me and downloaded a few more because my Husband left the house without the travel guides and I got into a new series. I was able to carry my entire library in my purse. That is awesome.

This is the first time I have not been able to buy a book when I wanted to buy a book and I have had my Kindle (named Tavar) for 18 months.

For folks with serious arm or hand issues, an ebook reader is a god send. They are light weight and can be easily held in one hand. For those with vision problems an ebook reader is a godsend. The font is adjustable on all books which means you are no longer restricted to the small number of huge and expensive large font books. For those who travel an ebook reader is a godsend because they can carry their entire libraries in their backpack or purse.

I asked for mine as a birthday gift thinking I would give it a try. I have read two books in dead tree form since getting it. Once was for a class and not available on Kindle and one was with my niece. I am not downloading the Warrior Cat series even though I love my niece.

If someone wants to tell me what the issue is and enlighten me, please feel free to do so. Right now, Penguin is pissing people off with this stupid little war. I know that Amazon has signed other Agency Agreements so I know that Amazon is not bickering over the Agency Agreement. There has to be something else in play here and it has to be something very different then what the others have asked for. So I put this on Penguin.

@Michael - Changes is available outside the US because it is distributed by a different publisher overseas.

And I asked Amazon if there was any way for a US coded Kindle owner to purchase the UK version of the book and they said "No"...ack! We have to wait for Penguin to get a clue.

@Michael, thanks, I hope it'll work out soon so that you can get it for your kindle as well.
@Raymond, actually, I even buy e-books in Europe, in pdf format, and I transfer them to my kindle. No problem at all.

@Raymond: Actually, the versions are the same. The issue is whether or not Penguin allows Amazon to sell the ebook in the United States, not whether or not the book can be read by the Kindle.

@Linda: Thanks for your responses. Have fun reading the book! :)

This is why I don't have an e-reader. Not because I am against the idea, it is a great idea, but because it is not a universal format. I am amazed that people would allow themselves to be anchored to one source for their reading material. Imagine if you could only use Toshiba formated DVDs in your DVD player, that the Sony CD player in your car only player music from Sony, etc.

The great thing about the physical book is that you can get it anywhere that sells books. The version at Target is no different than the one at Wal-Mart or Amazon or Barnes & Noble. I think that if eBooks are to really take off, there needs to be a universal standard. Then, if there was a issue that prevented one source from having the book at least you could still get the book from another eRetailer

@Michael, yes, I'm in Switzerland. Usually, it's the other way around, I have trouble getting books on my kindle because I'm not in the US.

@Linda: Is your Kindle associated to a country that is not the United States?

@Michael, I just went to Amazon.com and searched for Jim Butcher - Changes, and I clicked on the kindle edition. It's already in my kindle ready to be read :) Good luck

@Linda: How did you buy your copy of Changes on the Kindle? I've been checking every other day or so, to no avail. After I saw your post, I checked amazon.com again, but seems the same to me.

I just bought Changes for my kindle right now - so something must have happened to make it possible. I'm very happy, as I prefer buying e-books now, no trees need to be killed, and I can carry as many books as I like with me, every day.

Ah! Thank you very much for enlightening me regarding the Agency model - so it IS even worse than the pre-Agency model. Even more screwy than I thought. Wow! All this strum und drang to get on the iPad I guess. I too am waiting on the Kindle versions.

BUY A KINDLE or a Nook or a Sony. Once you use an ereader you will get why you won't buy a hardcover. There is nothing like getting on a plane with 300 books in your purse. Or adjusting the font size when your ahdns are tired. Or looking up a word in the dictionary with a simple touch of a button. Or having access to every book in large font and not just the insanely huge and expensive large print volumes.

You are correct. Amazon was losing money selling books at $9.99 on the Kindle. They paid the publishers based on the price set by the publisher and not the price Amazon sold it for. The publishers have admitted in interviews that they are losing money on the sale of ebooks under the agency model.

Under the old model, the Publisher would set a digital list price of $25 (made up number), Amazon would sell the book for $9.99 when it made it to the best seller list. Amazon paid the Publisher based on the $25 price point.

Under the new model, the Publisher sets the price, $14.99. Amazon distributes the book at that price. The Publisher loses $10 that it could have made profit off of and Amazon makes a larger percentage off of a higher price. Instead of losing money, Amazon is making money at a higher price point.

Again, Publishing houses have stated all of this in many an interview. So the Publishing houses, and Jim, are making less money off of this silly Agency Model. The reader now has to pay taxes on the books, because Amazon is now the distributor and the Publishing Houses all have physical representation in multiple states, is paying a higher price point, and the books that they want are being delayed.

I should buy the hard cover and give Penguin what it wants for what reason?

Not to mention. I don't read dead tree books any more. I read ebooks. That is my choosen medium. Penguin does not want to sell me their books in my choosen medium. This hurts Penguin and Jim, no sale. It doesn't hurt me because I am happily reading other books by other authors published by other publishing houses. I get to read great stuff in the same genre. Does it suck that I don't get to read Changes? Surprisingly not so much. Why? Because there are other authors that write just as well as Jim that I can substitute his books for.

Why do I keep posting here? Because I like Jim. I like his responsiveness to fans. I like what he has written. I like what little I know about him. I would love to support him. But I can't. (shrugs)

As I understand it (and it would help if you read the thread) Amazon pays the publisher exactly what the publisher asks, it just sells the ebook at a loss to itself. Under the new model, the publisher is trying to dictate at what price the ebook sellers like Amazon MUST sell ebooks, allegedly to prevent a "devalue" the books, but in reality because in order to sell on the iPad, Apple forced the publishers into a deal that says they can't allow their ebooks to be sold at any price less than for what Apple will sell it through iBooks or iWhatever. The peanut gallery should please correct me if I have this wrong. So Jim gets his cut, and the publisher gets his price, and Amazon tries to undersell other ebook sellers so everyone will buy Kindles, which isn't so bad - but everyone of course has to be on the iPad, so publishers will agree to anything, since Jobs is god, and everyone wants an 800 dollar dohicky that's the Next Great Thing. So the only ones getting hurt are those of us that bought a neat little single function device that has an excellent screen for reading (as opposed to the iPad). Not the publishers, not Jim, and not really Amazon. Just us. Maybe Jim's mailbox fills up a little faster..oh, well.

'nuff said. And I WON'T tell you that your post smacked of ignorance! :=)

BUY THE HARDCOVER! It's a great series and I've made sure to purchase each as well as the Alera Codex, the entertainment value is worth far more than their monetary value. I don't exactly know what part Penguin had in this argument but I do know that Amazon has been ripping off publishers using the Kindle for sometime now. Ripping off the publisher equals ripping off Jim, so to hell with Amazon. The publishing industry is already having a tough enough time without corporations like Amazon trying to take advantage.
For those "fans" who refuse to buy the book because of this little spat, I suggest you grow up.
Welcome to the business of books!

The book is amazing--by far the best of the series and I would read it any way I could! It's a page turner-stay up all night kind of read--so you kindle freaks need to beg, borrow or buy a copy.

Well, I have given up. I won't buy the hard back and I am no longer interested in the Kindle verison. I have not been tempted to check the spoilers or felt the need to check the book out of the library so I guess it really is not that important to me.

Amazon has benefited from my purchasing four other books during this time period. That is the great thing about reading, there are always alternatives.

Penguin, and sadly Jim, has lost someone who has purchased every one of Jim's books. That is 4 of the 6 Codex Alera books as a paperback(the first four) and all the Kindle versions (10 copies) and 10 of the Dresden file as Kindle and paperback and the one as Kindle only (21 copies). I guess in the end Penguin (and Jim) make out since I bought two copies of most of the books but they lose my future purchases.

Sorry Jim but your Publisher is doing you a huge disservice.

Gah! I finally got my hard copy. I have strong feelings for these idiot companies! Definitely not pleasant ones!

I live in Japan. I usually buy Kindle books because I can get them as they are released in the US instead of having to wait for them to be shipped here. Not to mention shipping cost more than the actual book itself. But I am a pathetically desperate junkie and I need my fix!

I am a Kindle owner. I am not going to run out and buy the hardcover even though that's exactly what the publisher is hoping I'll do. Prior to all if these contract negotiations, if a book wasn't available for my Kindle, I'd purchase the audio version from audible. If I like it, I usually purchase the Kindle version when it's released as well. At this point, I'm unwilling to buy this book in any form and hope it makes a statement to the publisher that they're making a very bad move.

I knocked off three other books this weekend. I am moving on to a fourth tonight.

I am happy to hear that people are enjoying the Nook. The more ereaders out there, the more ebooks there will be. Ender's Game was finally released as an ebook. Personally I have not heard anything positive about the Nook other then the upgrades have improved its performance but it is still way buggy and navigation is not intuitive.

I won't illegally download a book. It really is that simple. I also won't recommend a series when I cannot purchase the books in that series. So my friends who asked me for suggestions this week did not get my normal "Check out Jim Butcher's stuff."

And there is an article in the New Yorker that discusses Apples role in this sill Agency Model and predicts that in a year, when the current contracts end, Apple is likely to demand a price drop to $9.99. Sounds like the Publishing Houses are doing a great job of looking out for their profits. (eye roll)

Oh please! Enough with the nookie spam ad -- I tried a nookie and it was NOT better: slow, heavy and the "wifi" is terrible. And after many comparisons in pricing -- Amazon's Kindle bookstore has more selections and better prices.

Again, the .mobi Kindle is readily available in bit torrent. If and when Jim's website has a donations button -- he might profit from that reality.

Buy a Nook from Barnes and Noble! Its 10 times better then the Kindle and you'd have been able to read All The Dresden Files By Now :)

May poo-flinging demon monkeys descend upon Penguin Headquarters and wreak havoc with the paycheck of their CEO.

For years I have been reading the dresden series. I have each and every book in my bookshelf. Even Changes.

BUT

I have neck and shoulder problems. I cannot read a hardcover or softcover book, i cannot hold the book up long enough to read it without causing pain. I bought the kindle to allow me to read without such issues. I preordered Changes months ago and was sorely disappointed to hear this news. Plus many upcoming Penguin books will soon fall into this category. So because of my back issue I am being prevented by Penguin/Amazon to read their books. Doesn't make me want to buy any of them again, and I'm seriously looking at the Nook now.

Thanks amazon/Penguin, way to keep your customers happy

Each time a new book comes out I go back and re-read the entire series. I've worn out the books and have been re-purchasing them all on my Kindle. To say I am disappointed in not being able to enjoy the latest after taking the time to read the first 11 books again is an understatement!
I've been suggesting these books to all clients and friends. Will have to tell them not to bother now if there are going to be problems using the Kindle.

Well, this just figures. The newest book in the Anita Blake series 'Flirt' comes out without a hitch and I wouldn't pay 10 bucks for that even if I STOLE the ten bucks from someone else first, but "Changes" has to get all jacked up. And I'd pay 15 for that one-with my own money, even!

Where is the justice?!?

Penguin needs to tighten up.

Frack'n publishers....

and by the way, for all those that read the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse series - be afraid - Ace Hardcover is owned by Penguin books too!

At the risk of continuing to "smack of ignorance" then, can someone suggest when this will all be resolved? I don't feel like moving on - I want this FIXED!!! I don't particularly give a rat's butt who is benefitting or not, be it the authors, the sellers, the publishers, whomever. All I know is that a service I once enjoyed, and incidentally, paid a not insignficant amount of money (one of the original Kindles at full price) for the priviledge of using, has been taken away from me because of strange, esoteric and hard to understand market forces that when described come across as HORSE ROAR (yep, I said that). So who's going to FIX THIS?

In my house we have a new name for Penguin:

Penguin Overpriced Offering Postponing Eveyone's Excitment,

or, POOPEE for short.

Bought the hardcover at the Amazon discount, clamped it between two pieces of plywood, ran it through the table saw, Scanned the pages, ran them through OCR, loaded the result on my Kindle, read the book. I know I could have grabbed it from a torrent, but hey doing it this way gives me something to grumble at Penguin/Amazon about.

And the rumor that Amazon is losing money selling Changes at $9.99 are true. The book is sold under the old "wholesale model" that means the reseller pays about 50% of the MSRP to the publisher. The MSRP on Changes is $26 so Amazon is paying about $13 wholesale for the book -- losing a few dollars per share -- exactly what happened when "Under the Dome" came out and was priced at $9 because of the price war between Target, WalMart and Amazon. Amazon writing a check in the amount of $200-$300K to make a splash with a loss leader is nothing new -- they make it up with goodwill and people buying more stuff at a higher margin.

No, the problem Amazon and Penguin are having (I think) are "extra" demands regarding promotions (being able to discount under Agency Models), extra high prices for premium books, and more. Amazon is looking at this as a test case for the Big Six Publishers:

Hachette Book Group
HarperCollins
Macmillan
Penguin Group
Random House
Simon & Schuster

If Penguin wins this, they in effect will win consessions for All of them that will severly hurt ebook retailing for years to come -- i.e. higher prices, delayed releases and more. Sorry Jim Butcher's books is caught of in these "changes" but I read the hardcover, sold it for close to what I paid for it and moved on. Penguins CEO thinks that e-books are really paperbacks in disguise and has a obvious disdain for them. I really hope Amazon prevails on this one. Get the hardcover at Amazon, read it and pass it on, or get the bit torrent p2p (Hachett book release, European version), read it on your Kindle and move on.

Of course this is in line with Amazon's marketing plan. Amazon wants to sell as many ebooks as they can. That is why Amazon has an app for all the Iproducts and the Blackberry. Amazon knows that they more books they sell, the more money they make.

Amazon has agreements in place with all of the major publishing houses. The only exception,that I know of, is Penguin.

To add to the silliness, there have been articles written where the Execs of publishing houses admit that they are making less money with ebooks under the new agency model then they did under Amazons model. So their desire to control the price has cost them money and has increased the amount of money that Amazon makes. Please explain to me how this makes any sense?

I side with Amazon because Amazon's policy is inline with my interests. Penguin has decided it needs something different from Amazon then the other Publishing Houses needed. Amazon seems to be telling Penguin that it will not accept that. Penguin loses out because it is angering a client base that might be small (ereader users) but who happen to read a lot.

I am opposed to what the Publishers are doing because they keep saying in interviews that they are afraid of ebooks. More then one has been quoted saying that they would love to see ebooks go away. The Publishers do not have my best interests in mind. Which leads to my not being able to read Jim's latest book in the format I prefer. Which leads to Jim making less money. Which leads to the Publisher making less money. Which leads to no one being happy.

Except me because I am off reading other stuff that I can buy at the $9.99 and less price point and wondering why Penguin does not want me to buy books that they publish.

Amazon is selling that hardcover at a loss. Every sale at $9.99 is (very likely) several dollars below what they paid the publisher for the book, and beyond printing and royalty costs, publishers are not making all that much of a margin.

Calling this "greed" smacks of ignorance. Amazon has sold the public a line about looking out for their interests, but it's all with an eye on their own market advantage.

So ... it IS greed. How about that.

Yeah, maybe you're right ... if I continue to hold out I may just give up on the series altogether....

thx!

Actually, Penguin and Jim do just fine with the hard cpoy selling for $9.99. They get paid based on the list price not the selling price.

I have been reading other stuff and have come to realize that I like the Dresden series but it is not essential reading for me. That is bad for Jim and Penguin because it might mean that they have lost a reader all together. I am going to have to remember that I want to read the book at some point and not wonder why I should buy it to read when I have a long enough to be read list.

So the hype is gone and possibly a reader. A drop int he bucket I know, but I have a feeling I might not be the only one.

So here we are about 10 days after the various blogs and newswires carried the story on how Amazon and Penguin are slugging it out over the agency model - and nothing new but our collective whining (me being one of the worst). Nothing here from Mr. Butcher's entourage, nothing new from Amazon when you send them an inquiry - just the usual packaged tripe their first tier customer service people are directed to use for any question about a missing ebook, and penguin has gone dark on the subject. Notice when you look up a price of a book via the Kindle now, you often see a little note that says: "Price set by the Publisher". It's truly amazing how EVERYONE points the finger at EVERYONE else. And I saw a news release where Penguin sent an email to authors and agents telling them that this process is meant to "preserve the value" of their books. Hogwash - it's meant to preserve the value of their CEO's paycheck. So, friends and neighbors, we have NO advocate for us. I do smile when I see Amazon sticking it to Penguin by selling the hardcover Changes at the old Kindle price, however. That's the only win for the reader - it's a lose/lose for Mr. Butcher and Penguin. I wonder who will blink first? I might - it's agony knowing there's a new Dresden novel out there that everyone loves and I CAN'T READ IT. I just might have to compromise my principles and go the cheap Amazon hardcover path so somebody other than me gets shafted.

We feel bad that Mr. Butcher is caught in the middle of this battle, but we will NOT reward Penguin in any way for this unethical behavior regarding Kindle. I have bought the Dresden file books since they first came out and when my son moved out he took all the physical books with him. I bought Kindles for each of us and was planning to rebuy all the books on Kindle and was starting to get the Codex books as well. I had planned to get Changes as soon as it came uot but..... Sorry, Jim. As much as we like the books and looked forward to the next one, I must stick to my guns and wait it out. Hope Penguin comes to its senses soon.

I'm holding off buying until the Kindle edition is released. My question is how can we push Penguin to expedite this issue? The irony is that they own Pearson Education who is all about technology in the academic markets which they leverage with their expensive textbooks to gauge students' pocketbooks. Talk about being a bit too greedy, eh?

Authors need to stop giving their eRights to top publishers who are price gouging.

I am very upset with this situation. Seems like my favorite authors are not standing up to the publishing industry. Therefore I am no longer being able to give them my money.

I am no longer buying ANY books from these publishers. I'll get the book from the library or wait a week and buy it used. If I have to have it on my Kindle App I will download a bootleg pdf and convert it. Or pay some unemployed person to type it into a pdf file for me.

I've read 100 plus books on my Kindle, I read on a daily basis. I've read all of the Dresden Files 3 times and was eagerly anticipating Changes. (I'm a big Jim Butcher fan) I'm royally ticked at Penguin publishers (and Amazon). I've written to both complaining. I believe if everyone would write to Penguin publishers and conplain loudly we would see results faster. I told them I refused to buy the hardback and would get it at the library, then buy it when it was available for Kindle.
Penguin sent me a email telling me it was available as an ebook on other readers and in hardback. They, of course are blaming Amazon. I believe the blame rests squarely on Penguin.

(shrugs)

I have been reading other books while waiting. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is a test case for Penguin. How many Kindle readers will buy the hard back.

Whatever, there is more then enough to read out there. The longer it takes the book out on Kindle, the less likely I am to buy it. There are other series in the same genre that I enjoy. I'll spend my money on them.

It really is sad that the author and his readers get screwed over by greedy Publishers. And yes, I put this solely on the Publisher. They are the ones ignoring the changing market and trying to force a crappy old system on us.

Grrr... Come on already with the Kindle version.

I'm posting this from an iPad. The device is great, but it's most definitely not the "most capable book reader."

It's heavy, the backlit screen is hard on the eyes, you can't read outside because of the glare on the screen. Not only that but you need two hands to read a book, no more one handed reading.

That said, it's fantastic. iPad is a netbook-killer not a kindle-killer.

I'll be waiting (impatiently) until the Kindle version comes out.

I totally agree with everything being said about the Kindle, I have read over 50 books in the past few months, I love it and they need to get this thing worked out. However its a Dresden book and I just couldn't wait so I bought it on amazon for 8 bucks! Thats feels like a steal, but I just want Jim to know that we support him and to keep rolling 20s.

I am just getting more and more pissed off at everyone involved (except Jim, of course). Amazon and Penguin need to stop trying to figure out who has the bigger......eh hem lawyer and work things out. I'm also pissed at Apple for pulling the same heavy handed BS they always try to pull (or at least that is what it looks like is happening). They couldn't make the publishers sign an exclusive deal like they did with the I-phone so they gave them a deal that the publishers are now using to screw everyone else by trying to force the other E-books match. And of course the readers are the ones who really get shafted.

Yes, yes, yes - the ipad is the pancea of computing, etc., etc., - 'course, it doesn't use the E Ink® Vizplex™ electronic paper display, it's just another screen subject to glare, but what do I know? Back to the subject at hand, however, since I don't have one, and I don't want to spend 800 bucks to get another independently Internet-capable reading device (for which the 3G feature isn't even out yet) for just one book. What's happening between Penguin and Amazon as of this moment. Is this going to be a permanent thing or what?!?!??!?! Someone in one of the Amazon forums on the matter had an excellent, albeit depressing, analysis that seems to indicate that Penguin probably has an excellent deal with Apple and others and will never give Amazon their ebooks again. BOYCOTT people. Vote with your feet. This is absolutely ridiculous!!!

Then again, you can run Kindle e-Reader software on an iPad. I'm glad I'm getting one; I like the idea of a single device which I can use to shop and read content from multiple eBook-stores on, rather than a device which only gives me the one option...

Actually, iPad could be voted as "least capable" e-reader because Random House is NOWHERE on iPad (one of the big six not to sign the agency agreement forced on them by Apple).

Again, Changes is available "elsewhere" for enterprising searchers willing to search, and, still available for $9.99 at Amazon in hardcover.

Changes is available for the iPad from the iBook store. So, what Amazon needs to figure out, and quick, is that their reader (yes, I own a Kindle and like it a lot) is now the least capable of all the readers out there and customer service is the only reason, repeat... ONLY reason to continue to shop for e-books there.

It really sucks that it still isn't on the kindle. I cannot seem to find any updates on how the talks are going with amazon and penguin. Anyone heard anything? Ever since I started reading on the kindle I can't read anything else. I really hate that there are so many people that are just waiting in the dark until we receive good news. Anyone have any suggestions to read while I wait for changes on the kindle? I just caught up on the nightside series. While it's good it's no Dresden.

Well I am one of those who ordered it on Kindle, ordered a hardback from Amazon, and when that didn't arrive on my doorstep on release day, went out and bought a copy from B&N to read. BY the time the Amazon copy showed up, I was 2/3 done reading the book. Phoo to Amazon on both counts. I hope their little spat hurts them a lot. This is the sort of thing that opens the door for competitors to swoop in and say 'If Amazon isn't satisfying your needs, we're much more reasonable and will be glad to offer your products through our service' and Amazon finds itself high and dry and made of fail for their presumptuousness. Too bad it hurts the writers in the process. Well Jim, I bought three copies out of impatience, so that should cover two other people who had to cancel.

So, whadda we looking at here, now? Another week? A month? Six months? Never? While this may be out of Mr. Butcher's control, I gotta believe his agent can find out how it's going with the Amazon/Penguin negotiations. Do you guys ever feel like we're just simply voices in the wilderness?

Mike DeYoung, I must honestly say the kindle would be a great thing for soldiers.

the one i bought 4 months ago is sitting at the top of my book shelf collecting dust, to me it seemed to suck the enjoyment out of the book, i figured it would be nice to have a kindle considering i've read between 150-250 books a year since freshman year and still have time for work and sports.

Over the past month or so, I've purchased the entire Dresden Files on my Kindle, mainly for convenience (no wait from Amazon and no trip to the book store# and not having to store another book #I've got hundreds).

I already have most of them in paperback/hardcover, but I'm in the process of switching all my favorites over to Kindle. I don't buy paper books anymore.

To say that I'm disappointed that "Changes" isn't out in Kindle format is an understatement.

I seriously hope that they resolve the issue soon; the only thing they're doing is hurting their customers and thus themselves.

I check daily to see if the book is available on Kindle yet. I'm so disappointed. I hope Jim Butcher picks a better publisher. I too emailed the publisher and got the canned response. I wonder if the email complaints go any further than customer service. My guess is that the CEO never even sees them. He certainly doesn't respond to them. Must be nice to be so insulated from the ugly. I borrowed from the library but wanted it on my kindle. Unless it comes out that way I won't purchase it. No more room in my home.

Has anyone heard anything about how the negotiations are going? There doesn't seem to be any current posting on the network anywhere saying how much longer we have to wait...

Richard is one of those long lived scribes who was railing against Gutenberg and his "damnable press" back in 1440. Kindle is just another afront to his sensibilities.

Penguin is now being held up in the press as an example of a badly run company. Amazon is getting along fine with the other big five, Harper Collins is going out of their way to accomodate their e-readers with free stuff DAILY, while slightly raising their prices. Random House never signed the agency contract which is the heart of this problem and all of their releases are humming along. I really hope when Jim's contract is up, his agent shops around -- Penguin/Roc is not where he should be (IMHO).

Blasphemy? Thats the dumbest thing I ever heard. The Kindle is great for me as I to am in the Armed Forces. Kind of hard to take all my hardbacks with me when I'm deployed. Kindle and other ereaders allow me to enjoy my books.

The Kindle is so much more convenient than paper for those of us Soldiers who read constantly while deployed. Don't knock it til you try it. Thanks, Jim, for wonderful adventures that keep me sane during mine.

I consider reading the dresden files on the kindle/ebook or other such items to be blasphemy, just blasphemy in general to use a kindle or similer to read a book anyway

I'd like to second (or third) the comment on a paypal donation to Mr. Butcher be put on his website. In the last two weeks, I paid for the kindle editions of the complete Dresden files series (even after owning paperback or hardback copies of each of the books). It was both a convenient way to have them all available at once, and being partially disabled now looking through over 100 boxes of books was simply too daunting of a task. I eagerly anticipated the kindle edition.

Instead, I borrowed it from a friend. This way, neither Jim, the publisher, or amazon will make any money over these highhanded actions. The only person I feel sorry for here is Mr. Butcher. The rest should get a visit from fungus demons. In their pants. Hence my original comment - I'd be glad to give Jim some money for his creative work, but Penguin won't see a dime of my money at least.

Yep - I got the same response verbatim from Penguin and I posted it in this forum. Like I said, we're in the middle of a free trade battle.

I pre-ordered the Changes the day I ordered my Kindle. I have bought every Dresden book and because I live in a rural area looked forward to reading it the day it was released. I was told my order was canceled I took up there offer of a $9.99 hardback copy. the book shipped on the 9th and as of this time I still do not have it.

I actually got a response to my email to Penguin, but once again they just don't get it. Here is a quote from their e-mail:"Until we reach an agreement with them regarding our newly released eBooks - which we hope will be very soon - we want to assure you that the hardcover, trade paperback and mass market paperback editions of our books are currently available on Amazon.com, as well as in bookstores nationwide". Oh wait you mean it's available at bookstores? Quick let me run out and buy it. I'm sorry that publishers like Penguin are so far removed from reality.

I love the Dresden Files. I love my Kindle. I do not love how greedy company CEO's get away with treating customers so badly. I bought a Kindle for many reasons - no place to keep storing all of the books I read, larger print for my "old", tired eyes, convenience of having all my favorites at my fingertips when I travel. I will not buy the book first and then have to buy it for my Kindle. I'm not being silly or trying to punish anyone - I just don't have the money or the storage space to buy a book twice. I'll wait for Changes to come to Kindle - I have to, but I'm very disappointed in Penguin and Amazon. Shame on you for putting your loyal customers last instead of first where they belong.

I'm very upset that Changes is not available on Kindle. I thought that the Publisher might be "windowing" the book. The comments here seem to indicate otherwise. I am determined NOT to buy books that have been windowed. My plan is to get them from the library and then let the publisher know that, far from being compelled to buy the HC or wait, I read it for free. If this title is not being windowed, though, I'll buy it even after I get it from the library.

I agree with the suggestion above that JB should put a donation button on his page. I'd be glad to make a donation for a book that I read from the library so long as the money went to the author.

As Austin commented -- the Kindle (mobi) version with a clickable TOC is available at torrent sites -- Kick Ass Torrent is where I saw it.

The future is here and Penguin's worst nightmare -- simply if a product is not available at a reasonable price -- people "make do."

Again, I would suggest Jim's website have a button for "Donations" -- the donation button could be "we really like Jim's work," or, "Jim is a cool guy" donation. I would even suggest the donation be in the $10 range.

I am not advocating breaking a Federal law. But just like in Soviet times, when consumers couldn't get their 501's in Minsk through the state run stores, "people made do."

Dear Mr. Butcher,

I love your books, but I must echo the sentiments of other kindle users that could not get the download. It is so sad that publishers refuse to acknowledge that digital media will be an ongoing part of the arts. The music business tried to fight the same battle and lost.

Personally, I am very glad I was able to borrow this from a friend. I'd love to support you, but I just can't afford the cover price for hardback books.

Thank you for your wonderful characters!

Eva

Jim,
We're all Kindle users in my family. If this doesn't get resolved, ultimately we'll buy Changes in hardcover at Amazon or as (part of) an SFBC joiner's bundle, but we're really hoping that's not necessary.

Ebooks make reading much easier for my wife, who has trouble walking downstairs to the bookshelf (she's physically disabled), and for me (less weight in the backpack on the bus for the long commute to NYC).

I hope Amazon and Penguin pull their head out, because this is hurting both of them, and you. Not to mention us readers, who were looking forward to another excellent Harry yarn.

I wonder if it's Amazon being dumb. I say dumb because now I'm trying the Barnes and Noble app for my iPhone instead of the Kindle....

I purchased Changes for my Sony E-Reader on day 1. I honestly don't remeber how much I paid for it and truthfully I don't really care. I had no problems with the download and I just finished reading it. I only have one thing to say... I NEED to know what's happening next! I love your work (both Dresden Files and the Codex Alera) I look forward to the next novel (some would say impatiently) and the continuation of the story.

I bought the book for my Nook from Barnes & Noble, finished it, enjoyed it.

But I feel for you Kindle people, mostly because I was a VERY early adopter of ebooks. Anyone who's been reading the things for awhile knows the publishers cannot be trusted. They just can't. Prices are all over the place from ebook outlet to ebook outlet, most of them are set in stone by publishers. We get messed over on release dates, with publishers pushing them back further and further from the physical book. Publishers are very bad about changing prices after time passes, so we have instances where ebook formats are double the price of a paperback because the price of ebook format was set during the hardback cycle of the book. I have books I bought several years ago which I simply can't read any more, they are on a now defunct format(and a defunct retailer), so if i want to read them again I have to rebuy them.

Trust me, no one, absolutely no one, wishes more than me that the publishers would hurry up and take ebooks seriously as its own business model. But until publishers figure out its the only future that makes sense(who buys CDs anymore?), we paying customers are going to keep getting the short end.

E-reader.com (a Barnes and Noble company) has pulled ALL of Jim Butcher's books. I went to buy Changes from them- not caring about prices- and typed in his name and nothing came up. I know they had his books in the past because I have the entire Dresden Files series in the e-reader format. I can only assume what is happening with Amazon and Kindle is happening to all formats of the book.

I'll wait for the kindle edition without complaint. If I have to wait a bit, so be it. Both the Book and the Kindle are worth it. It's at the top of my list when it arrives, but I doubt I'll run out of things to read until then.

Keep writing Jim. I find myself anticipating the next book even as I read the final pages of the latest.

I wont buy it if its not on kindle...I love Jim's work...but I will stick to my guns here, I even have a friend who wants to lend me the book.
No kindle no money from me...I will not be jerked around by people who are so stupid they can't see the forest for the trees. Digital content is here now and its here to stay, to make me and all who feel like me wait for something that i enjoy so much is something that I will not soon forget.

Mr. Butcher,
I enjoy your books, and will purchase Changes once it becomes available on the Kindle. If it becomes available at the full hardcover price, I may wait until the price comes down. (Don't know if that means waiting until the softbound edition hits the street.) As the customer, I've preferred paperback as a format. Now I prefer the e-reader, both for it's price, and the actual physical format. (The ability to carry my library without a 40 pound pack.)
I've understood that hardback is where publishers make a ton of their money, so I've been grudgingly understanding and waited for the book to become available in my preferred format, for my preferred price, which used to be paperback. (Purchasing at hardbound prices would mean purchasing less than 1/2 the books, even today.)

Amazon and Penguin,
I realize that the whole e-book thing is new, and that there's bound to be some fighting before the whole price point thing is decided - and who gets to decide it.
One thing I'd like to point out to both of you. I'd be a paying customer right now, had I the choice to purchase it in my preferred format. It's dismaying to me that the very first thing I see in a search for this book in mobi is a link to torrent it for free.

I'm not doing that, I'll wait, but as a customer who purchases his works, I sometimes feel like a sucker. I wonder if publishers and rights holding companies "get it." This includes the MPAA, RIAA, games publishers, and now book and print publishers.

The Kindle - or choose your electronic format - version of this book is going to be locked down in some form of DRM. It has no physical media - which I realize is only about 10-20% of the cost of the book, but still. The hardback version of the book is an artificially high priced item, for those of us who are impatient for our author's books. (Some actually like hard bound books, I'm referring to us that would purchase soft bound, traditionally.) I have my credit card, right here, and I cannot pickup this work in the format I choose because of infighting.

Every time something like this happens, or I open up a work and the first thing I see, AFTER I've purchased it, is some big warning about unauthorized copies, or I see the work in one format but not the other - think blue ray vs HD DVD or Nook vs Kindle, I feel like I don't matter to the publishing companies. That I'm just some number to be pushed around until somebody "wins", but the whole time I lose, and I don't count.

And that damned torrent stares me in the face, taunting me because it won't come with any restrictions. If I want to switch to the Nook down the road, I'll be able to. I feel crushed that the people who want my money would treat me like this, and that the book and/or media I want is easier to get from the Pirates, and has less restrictions. I'll wait, but maybe it's time to start considering your paying customers rather than worrying about those who aren't paying for your content.

Frustrated,
Austin

Anyone fronting for Mr. Butcher have any new news on this ridiculous situation? Been a couple of days now....

Try typing "codex alera map" in the "Search News Items" box at the upper left of the page.

Can anyone tell me if a map exists for the Codex Alera series? and if so, where?

I pre-ordered it but didn't get a notice about it being postponed or cancelled. Hmmmm... Either way, I will read it eventually and it give me something to look forward to.

Because of my Kindle I had the pleasure of reading Dresden 1-11 one right after the other. The strange thing is that I really miss Harry! You'd think he was a friend that came to my house daily to visit and then stopped. :)

"Honestly, I think all of you who are talking about not buying it unless you get a kindle version are pretty ridiculous. It's disappointing to not get a story in an electronic format if you were really looking forward to it, but basically, you aren't punishing anyone but the author and yourself by "boycotting", it's not like Jim really gets much of a say once it goes to the publisher. It is an absolutely marvelous book. My husband and I bought it in audio format through Audible. We will probably also buy the hardcover in the very near future. If you like the series and enjoy the author, buy the book. In the final analysis, does it really matter what format it is in as long as you get to devour the story? "

I can hold my kindle in one hand and read while drinking tea, holding my husbands hand, or petting a dog. The Kindle is lightweight and takes uphardly any space. I find it uncomfortable to read a hard back book because they are heavy and cumbersome.

I know folks with Kindles (or any e-reader) who bought them because it means that they can increase the font size. This means that they don't have to buy books in big print that are more expensive and even more heavy. It means that there are more books available for them to read.

I know folks with Kindles who have problems with their wrists (arthritis, carple tunnle) who have been able to return to reading for long periods of times because the Kindle is light enough that they can hold it comfortably and they cannot comfortably hold a hard back book.

I know folks who travel a lot and have Kindles because they don't want to carry 8 books with them on a vacation.

Beyond that, if that is how I have choosen to read a book and I am willing to pay you for that book how does it make sense to deny me the oppertunity to by the e-book and cost your company, and the author, money?

The publishers fear that they are going to to lose money with e-books when they are not going to. They are trying to force an outdated marketing policy on a new technology and a frustrated that it is not working.

E-book readers want a lower price because we know that there are reduced costs associated with production and distribution. We don't own the physical book so we cannot sell it to a used book dealer and we are limited in how many people we can "lend" it to by the number of liscense that we purchase and by how many people we have on our account. So asking for a reduction in price is not unreasonable.

It sucks that Jim is hurt by this. It sucks that the consumer is hurt by this. I wish the Publishers would learn a lesson or 20 from the Music industry and figure out that e-books are not going to hurt their bottom line and stop screwing with the sutomer.

I noticed this morning that Changes is listed in Kindle format BUT not for customers in the US. Words fail to describe how annoyed that makes me so I'm sending penguin another email to question their policy.

Nah. We're into principles, now, not just getting one's hands on a particularly book. Penguin is absolutely using the popularity of this series to try to restrict free trade. Simple as that. Yes, I'm hurting myself and depriving myself of reading what probably is a great book. I'm not so worried about Mr. Butcher ... looking at what he has built around this series and the other - and I'm assuming he did it with lots of blood, sweat and tears, so don't get me wrong! - I'm sure he'll be okay, too. I just hope when it's time to renegotiate his contract with Penguin, he'll be able to squeeze them a little more because of this debacle. The Dresden series is my absolute FAVORITE anywhere - haven't enjoy anything as much since the Amber series (first books, of course - could have done without the Merlin follow-ons and the "authorized" Oberon crap) ... yet I am more than willing to stand by my own principles and opinions. This is terrible, and the publisher is evil and greedy. Simple as that. Don't stage a walkout in the middle of negotiations, and that's exactly what he's done - as if Penguin were one person, of course, which is a silly thought in it's own right! :=) And there ARE plenty of other fair books to keep my attention out there until this crap gets fixed.......

Ok chill everyone. I have a kindle and when I got the notice that Amazon had to REFUND (not cancel everyone) I just went to the store and got the hard-copy. It's to good a book and series not to. Of course I'll get it on Kindle when I can but I'm just glad the new book came out. Now I'm almost impatient to find out what happens next. If you want the book get the book it's well worth it trust me, if you only want the Kindle version then you'll just have to wait.

And right now, Amazon has Changes for $9.99 -- truly one of the best book deals around and an amazing proactive step.

But as a Kindle owner, I can see the frustration --Kindle is perceived as a threat by publishers and they want you to pay more, much more for electronic downloads which will fuel the "other" economy -- blackmarket pirate P2P. Not unlike during Soviet times where two economies existed side by side -- the "state" run (like our present publishers) and the "real" economy ("hey, I can get it cheaper at website www.....).

Commissar and CEO of Penguin John Makinson is scared to death of piracy, but is doing nothing proactive to help prevent it. He wants complete control of pricing and distribution through the agency model. He wants you to pay more. Much more. And if you don't....well, "let them eat cake."

Honestly, I think all of you who are talking about not buying it unless you get a kindle version are pretty ridiculous. It's disappointing to not get a story in an electronic format if you were really looking forward to it, but basically, you aren't punishing anyone but the author and yourself by "boycotting", it's not like Jim really gets much of a say once it goes to the publisher. It is an absolutely marvelous book. My husband and I bought it in audio format through Audible. We will probably also buy the hardcover in the very near future. If you like the series and enjoy the author, buy the book. In the final analysis, does it really matter what format it is in as long as you get to devour the story?

If this book does not come out for the kindle then i am sorry but you have lost a reader. I have to travel a lot for work and as they now charge for baggage i bought an Amazon KIndle. i currently have over 500 books on it and love that i can take it with me anywhere and not incure the $50 per pag fees from airlines when i need to bring some books with me. All i ask is that i can get the book on the kindle for the same price i would get it if i killed a tree and bought the hard cover from barnes and noble.

They are using Jim Butcher, because of his popularity, the publisher is pretty sure we're going to buy it anyway. Are they right? The fight over ereaders is just getting started and authors and readers are the ones who will get abused. I will not be buying this wonderful book until it is in a Kindle edition. Sorry, Jim.

You can now buy Changes for the nook. No Kindle love yet, but its a start.

While I'm waiting for Dresden, I've started the Calderon series and oh man!, now I'm really not getting any sleep! Thank you Shawn for introducing me to the world of Jim Butcher. Thank you Jim for a wonderful ride. Penguin, we need to talk.

Good thing I bought a hardcover too...

Someone ought to tell Penguin that they make nearly 100% profit off of ebooks, so they might consider quitting their whining. Or heck, maybe do a package deal, buy the hardcover, download the ebook for free. something, but this idiocy has to stop. Either way I'll own every Dresden Files book so it's not going to stop me.

Amazon is selling Changes hardcover at a loss -- everybody else seems to be at around $14 -- so Amazon is taking a $2.00 loss on each copy to makeup for lost market share because Penguin unilaterly pulled Changes. Selling at a loss is a common Amazon business tactic and has served them well and has gained them a HUGE loyal customer following. This might be the heart of the problem, however, the big 5 pubishers (Random House excepted) have always mistrusted Amazon's intentions when they sold Kindle Editions at a loss (for $9.99). The publisher's seem to feel the books sold were losing "perceived value" by making the reader think that ALL books should be no more than 9.99.

Changes is available through P2P sites in all formats. If you download from there, make certain Jim gets his cut. They could have a button on this website for "PayPal Donations" for those people who download EPUB pirated version for their Nook and MOBI for their Kindle. A quick google will find them.

Well, Amazon is selling the hardcover version for $9.99 now, so at least they're doing something.

Man that's really lame that Changes got caught between Amazon and Penguin.

Time to get a hardcover till the bickering ends.

Hope its as good is I've come to expect!!

Any developments here? I'm hoping that it's resolved by the weekend!

If you go to the Amazon page while NOT BEING LOGGED ON, you WILL see the Kindle version available for 11.99 (yes, more expensive than the hardcover).

Then when I try to buy it by logging on, I get "Due to copyright restrictions, the Kindle title you're trying to purchase is not available in your country (United States). "

This is ridiculous!

Borders doesn't have it in their eBook format (not sure if they have their own or use eReader on the Sony readers) either.

So has anyone seen any official word on what is up with B&N/eReader? Everybody's talking about Amazon, but B&N is getting a pass.

Also, curse you, Apple, for not releasing iBooks for the iPhone!

Finally, are the forums here hosed because of traffic? Pages are only loading about every 4th try, but the regular site is fine.

How disappointing. Penguin has until my library fills my request for the book to make Changes available on Kindle. If they do (at a reasonable price), I'll buy it.

If they don't, I borrow it. Sorry, Jim.

As to the recent post on what the publisher said, the publishers assertion seems to be "factually inaccurate". I have a Barnes and Noble Nook and as of 5 minutes ago Changes is not available either through the Barnes and Noble web site, or as searched content directly from the Nook. It's not just the Kindle edition.

I love the series, already bought a book via web for my son at college (typically I buy 2 because we both the love the series) but this confusion with the ebook is ridiculous.

Publisher says Kindle is the only ebook system for which Changes ISN'T available. Lucky us. Wow. This. Is. Just. HORRIBLE. While to everyone involved except the readers, it's just business - something to be dealth with after lunch, or tomorrow ... certainly neither Amazon nor Penguin are insisting on holding 24 hour a day seven day a week negotiating sessions I'm sure. Let's be clear, Kindle People. We. Don't. Count.

I whimper at the loss! Being stationed overseas means I rely HEAVILY on my Kindle for getting books on the day of release (aka the day I get my Fix and the withdrawal shakes finally subside).

Hopefully this gets resolved soon, in the meantime, I'm hoping MPS hurry hurry hurrys up! Changes, I neeeedses it! Pres-cioussssssss.....

Makes no sense to me - the new Patricia Briggs IS available on ebook (I use a nook) and Jim's book is not - same publishers.

Also very annoyed at this. The publishers' lame attempts to get us to pay more and buy the hardcover versions by delaying e-book releases are not going to work on me. I love this series, however until it's available for Kindle at a fair price they won't be getting any of my money. Guess I'll just read something else.

I don't think this is an Amazon issue: I received my iPad Sat morning (I also own a few Kindles..).

I went on the iBookstore and the ebook version of Changes was listed for pre-order for $9.99.

When I tried to pre-order it I was unable to complete the transaction. I re-tried this repeatedly all weekend and all day Monday, always with the same failure to complete the transaction. This morning "suddenly" I am able to purchase the ebook from the iBookStore except the price is now $12.99.

From long past experience as an Apple customer "Lowballing" and then jacking up the price afterward, is simply not Apple's way of doing business: if Apple wants to charge a excessively high price for an item, they just do it immediately and upfront because, to an Apple customer, Apple simply has no competition. Apple customers are not put off by price.

Only the publisher (who owns the copyrights and distribution rights) could force Apple to jack up the price like that.

I believe this is merely an example of publisher greed.

Attributing any conspiratorial motivation is giving the publisher credit for more intelligence and planning abilities than any publisher deserves.

Yet another "me too!"

I won't buy it until I can read it on my Kindle. I have no desire to carry around a heavy hardcover book on an airplane (esp for something that is a real quick read)...

I'd love to support Jim but he needs his publisher to wise up. Obviously (based on this thread), his reader's are on the leading edge of the ebook wave...

It's funny; I work for Pearson, a company in the same family as Penguin USA, and so could get Changes for a cut rate through the internal website.

Instead, though, I'm going to wait for the Kindle version.

Here's the response from the publisher (same day - props for that, at least). It was personalized, but I suspect it was pre-packaged:

Thank you for your feedback; it is important to us. We want you to know that our discussions with Amazon, a valuable retail partner, are ongoing. Until we reach an agreement with them regarding our newly released eBooks - which we hope will be very soon - we want to assure you that the hardcover, trade paperback and mass market paperback editions of our books are currently available on Amazon.com, as well as in bookstores nationwide. We would like you to know that, to date, Penguin Group (USA) has supported all eReading devices that are available to readers. The eBook editions of our newly released books are also available through a number of outlets, including Barnes and Noble.com, Sony, Kobo, eBooks.com, as well as through eReader applications on the iPhone, and in the iBookstore on the iPad. We value your readership and appreciate your support during this time. Thank you.

Penguin Group (USA)

my response was essentially - all well and good, but just get a reasonably priced version of this out on Kindle for Mr. Butcher's thousands of Kindle-based fans (who probably won't buy it any other way) NOW! So it goes.

Well this is kind of depressing, I had become sort of dependent on my kindle since there is no good bookstore in the vicinity of my campus... But no harm done except a little disappointment, I'll be ready to buy it the instant it comes out on Kindle.

Jim, I feel bad you're caught in the middle, however, I will not be buying this book until it is available in e-book format. I hope it gets resolved soon.

I really appreciate the effort to communicate here! Like everyone else, I'm really feeling in a bind. I would MUCH prefer the Kindle version of this book to the hardcover, and it's not available!! Any pressure you can put on the publisher would be much appreciated. Thanks to the great communication from authors like you, it's clear where the holdup is: with Penguin and other like-minded publishers. They'll be getting an email from me as well.

Concur. I sent a note to the publisher as well.

Hi folks,

I think the Kindle fiasco going on is ridiculous. I also emailed the publishing company. I would advise all the annoyed readers out there to do the same. It is going to get on someone's radar. And none of this "I'll pay the full price" crap from people on here. I understand the sentiment, but when you purchase an e-version of a book it costs the publishing company a fraction of the price. No printing costs, materials cost, no shipping costs, etc. etc.

If they start thinking we'll pay the same price for less then it will show up back on Kindle, for full price! That is probably what they are trying to negotiate! I would hate for them to screw everyone over and then get what they wanted. Just seems wrong.

The poor authors are the ones caught in the middle of this debacle, and Jim, I'm sorry you're one of them. I look forward to when Changes comes out on the Kindle and will purchase it then, as I no longer purchase paper books new--there's no room for them in my house, and I cannot read them without pain. The Kindle allowed me to buy and read 200+ books last year, all new, versus previous years where I bought perhaps 20 new and everything else used. Publishers need to realize that a lot of us never did buy new hardcovers in the first place; we either waited for the paperback release, bought it used, or borrowed it from a friend!

I've read in the sci-fi and mystery genres for my entire adult life, and I had never come across the Dresden books until someone on a Kindle forum recommended them. I ended up buying the entire series, one after another and read them within a few days. Had I found them on my own, I would almost certainly have picked them up one or two at a time from the local used store. How much money did the publishing industry make off my change in format? And what about the half dozen people since who've bought the books when I recommended them? Ebooks create net new readers who actually buy.

I'd rather an author whose work I love get paid for that work, and I'll exercise patience in waiting even longer for a book I've been waiting on all year rather than borrow or buy used. Once the ebook of Changes is available, it will be the next thing on my list to read!

Best regards, and hope this resolves itself quickly for your sake and that of other authors who have been impacted.

This bites. Jim thanks for the great books its too bad you can sel your ebooks directly. I'll be waiting for BN, eReader, or Fictionwise to get an eBook version. Has anyone notice how appropriate it is that Changes should be the title of the book caught up in all this nonsense.

Does ANYONE have any new information on this Kindle issue? I was hoping I'd never have to go to another bookstore again after buying my kindle, and now it looks like I'm once again thrust back into the stoneage...

apple ibooks is selling it for 12.99$ I broke down and bought it and read it last night

Thanks for the update... Guess I'll purchase a hardcover copy, disassemble it, scan it and convert it to mobi so I can read it on my Kindle. And here I was looking forward to reading it today :(

I can understand the publisher's feeling threatened by e-books. Unfortunately, in a digital age, once you release entertainment (books, movies, songs, etc.) to be viewed by the public, it can be viewed by any member of the public. In the case of books, e-book encryption can be hacked, print books can be scanned, or determined people can type the book out. The "agency model" is not going to prevent free illegal e-books from being available. What it is doing is alienating the people who want to BUY the books.

I WANT Jim to get paid (how else will he keep writing books! :-) I want the publishers to get paid so that they can keep finding great new authors and providing them with support and editing. I want the convenience of downloading the book on the same day that the physical book comes out and
I DON'T want to be price-gouged. (ie, I don't want to pay more than the going rate for the hardback for new releases or the softcover for older titles.)
From many of the comments here, I suspect I am not alone in my sentiments.

I realize that this is a last-ditch effort by the publishers to hold on to their control over supply. In the end, it looks like it may backfire. It just sucks that it has to come to a head over the release of a critical book in one of our favorite series!

OK, this is my last post -- I checked with my computer expert (my 15 year old nephew) regarding a suggestion Jim had made -- and yes, the bit torrent sites did have a "release" day for Changes and that occured last night. According to my nephew, there is one site that has Changes in epub, mobi (amazon kindle compatable), pdf, .rtf, LIT (Microsoft reader) and some others. Released by "Jove in France?" But anybody with a book scanner could format all of those if so interested.

In any event -- this is terrible! This is like robbing the creator of money owed. Are these sites going to be popular? Probably. The longer Penguin "negotiates," the more people will say "screw it....!" I guess if people do download from there, send Jim $20. I'm at a loss of what else to say.

Here is why I don't think it's Amazon's fault: They were advertising the $9.99 New Release/ Best Seller price at least 3 months before the Kindle ever shipped. If the publishers had a problem with the pricing structure they should have complained at that time. They let the pricing sit for OVER 2 YEARS and have just recently made it an issue.

I think that the only reason that this is happening now is that the publishers underestimated what the eventual demand for e-books was going to be. They were probably hoping that it would be a fad and go away, or end up being a very small portion of the market. And now that it's wildly popular they want their money.

PS - Any confirmation on the rumor that iBooks is selling Changes for $9.99?

Hmm. Lots of posts here. Lots of disgruntled readers. Maybe we should take some of this effort and indignation directly to Penguin and tell them exactly how myopic this fear of ereaders really is.

Mr Butcher,

Since the book is not available on the Kindle, I will not be purchasing Changes. Instead, I'll borrow a copy to read. If Penguin wants my business in the future they will have to provide content in the format I want it.

However, as a fan, I don't want to deprive you of any royalties you would have received. Is there a way that I can send the money I would have spent directly to you?

sorry, make that venting ... really shoud preview....

Yep, same here - don't care much about the price - I think it should be some amount lower than the printed hardcopy version, and a hair lower than a paperback, but no highway robbery please! Most upset about the slip in availability. MOST upset. UNBELIEVABLY upset, in fact - hence all my angsty vetting posts here......

You know the worst part about all of this is I'd happily pay 15 to pre-order and get a version on my nook. I'm not poor, I have no issue paying 15 bucks for a book, I think its a fair amount.

Instead however Amazon is to blame in this whole fiasco. Let consumers decide if something is too much. Don't try to strong arm a lower price that a publisher isn't willing to do.

As a Barnes and Noble nook customer I'd rather pay 15 but still be able to get my ebook version because regular books are irresponsible to purchase.

So why is it available at the Sony E-book store and not at Amazon for Kindle? Is it because Sony caved to the price requirement.

Two Words: Sony E-Reader....I downloaded CHANGES into my E-Reader last night through Audible. I've had this Reader for over a year and LOVE IT!

Unlike many I do not currently have the option of going and buying a hard cover or holding out for a Kindle. I'm currently living in a 3rd world country whose mail system mysteriously disappears any mail that isn't sent fedex and one book store that doesn't carry the latest books for several months and then the question is if they happened to stock the book you are looking for as they won't/can't order specific titles for you.

So for me not being able to get a hold of a kindle version means I can't read the book. Which is upsetting.

The whole ebook thing is just a fiasco. And yes, while there are two sides to every story, I am not just taking Amazon's. I've been researching the business sheets and other news outlets...and it just seems that the publishers, due to the 'Agency Model'...want to be the ones in charge of the actual selling price. Book stores could no longer be competive with each other by offering sales prices, etc..that differ from each other. The publisher will be monopolizing the price point. There will be no option for customers. Paper OR ebook I am guessing. Which is just CRAZY!!! When you sell the book to the re-seller...then you STOP having a say about how much they sell that for. YOU get the cost price...regardless. THEY re-sell at retail. Since when should publishers be able to designate what the Retailers sell the item for? They already get the cost price...the actual retail is none of their business. It's like Best Buy ordering 200 tvs from Sony....then Sony telling them they HAVE to sell them at $500 each...instead of $425 that Best Buy normally would. Where is the market competition for customers then if everyone HAS to sell it at the same dictated price?
The Agency Model is just wrong on sooooo many levels.

I'm sure we all understand that Jim would much prefer to have all of this resolved so his dedicated fans can get the book in whichever format they prefer.

This just means my boyfriend and I will have to fight over the hard copy.

Kindle?? I'm a Gutenberg fan. There's something about being able to flip back and forth through the pages. I have progressed to audiobook thought. James Marsters is great.

The author's the only one truly hurt by things like this. The rest of us are only inconvenienced.

Mr. Butcher, I certainly hope your publisher gets this resolved to your advantage and satisfaction. We buy your books in pairs - one each of hardback and Kindle. One's for sharing, and one's for dragging around the world airport to airport.

One can't but wonder why they don't release ebooks at the same time and at a comparable price (accounting for $1 or so in printing and distribution) as the hardbacks. After a few months, digital versions could be reduced in price to what the mass market paperbacks would be. Those of us who are eager to buy your work in multiple media generally don't mind paying the premium for instant gratification. Those who would rather wait can.

Personally all this mess is making me mad at the publishers. If I could buy direct from Jim and cut out the publishers I would do it in a heartbeat! I'd love to be able to send Jim my cash directly for his books. I bet he'd get a LOT more that way then the cut the publishers give him for his hard work.

I was just at the Apple store in Sherman Oaks, CA to play with an iPad -- just to check the rumor that iPad DID have Changes scheduled for release -- the test iPad I used had the iBook Ap on it, so I went to search "Jim Butcher" and lo and behold: Changes is scheduled to be released "on or around April 6" and the iPad price was "$9.99"! Now, maybe, the iPad I was testing did not "refresh" old info, but I was able to download a sample of Changes to it and the salesperson verified that I had downloaded it from Apple's iBook site. Interesting. Perhaps Apple doesn't know they arn't supposed to have the ebook version of it? If indeed the Apple iBook store does release it, and nobody else can (nook, kindle, etc.), what does that say? Amazon, nook, et al. there are some great lawyers out there. Penguin might be in for a little lawsuite. Certainly serves their insufferable CEO right.

I'm surprised that Penguin agreed to the Apple requirements. As a reader the IPAD is no better than a laptop. It is fine in the dark but how many hardcore readers want to read in the dark, that's a good way to ruin your eyes. What about sitting in a park or reading where there is a lot of light. You won't be able to even see the screen with the glare. So why are they treating the technology as the same as the E-Ink ebook readers. It just doesn't compare and the hardcore readers will realize this. We don't want the IPAD. Its just an overpriced, oversized I-Touch and its OS doesn't even match a lot of the Touch phones that are out there now. Now I'm even more annoyed that they are using it to affect my tracking of my favorite novels!!!!!

The email address for Penguin.

Couldn't hurt!

publishersoffice@us.penguingroup.com

I will happily wait for the digital release, but please ensure its also available through Barnes and Noble for the nook.

I was really looking forward to reading the new book--i finished what i was reading today so i could start it right after work tomorrow. I am disappointed i will have to wait and read something else. I won't buy the paper version anymore--i love my kindle. Publishers in general need to get over the ebook issues--i used to pass books around all the time. Now with the kindle, i can't, so i don't know why they are fussing over the price all things considered. I will faithfully wait--love everything you have written Jim--thanks!

To be clear, this is a result of the so-called "Agency" model. The idea is that the publisher will set prices, not the bookstores, for eBooks.

There are no copies of Changes available as eBooks, as far as I can tell, because Penguin is being heavy handed in their "negotiating" a new agreement with everyone.

What brought this on? Many things, but mostly the iPad and Apple's generous agreement with the publishers. They are going around and making sure no one else can sell a book for less than they do at the Apple store, which is higher than the $9.99 (spoiled) kindle users have come to expect.

Jim,

I'll buy your book as soon as I can get an ebook, as long is it is less than $50. Oh yeah, if it is $49, I'd prefer to pay you directly....

Edward

Jim can vote with his feet and not renew his contracts with Penguin. That's what lawyers are for. If you look at the vast Dresden empire - perhaps he could do it.

I will not purchase the hardback version. I will also boycott all of penguins books. Real shame though, Jim is my favorite author and i've been waiting for this book for awhile. Hopefully it will be released on the kindle.

Unfortunately I will not be buying the book until it becomes available on the Kindle. Even then, I wont be buying unless it is less than the current $9.99 hardcover price. I'll have to wait and borrow it from someone.

It's a shame authors are getting caught in the middle of this situation.

I absolutely love your Dresden series--my favorites. I'm so disappointed that Changes has gotten caught up between Penguin and Amazon. I have vision problems and will either have to wait for it on my Kindle DX or buy the hardcover and read a few pages every few hours. It's a shame these big corporations are so greedy and forget the loyal customers they are hurting. I'll definitely be emailing both companies with complaints.
Thanks, Jim, for all the great hours of reading you provide all your fans.

I buy both. Lately, the Kindle version allows me to read the book the day it's published while Amazon and UPS (who will not deliver after working hours, and refuse to leave the package at my door) take five+ days to deliver my hardback.
I depend on the Kindle. The product works, until today.
I wish I had been given more notice, so I could patronize other stores that can actually deliver a book on the day it's published.
Jim, thank you for publishing on the Kindle. I really appreciate your allowing your work to be published in this new and risky field.

I think this is all due to the publisher's greed. They want people to buy the hardcovers, more money. E-books are cheaper to produce, therefore we should pay less. i hope this is not a trend, I don't like it. E-books should be almost all profit. We also don't get to swap books or trade them in for cash or trade. I love my kindle, but hate all the politics involved in the amazon /publisher war. Love your books and have read every one. i will not buy the print version, even though amazon is selling it for 9.99. It's the principle. hope this is resolved soon.

The publishers are fighting for their lives, just like the newspapers are. The publisher's point of view is "we are saddled with this huge legacy infrastrucutre necessary to publish" i.e. editors, marketing, sales, talent recruitment, prospecting, printing for those that still do their own printing etc etc. They feel that the ebook sales threaten the legacy model because now a certain portion of hardback sales they would count on now go and purchase ebook versions and the channels (Amazon, B+N) rightfully expect to pay less for the e-copies because now the channel has taken on a portion of the legacy costs (advertising, point of sale delivery, channel development etc.) and saving the cost of the printed product.

The publishers absolutely are going to lose this battle. Look at record stores, CD sales etc in the days of itunes and Amazon MP3 downloads. They will hold their breath, kick, scream and berate, but ultimately the authors, like the artists, will learn that they control the power in this equation, and as contracts renew or expire, the authors will be able to exercise more power in the equation.

I have the third edition of my own book listed on Amazon in hardcopy. I also have it listed in the Kindle store. I can publish direct to Kindle with almost zero additional work, because I am not wrapped up in a publishing contract like I am sure Jim is, one he probalby signed years ago when Kindle was a gleam in someone's eye. I am lucky and have that freedom, now I get sales that just kind of show up, and I gladly take the $2.39 less per sale because I don't have printing and fulfillment costs.

As the cycle moves forward, more authors will realize what the music bands realized, that legacy development/delivery channels are no longer the only game in town. It will take a couple of years and some time for authors to either run out exisitng contracts or renegotiate.

In the meantime, we all get caught in the middle.

I just sent an email to Penguin via their website, not that I think it will do any good. I really don't know (or particularly care) who is ultimatly at fault in this situation it's just a pain in the backside to have to go through all of this again. And just for the record while the lower price for e-books is nice I have no problem paying more for them if it stops the publishers from throwing any more temper tantrums.

Like everyone else, I was terribly disappointed at the Amazon cancellation email. I've been reading Jim Butcher's books for years and years. Just to throw my two cents out there, I'll hold out for the Kindle version for a while and see what happens. I love the portability of my Kindle. I have this awful habit of walking around while I read, and this is much more fun with a Kindle than a big hardcover book. :o)

Like so many others, I was truly disappointed to learn the Kindle Edition of Changes had been pulled. I have the entire Dresden Files series on my Kindle. Since Amazon is selling the hardcover for a Kindle price ($9.99! Amazon's way of showing Penguin the middle finger???), I ordered it. I do collect books but my home is no longer big enough to hold them all. That's why I bought the Kindle. I've always found reading books on my Kindle to be a pleasant experience. I think the real villain in all this is Apple and their iPad. It's allowed publishers to gain leverage over book sellers. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it's sad when it affects the availability of an eagerly awaited title.

p.s. And who at Penguin can we contact to express our outrage?

thx.

Jim,

Get a new publisher please!

thx.

It is truly disappointing to hear that amazon and penguin are bickering this late in the release process. I was really hoping to start reading Changes on my kindle tonight, now I guess not.

I do hope they resolve their problems soon because I have been anxiously awaiting the new twists in the plot of this series and honestly I don't want to buy the book (not much of a collector).

I love all your books Jim, keep up the great work!

another disappointed Kindle reader here, I too won't reward the publisher by buying the print version at this time. i'm at a point where I will still go ahead and make my request at the library (we're #3 in queue for Changes# for new releases just because the publisher are being greedy #IMHO)

If the extra money was going straight to Jim maybe I'd feel differently

Sorry about the hassel, Jim. Although I love my Kindle, I bought the hardcover version because I have been anxioulsy awaiting the release of Changes! Please keep the stories coming, I can hardly wait to read about Harry's next adventure!!

Are there plans to make "Changes" available in an Adobe Reader (.pdf) format? I hope so, that way I can read it on my computer, which is much easier on my creaky old neck and shoulders than trying to read a standard book. I plan on buying the hardback anyway for my collection, but I'd rather not be in pain while I'm reading!

Nook version please. I would rather not carry another book along with my laptop/ereader.
Thanks!

Thanks for such a great series. I read all of my books on my kindle. This is the only one in the last year and a half that I planned on reading in hardcover. I pre-ordered the kindle on amazon just to start reading at midnight. I am a little disapointed that I can't. Please keep writing Dresden books. I liked the Codex Alera series but much prefer Dresden!

I get that it is not Jim's fault, but it is still very frustrating. Amazon and the publishers keep up these stupid fights and the consumers are the ones that suffer as we get caught in the middle. I was really looking forward to starting in on changes tonight. Guess not.

Didn't Amazon just go thru a big bruhaha with another publisher about the pricing for eBooks?
That publisher wanted to raise the pricing to around $15.00 instead of the $9.00 folks are used to.

I'm really sorry to hear that Jim's been caught in the crossfire. Unfortunately, I won't be purchasing the book until it's available on Kindle. It bugs me since i've been reading Jim's stuff since the beginning.

Maybe i'll just get the audiobook from audible instead.

it appears on ibooks thought I wonder if it is an issue there as well

Will it be available in the nook? I plan to buy both for collecting reasons, but I would prefer to read it on my nook if I could! Please let me know!

B&N uses the same format and readers as eReader. Some electronic titles can be found on B&N & eReader that aren't on Amazon, and vice-versa, but none have Changes. Older Dresden ebooks are still showing up as available on Amazon, but not B&N or eReader - which seems to have lost about half it's catalog. It looks like this is certain publishers pulling their ebooks from everywhere, not just Amazon.

I too will purchase the kindle version if made available. Jim was kind to send a personal note to my e-mail last week when I noticed the Amazon cancellation. He mentioned "There are two sides to every story. It seems you've heard Amazon's." Actually I have NOT heard Amazon's answer. But to make up for potential lost sales, they have lowered the hard copy price -- and losing about $2.00/copy by paying Penguins wholesale price out of pocket! At least SOMEBODY is looking out for Jim's financial interests, even though Penguin/Roc could care less

Very disappointed -- was perfectly willing to pay $12.60 or whatever for the Kindle version on release day. Now I won't be buying at all until this is straightened out. I am not buying fiction in paper format any more, no matter what. If I have to read a paper version, I will get it from the library.

It's a shame that authors can't work together to pressure publishers into acting reasonably when it comes to ebooks.

I've never seen a digital copy of changes listed on Barnes and Noble.com... even before this recent update. I thought that was a bit odd, anybody know anything about it?

This is disappointing to say the least I received my kindle in January and my first purchase was Storm Front. I have since purchased and read the entire Dresden series and the entire Codex Alera series and was seriously looking forward to Changes.
Jim keep up the great work, hope they can figure out a way to resolve this issue.

This is not an Amazon issue, this is a Publisher issue. Publishers are afraid of the growth of e-books and are trying to do what they can to force e-book users to buy the HC. Too bad, I would have paid $14.95 for the Kindle version on the day it was released, now I will wait until it is less then $10.00 to buy it. The publisher, and JIm, lose money because the Publisher is afraid of e-books. Sorry that Jim suffers due to his Publishers belief in an outdated marketing model.

Oh, this is soooo annoying. I wait anxiously for the day when authors can publish their own works to e-readers directly. It's coming but, like Changes, not dang soon enough!

Sorry to hear you have to put up with this, Jim. As much as I enjoy my kindle, Amazon can be a little monolithic to deal with!

I think I can find shelf space for another hardback. Well, another Jim Butcher hardback, anyway...

I'll be holding off on buying. I prefer the Kindle edition and if I switch and buy a hardcover then that rewards the publisher. Sorry Jim.

Well, that is strange because I got the book (the kindle version) Thursday morning (April 1).

It seems to be taken down from all Ebook stores. Ugg I have moved away from the paper medium and so have others like me. I know its not your fault jim.

I noticed yesterday all of Dresden File books were gone from www.eReader.com. In fact, searching for them by name and for "Jim Butcher" yielded no results, where the whole series had been online just the day before. I hope this gets resolved soon!

Will "Changes" be available via Barnes & Noble for the "Nook"?

Sorry to hear about the bickering, hope it all works out OK. Would love to have it on my Kindle, but I'm not adverse to getting the print version if necessary. Can't wait to get my hands on it either way :)

Thanks so much for the update; I was just coming here to find out if there was a problem.

I'm sorry your book got caught in the crossfire between Amazon and Penguin. I'll buy the real copy and send it to my sister when the Kindle version drops.

Looking forward as always to reading another Dresden Files!