CrimeFictionbook.com

A company called Stork Media is selling the print edition of my novel, Cleansing Eden: The Celebrity Murders, here on Barnes & Noble's website for $34.58.

Seem a little high?

It should. Amazon sells it for $14.95 here. That's the new, still-warm-from-the-press price.

So what gives with Stork Media selling it for $34.58? Is it a special edition? Unless you count being ripped off as "special," it's a pile of crap.

Stork Media's game is selling print books far higher than the MSRP. When someone falls for it, Stork orders a copy at the regular price and sends it to the customer. It pockets the difference.

I contacted Barnes & Noble about this shady business. I want that book off the site yesterday. BN's customer service told me to they're helpless:

"Your book is currently available on our website through our 3rd Party Marketplace Sellers. These are independent booksellers who set their own prices for used copies of many books. We do not have any say in their pricing, which may vary from the Suggested Retail Price set by the publisher."

I reminded BN it's not helpless as to what goes on its site. I also pointed out keeping Stork Media on its site is driving business to Amazon. I doubt anyone will care.

Guess I'll be at BN headquarters tomorrow, squatting in the offices. Set up a tent, light a gas stove and make myself comfortable. After all, BN is helpless to make me move.

I also left a damning "review" of the book warning people not to buy it. BN has yet to approve it. Maybe my mention of Amazon's lower (aka real) price has something to do with it. Again, you're not helping yourself, BN.

I'm not the only author to have a run-in with these shysters. After putting the word out on Facebook, several authors told similar stories. Stork even priced one book at $200.

I have a sinking feeling none of this is illegal. But it sure ain't right. Vote with your dollars. Never buy anything from Stork Media. The legit titles all have cover images (Stork doesn't bother with cover images, probably for copyright reasons).

If you have any questions about the legitimacy of my titles, don't hesitate to leave a comment here. I'll get right back to you.

-Ben