Colbert Claims More people are getting screwed by Amazon's scorched earth tactics than in ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’”

The tiff between Amazon and book publisher Hachette continues to make waves, and everyone associated is getting vocal. Here’s a quick look at the situation: it all began when negations between internet biggie Amazon and Hatchette—owned by Hachette Livre, the largest publishing company in France, and the third largest trade and educational publisher in the world—went awry due to Amazon’s demand for price concessions from the publishing house. The subsequent controversy had grabbed a whole lotta eyeballs.

The authors involved seem to have taken clear sides; they are either staunchly on the side of Amazon or in full support of Hachette—what’s more interesting is how either powerhoouse is retaliating.

Once Hatchette refused price concessions, Amazon made its move. Hatchette’s publications saw their pre-order option saw removal, and certain authors have found themselves unlisted.  And there’s more! Forget Amazon’s usual discounts and be ready for lengthy delivery times. All of this will of course affect sales. If we peep into the data, for all American book sales, Amazon accounts for about half of them including e-book downloads.

Hachette’s not one to sit back either. They’ve taken to Twitter to reply on their official page. The response is blunt with equal sarcasm. So what are the actual effects on the publishing house as of now? There’s an obvious impact on the publishing outfit and its authors, but no official numbers have been released.

Hachette has got support by its authors, particularly notable public figures like Stephen Colbert and Scott Turow. Television personality and political comedian Colbert, who is the designated successor to David Letterman for hosting the Late Night Show poked fun at Amazon in hs show and presented his viewers with “I didn’t buy it on Amazon” stickers which can be downloaded from his book's website - a book that has been published by Hatchett. That, and he flipped the bird right to the internet powerhouse stating that "Because of Amazon’s scorched-earth tactics, More people are getting screwed than in ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’”.

Hachette Group USA is a division of French publishing house Hachette Livre which itself is a global media company’s subsidiary. Hachette is amongst the big five publishers in the USA.

The problem is the low price strategy habitual of Amazon, especially in regard to its thin margins. It seems the internet biggie anticipates the same from its suppliers.