I was thinking the same thing, but it should be more like "Buy now with instant delivery $more" and "Buy now, delivery in 12 months $less". Buyer buys and then

I was thinking the same thing, but it should be more like "Buy now with instant delivery $more" and "Buy now, delivery in 12 months $less". Buyer buys and then ebook is automatically synced to their device at the scheduled time. It would certainly go a long way to silence their critics. The only problem I see for publishers is they currently enjoy flexibility in their hardcover-to-paperback window. If a book is a blockbuster, I'm sure they extend the window. I suppose they could alter the delivery window on the cheap price, for customers that had not yet locked in the original delivery window and price. As far as the author's cut, it is time for authors to negotiate different contracts. In 5 years, perhaps less, their hardback bonus is going to be meaningless.