You are the extreme exception to the rule. If you are as deep into academia as your experience might indicate then you should know that, and should be asking wh

You are the extreme exception to the rule. If you are as deep into academia as your experience might indicate then you should know that, and should be asking why other publishers and authors don’t play the game like you. Many, many basic textbooks for required courses sell for hundreds, and use one time use codes for access to required content online. Meaning that the book is useless for future students without paying an additional exorbitant fee. In other words, you aren’t the problem, and no one is pretending that you are. Alternatively, how much would your book cost if it wasn’t sold to a captive audience buying on debt… pretty rare to see a $50 business book off campus. I normally see them at the airport for $19.99. Maybe just be happy that you are selling to a market where the person making the purchasing decision (the profesor) isn’t the one that has to pay for the goods. What is the social impact of your business decisions?