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I noticed what appears to be a couple of Black Library price increases for eBooks, at least for US $, and I am wondering whether anyone can confirm this.

First, it looks like omnibus eBooks have increased to $24. I thought they were previously (a few days ago?) around $16. Here is an example:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/honour-imperialis.html

In fact, that one is currently $12 on the iBooks store... half the price! I normally buy direct from BL to get DRM free and show my support, but I may have to make an exception.

Second, it also looks like most novellas are now $8 instead of $5. Here is an example:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/plagues-of-orath

I am pretty sure the first two books used to be $5, and indeed the third book (on the left) is still $5, at least at the time of this posting (see attached image). And indeed the price is "still" $5 at the iBooks store for these as well! I thought the iBooks and BL prices were kept in sync.

Unfortunately, I can't find any price history on Black Library books, so I can't confirm this, but the current iBooks discrepancy is telling... perhaps this is being rolled out gradually right now. Does anyone else remember?

What is bothersome about these price increases is that they have crossed a threshold for me: the original prices were OK (not great, but acceptable), but I feel these new prices really are too much for eBooks. Yes, I know they can charge whatever they want, but for me (personally) this is disappointing since I enjoy 40K fiction. I don't want to become a boiled frog, if you know the expression.

I have previously written on a similiar topic in the thread below. If you think there is a better place (in Dakkka Dakka or elsewhere) to discuss this sort of thing, let me know. Thanks!

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/600438.page

UPDATE: See further comments in the third post below.

An update: upon further investigation, it looks like "most" novels have experienced a significant price increase, with many of those DOUBLING in price.

A few examples:

Deathwatch: Xenos Hunters was $8 and is now $12.

Architect of Fate was $8 and is now $16, which is MORE than the physical book price of $13!

There is Only War (anthology) was $12 and is now $24, which is again more than the physical book price of $17.50!

Right now the iBooks prices have not changed, but I suspect that will happen very soon, as the direct and iBooks prices have previously been in sync.

 Dheneb wrote:
I was going to ask if you were accidentally looking at Australian prices (happens from time to time with GW) but those aren't Aus prices.

Good point... and I did double-check that to be sure. However, I neglected to mention that I was talking about US prices... I will update the original post. Thanks.

A quick anecdote... I had three short stories in my Black Library cart for $8.97... I went back to place the order and it had gone up to 13.97, more than 50% more for nothing.

It looks like what has happened is this:

Short stories now cost as much as novellas, $5.

Novellas now cost as much as novels, $8.

Novels now cost $12.

... except for Horus Heresy and Space Marine Battles at $16.
(looks to be that price for novels that include pictures)

Omnibus books now cost $24.

And remember that this is for the eBooks, which in some cases now cost more than their print versions.