The latest trend in eBook pricing seems to be a model where publishers set their own retail prices. Google Books will be using this pricing model, and today Scribd announced that it’s doing the same.According to media reports, the book industry is concerned about Amazon’s practice of pricing best sellers at only $9.99. The new model give the publishers control over the retail pricing of eBooks. Simon & Schuster typically prices its eBooks at parity with latest print list price, but it will offer Scribd customers a discount of 20%.What do you think of this new pricing model? It does away with price competition between retailers since the publishers dictate retail prices. It allows publishers flexibility in maximizing their profit margins, but may not be in the best interests of eBook consumers.

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