It’s interesting to see the ongoing back-and-forth between “one side or the other,” on this Amazon-vs-the World thing. Each side thinks they’re right, that they’re the only ones with the purchase of truth (pun intended). Fact is things aren’t perfect on either side, which gives existence to the mirrored position. There’s very little “black and white” anymore.
Oooh, Amazon’s taking over the world! It’s soooo scary!
Yeah, well, before Amazon, who had control of it, huh? Six guesses.
All I know is that there are writers out there–good ones, we’re not talking about those who still have a lot of work yet before getting into this conversation–looking for representation. And why are they getting turned away?
Projected that they can’t sell beyond a certain benchmark?
Because they don’t have ready made audiences.
They’re not immediate successes out of the fricking gate.
Anyone can be made into a success, it’s all about promotion. Spending a little quality time with those you feel are worth the effort and building a following through word of mouth (include all modes of technology, here, but it’s all the same thing, people!) I am still stunned and amazed at what I see being published and bought. I’ve recently come to the to point in my life where if it loses my interest, I stop reading. I used to be loyal to the book I bought and slogged through it, but I found myself forced-rep reading so many titles that simply were not well done, I decide–no more. Just as recently as two weeks ago, picked up a pseudo-brand namer, stuck with it some 70 pages, and it killed me. Extremely choppy writing that was completely jarring, and words that (sorry) went nowhere for me.
And I’m not a hard reader!
I’ll give most anyone a chance–I would’ve even continued reading had the story half interested me!
Thing is, all this polarization seems to be because of things like brick-and-mortar income versus Internet income. How if authors go to Amazon, they’re gonna “lose out.”
HOW???
These writers who go to Amazon (I’m bettin’) have gone elsewhere. I’m sure they went to Random House, Bantam, S&S, not to mention agents. I’m sure they fought every inch of the way across fields of broken (and poisoned!) glass–just like the rest of us.
And, whatdyaknow?
A publisher took them on!
Yes, a publisher!
Take out any modifier to “publisher,” and look at it from the writer’s point of view. Someone out there in Bookland decided to take a chance on them. Someone with clout. Wherewithal. Is hip to the Coming Things.
How do they lose?
Have you not heard of the Internet?
How instantly global it is?
Low overhead?
Lights always on?
All the success stories?
Oh, right…they don’t get an actual store to walk into. Don’t get pushed by traditional publishers and all their clout.
Bad press.
Have we all forgotten just how much “help” traditional publishers give authors?
The real problem here is not who authors are going to…it’s what’s happened to publishing. How it’s infected all that orbits it. Yes, there are people’s jobs at stake–but so are there at the author end of the spectrum. These big business people are simply doing what’s “best for them,” and yes, at the expense of everyone else. All those in the Big Box Stores do have their jobs at stake and they could find themselves out of a job, and that sucks…and I do feel for them…so I see their angst about the whole mess…but the unfortunate aspect of that is that they (right or wrong) weighed anchor at a port that maybe isn’t long for commerce.
I love books, love books stores, but if they end up drying up because those who run things won’t change, while other avenues for buying books continue to exist…well, it will be a sad world. And (apparently) I can’t save the world. Only my little space in it. All I can do is do the best I feel I can do–just like all the rest of us out there. Some are just more greedy, more rigid, more scared than the rest, and yes, some of those actually run things. And shit rolls downhill. So, if you’re attached to something whose days are numbered, maybe you should start looking elsewhere.
I don’t believe in End of World scenarios. I think we can all co-exist peacefully and in harmony. Call me full of shit, but I don’t really care. Those who complain without offering constructive suggestion–action!–have only themselves to blame.
Take responsibility for your actions!
If we all treat each other with respect and dignity, we can all prosper and go far. I am so fed up (if you couldn’t tell) with all this fricking finger pointing. Get over yourselves and do something right for a change.
Work with each other!
See the worth and value in each other’s business models. Grow and welcome positive change. Take chances. Make things better.
Just quit bitchin and moanin without action.