Linked from Buzzfeed and I'm sorry, don't get me started, writers, why you should NOT be buying books at Amazon! They're trying to put publishers out of business and we don't need fewer publishers!!!
I love bookstores. Never bought from Amazon, and don't expect to. That's my view as a reader.
As a writer, though, there's only so much patience I'm prepared to invest in trying to get noticed by the traditional industry. When I decide I've had enough, Amazon, here I come. Does that make me a bad person?
Actually I'm glad you brought that up because I started thinking that as soon as I posted it (and went in the other room to watch something). On one hand, I hate Amazon for being the bully they are- putting publishers out of business. On the other hand if I self-publish, I would like to be able to sell my self-published novel through them- so perhaps I spoke too hastily but I won't take down what I said to see what others have to say but I will say here that I spoke too hastily. Cheers!
Amazon isn't the enemy, but I do hate to see wonderful bookstores close. The publishing model isn't working and hasn't done for many years. Amazon gives many writers - myself included - a platform. I think publishing houses need to rethink their strategy. The days of six/seven figure advances that don't pay back is over. There will be more mergers, better streamlining, and that will work its way down to bookstores. I miss my local Borders very much. I used to love browsing there in my lunchtime, however, books were priced at around $40. I could get four books for that, plus shipping, from Amazon. If I had the monetary resources, I would always buy from bookstores - but the majority of people don't. It is a shame, but it's life.
Well, I'm not sure I agree with you completely, Donna. Just thinking off the cuff here but here are some initial thoughts: I like the options that Amazon allows me as a writer in some ways, but it is still the Walmart of the publishing world. When they dictate pricing to authors and publishers it hurts us all. There is only so low one can go when pricing down a book. If you decide to give your book away in the short run based on the idea that eventually you will be able to sell other titles perhaps you are right OR perhaps the problem we will all run into will be like the music industry: nobody will want to pay for anything anymore. Why should they? There's always someone out there willing to give away their stuff.
I can't blame anyone for buying from Amazon when they couldn't get books any other way. I had books from mail order book clubs when I was a kid and that was the only way I could buy books. I Loved them!
Publishers were consolidating even before Amazon came along. I agree with Donna; publishers need to change the way they do business.
I spent many wonderful hours browsing bookstores, but Amazon and my Kindle offer me the ability to find books I can't get elsewhere, anytime, anywhere--even my own bathroom. ;) As a writer, I appreciate that Amazon and the other e-book distributors offer me the ability to sell my books in many different places and keep them up for years instead of returning them after six weeks. The chances of me eventually making a living writing books--my long-term dream--are much better with indie publishing than with traditional.
We're currently in a time of transition. Some valuable things, like physical bookstores, may get lost along the way, but I think in the long run, both readers and writers will benefit from the changes.
Try Abebooks! They have some awesome used bookstores that are locally owned reputable bookstores. I know of several here that do their online bookstore sales through there. I guarantee there will be titles there that Amazon won't have. And they can guarantee condition and whether it's a first edition which you CANNOT get on Amazon. I never buy used books on Amazon.
I'm not sure what the ebook fad is going to do to the reading world, but I am a bit worried, I had to say... especially for kids. And many of the elderly that come into the library with the Nook or Kindle that their kids just insist they try... OMG!
I worry about that, too. Especially with all the writers publishing on Amazon only. I'm worried we're trading in the Big 6 [OK, now Big 4] for the Big One.
I basically only buy music from Amazon, and even that I haven't done in ages now. I use Book Depository because bookstores here in Aus are seriously bank-breaking. But I've gone into a few lately and they are still busy! So that's a good sign I think.
I love bookstores. Never bought from Amazon, and don't expect to. That's my view as a reader.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, though, there's only so much patience I'm prepared to invest in trying to get noticed by the traditional industry. When I decide I've had enough, Amazon, here I come. Does that make me a bad person?
Actually I'm glad you brought that up because I started thinking that as soon as I posted it (and went in the other room to watch something). On one hand, I hate Amazon for being the bully they are- putting publishers out of business. On the other hand if I self-publish, I would like to be able to sell my self-published novel through them- so perhaps I spoke too hastily but I won't take down what I said to see what others have to say but I will say here that I spoke too hastily. Cheers!
DeleteAmazon isn't the enemy, but I do hate to see wonderful bookstores close. The publishing model isn't working and hasn't done for many years. Amazon gives many writers - myself included - a platform. I think publishing houses need to rethink their strategy. The days of six/seven figure advances that don't pay back is over. There will be more mergers, better streamlining, and that will work its way down to bookstores. I miss my local Borders very much. I used to love browsing there in my lunchtime, however, books were priced at around $40. I could get four books for that, plus shipping, from Amazon. If I had the monetary resources, I would always buy from bookstores - but the majority of people don't. It is a shame, but it's life.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not sure I agree with you completely, Donna. Just thinking off the cuff here but here are some initial thoughts: I like the options that Amazon allows me as a writer in some ways, but it is still the Walmart of the publishing world. When they dictate pricing to authors and publishers it hurts us all. There is only so low one can go when pricing down a book. If you decide to give your book away in the short run based on the idea that eventually you will be able to sell other titles perhaps you are right OR perhaps the problem we will all run into will be like the music industry: nobody will want to pay for anything anymore. Why should they? There's always someone out there willing to give away their stuff.
DeleteA bookstore with no toilets?
ReplyDeleteI love Amazon and am thankful for the chance to download English books onto my Kindle as they are hard to find in Sweden.
I can't blame anyone for buying from Amazon when they couldn't get books any other way. I had books from mail order book clubs when I was a kid and that was the only way I could buy books. I Loved them!
DeletePublishers were consolidating even before Amazon came along. I agree with Donna; publishers need to change the way they do business.
ReplyDeleteI spent many wonderful hours browsing bookstores, but Amazon and my Kindle offer me the ability to find books I can't get elsewhere, anytime, anywhere--even my own bathroom. ;) As a writer, I appreciate that Amazon and the other e-book distributors offer me the ability to sell my books in many different places and keep them up for years instead of returning them after six weeks. The chances of me eventually making a living writing books--my long-term dream--are much better with indie publishing than with traditional.
We're currently in a time of transition. Some valuable things, like physical bookstores, may get lost along the way, but I think in the long run, both readers and writers will benefit from the changes.
Try Abebooks! They have some awesome used bookstores that are locally owned reputable bookstores. I know of several here that do their online bookstore sales through there. I guarantee there will be titles there that Amazon won't have. And they can guarantee condition and whether it's a first edition which you CANNOT get on Amazon. I never buy used books on Amazon.
DeleteI'm not sure what the ebook fad is going to do to the reading world, but I am a bit worried, I had to say... especially for kids. And many of the elderly that come into the library with the Nook or Kindle that their kids just insist they try... OMG!
I love bookstores. It is where I'd go during lunch to find solace from my hectic job.
ReplyDeleteMe too Judie!
DeleteI never went into a Borders.
ReplyDeleteBorders in it's best days was great. Before it went out of business was very much like BnN
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI warned you, I delete spam
DeleteI worry about that, too. Especially with all the writers publishing on Amazon only. I'm worried we're trading in the Big 6 [OK, now Big 4] for the Big One.
ReplyDeleteI basically only buy music from Amazon, and even that I haven't done in ages now. I use Book Depository because bookstores here in Aus are seriously bank-breaking. But I've gone into a few lately and they are still busy! So that's a good sign I think.
ReplyDelete