This article from The Atlantic does a good job laying out the Amazon vs. Hachette dispute. If you love books as much as I do, please read. Ive been following this story closely since it broke a couple weeks ago. None of the major players is without blame, including Big 5 Publishers, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and others. The ones getting hurt the most right now are readers and authors, especially traditionally published authors (including many of my favorites like Maria Semple, David Sedaris, and Dave Cullen). Things have already been shifting in the publishing world in a big way the past decade. My hope is that the major players current hijinks —however painful at the moment—will ultimately result in positive changes in the publishing industry, allowing readers to more easily connect with and support their favorite authors and allowing authors to earn a better living from their work. My advice to both readers and authors: diversify. Readers, diversify the places where you buy your books. Im not saying dont buy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble—Amazon has been great for both readers and authors, especially independent authors. Im just saying buy your books from a variety of places to include your local independent bookstore (assuming theres one left in your town). Authors, diversify the means by which you distribute your work. If youre an independent author, sell your books through as many online retailers as possible, not just Amazon. If you want to be traditionally published, try going with a variety of publishers, including some of the small- to medium-size independent presses known for treating their authors equitably.
Posted on: Fri, 30 May 2014 21:31:11 +0000
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