MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Amazon Signs Up Authors, Writing Publishers Out of Deal

stonetools · 10-19-2011, 06:49 PM

Agree with Kali . This talk of formats and DRM is stuff that only geeks care about and that the rest of world doesn't even comprehend.
Where I disagree is that it does represent significant competition for what is now the scarcest and valauble resource in the book industry-authorial talent.
In the brave new world of ebook publishing, anyone and everyone can put out a book. Unfortunately, most of that everyone has no talent, which means that there is an ocean of unsold crap sitting on Amazon's servers.
Amazon wants to move product and the only way to move product is to put out quality ebook product. For that , you need quality authors. Its better if that quality product is exclusive product too, giving you an advantage over competitors. Best of all is if you don't have to share any profits with those publishing houses.
For quality professional authors, this is win-win. More competition for them means more, and bigger advances. If Amazon is willing to pay a premium for exclusivity, that's fine too. (Contrary to MR mythology, authors really are interested in more money.)

Who may lose out is indie authors. If Amazon develops its own stable of established writers, it may be less willing to push indie authors. Simply by the way it publishes its rankings, it could de-emphasize the offerings of indie authors. Hopefully, this won't happen, but don't expect Amazon to do anyone any favors.

10-19-2011, 06:49 PM	#78
stonetools Wizard Posts: 2,016 Karma: 2838487 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Washington, DC Device: Ipad, IPhone	Agree with Kali . This talk of formats and DRM is stuff that only geeks care about and that the rest of world doesn't even comprehend. Where I disagree is that it does represent significant competition for what is now the scarcest and valauble resource in the book industry-authorial talent. In the brave new world of ebook publishing, anyone and everyone can put out a book. Unfortunately, most of that everyone has no talent, which means that there is an ocean of unsold crap sitting on Amazon's servers. Amazon wants to move product and the only way to move product is to put out quality ebook product. For that , you need quality authors. Its better if that quality product is exclusive product too, giving you an advantage over competitors. Best of all is if you don't have to share any profits with those publishing houses. For quality professional authors, this is win-win. More competition for them means more, and bigger advances. If Amazon is willing to pay a premium for exclusivity, that's fine too. (Contrary to MR mythology, authors really are interested in more money.) Who may lose out is indie authors. If Amazon develops its own stable of established writers, it may be less willing to push indie authors. Simply by the way it publishes its rankings, it could de-emphasize the offerings of indie authors. Hopefully, this won't happen, but don't expect Amazon to do anyone any favors. Last edited by stonetools; 10-19-2011 at 07:13 PM.