Quote:
Originally Posted by cstross
In practice, about 70% of the cover price of a book you buy in the shops is eaten by the distribution chain -- ....
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That fact brings up the question of why not build a new eDistChain like an open source Amazon type book portal.
I remember years ago buying a CD from mp3.com that had a very simple distribution system, 50/50 between author and the site.
Why can't writer associations come together to build their own site to be administired by a non-profit group? Build it and they will come type pattern. Both writers and readers will naturally come there to have a more direct relationship.
You can still pay editors and this site, but the main portion of the sale price would go to the authors. The site/NGO could organize a pool/marketplace of editors, artists, etc. for eBook preparation.
Then Amazon would loose its leverage as the main/big book portal. Not to mention old distribution chain would treat authors much better when they have alternatives.