tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250988928163509961.post7800827278136573533..comments2024-02-27T03:36:20.256-07:00Comments on Krista Van Dolzer: A Few Thoughts on the Ongoing Debate Between Hachette and AmazonKrista Van Dolzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830193414560232842noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250988928163509961.post-66227832807656400342014-07-09T09:35:30.659-06:002014-07-09T09:35:30.659-06:00Exactly, JeffO. And that's why, as Myrna point...Exactly, JeffO. And that's why, as Myrna pointed out, it's a misnomer to call Amazon a publisher (unless you're referring to one of their imprints). If you self-publish, they're not your publisher--YOU are. For that reason, it's also a misnomer to call the money they pay you a royalty (and it clouds the issue to refer to it that way).<br /><br />You know, Myrna, I hadn't even considered that one of the reasons independent booksellers might be doing better is because there are fewer of them. That's really sad (but probably true). To my knowledge, Mesquite hasn't had a bookstore for as long as we've lived here. We have to go to St. George if we want to buy books (but I don't think they have an independent bookstore, either).Krista Van Dolzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08830193414560232842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250988928163509961.post-26159888469906149662014-07-08T23:52:41.666-06:002014-07-08T23:52:41.666-06:00My thoughts on this are that Amazon isn't so m...My thoughts on this are that Amazon isn't so much a publisher as it is a bookseller. They have no right to take more money from the publishing company that paid the writer, editors, designers, artists, and publicists. <br /><br />Also, if independent bookstores are doing better, it's because so many of them have already gone out of business. We had one local bookstore. The owner told me more than once that she couldn't sell books for less than what Amazon sold them for, so she rarely sold books. She mostly sold piano books and candy and other stuff. Some of us bought books from her. She made most of her money by renting rooms in the building to other businesses. She closed her doors a couple of years ago. <br /><br />I don't believe that Amazon is evil, but I don't want them to control the book industry.Myrna Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13534358757278599925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250988928163509961.post-48605541924970587182014-07-03T17:51:19.558-06:002014-07-03T17:51:19.558-06:00Very reasoned post, Krista. One thing I find mysel...Very reasoned post, Krista. One thing I find myself wondering about with e-books is how much does it actually cost Amazon or Smashwords or anyone to host an e-book. How many copies of a $2.99 ebook--that they put no up front costs in in terms of design, royalties, etc.--do they have to sell to break even? Turn a profit? I'm guessing it's very few. Far less than what a trade publisher has to move to break even.JeffOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947660745120963286noreply@blogger.com