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NEWS - TIPS -
INFORMATION
The latest updates on my
activities and information for aspiring writers and those interested in
the world of crime and mystery.
NEWS: Linda
Mickey Blog
It finally happened - I have a blog. Although
most people pushed me to blog for PR reasons, I finally started a blog
so I would have a place to discuss issues that affect writers. I
have many thoughts about the changes occurring in the publishing world
and my blog is the place to express my feelings. I enjoy writing
the essays. While they take as much work as writing Kyle, my blog
lets me examine changes in the publishing industry as they happen.
I hope you enjoy what you read. Please feel free
to leave comments.
http://lindamickey.blogspot.com.
See you
soon.
Amazon
- No More Mr. Nice Guy
In an a startling announcement, Amazon
flexed its marketplace muscle by announcing that it will
require Internet self-publishing companies like iUniverse
(my publisher) to use Amazon's printing company, Booksurge.
First – some background.
Print-on-demand is a print method
(Click to see photos of the equipment). Because books are
printed to order, there is no inventory. This is good for business
because inventory is costly - both to produce and maintain. POD is also
good for the environment. Fewer trees take a dive into books that will
eventually end up in a shredder. POD printing is a good thing.
Booksurge prints books
on demand and to order. It has a competitor named Lightning
Source. Lightning Source
is part of Ingram Group, a large book distributor that provides books to
book stores and other clients. Booksurge and Lightning Source are
the two primary POD printers.
From a
business perspective, I get what Amazon is trying to do.
Eventually, Amazon wants to print ALL books to order. No
inventory. No warehouses. Less payroll. POD is
definitely the future and Amazon is leading the way.
So
why is this a concern? My publisher
stopped using Booksurge several years ago because it produced poor quality books.
(For example - some of the copies of Greased Wheels had green pages that
matched the green cover.) Although Lightning Source may be more expensive, the product is
significantly better. The writing blogs are full of complaints
about Booksurge's quality. Amazon is forcing publishers to buy sub-standard
product. That is a disservice to my customer (and theirs) and I sure don't want
my fans complaining about the quality of the books they buy.
In
addition, this is clearly "restriction of trade." If my publisher
does not agree to Amazon's terms, Amazon will not allow me to sell
through them and that cuts off a major outlet for my work.
Undoubtedly
there will be lawsuits over this but those could take years to settle
and, in the meantime, my sales tumble. Unless the general public
knows what is happening, fans may think my books are no longer available
or that I've stopped writing.
Finally, this is disappointing on a personal level. I supported
Amazon because they stocked my first book when no one else would - even
though it meant less royalty for me. So no more Mr. Nice guy for
me either.
Until
the dust settles, I strongly
encourage everyone to shop elsewhere.
www.bn.com has the same $25 free shipping deal - give them a try.
Many people prefer them to Amazon.
Or try Powell's. They also receive rave reviews from their
customers and they have an extensive catalog.
Stay
tuned for more news.
.
This is Lektor, the model for the
search and rescue dog in Horse Power. Click on his picture to see
more photos of this amazing German Shepherd taken at field trials a year
ago. In more recent news, Lektor is now used to train the
trainers.
Please keep an eye on my
Events page for my future appearances.
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