tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post2417676188686392276..comments2024-03-09T12:39:14.950-08:00Comments on Sharing with Writers and Readers: Raff Ellis, Nation Weigh In on Book ProfitabilityCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-58927747143230853852010-07-21T20:28:09.822-07:002010-07-21T20:28:09.822-07:00Thanks, you two, for chiming in. Darcia, you won&#...Thanks, you two, for chiming in. Darcia, you won't get an argument for me. I've long taken Amazon's side--even though "and imperfect company." They also offer many benefits and opportunities for writers to promote their work, as long as they stay within their guidelines!<br />CarolynCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-34698093918427414072010-07-21T12:04:11.040-07:002010-07-21T12:04:11.040-07:00I'm going to go out on a limb here and say tha...I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that, for the most part, I don't agree with this viewpoint. That is not to say that I think Amazon is an angelic company. Like all others, they are out for profits. However, new authors have been out in the cold for many years. Agents don't want them and publishers won't take them on without a reputable agent. That's not new and has absolutely nothing to do with Amazon. In fact, that dilemma is exactly what led to the onslaught of self-published authors.<br /><br />With e-books, I think Amazon saw the trend happening and jumped on it. They are not strictly responsible for the free and 99 cent e-books. That is as much the independent authors - and small press and even some highly established authors - looking to get their work into as many hands as possible. And it's working. <br /><br />I'm an independent author and I sell more of my books on Kindle than in paperback or e-book on any other venue. The e-books cost us virtually nothing to make. (I'm referring to production costs.) And a large chunk of that retail price goes in the authors' pockets. I make more on a Kindle sale than a paperback sale. So I'm not one to complain about Amazon's tactics. Sure, there are some problems. There are and were also problems with Apple's iTunes but look what they've done for music. More independent musicians are able to establish a career now than ever before.<br /><br />Sorry about the rant. I will slink away now and prepare to be ripped apart for my dissention. :)Darcia Hellehttp://www.quietfurybooks.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-44340571672281035412010-07-21T04:50:25.213-07:002010-07-21T04:50:25.213-07:00Interesting article, Carolyn. I read the original ...Interesting article, Carolyn. I read the original on The Nation and it seems iPad is a very good thing--competition for Amazon.<br /><br />This is a tough topic, and seems like a huge problem. Consumers do want cheaper books, but obviously authors and publishers don't.<br /><br />Hopefully, with competition (and hopefully more companies will jump in the mix) authors and publishers will alternatives and won't be left blowing in the wind.Karen Cioffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492421057039326702noreply@blogger.com