
Now down to business. – Amazon/Goodreads.
I think everything worth saying about the acquisition of Goodreads by Amazon has already been said, but that is not going to stop me!
It is sad, and maybe a little worrying that the behemoth that controls most of our careers is now getting bigger and depriving us of a somewhat independent avenue through which to promote our wares. I think of myself as a free spirit. Self-employed (and probably unemployable), I struggle with marketing/writing/marketing/editing/marketing/formatting/marketing – and then maybe a little more marketing. But, in reality, I am (for a large part) an unpaid agent for Amazon.
I know there are other ways to sell books, but most of us direct our marketing activities to Amazon, because of the well-tried systems and the trust. Amazon control (in a very haphazard way) our pricing, our merchandising, and, therefore, to a very large extent our success.
On the good side, I do not see many signs of flagrant abuse of this monopoly – their profit share is fair, and they do try to ‘police’ reviews etc. to keep a level playing field. I suppose having a ‘benevolent dictator’ is better than some alternatives.
Where will they go next, I wonder? They are already directly into publishing, e-readers, and many other associated ventures. Perhaps what they need is to start buying up writers blogs, to more secure their share of the market. Maybe they need a regular flippant, but humorous mouthpiece to promote themselves. Something, say, written by a very new and inexperienced writer trying to make his way in the world.
Maybe just a start up blog, with weekly postings, book reviews and film critiques (just to keep things interesting) but with a growing following of well over 1,000 visitors a per day.
Oh, wait a minute, that sounds a bit like my blog, doesn’t it. Well let me tell you now. I would NEVER sell out to such a dictatorial, faceless monolith, unless, of course, they asked. And just in case they are interested – my email is – youmustbejoking@gstring.com. – don’t worry, I check my mail regularly.
I would be grateful if you could PLEASE make up for the one, misguided individual mentioned above who ‘unliked’ me and please go and like my page – www.facebook.com/arthurcrandonauthor .
Here are more furry funnies – I know it’s the only reason you visit my blog! All the best till next week – yours, very insecurely, Arthur.