tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post2526245817477289327..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Preston Amok, The Bookseller Sucks, Antitrust Redux*JA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-21689448922226606352014-11-29T12:16:41.390-06:002014-11-29T12:16:41.390-06:00Great GREAT Post, Joe.
Have to say though, whene...Great GREAT Post, Joe. <br /><br />Have to say though, whenever I read your blog, and most are so thought-provoking as well as entertaining - I often can't help thinking that your previous two trad publishing houses must be now kicking themselves for allowing a superb word-talent like you to slip away from them due to their own usual and shameful neglect of a good author.<br />Same with Barry and his "Green Garage Door" cover. <br />KICKING THEMSELVES ... LOL Gretta Curran Brownewww.grettacurranbrowne.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35256683884802080362014-11-25T14:38:05.959-06:002014-11-25T14:38:05.959-06:00Also it was so adorkable how Preston said that the...Also it was so adorkable how Preston said that they were working on this letter to the DOJ, and they were still working on it, and they'd continue working on it, so there!<br /><br />I'm sure the DOJ lawyers have cleared their desks, just waiting for that wonderful letter to arrive.Alyxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-50469108976814854782014-11-25T10:22:39.428-06:002014-11-25T10:22:39.428-06:00Coupla points: 1. I notice Preston et al are suspi...Coupla points: 1. I notice Preston et al are suspiciously silent about the *other* big heavy retailer where you can always find their books at a discount--Wal-Mart. And they were suspiciously silent about ten or fifteen years ago when the other other big heavy started munching up all the little booksellers around (B&N, who is now stumbling through the understudy role of David to Amazon's Goliath in the great play of ironic "What Goes Around, Comes Around").<br /><br />2.) Re: "Amazon is Teh_Ebil" - the arguments defending Amazon's behavior towards the end there creep into territory that many of us bystanders find uncomfortably hair-splitting. In the AMZ/HACH war, Hachette was fighting the wrong enemy in the wrong theater. <br /><br />But it drifts away from the purview of the battle to defend Amazon's structural weaknesses with an "everybody does it" argument. As 30/20 pointed out, AMZ's warehousing practices aren't monopolistic, or even that different from the acceptable norms. What most people find uncomfortable (and why Preston, et al, get legs with their arguments) is that those norms...are bad norms.<br /><br />For the purposes of this pie fight, those norms are irrelevant, because this is a fight about Amazon's status as the biggest platform on which to sell books. People are rightly upset and judgmental over the way Amazon gets an undue advantage thanks to the injustices of capitalism that allow it to receive incentives, perform tax sleight-of-hand, and get away with stingy labor practices. Those things should all be changed, and the most effective way to effect that change is to hold big players like Amazon to a higher standard with retail incentives, because imposing governmental standards of regulation just ain't working so well these days.Athena Graysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14664024252326650321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-16245694409708732912014-11-25T02:54:52.974-06:002014-11-25T02:54:52.974-06:00Thank you for the day-wasting to provide this.
I...Thank you for the day-wasting to provide this. <br /><br />I only was a journalism for ONE year ages ago, but even then, doing my weenie little local reporting for grades, I knew I had to interview folks on ALL SIDES of an issue, me and my little steno pad and questions. I could not just interview the side I liked or agreed with and go with that. Unless I wished to fail the class.<br /><br />And really, one can blog and be one-sided and a progagandist: just don't call it reporting. Call it blogging or op-ed or 'what I feel like saying today.' That's fine. No one cares. But as soon as a person takes on the mantle of reporter, I have expectations they will actually, you know, look into the matter and get some facts and not just settle into one little cozy blinkered corner with a half-drawn curtain.<br /><br />So, thanks, Joe. Really enjoyed the Q/A with Paul.Mirhttp://mirwriter.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1212474543540775442014-11-24T23:13:30.646-06:002014-11-24T23:13:30.646-06:00Thanks - I really just wanted to get that off my c...Thanks - I really just wanted to get that off my chest though. It's been extremely frustrating to me for quite a while. Occasionally I spout off on a topic like this in a comments section, but have no desire for it to be brought to any more attention than it is currently. I do hope some people will catch the gist of it (examine what is being fed to you and don't fall for the logical fallacies that riddle the news so much anymore), but it's merely an exercise in venting. It's easier to vent here, in a place that likes to examine arguments (aka fisking -- btw, thanks for doing that), than a place like... oh, say Gawker - a site that glamorizes rash decisions and mob mentalities. Going against the grain, backed by sound reason, is often met with sheer contempt and derision in places like that. So instead of the venting being therapeutic in a way, it ends up driving me nuts :) Thanks for the site, and I look forward to more reasoned point by point rebuttals. 30/20noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-6696178809909027002014-11-24T08:41:17.418-06:002014-11-24T08:41:17.418-06:0030/20 Who are you, and why didn't you sign you...30/20 Who are you, and why didn't you sign your name to that terrific, detailed comment?<br /><br />I'm tempted to add the whole thing to the end of my blog post, but I'd like to attribute it.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56823501091350323962014-11-24T08:30:01.090-06:002014-11-24T08:30:01.090-06:0030/20, that was an amazing analysis; great job.30/20, that was an amazing analysis; great job.Marcelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13951354231483245521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-28777529966980981162014-11-24T00:22:19.216-06:002014-11-24T00:22:19.216-06:00Most anti-trust analysts, by the way, think it'...Most anti-trust analysts, by the way, think it'd be premature for the feds to go after Amazon at this time. <br /><br />http://www.law360.com/articles/572854/amazon-the-1st-illegal-monopsonyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213221464811637407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-63342875644006752832014-11-24T00:20:52.533-06:002014-11-24T00:20:52.533-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213221464811637407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35303009981028999962014-11-23T23:56:30.502-06:002014-11-23T23:56:30.502-06:00"Monopsony is not part of antitrust law"..."Monopsony is not part of antitrust law" is not accurate. <br /><br />Maurice Stucke, a former Justice Department antitrust lawyer who is now a University of Tennessee professor: "It's not as much in the limelight as monopoly, but monopsony has always been part of the antitrust laws."<br /><br />There appears to be growing interest within the justice department towards monopsonies. <br /><br />http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/21/us-usa-comcast-monopsony-analysis-idUSBREA1K1VI20140221Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213221464811637407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89301378032975676142014-11-23T12:32:00.646-06:002014-11-23T12:32:00.646-06:00Overall, the stories of Amazon's warehouse con...Overall, the stories of Amazon's warehouse conditions seem to be filled with hyperbolic anecdotes devoid of context. The pieces of the stories that do appear factual don't appear unique. Moreover, many of the pieces attach negative connotations to otherwise normal job functions (like supervision being inherently oppressing et al).<br /><br />I guess after basically making the case for Amazon's working conditions appearing to be just about like anywhere else, the question comes up can it be better?<br /><br />I'd imagine so. But I'd also think that the government should dictate what's not acceptable. It's hard to imagine one company putting themselves at a disadvantage willingly. And it almost assuredly would not cascade to all its competitors unless there were regulations in place. Basically, it's a disservice to the public to focus on the symptom and neglect the cause. If you feel the wages paid at amazon are too low, then why in the world aren't we focusing on the much much lower minimum wage? If you feel that walking 11 miles per day is too much, then why have you stood around so long and let your mail carriers get abused? If you feel temporary jobs, by their nature are wrong, then why did it take Amazon's use of them to trigger your animosity? And when you're standing in line on Black Friday pissed that there aren't more cashiers, what's your solution?<br /><br />And finally, there are places where working conditions are awful. Most often they are abusing workers who aren't documented. This is a cause of concern. The companies that play by the rules often aren't the ones that have the egregious working conditions. Crying wolf about the fairly normal conditions at Amazon warehouses really does hurt the cause of the places where attention is needed. Instead of a "journalist" wasting their time so they can be click bait, do some real investigating and help the plight of those without a voice. And for god's sake, add some damn context!30/20noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-91599317536720409892014-11-23T12:31:37.382-06:002014-11-23T12:31:37.382-06:00A warehouse in PA got very hot one summer 4 years ...A warehouse in PA got very hot one summer 4 years or so ago. Amazon hired medical personnel to sit in the parking lot in case any workers got ill due to the heat, but they did not shut the warehouse down. At the time they didn't have air conditioning and relied instead on large fans. This has widely been reported on, to this day, and cited as a reason Amazon treats its employees poorly ('sweat shop conditions' is used often). What isn't reported on nearly as often is that they did put in air conditioning after that summer and do have climate controlled warehouses. (If the point of the original article was to compel them to change, then it worked. Actually, I don't know if the article compelled them as they did have other climate controlled warehouses, but regardless those conditions no longer exist.) So, of course that sounds bad. But what about other warehouse operations? Does Amazon handle it differently than other places? We don't really know. Again there was an anecdote about other warehouses opening up roll-up doors to cycle air, but really no context. In fact, try googling how many warehouses have air conditioning - you'll find a flood of these Amazon is awful articles but no context. I can't provide any more either. All I have is my own personal anecdotes from working in warehouses and never seeing air conditioning. You would, however, think that one out of the hundreds of news outlets that have put these pieces out would have looked into how many companies actually do have air conditioning and how they handle heat waves. Regardless, the fact that a/c is now used seems to get past many of the outlets that keep regurgitating this (looking at you Salon).<br /><br />Ok, so workers have to walk a mile an hour in climate controlled conditions. What else is awful? Their pay. According to reports we read their pay is terrible. Glassdoor, however, reports average warehouse associate pay is 12$ an hour. Looking at Target, they appear to average 9$ an hour. Walmart 9-10$, Safeway 10-12$, Kroger $7-10, Kohl's 9$ and so on. Moreover, often Amazon warehouses are in low population areas where the wage will go a little further. It certainly isn't a wonderful wage, but it is an unskilled entry level job we're referencing. Appears to be a slight bit better than their competitors. Ok, so they're paid ok - but their jobs aren't secure.<br /><br />That's another issue brought up, but unfortunately this often seems to be done in a vacuum as well. Where are the boycotts at every retailer in America when they hire temporary staff for the holidays? That's what they do. Holiday season sees them hiring a lot more temporary staff. Some get kept on, most get let go after the holidays. This isn't ideal, but it doesn't seem like anyone has found an acceptable solution to account for the bump in sales during the holidays. Well, robots will eventually replace the holiday surge in employment, but then we will be upset that we aren't hiring people temporarily. We will have to adapt for sure.<br /><br />The last thing I've read is about the impossible expectations they put on the workers. This is a fairly hard one to address as, again, there is no context. There are some very exaggerated claims out there, but nothing concrete. It does appear that they expect the workers to stay on task, but nothing has been shown to be unreasonable, that I've read. An article mentioned that you had to get permission to use the bathroom, but it failed to mention (later pointed out in the comments) that was because you're part of a production line and you can't simply abandon your post without it causing cascading issues.30/20noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86102972787228696512014-11-23T12:30:54.430-06:002014-11-23T12:30:54.430-06:00I think one of the biggest issues we have today is...I think one of the biggest issues we have today is the parroting of what we assume to be accurate reporting. <br /><br />Growing up I tended to side with very liberal causes (still do really) and take them at face value. If I didn't fully understand a situation, I would err on the side of the person who was persuasively telling me to err on their side because poor people or abuse et al. It <i>seemed</i> like the right side to be on. When I would hear a counter point it would either come from someone I'd been told was a moron (and thus would disregard as one) or it would be a bit over my head, and since it wasn't going to make me feel good to have my certainties proven wrong, I wouldn't spend the time to get educated on it. Not to mention it seems impossible, at times, to discern the truth... so you end up just going with what <i>feels</i> right. <br /><br />In the Amazon case, of course what feels right is the plight of the lowly workers. We wish everyone could live a rich and bountiful life. It's easy to blame a large corporation as the root of the problem. It's easy because we've become accustomed to the greed you see from many large corporations and indeed a lot of us tend to accept it without any afterthought. What we don't do, usually, is dissect it.<br /><br />As Joe pointed out, the first thing that comes to mind when reading any number of the stories on Amazon and its warehouses is the lack of context. You might get a random anecdotal quote along the lines of, 'this is the worst and I've worked in a lot of places'; however. it rarely, if ever, seems to be shown why. In my own experience, hyperbole seems to be an a popular fad nowadays and so, even if I shouldn't, I tend to disregard comments like that unless they're backed up. So what are the complaints?<br /><br />Workers have to walk a lot. Indeed there are some positions that are required to walk a lot. They stated possibly up to 11 miles a day. So is this detrimental? It appears to depend on the person (like anything). It certainly would be harder for someone who isn't used to walking much or is at an advanced age, but in a typical 8-10 hour shift, that only equates to a little over a mile an hour. A mile an hour is slow. Therefore, it's really about being on your feet for that period of time. Is this unique to an amazon warehouse position? Can we, off the top of our heads think of any other position that requires people to be on their feet for a workday? Yes. There are lots! Restaurant servers, postal workers, delivery men, security guards etc... Postal workers even have to walk outside, without climate controls! Which brings up the next issue, climate control. 30/20noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37171575826981329552014-11-23T04:47:49.945-06:002014-11-23T04:47:49.945-06:00Philip Jones said: "Of course, Joe, sorry, we...Philip Jones said: "Of course, Joe, sorry, we are all wrong, you are right. Let me call the Amazon PR for a comment right now . . . LOL"<br /><br />Interesting use of the word 'we' (<i>Argumentum ad populum</i>).<br /><br />I also noticed that Jones avoided saying whether he'd contacted Amazon for comments or not, even when he was asked directly.<br /><br />It's pretty much basic journalism to send an organisation or individual a draft of any piece that's being written about them for comment. Then, if they don't comment, that's what you say...<br /><br />Not commenting often puts you in a bad light, which is why most companies/people do try to get back with something, even if it's a 'not at liberty at this time etc etc'.<br /><br />If I was writing a critical piece on Amazon and they didn't respond to direct questions, I'd make a point of saying so.<br /><br />Reading Jones' comments, I very much doubt he bothered.SJArnotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09785848598933593600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5066526002777141622014-11-22T18:06:22.363-06:002014-11-22T18:06:22.363-06:00I worked in the distribution, wholesale and retail...I worked in the distribution, wholesale and retail sides of the book business for years. Low wages, horrific working conditions in the warehouses, often without proper heating and cooling or air circulation systems to remove the paper dust.<br /><br />I'm not saying this gets Amazon off the hook for the way it exploits its workers. Two wrongs don't make a right. Just saying that anyone who thinks things are better for workers on the paper side of the biz are ignorant of how the publishing industry actually operates.Lin Shermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829725401975097338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3007217384440841302014-11-22T12:50:02.743-06:002014-11-22T12:50:02.743-06:00Joe, I haven't seen an undressing that gloriou...<br /><i>Joe, I haven't seen an undressing that glorious since back the day, when my bitter, old ex-wife was my young, new girlfriend. That was an old school waxing.</i><br /><br />Anon: you have a new admirer. This is priceless.<br /><br />Joe: incredible. But you usually are. Thanks again.John Ellsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10253978941460283164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-29331116085114706822014-11-22T08:50:27.180-06:002014-11-22T08:50:27.180-06:00With regards to articles on Amazon and publishing,...With regards to articles on Amazon and publishing, the ignorance of those put in positions to objectively inform the masses is breathtaking.<br /><br />Joe, I haven't seen an undressing that glorious since back the day, when my bitter, old ex-wife was my young, new girlfriend. That was an old school waxing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-59729405636680084972014-11-22T00:04:42.965-06:002014-11-22T00:04:42.965-06:00Mr. Konrath, I’ve been following your blog for abo...Mr. Konrath, I’ve been following your blog for about three years now, and in that time, this may just be the finest post you’ve written. Bravo, kudos, and thanks!<br /><br />(No, I won’t call you Joe. In the first place, I don’t know you, and in the second place, to quote an old candy bar commercial: ‘When you’re this big, they call you Mister.’)Tom Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16067031472666752839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40892254149989036072014-11-21T23:16:16.971-06:002014-11-21T23:16:16.971-06:00Time for Preston to place another strongly worded ...Time for Preston to place another strongly worded ad in the NYT. Terrence OBrienhttp://www.obrienterrence.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18158829804909794462014-11-21T05:22:09.882-06:002014-11-21T05:22:09.882-06:00I think Joe Louis just knocked out Schmelling. Tha...I think Joe Louis just knocked out Schmelling. Thanks much for this. I like starting the day with a dose of common sense.Curious Taxpayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18119789890732463393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-667893972558853352014-11-20T23:10:51.361-06:002014-11-20T23:10:51.361-06:00Joe, Hachette authors would be too afraid to start...Joe, Hachette authors would be too afraid to start a class action lawsuit because they would rightly fear retaliation from the publisher. I would think a selfless, civic minded person with authors best interests at heart would be able to get the ball rolling though.<br />Hachette authors have definitely been harmed financially.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81926141318185425692014-11-20T15:54:53.695-06:002014-11-20T15:54:53.695-06:00"Paul: My takeway has been taken away by Hugh..."Paul: My takeway has been taken away by Hugh Howey": that made me smile. :) Alan Spadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12265515535005420739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-58275274726135400462014-11-20T15:49:27.416-06:002014-11-20T15:49:27.416-06:00Not directly related, but I would strongly advise ...Not directly related, but I would strongly advise against anyone giving their email address to The Bookseller. They will spam you unmercifully, and their "unsubscribe link" does nothing.<br /><br />For a long time it was just an occasional annoyance, but lately it's turned into a daily deal. I had to set up a filter to send those messages directly to the trash.Tony Hurshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02688150421056906351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-70138003798022580272014-11-20T15:49:03.681-06:002014-11-20T15:49:03.681-06:00Dear Joe,
I don't comment here often, but HOL...Dear Joe,<br /><br />I don't comment here often, but HOLY CRAP! What a read. Thank you. JRMurdockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03380300117103214885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35478988428633713772014-11-20T15:42:23.944-06:002014-11-20T15:42:23.944-06:00What it all comes down to is trad pubbed authors a...What it all comes down to is trad pubbed authors are upset that indie authors now have the same shelf space on Amazon they do. And indies are selling books. Trad authors are no longer privileged in this publishing game. There's nothing speshal about them being picked by a trad publisher as the best anymore. Now it's readers who chose their own favourite authors direct.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com