tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post7097972319023257492..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: My Thoughts on the Amazon DebateJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46219628091953994952015-03-13T15:21:57.845-05:002015-03-13T15:21:57.845-05:00I can't believe this is actually a debate. No,...I can't believe this is actually a debate. No, Amazon is not our friend. And no, publishers are not our friend. Both want our money, and if they could get that by putting us in chains and beating up with rubber chickens, they'd do that instead.<br /><br />Watching this was like watching: "Whose our friend, Darth Vader or Boba Fett?"<br /><br />Well Darth Vader cared about educating his son (in the ways of the darkside).<br /><br />Well Boba Fett donated his genes to science!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00828984619591897291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-16146460523287659332015-03-05T19:07:35.871-06:002015-03-05T19:07:35.871-06:00Given that the media tends to simply transcribe Tu...Given that the media tends to simply transcribe Turow's comments about Amazon without questioning his assumptions, let alone rebutting him, I was keen to see an actual debate. I have found his statements about Amazon (and publishing) to be consistently illogical and fallacious, but since he's a very experienced writer and was a successful lawyer (a profession in which arguing your point is a very important skill), I thought it possible he'd make a better impression in a debate format. Instead, he made a worse one. <br /><br />I had never before heard of Franklin Foer, and I thought, if anything, he made an even worse impression than Turow. <br /><br />Given that they are both accomplished, successful men, I was surprised--to put it with bald honesty--by how unintelligent they seemed here. Their comments were very poorly reasoned and poorly informed. Foer, in particular, said a number of things that were so absurd, I laughed out loud. Both of them said things so skewed and untrue that I talked back to the screen. They kept stating fantasy, supposition, and fabrication as if it were fact. They deceptively parsed your and Yglesias' comments several times to "make" their argument and ignored the corrections voiced about this. And their arguments were based in emotion rather than information--and the emotion was fear.<br /><br />I had also never heard of Matthew Yglesias. By contrast to Foer and Turow, he made such a good impression that I immediately bought his book (on Amazon), interested in reading his work. He came across as logical, informed, clear-thinking, articulate, civil, and well reasoned.Laura Resnickhttp://www.lauraresnick.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32036839401883334422015-02-24T22:25:38.171-06:002015-02-24T22:25:38.171-06:00A coincidence that Turow looks a bit like Voldemor...A coincidence that Turow looks a bit like Voldemort? I think not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77662685945954660882015-02-24T20:27:38.102-06:002015-02-24T20:27:38.102-06:00Nice to see you back, Joe!Nice to see you back, Joe!Craig Hansenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16087185187054536025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82414130120634123862015-02-24T15:25:16.339-06:002015-02-24T15:25:16.339-06:00Joe,
As someone who works in helping indie author...Joe,<br /><br />As someone who works in helping indie authors with publicity, I'm behind your stance of 'Amazon is the reader's friend' 110%.<br /><br />Great talk.<br /><br />Best,<br />Mickie Kennedy<br />eReleasesMickie Kennedyhttp://www.ereleases.com/hello.html?a=76noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41400541189148053172015-02-24T12:42:20.328-06:002015-02-24T12:42:20.328-06:00And as more writers learn this, my opinion will be...<i>And as more writers learn this, my opinion will be less valuable.</i><br /><br />I disagree with this completely, Joe. You are the voice of wisdom in the publishing world, be it traditional or independent. And, as such, your opinion is always going to be valued and valuable. Never doubt that.<br /><br />Don't MAKE me come up there...LOLT. M. Bilderbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10543827916764604918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-12308159845597825022015-02-24T11:39:09.990-06:002015-02-24T11:39:09.990-06:00Thanks all for the kind words. But not for the Art...Thanks all for the kind words. But not for the Artie Lang comment.<br /><br /><i>I was afraid you had decided it wasn't worth arguing about any more... because self-publishing has "won" in the sense that it's at least accepted as a reasonable (not desperate, not for losers) route to take.</i><br /><br />You're right, Patrice. I don't need to argue it anymore, because even though my opponents still command the media limelight, they're on the defensive.<br /><br />Self pubbing needs no defense. Legacy publishing does. And as more writers learn this, my opinion will be less valuable.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-17091100551848101472015-02-24T03:39:56.032-06:002015-02-24T03:39:56.032-06:00Wow! You have great charisma, Joe. I was enthralle...Wow! You have great charisma, Joe. I was enthralled.Iain Rob Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14840984365803973410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-91136702071368796852015-02-23T19:08:00.078-06:002015-02-23T19:08:00.078-06:00Glad to have you back, Joe! I was afraid you had ...Glad to have you back, Joe! I was afraid you had decided it wasn't worth arguing about any more... because self-publishing has "won" in the sense that it's at least accepted as a reasonable (not desperate, not for losers) route to take.<br /><br />Thanks for all you have done and continue to do. I'm a best-selling indie author in part because of you. Patrice Fitzgeraldhttp://www.patricefitzgerald.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82118315611199376892015-02-23T12:39:12.810-06:002015-02-23T12:39:12.810-06:00Oh, I don't know: friend, shmend; all I know i...Oh, I don't know: friend, shmend; all I know is I fucking enjoyed that debate more than - who am I kidding? I've never succeeded in coming to the end of 'any other debate I've ever attempted to follow'. <br /><br />It's made me 'follow/friend' you - and Turow, too (I've read his books but not yours, I'm afraid. I've heard of you, though.) The whole ethos of the internet as writers and readers use it, thus makes you both winners. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33554430072604631442015-02-23T11:27:35.271-06:002015-02-23T11:27:35.271-06:00I might be crazy, but that Kindle Worlds link was ...I might be crazy, but that Kindle Worlds link was working on your web site last week or the week before. I read all about the rules for writing in the JD and other universes of yours. Wonder what you are tweaking now or if it should not have been active yet?William J. Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03363006166880987871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2686036578189411962015-02-23T08:33:42.360-06:002015-02-23T08:33:42.360-06:00There was also a few instance where Scott Turow me...There was also a few instance where Scott Turow mentioned said: "In THAT instance, yes, Amazon is the reader's friend."<br /><br />One of these instance was following a question form the audience, asking if Amazon was the reader's friend when you finish a book at the beach and want to start another book from the same author right away.<br /><br />This exemple can be broaden to any other similar situation. You're in the subway, stuck with the family for Thanksgiving, on your lunch break, etc. Basically, any situation where there is not a bookstore right next to you, that also happens to sell the book you are looking for. I don't know about you guys, but I rarely find myself next to a bookstore when I finish a book.<br /><br />So my question to M. Turow is: when exactly is Amazon NOT the reader's friend?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09819782692436845818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-75627633819410580132015-02-23T08:28:49.182-06:002015-02-23T08:28:49.182-06:00Welcome back Joe. I really enjoyed watching the de...Welcome back Joe. I really enjoyed watching the debate and I'd actually like to see more in the future.<br /><br />One point that I feel was left answered is Franklin's remark and Amazon's search function and how the first results displayed are usually those who paid the highest for this spot. Now, I don't know id they really do that, but assuming Franklin's right and they are, then Amazon is no different than any other retail store in America, including bookstores.<br /><br />Most grocery stores now get a large portion of their profit from selling shelf space. How high you want your product displayed determines how much you pay, with either a plain check or an extra discount. There's a premium for aisle ends and spots near the cash registers. Same goes for drugstores and large "depot" type stores.<br /><br />Bookstores are no different. Here in Quebec, there is a chain that introduce a program where they place a heart sticker on books they "love". Of course, the sticker goes on books for which the distributor or the publishing house paid a fee. It's their version of "aisle end" or premium spot.<br /><br />So in that regards, Amazon is no less the readers friend than anyone else.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09819782692436845818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45819743833749878672015-02-23T08:19:41.268-06:002015-02-23T08:19:41.268-06:00You look like Artie Lange.You look like Artie Lange.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-71747620209973250682015-02-23T06:32:16.358-06:002015-02-23T06:32:16.358-06:00Welcome back. I'll bet you got a lot of writin...Welcome back. I'll bet you got a lot of writing done.Luke 2Feathersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23490115242149973502015-02-23T05:46:20.494-06:002015-02-23T05:46:20.494-06:00"And Alan Spade's link earlier didn't..."And Alan Spade's link earlier didn't go to Scott Nicholson's blog but to Nick Stephenson's."<br /><br />Sorry for the confusion. Yes, it's Nick Stephenson's blog ( http://noorosha.com/why-exclusivity-is-bad/ )<br /><br />I'm glad someone noticed, though. :) Alan Spadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12265515535005420739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-80606668728644109602015-02-22T22:49:49.719-06:002015-02-22T22:49:49.719-06:00I missed you.I missed you.Meb Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03429690082160319693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18472911083908511722015-02-22T21:05:43.416-06:002015-02-22T21:05:43.416-06:00I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Thanks, Joe. I made the switch from trad pub to KDP soon after starting to read your blog. Since setting out on my own — with enormous help from my multi-talented wife — I've never had so much fun writing.<br /><br />The money hasn't been bad either, six-plus figures the past two years.Joe Flynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17862186143599173970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41305822699923010872015-02-22T17:43:25.410-06:002015-02-22T17:43:25.410-06:00The debate focused on economic power, but I'm ...The debate focused on economic power, but I'm also concerned with power over our culture. New York gatekeepers controlling what gets published is as bad as the old cartel that controlled what we were allowed to hear and see on mainstream media news. Amazon allows the freedom to publish all political opinions, not just New York elitist opinions. That's the real reason liberals are getting upset about the power of Amazon, but it's not being discussed.Walter Knighthttp://www.waltknight.yolasite.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43759740192572140742015-02-22T13:50:47.939-06:002015-02-22T13:50:47.939-06:00It's the fourth link at the top - Kindle World...It's the fourth link at the top - Kindle Worlds. So, I guess it will have to do with writers being able to create fiction with Joe's characters. Something like that.Judithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06672355010954168902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-25083611807516482002015-02-22T12:43:15.462-06:002015-02-22T12:43:15.462-06:00Damn me if I can find the link on the sidebar that...Damn me if I can find the link on the sidebar that gives me even a HINT of what you are up to now! But my curiosity is buzzing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17770281857128121625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35306486846906956152015-02-22T12:28:21.815-06:002015-02-22T12:28:21.815-06:00I am intrigued by what you might be cooking up. An...I am intrigued by what you might be cooking up. Any idea of a launch date, or do we all have to just keep checking for when the new links go live?Nirmalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14620667876235314509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77004362768882278932015-02-22T11:14:47.403-06:002015-02-22T11:14:47.403-06:00Whenever your blog goes dark for more than a week ...Whenever your blog goes dark for more than a week or two, I imagine you gagged and duct-taped to a chair in the basement of one of the Big 5 headquarters. Good to have you back.Ron Edisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05392160540477876501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-6496997689536431522015-02-22T11:00:58.160-06:002015-02-22T11:00:58.160-06:00Enjoyed the whole debate. I can't believe how ...Enjoyed the whole debate. I can't believe how quickly and respectfully done. Kudos for capitalism. Think there's a lot of jealousy cause amazon knows how to position themselves. Glad you and Yglesias tried to keep the debate on point. Maybe that crowd was not the beer drinking wife joking type with a sense of humor so you lost a few points? I had to admit I chuckled at your earthy presentation. Thanx.J.Q. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04710790553616621103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11053939074616345512015-02-22T10:41:34.061-06:002015-02-22T10:41:34.061-06:00My typing skills in the morning aren't much be...My typing skills in the morning aren't much better I see. Better find my reading glasses...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15169550566163532952noreply@blogger.com