tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post852200092588159713..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Joe's Letter to the DOJJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-39580010885800778812012-06-07T20:04:40.214-05:002012-06-07T20:04:40.214-05:00Amazon not being unfair? That's a joke, right?...Amazon not being unfair? That's a joke, right? Consider how Amazon threatened to de-list all titles of publishers that did not agree to use its own POD subsidiary, BookSurge. That is a strong-arm tactic if i ever saw one. Amazon is out for its own good, not the public good, no matter what you may think. ---Sandy Thatcher, past president, Association of American University PressesSandy Thatcherhttp://www.psupress.org/news/SandyThatchersWritings.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-7276617489509215942012-06-04T16:33:20.667-05:002012-06-04T16:33:20.667-05:00I just wanted to promote my website! I loved the a...I just wanted to promote my website! I loved the article and the comments were everywhere from terrifying to hilarious!<br /><br />I can help people do the self publishing route that don't have the skills or know how to do it themselves.<br /><br />http://publishnow.weebly.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-21622311809167354792012-06-04T05:11:12.786-05:002012-06-04T05:11:12.786-05:00Ah, but you see Joe, it isn't FAIR that a big,...Ah, but you see Joe, it isn't FAIR that a big, greedy company like Amazon succeeds while others don't. It isn't FAIR that they are so powerful and can squash poor, innocent people, stealing the food out of their children's mouths and not wanting to pay high taxes. Therefore, Amazon, like Walmart, MUST be taken down in the name of fairness and equality. In the name of that lofty end goal, whatever means we choose to achieve this glorious objective are justified.<br /><br />*****<br /><br />Obviously, I'm being facetious, but this is part of what I see is a war on prosperity. When Amazon started, I remember thinking, "I'm not so sure this is a good idea. After all, when I buy something, I like to see it first." However, the folks who started Amazon ran a tight ship, provided customer service, and Amazon became what it is today -- a successful business that embraced the future, and so must be punished for this success, even if it means harming affiliates, or in your case, authors. Its no wonder that as I get older, I become more libertarian in my beliefs.<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />Anyway, keep up the good work.AstroNerdBoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01916904278388886800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77891376335792114422012-06-03T21:41:09.963-05:002012-06-03T21:41:09.963-05:00This is off topic, but I just received a newslette...This is off topic, but I just received a newsletter from my local library and on the front page is a call to action to write to publishers and tell them to stop forcing print books down the library's throat. <br /><br />They essentially say that the publishers are trying retard ebooks books further by not allowing libraries to purchase and lend ebooks as they do print. They specifically point at: Macmillan, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, Penguin, and Brilliance Audio. <br /><br />It seems funny to me that publishers would decry the demise of brick and mortar stores, but then find it OK to threaten libraries by blocking their ability to adapt to the technological wants and needs of the communities they serve. <br /><br />Any chance on articles skewering publishers for their blatant attacks on our libraries?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14488650115831834895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79242202164915780992012-05-31T17:49:01.783-05:002012-05-31T17:49:01.783-05:00Paul Aiken, since he is a narcissist who continual...Paul Aiken, since he is a narcissist who continually tells the world what others think/need/want without, for example, consulting them? I have decreed him to un-be. He doth not exist in 3... 2... *poof*Chrissyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17825661131803547197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-42756391232785373802012-05-30T14:50:31.197-05:002012-05-30T14:50:31.197-05:00A publishing company looks at a manuscript and dec...A publishing company looks at a manuscript and decides whether they think it will sell or if they like it. The key word being "they" and referring to a single person in many cases. <br /><br />It might be true that publishing on Amazon opens things up for some crappy, hastily put together books but, at the same time, it turns it over to the reader and they decide what they like and the they in this case is more than one person.<br /><br />Not to mention they can read a lot more literature when the price of a book is reasonable.Bob Blickhttp://www.hauntedplacesplus.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38364584710162657402012-05-30T11:20:39.830-05:002012-05-30T11:20:39.830-05:00oops, of course I meant “wear”oops, of course I meant “wear”Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07755199616389026198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-12739086324430748882012-05-30T11:18:18.154-05:002012-05-30T11:18:18.154-05:00Well said, Joe!!! As usual. :D You get a star from...Well said, Joe!!! As usual. :D You get a star from me. A nice shiny gold one. You can were it on your forehead if you like.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07755199616389026198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-21723632096070749922012-05-30T08:43:34.719-05:002012-05-30T08:43:34.719-05:00Legacy is a term some folks use in lieu of trade p...Legacy is a term some folks use in lieu of trade publishing.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13100565897627429788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-25626216478839990732012-05-29T22:38:12.588-05:002012-05-29T22:38:12.588-05:00A question from reading your blog for a short time...A question from reading your blog for a short time now. Where does this term "Legacy publisher" come from. When I google it, the only references, other than to your blogs and a few other blogs, are to heritage books. What constitutes a legacy publisher? Do you mean traditional print only publisher? I have been writing and publishing books since the seventies and this seems to come out of left field.Traveling Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07984526145327699352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-88160089364203164812012-05-29T14:05:21.462-05:002012-05-29T14:05:21.462-05:00You've been referenced at techdirt!
http://ww...You've been referenced at techdirt!<br /><br />http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120529/01265619092/do-authors-guild-association-authors-representatives-really-represent-authors-publishing-cartel.shtmlJosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-29383970871758392412012-05-29T11:24:14.843-05:002012-05-29T11:24:14.843-05:00Ah. You did mean "agency" publishing and...Ah. You did mean "agency" publishing and not "legacy" publishing model. You're welcome ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-10665906362462690492012-05-29T09:37:25.998-05:002012-05-29T09:37:25.998-05:00Beautiful. I just noticed today that you are menti...Beautiful. I just noticed today that you are mentioned on Amazon Author Central under "success stories." Too cool. You've definitely got voice, Joe. I hope the industry finally listens.C. Amethyst Frosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00696235473443500221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-84638635556173306262012-05-29T09:31:21.207-05:002012-05-29T09:31:21.207-05:00Joe,
For the sake of the writing - and reading - ...Joe,<br /><br />For the sake of the writing - and reading - community, let's hope you can be an influencer as much as you already are an ambassador.Wernerhttp://www.1000words-a-day.com/2012/05/17/self-publishing-by-the-numbers/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79386831201022086002012-05-29T07:56:07.984-05:002012-05-29T07:56:07.984-05:00Thank you for, once again, leading the charge, Joe...Thank you for, once again, leading the charge, Joe. We appreciate it more than you'll ever know.Donna White Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00802142273102557253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51703026387268795102012-05-29T00:19:48.032-05:002012-05-29T00:19:48.032-05:00Way to go, amigo. As always.Way to go, amigo. As always.Barry Eislerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785333622697500192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32195464861689824752012-05-29T00:18:22.184-05:002012-05-29T00:18:22.184-05:00This is nice.
What would be even better is if all...This is nice.<br /><br />What would be even better is if all the writers who agree with Joe, wrote a letter themselves.<br /><br />You don't have to say anything new, just make the same points and add the weight of your voice, so the DOJ can see that not all writers are on the side of the legacy publishers.<br /><br />Apart from the DOJ, Joe is mostly "preaching to the choir", he speaks to those already converted. There are only a handful of dissenters who posted here and they seem to have drifted away.<br /><br />The message needs to be taken farther afield.<br /><br />More bloggers and tweeters, spreading the truth about publishing.<br /><br />Keep on going, woohoo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-36725262859107596172012-05-28T23:18:46.067-05:002012-05-28T23:18:46.067-05:00Good to know I'm not the only one working this...Good to know I'm not the only one working this holiday.bettye griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04457387770524295498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45357898539272398192012-05-28T23:10:45.719-05:002012-05-28T23:10:45.719-05:00An excellent letter, Joe! I think that Mr Read is ...An excellent letter, Joe! I think that Mr Read is going to end up reading a whole lot more of your blog entries and commentaries as a result.<br /><br />Thank you for all that you do!fannyfaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09166757585313236502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-54917970714784416102012-05-28T18:36:57.586-05:002012-05-28T18:36:57.586-05:00Good letter, and worthwhile to do.
I've sent ...Good letter, and worthwhile to do.<br /><br />I've sent letters to lawmakers, a college dean, and to the editorial dept. of a major newspaper, (but on issues other than publishing) and I have received a personal response.<br /><br />The point being, letters like Joe's get READ, and maybe have influence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4062451327678066322012-05-28T18:26:51.376-05:002012-05-28T18:26:51.376-05:00So you see the author has complete control because...So you see the author has complete control because amazon does not judge you over the current sale price at amazon OR ANYWHERE else --no they look only at what original lest price (ie your original retail price) YOU set up at amazon or Barnes and noble etc. <br /><br /><br />amazon can lower your books price on their site BUT WILL STILL PAY YOU 70% OF THAT **ORIGINAL LIST PRICE**!! NOT 70% of the new amazon lowered sale price but of your original list price over which you have total control.<br /><br />And as long as you also set your original list price of your book at BN etc higher than amazons --you profits will not be affected at all.<br /><br /><br />Jacques.<br /><br />PS Joe you rock.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38612359044644026122012-05-28T18:20:42.694-05:002012-05-28T18:20:42.694-05:00To anon at 2:19
Amazon will still pay you the o...To anon at 2:19<br /><br /><br /><br />Amazon will still pay you the original cut of 70% Retailer discounting is not the same as price-matching.<br /><br />Here is a helpful quote from Passive Guys blog (via Anthea Lawson):<br /><br />------<br />"I’ve seen a bit of misunderstanding about Amazon dropping prices. Here’s the thing — if Amazon is choosing to discount your book, you will STILL GET the royalty amount on the price you set. They take the loss. Yes, they do this with indies.<br /><br />*However* if they are ‘price-matching’ your title to a lower price that they find on another site, then you only get paid royalties on the lower price.<br /><br />...If you don’t have your title listed more cheaply elsewhere (and check all the retail sites, some can be notoriously slow to post changes if you’ve changed, esp. Kobo and Diesel) THEN Amazon is actually doing you a favor, by putting your book on sale (ie. more attractive to readers) yet still giving you the amount you’ve chosen based on the retail price you’ve set.<br /><br />Retailer discounting. Different than price-matching. Make sense?"<br /><br />And PG said:<br /><br />"What Anthea said.<br /><br />Many of the misunderstandings about Amazon’s price-matching price changes end up being traced to some little webstore someplace that updates its database and prices every six months."<br /><br /> (unquote)<br /><br />------------<br /><br />So the author gets paid 70% of the original list price he set (as long as its 2.99 and over) even if amazon discounts the price for its customers. Plus as long as the writer does not set a lower STARTING LIST PRICE (ie 'the retail price you set') on other sites (ie barnes and noble) but makes sure his list price on nonamazon sites is at least 20% higher than his original list price on amazon (which he sets also) he protects his 70% cut.<br /><br />Its all in the kindle rules and info amazon has on its site.<br /><br /><br />hope its okay to quote them here just wanted to reassure you. you can read more at<br />http://www.thepassivevoice.com/<br /><br /><br />Jacques<br />(reposted again from pricing ebooks reposting of mine)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89658172920160120712012-05-28T17:59:09.473-05:002012-05-28T17:59:09.473-05:00Am I the only one who finds it ironic that Joe'...Am I the only one who finds it ironic that Joe's letter is addressed to a guy named "Read"?<br /><br />Good letter btw. I too like the toned down approach. That hammerhead stuff gets old real fast, and in my mind does nothing to advance the argument.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11414765449796662472012-05-28T16:22:54.922-05:002012-05-28T16:22:54.922-05:00Fantastic letter, Joe.
I just hope they'll f...Fantastic letter, Joe. <br /><br />I just hope they'll find it in the huge "slush pile" of letters that the publishers instructed their pet writers to write. <br /><br />All the best, <br />TK KenyonTK Kenyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756031460622964015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-66494445156380933072012-05-28T15:27:43.332-05:002012-05-28T15:27:43.332-05:00My letter to the DoJ, snail-mailed 2 weeks ago:
I...My letter to the DoJ, snail-mailed 2 weeks ago:<br /><br />I am writing to you concerning the Department of Justice's investigation of Apple and five major publishers with regard to alleged collusion and price-fixing.<br /><br />I'm a full-time, self-supporting writer who's been licensing my books to publishers for over twenty years. I hope to continue doing so for many years to come. Like many writers, I also now self-publish some of my work in ebook format, bypassing the traditional publishing system entirely; I hope to continue doing this, too, for many years to come.<br /><br />My interest, therefore, is in seeing =all= aspects of the rapidly-changing publishing industry thrive. As a writer, I benefit most when all potential venues for my work grow fruitfully, further develop their markets, and innovate to attract still more readers.<br /><br />It is up to the legal system to prove whether or not antitrust violations have occurred. But after I read the letter sent to the DoJ by the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR), I felt compelled to write this letter to clarify an important point: **My position as a professional writer is actually that breaking the law is not a reasonable reaction to being faced with aggressive business competition.** And only an organization with a very poor grasp of business =and= of ethics would think otherwise.Laura Resnickhttp://www.lauraresnick.comnoreply@blogger.com