Jericho: Replying to Corinna
Start by reading this post from Cupie.
Then read this comment to Cupie's post.
Now then, read my long ass comment:
Doesn't sound like you plan to make a living as a writer, Corinna.
We, the masses, determine what will and what will not survive in the market place. We vote with our feet, or, more precisely, with our credit cards. Don't like the big box stores? Don't shop there. Don't like Amazon? I'm sure B&N will take your money.
The problem is that the majority of the masses likes big box and they like Amazon. They are voting for ease, simplicity and one "trip" shopping. Can't say I blame them. While I, too, love the smaller book stores, I hate wasting my time. I hate going into several stores looking for what I want and never finding it. When I look at Amazon, it's a 95% certainty I will find what I'm looking for.
Amazon is also sharing the spotlight. They like having people come to them for all their needs, so they have allowed other retailers to sell their wares via Amazon's online presence. No corner bookstore can offer the selection that the combination of Amazon and these other retailers can provide. When you buy a used book or whatever from one of these retailers you are supporting some mom & pop, small box operation. Amazon & eBay may actually be saving some smaller retailers.
In the end, he who has the gold makes the rules. In our capitalist system, he who makes the most money will be the most likely to survive. Money is the measurement of fitness, regardless of what our definition of fit may be. The masses like big box. If the small boxes don't find ways to stay afloat, they will not survive to the next generation.
As writers, we need to find ways to gain an audience. Bucking the system can be good for a while - but unless you find a way to appease a larger market, you will always need a day job. Are you saying that if your work were accepted by the establishment to be sold in big box stores - you would refuse? If so, enjoy flipping those burgers!
I'm not saying big box is the only way. Prince is a great example that both I and Cupie have spoken of recently. He is bucking the system right and left, he sells music directly to his fans - no music conglomerate in the middle. He sells his album as part of his ticket price, thus keeping his numbers up making him more marketable, etc. But, he was a "slave" to Warner at one time. Without Warner, would Prince have ever left Minnesota?
Poo-pooing the system gets us no where. Using the system to our advantage can move us forward. Sure, the big guys dominate the market. But, get a smaller retailer to carry your self published work - and now Amazon is selling you to a VERY LARGE market. You are George Lucas making your own movie with your own money, using 20th Century Fox for distribution only. Do you have a "Star Wars" in your pen? Saved on your hard drive? May the force be with you!
Then read this comment to Cupie's post.
Now then, read my long ass comment:
Doesn't sound like you plan to make a living as a writer, Corinna.
We, the masses, determine what will and what will not survive in the market place. We vote with our feet, or, more precisely, with our credit cards. Don't like the big box stores? Don't shop there. Don't like Amazon? I'm sure B&N will take your money.
The problem is that the majority of the masses likes big box and they like Amazon. They are voting for ease, simplicity and one "trip" shopping. Can't say I blame them. While I, too, love the smaller book stores, I hate wasting my time. I hate going into several stores looking for what I want and never finding it. When I look at Amazon, it's a 95% certainty I will find what I'm looking for.
Amazon is also sharing the spotlight. They like having people come to them for all their needs, so they have allowed other retailers to sell their wares via Amazon's online presence. No corner bookstore can offer the selection that the combination of Amazon and these other retailers can provide. When you buy a used book or whatever from one of these retailers you are supporting some mom & pop, small box operation. Amazon & eBay may actually be saving some smaller retailers.
In the end, he who has the gold makes the rules. In our capitalist system, he who makes the most money will be the most likely to survive. Money is the measurement of fitness, regardless of what our definition of fit may be. The masses like big box. If the small boxes don't find ways to stay afloat, they will not survive to the next generation.
As writers, we need to find ways to gain an audience. Bucking the system can be good for a while - but unless you find a way to appease a larger market, you will always need a day job. Are you saying that if your work were accepted by the establishment to be sold in big box stores - you would refuse? If so, enjoy flipping those burgers!
I'm not saying big box is the only way. Prince is a great example that both I and Cupie have spoken of recently. He is bucking the system right and left, he sells music directly to his fans - no music conglomerate in the middle. He sells his album as part of his ticket price, thus keeping his numbers up making him more marketable, etc. But, he was a "slave" to Warner at one time. Without Warner, would Prince have ever left Minnesota?
Poo-pooing the system gets us no where. Using the system to our advantage can move us forward. Sure, the big guys dominate the market. But, get a smaller retailer to carry your self published work - and now Amazon is selling you to a VERY LARGE market. You are George Lucas making your own movie with your own money, using 20th Century Fox for distribution only. Do you have a "Star Wars" in your pen? Saved on your hard drive? May the force be with you!
posted by Jericho Brown at 10/04/2004 04:55:00 PM
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