Category Archives: Blatherings

Is Occupying the Answer?

Posted on December 19, 2011 | 5 comments

I read a post this morning called “Occupy Amazon” the bibliopirate Blog. This has become a huge issue in the book industry. Amazon vs. world. Really? If you’ve read any of my posts you know I’m an Amazon.com advocate. Before you go getting your knickers all twisted up at me, save your rotten fruit, I’m not going to change my mind. At least not until they screw me. Why do I like Amazon so much you might ask?

1. I sell books there–and lots of them. Literally 10 to 1 compared to brick and mortar stores. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to sell books in bookstores, but stores simply don’t want to sell our books. There are many reasons they offer, but bottom line is bookstores aren’t willing to take the risk on a small business, even though many of the stores are small businesses themselves.

2. Convenience. I’m not a fan of traffic, actually I’m a bit of a road rage driver, anyone who’s been in a car with me can attest to that. Stupid drivers just piss me off. So, it’s easier if I just shop from my computer. No one gets hurt, and my blood pressure stays within a manageable range.

3. Selection. I can find 100 times more stuff to buy from Amazon than I can from any bookstore. My experience with bookstores is that they favor the big publishers and best sellers. That’s great, if that’s what keeps them in business then that’s what they should sell. But it doesn’t work for me. I prefer new authors, lots of series, and have a fondness for indie publishers. I find very few of those in bookstores.

I read post after post and hear comment after comment about how Amazon is killing the brick and mortar stores. I simply don’t believe this. I think the stores could actually compete more effectively if they gave more consideration to what their customers want and less to what they think will sell. Customer service is the key element to any successful business. No one is willing to pay higher prices and be treated badly. I know I’m not.

I’ll pay a higher price if the store clerks actually acknowledged me, offered me any assistance, and knew what they hell they were doing. This has not been the case in the last ten stores (of any kind) I have been in. Especially bookstores.

I just don’t see Amazon as the villain everyone makes them out to be. They are a business, like any other, and they are in the business to make money. That is why we all go into business, right? I posted a comment somewhere about this and I clearly stated that consumers have a choice. No one is forcing anyone to go to Amazon.

As for bibiopirate’s situation. It’s sad when people go into stores, especially bookstores, and forget about common courtesy. Looking for a book? If you can shop on Amazon then you should be smart enough to know how to look up the info you seek on the web. Don’t be an asshat and go to a local store, make them do all the legwork (that makes you lazy), and then deprive them of the sale. That is just pissy and there is a special place in hell for people like you.

Show some decency. If you have the time and the inclination to actually go into a store, then give them your business. They have earned it, simply by being there for you.

bibliopirate doesn’t really call for a boycott of Amazon, though others have. That’s not the answer. Amazon has as much right to fight for the consumer ‘s business than any store or whatever. What happens in the retail world is 100% dependant on the consumer. It is YOU who makes the choice where you spend your money. If Amazon is the king of retailers it’s because consumers have made it so. You want your local stores to thrive, then get off your duff, get out of your house, and go spend your money there.

But for cripes sake, remember, your local store is not an information booth on your way to online shopping. It’s a place where people just like you go to earn a living and support their families. Show some respect!

You can also do your favorite stores a favor by promoting them. In fact, why don’t you post your favorite local store in the comment section of this post. No big box stores, just hometown businesses that deserve some exposure and some business.

Tell us about your…

Favorite local business:

Address:

Web site:

Why you like them:

5 Comments

Posted in Blatherings, Bookstores We Love, Business, Just for Fun

Tagged amazon.com, bookstores, business, consumers

Begging for Reviews: UPDATE

Posted on December 18, 2011 | 1 comment

: Betrayed by Sam Morton

Okey Dokey. I thought I would let everyone know where we stand right now with the review contest.

Don’t know what the hell I’m talking about? Pop over and read https://karensyed.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/wtf-begging-for-book-reviews/

I have sent out 23 downloads.

I have received 2 reviews.

8 of the 10 titles offered have been requested.

Don’t forget that there is a deadline for this contest, and I hate to be a grinch, but we need to see 50 reviews for me to give that Kindle away.

So tell all your friends. Authors, this is a GREAT way for you to get some promo because you can post your byline with your review. Yeah, I said it. I ENCOURAGE it. If you are willing to take the time to review one of our books, I am perfectly happy for you to get a little play from it. (Just don’t abuse it. LOL)

1 Comment

Posted in Blatherings, Book Reviews, Contest, eBooks, Just for Fun

Reviewers Gone Bad

Posted on December 16, 2011 | 1 comment

In keeping with my theme this week, I wanted to touch lightly (not that I do much lightly) on book reviewers that go rogue…or in some cases, bad. What constitutes bad in the review industry? Okay, before I tell you, here is my standard disclaimer: these are just my opinions. I am not a professional book reviewer, I don’t claim to be an expert. I am simply an author and a publisher who has to interact with reviewers on a regular basis.)

So, where was I? Oh yeah, bad reviewers. Over the last twenty-five years, I have read a lot of reviews. Some of them are stellar, even when the reviewer didn’t like the book. Others have been downright embarrassing for the rest of us in the industry. Here are my five top things that make reviewers bad.

5. Anorexic reviews. If you are a reviewer, write a review. Don’t offer a blurb. “I loved this book. The author has done it again with a great mystery.” This is NOT a review, it is a blurb. This is what authors/publishers use on book covers and in ad copy. A review is a breakdown of what you thought of the various aspects of a book. Plot, characters, description, writing style, etc.

4. Excessive spoilers. For the love of Pete, why would any reviewer who had a clue give away key points of a plot? I just want to kill someone when I read a review that reveals who, what, where, why, or when of a mystery plot when I’m supposed to figure it out as I read. Come on people, show some consideration. If you need a description of the book, use the publishers so you don’t tell secrets.

3. Glossing poetic. Big words, and colorful adjectives that don’t offer a damn bit of anything about the actual book. I don’t care if ” the author writes a blissfully elegant tale.” Yeah, yeah, I get that, someone else thought the same thing and published it. Why would you tell us that “everything about this book sings to my emotional side.” What the hell does that mean? Is the plot solid? Do the characters come to life on the page with their hilarious antics? Does the setting come to life and offer readers a glimpse into the perfectly flawed community of gnomes? Tell us what you think of the damn book.

2. Charging money. I get it, everyone needs to make money, but in this industry, it just isn’t right. The reviewer is getting a free book and has (in most cases) chosen to offer their opinion. If they work for someone else, then it is up to the employer to pay the reviewer. NOT the author/publisher.

1. Vicious attacks. Book reviews are NOT a platform for venting your anger or hostility. Do not take a bad day and turn it into a tirade against an author who just happens to headhop in their book–or whatever. No one wants to read a review that calls the author a talentless hack who couldn’t write a halfway decent book on a good day. No one cares if you think the author has wasted paper by penning a book about two people too stupid to live, much like the author. This is just mean and it serves no good purpose. When you write a book review, you are reviewing the BOOK, not the author. If the book is poorly written then find a halfway considerate way to say “While the story had promise, perhaps the author could focus a bit on general grammar rules.” It makes the point without making the author suicidal. Mean reviews lead to me to think that those who can’t say mean things about those who were brave enough to try.

Just because you call yourself a reviewer doesn’t make you a good one. There are simple rules for every little thing in life we do, and if not rules, then at the very least guidelines. If you take on the responsibility of reviewing, then take it seriously and do it in a respectful manner. You are not going to like every book you read, but that doesn’t give you the right to ensure that no one else does either. Offer some insight, without being an ass.