Category Archives: Blatherings

Authors Held at Gunpoint

Posted on December 4, 2010 | 6 comments

I received a note from a friend recently that asked me a very disturbing question. She wanted to know if I would offer my opinion on whether or not I thought she should pay to have her books reviewed.

It seems there is an independent bookstore that requires “certain” authors to have their books reviewed by this specific service in order to be carried in their store. They have been carrying the author’s books, but now have decided that they will remove the books unless the author meets this new requirement. Furthermore, the author must PAY to have those reviews done.

Once the reviews have been done, the store will then take the books into the store on consignment only. It would seem that the store also receives a fee for the books reviewed.

Now, I fully understand that some stores (mostly chain stores) charge for shelf placement, but even under those circumstances it is prime shelf space, not the difference between in the store or not.

Is it just me or have the chances for an author actually selling books become as dangerous as driving through gang territory? There seems to be a constant barrage of bullets flying from all directions determined to take out the authors that some booksellers deem unworthy.

What of the readers? Don’t they deserve to choose the books they want and not have to settle just for what booksellers tell them the should read?

6 Comments

Posted in Blatherings, Business, Marketing, Writing

Tagged author, authors, books, bookstores, change, money, publishing, readers, reading

Amazon Bashing. Why people?

Posted on December 3, 2010 | 6 comments

Okay, I have been seeing the link for the article “Books After Amazon” by Onnesha Roychoudhuri on the Boston Review site. It took me a couple of days to build up the curiosity to read yet another negative article about Amazon and Kindle. I was not disappointed.

As has become the norm, the articles goes on to quote numerous unhappy publishers, offer support for failing independent bookstores, and a wee bit of bashing on chain stores. Anyone who has read any of my previous posts on Amazon knows that I support them wholeheartedly. They also know why, which leads us to Indy bookstores. I love Indy bookstores, I used to own one (I know the battles they fight), but these small stores are not enough to keep a small publisher in business, nor do most of them even care enough about us to be respectful when we approach them. I have also been pretty clear in my opinion that chain stores are most inadequate in their customer service (as is the case with many Indy bookstores.) What does that leave us? Amazon.com

After reading the article at the Boston Review, I tried to post my comments. I thought it odd that there were no previous comments, but I had no problem being the first. But my question was soon answered. The text box welcomed you to offer your comments, but the faulty Submit button robbed you of however many minutes in your life it took you to write your thoughts. So below, I have posted what I wanted to say at the Boston Review site.

It always amazes me to read these articles quoting publishers. How are those publishers chosen? Why don’t these articles ever talk to publishers who are happy with their relationships with Amazon. Amazon has saved my business. When Indy stores refused to carry our books or treat our authors with any respect, Amazon was there for us. We don’t complain about the discounts. We don’t participate in their co-op things, and yet we have never been harassed or threatened. Just what does a publisher have to do to be noticed. 10 years in this business and not one single organization has ever asked our opinion on anything. Funny…only the unhappy ones get the press.

Karen Syed
Echelon Press
http://echelonpress.com

I would like to offer you a challenge. I have a book in print and in eBook format. I challenge you to go to your local bookstore and buy a copy. DARK SHINES MY L OVE by Alexis Hart. If you are able to find it on the shelf and purchase it at that time (meaning it was on a shelf in any store), I will send you ANY eBook in our (Echelon Press) catalog FREE once you prove to me you made the purchase. For those of you unable to find it on any shelf in America and would still like to read this remarkable book (okay, subtly isn’t my strong suit) you CAN purchase it IMMEDIATELY at Amazon.com.

6 Comments

Posted in Blatherings, Business, Just for Fun, Marketing

Tagged alexis hart, amazon, author, books, bookstores, change, ebooks, Echelon Press, karen syed, kindle, publishing, readers, sales

Really? A Water bottle!

Posted on November 19, 2010 | 4 comments

I just finished reading a tweet about a little girl who is being bulllied at school because she carries a Star Wars water bottle. Really? Is this what the world has come to? The little girl, her name is Katie, is a big fan, and she is in the first grade. THE FIRST GRADE!!

Now, what I want to know is what in the hell kind of parents raise their first grader to bully someone because of the water bottle they carry? This is NOT the children, this is the parenting, or lack of, I should think in this case. I don’t want to hear any fuss about you can’t control everything your kid does. Oh hell yes you can when they are in the first grade.

I read the post at [http://www.epbot.com/2010/11/geek-girls-activate.html#SPELLING_ERROR_6] and I wanted to comment, but there were already over 2000 comments. Unfortunately, I could not get to the other link.

When I first read the post I thought perhaps it was a joke, but come on people, this little girl has been robbed of comfort in a place that should be a safe zone for her. School at that age is so critical and kids have to feel good about it.

I think it is wonderful that people are stepping up to support Katie and the gifts and all are cool, but maybe there is something more that needs to be done. Perhaps those of you who are parents could find these various sites and blogs that are talking about this (and the unimaginable number of other kids being bullied) and publicly proclaim your support by swearing an oath to do EVERYTHING in your power to talk to your kids (no matter the age-I’ve seen this in preschools) and teach them how truly cruel and wrong it is to bully others, no matter what.

Take a stand WITH your kids to be role models for kindness and tolerance. As a book geek I spent years being picked on and bullied because I was a “know-it-all.” As a child from a biracial family I was tormented by everyone. As a teen I dressed funny and paid the price socially-I wore what I could afford. There are so many reasons people use to bully others and it is starting earlier than ever before .

Children must be led and we must lead by example. I CHALLENGE you to make your promise of tolerance and your promise to teach your kids tolerance, RIGHT HERE! Don’t let your child be the reason another child cries themselves to sleep and fears to be who they are meant to be.

I hope that Katie will continue to carry her water bottle and I hope that those children who are bullying her will be given the wisdom to shut the hell up and leave her alone.

I salute Katie and her mom for their strength and I PROMISE to do everything I can to offer friendship and support to everyone I can NO MATTER what kind of watter bottle they carry.

And as our friend over at EPBOT [http://www.epbot.com/]says, Geek Girls, ACTIVATE!