Sunday, May 22, 2011

My way or--

Ed here: Don't know how many of you saw this so I thought I'd run it. I like independent bookstores. I know they're having a difficult time adjusting to the astonishing success of e books. All of us are. But I don't think this is the right way to proceed.



Amazon.com announced the launch of Thomas & Mercer, publishing
mysteries and thrillers. The new imprint will begin with four books to
be released this year: “Resuscitation” by D.M. Annechino, “Stirred” by
J.A. Konrath and Blake Crouch, “The Immortalists” by Kyle Mills, and
“Already Gone” by John Rector. As a bookstore that supports writers,
we also appreciate the writers who support bookstores. Therefore,
Mystery on Main Street will not carry these books; earlier books by
these writers available through other publishers will not be stocked
and those on our shelves will be returned. With limited shelf space
and financing, we do not intend to offer either one to Amazon.com. We
will be putting our energies into promoting other authors.
DavidMystery on Main Street

4 comments:

  1. Yikes. Why can't we all just get along?

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  2. Ouch ... I have a feeling this strategy isn't going to work very well for bookstores ... sort of like speeding the plow in the wrong direction.

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  3. Pretty shortsighted. It's a chance for indie booksellers to work together with Amazon in promoting print books, and this store seems more interested in a vendetta.

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  4. Seems like a huge mistake. I do understand the sentiment. But, their action will strike many wrong and that will lose them lots of potential customers.

    Word of mouth was always very important in retail. In these days of social networking word of mouth is critical.

    I just hope they don't shoot themselves in the other foot.

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