Ilana Masad

If you really want to support the authors in your life this holiday season: please buy their books from your local bookstore, from Bookshop, or get it from the library!

(Feel free to review it on the big A but if you can help it, don't buy it from the Bezos machine)

@bookstodon #bookstodon #books

Nov 26, 2022 at 12:54amWeb
Show threadLif StrandNov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @bookstodon
I've always been curious about the Bezos machine issue. Lots of small businesses depend on it for the world-wide reach it provides. Lots of indie authors (and small presses) have no other way to get their books out there. For instance, the nearest bookstore that Bookshop supports is 175 miles from me.
Show threadIlana MasadNov 26, 2022
@lifstrand @bookstodon This is true - but there are other services through which you can buy audiobooks and ebooks (or borrow them from the library!)! Plus, many bookstores do deliver :). Obviously, I'm not saying that you should avoid it if there's no other access to the books you're looking for, but if possible to avoid, I recommend avoiding it!
Show threadmullet huntressNov 26, 2022
@lifstrand @ilanaslightly @bookstodon Bookshop ships anywhere, doesn’t matter how close a store is to you :)
Issue is that people buy most or all of their books there. Bezos makes explicit efforts to undercut bookstores to cement the monopoly. Just off the top of my ex-indie shop bookseller head:
-ships new releases b4 pub dates (breaks bookstore ‘code of conduct’)
-undercuts publisher-set “industry-wide list prices” ALL THE TIME
-bought audible
-bought goodreads
Show threadWillNov 26, 2022

@Chicago @lifstrand @ilanaslightly @bookstodon

It's 100% worth reading @pluralistic on Audible, great insights into how messed up that whole business arm is. https://pluralistic.net/2022/07/25/can-you-hear-me-now/#acx-ripoff

Pluralistic: Why none of my books are available on Audible; Sarah Gailey’s “Just Like Home” (25 Jul 2022) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow

Show threadnicerobotNov 26, 2022
@specwill @Chicago @lifstrand @ilanaslightly @bookstodon @pluralistic I recently left Audible. I was able to download every one of my purchases. I've imported them into Apple Books and able to listen there. I'm definitely not arguing for Audible/Amazon (I've even stopped buying from Amazon, I only shop locally now). This article confirms my decision! If only there were more people willing/able to sacrifice a little (or even a lot) for principles/ethics, consumers would be powerful.
Show threadIlana MasadNov 26, 2022
@nicerobot @specwill @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon @pluralistic Yes! Although, I also think this is a much more complex problem which, like climate change and individual responsibility, isn't going to be solved by individual responsibility :(
Show threadWillNov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @nicerobot @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon @pluralistic Agreed. You can't expect every writer to take the financial hit, or expend the effort to find alternate channels. You can't expect every reader to even know there's an issue. Regulation and enforcement are the best tools in the toolbox, but we need leaders with the will to use them. Part of why it's been heartening to see Biden's antitrust actions so far! The more we notice and approve, the more they'll do.
Show threadIlana MasadNov 26, 2022
@specwill @nicerobot @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon @pluralistic Yes yes yes. It's frustrating to me how much we underplay the things dems ARE doing in favor of all the shit repubs might and will do
Show threadnicerobotNov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @specwill @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon @pluralistic I definitely agree that we need better antitrust enforcement, but regulations aren't (shouldn't be) _mandated_ by politicians. They should have strong consumer/constituent support which implies some personal responsibility to know _something_ about the problems so they will demand change. We (the U.S.) have a real, deep civil/societal ignorance problem, exacerbated by the fear-mongering media and social bubbles. 😞
Show threadIlana MasadNov 26, 2022
@Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon All this - plus, I think part of the issue is that people forget that Amazon started as a bookstore. Its whole thing was to dominate the online shopping sphere in books, and it's caused irreparable harms and changes to the industry as a whole, not just to booksellers. Again, no judgement if it's the only affordable option people have - but if they can afford elsewhere, they should buy from elsewhere.
Show threadUltra Violet  🌹🏴Nov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon as an indie bookseller I appreciate your sentiment.
Show threadIlana MasadNov 26, 2022
@MarchViolet @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon <3 <3 Thank you for the work you do!
Show threadUltra Violet  🌹🏴Nov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon I appreciate the people who keep us indies alive by supporting our shops. Buy local and keep your money in the community.
Show threadDarnell Clayton Nov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon I also think Amazon’s money-back guarantee feature, Amazon Prime, plus quick delivery is attractive to people.
Amazon delivery rivals that of UPS & FedEx for me, & I can count on them to deliver items undamaged.
UPS is good & I experienced some issues with FedEx.
Using USPS makes me nervous as items disappear into the ether with no accountability or feedback! 🤯
Show threadhighly principled invertebrateNov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @Chicago @lifstrand @bookstodon I think though that their era is starting to come to an end, as they are no longer either as reliable in delivery times nor as easy to use as they once were. Irony on this is that thusly the degradation of the USPS, which they often use and phone systems, as they insist now on having phone numbers in their data mining wing, are now having them as at best questionable if not worse than the Indy bookstores they once so easily crushed in speed and ease of use. This is among the mainstays of why I now rarely use them for anything and consider them an "option of last resort", even as about 15-20 years ago I don't think a month went bye that I didn't order something from them.
Show threadUltra Violet  🌹🏴Nov 26, 2022
@Chicago @lifstrand @ilanaslightly @bookstodon and yet if I break the embargo dates the publisher will stop sending me titles in advance and I won't have fresh stock on Tuesday morning to placate the diehards.
Show threadAlex PengaledNov 26, 2022
@Chicago @lifstrand @ilanaslightly
Not sure how things are elsewhere, but my experience in UK is that Amazon *haven't* been doing the first two things for the past couple of years - if I want to advance order a book in dead tree format I go to Blackwells these days as Amazon kept delaying or cancelling my advance orders. Blackwells are often a few pennies cheaper than Amazon too & send things through the post rather than couriers.
Show threadStar Cat BooksNov 26, 2022
@bookstodon @lifstrand @Chicago @ilanaslightly Indie bookstore here. Bezos also bought ABEbooks, which is the filter engine in all books you see on Amazon that offers used copies of said books. For booksellers of used books, ABE no longer has customer support & raised its sell fees & percentages. If you want used books, go to Biblio.
Show threadIlana MasadNov 26, 2022
@starcatbooks @bookstodon @lifstrand @Chicago Yes, my heart broke a bit more when he bought abebooks because it used to be an amazing place to get expensive textbooks and stuff secondhand
Show threadmullet huntressNov 27, 2022
@ilanaslightly @starcatbooks @bookstodon @lifstrand I forgot about that too. Huge loss!! And disgusting that it’s allowed to happen. Our own government won’t stand up to bezos. Turns my stomach 😓
Show threadshambolic affairNov 27, 2022
The other sad bit is seeing audiobooks go direct to Audible as exclusive licenses.
Libraries can't buy them at ANY price, not even the exorbitant amount we tend to pay. @Chicago @ilanaslightly @starcatbooks @bookstodon @lifstrand
Show threadChris LombardiNov 27, 2022
@marlinspike @Chicago @ilanaslightly @starcatbooks @bookstodon .@@lifstrand .@TheNewPress uses Tantor, but Audible still grabbed Aint Marching too. What a wildwildcountry,
Show threadStar Cat BooksNov 27, 2022
@ChrisAintMarchin Audible is Amazon. Sorry that happened and it didn’t go to LibroFM so indies could flog it.
Show threadKeith Stevenson 🚀Nov 26, 2022
@lifstrand @ilanaslightly @bookstodon As a small press publisher, we don't rely on Amazon. Amazon is a just a shop window not a book distributor. We use Ingram Spark (and so can indie authors). Ingram is the biggest book distributor in the world and supplies our stock to bookshops and via websites like Amazon, Book Depository, Kobo, Apple Books etc. everywhere.
Show threadlongdogloverNov 27, 2022
@lifstrand @ilanaslightly @bookstodon without giving details I know he is laying off kindle staffers and support.
Show thread🚀 🧠 yeraldNov 26, 2022

& if you want an audiobook, check out https://Libro.FM

They share revenue with local bookstores, but cost about the same as Audible to the customer.

Alternatively, your library probably lets you borrow downloadable eAudiobooks, & we love when you use these services! If you’re having trouble figuring out whether they do, or how to get them, I promise your local librarian is happy to help.

If they aren’t happy to help, I am! @ me with your q’s

@ilanaslightly @bookstodon

Buy audiobooks & support local bookstores

Libro.fm makes it possible for you to buy audiobooks directly through local bookstores.

Libro.fm
Show threadJesseNov 26, 2022
@yerald @ilanaslightly @bookstodon All of this. Even if I don’t buy a book, I’ll go to my local indie bookstore and buy a snack. They always seem to have food. I’ll hype books I love on my socials
Show threadStar Cat BooksNov 26, 2022
@bookstodon @yerald @ilanaslightly Indie bookstore here: I can’t say enough good things about LibroFM. IMPORTANT NOTE: Libro offers DRM-free mp3 files of all titles.
Show threadLee FifeNov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @bookstodon what is the good epub solution?
Show threadRonsboy67Nov 26, 2022
@colo_lee @ilanaslightly @bookstodon As an ebook only reader, I switched to Kobo years ago to minimise my Amazon footprint, I now buy direct from authors when possible, and use Smashwords as much as possible. Kobo is still corporate but it is at least not Amazon
Show thread🅘🅢🅜🅐🄹Nov 26, 2022
@colo_lee @ilanaslightly @bookstodon I don't know a website that gives more support to authors but I do prefer to buy from websites that allow me to download the #eBook directly. That way I am not tied to Amazon or anyone who wants to 'lend' me a book I purchased.
Show threadMalagasy LisaNov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly I haven’t bought anything from Bezos in over two decades. Wealth hoarding should be illegal.
Show threadIlana MasadNov 26, 2022
@MalagasyLisa hear hear!
Show threadShouty personNov 26, 2022

@ilanaslightly @bookstodon

Lots of indie authors also sell their books directly on their websites – especially ebooks and audiobooks, but sometimes paperbacks too.

Show threadSarah SammisNov 26, 2022
@ilanaslightly @bookstodon if you want to shop via a small book store but don’t have one, Books on B in Hayward will ship purchases. https://www.booksonb.com