Ilana MasadNov 26, 2022

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

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 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 threadnicerobot
@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.
Nov 26, 2022 at 5:15pmWeb
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. 😞