A quick word on Amazon and current events
In case there are folks who don't know, Amazon has pulled from their virtual shelves all books published by Macmillan, including the entire Tor front and backlists as a result of a dispute over pricing. This seems to me to be part and parcel of things like the Google Settlement and Amazon's 1984 fiasco, a technology company using their tech to muscle in and do things Their Way because they can in the face of longer established business models and conventions. It looks to me like the new media throwing a temper tantrum (although, according to the NYT, it was a tantrum a long time coming). It's quicker action than any traditional book chain might ever have been able to effect, which is why it's having such a dramatic impact. I understand the reasons why they did what they've done and they're within their rights to do it. But it looks like strong-arm tactics in part because of the instantaneous nature of the action--poof!--and titles are gone: unsubtle and surely a way to piss off both suppliers and customers.
For fuller observations about and analysis of the situation, I will point you to better informed sources than myself: John Scalzi, Jay Lake, and Tobias Buckell. And here's Macmillan's response to the situation in a letter posted to Publisher's Lunch.
Yes, I've been paying attention, but longtime followers of my LJ know that with some rare exception I don't talk much about business or politics for several reasons: 1) there are many folks out there far more eloquent and informed than I am about the subjects in question, and 2) I am occasionally prone to dramatic overstatement and, being sensible of same, try to self-edit to avoid looking, well, dramatically overstated.
Though it's hard to imagine that this won't get sorted out and that Amazon won't start carrying Macmillan products again, I think the consequences of this situation will have lasting effects, especially on e-publishing.
I'll go back to my chair now, be quiet, and watch events unfold. I am currently only an interested observer of this race, but I know people who have thoroughbreds on the track and I want them to win.
For fuller observations about and analysis of the situation, I will point you to better informed sources than myself: John Scalzi, Jay Lake, and Tobias Buckell. And here's Macmillan's response to the situation in a letter posted to Publisher's Lunch.
Yes, I've been paying attention, but longtime followers of my LJ know that with some rare exception I don't talk much about business or politics for several reasons: 1) there are many folks out there far more eloquent and informed than I am about the subjects in question, and 2) I am occasionally prone to dramatic overstatement and, being sensible of same, try to self-edit to avoid looking, well, dramatically overstated.
Though it's hard to imagine that this won't get sorted out and that Amazon won't start carrying Macmillan products again, I think the consequences of this situation will have lasting effects, especially on e-publishing.
I'll go back to my chair now, be quiet, and watch events unfold. I am currently only an interested observer of this race, but I know people who have thoroughbreds on the track and I want them to win.