Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Duel of the Titans

I heard a news report this morning that the big, mainstream publishing houses are going to get into the Internet book marketing business.  Now, you must remember that my exposure to news ... especially business news ...  is limited at best ... I'm much more interested in how the Tigers are doing than what's happening on Wall Street (the Tabbies took 3 out of 4 in Toronto, by the way), so please don't put much stock in anything I say. Heck, this could be old news to you, but was new to me and if it's true you know what it means ... the publishers are going big game hunting in the Amazon. What does that mean to those of us who provide content for these giant book marketers ... especially those of us who are the bottom feeders? Probably nothing ... it's kinda like the peasants who tilled their meager gardens in medieval Europe while the lords and barons fought wars over the next rise ... we just go on hoeing our potatoes, knowing we'll be obliged to somebody, but not really caring who. But, then, I suppose there is always the chance that the battle might spill over onto our little truck patch and swallow us up.
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6 comments:

  1. Helen GingerMay 11, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    If they do that - big game hunting - then they haven't learned anything at all. They're losing sales as it is because people are finding new, great, unknown authors on their own. They need to be introducing these new authors to readers, not just focusing on the big names, politicians and celebrities.

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  2. DaveMay 11, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    I like the medieval reference. I often feel I'm living outside the castle gates among all the bandits. Getting more difficult to cross that moat to find sanctuary.

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  3. Christopher HudsonMay 12, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    Helen, by big game hunting I meant they are going after Amazon ... looks like it might be shaping up to be an Internet brawl for retail book sales. But you make an interesting point about people finding new, great, unknown authors on their own ... although, you couldn't prove that by me.

    Dwgibb, you mean there was a time when you could cross the moat?

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  4. Helen GingerMay 12, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Hmm. Amazon may win that fight, Christopher. Publishers are already taking a hit from e-sales (not through them).

    Don't know why today I can't leave a comment through my regular account. Grrr.
    Helen

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  5. Helen GingerMay 13, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Christopher, I'm hoeing my kudzu. That'll take over and wipe out those pesky lords and barons. And maybe a publisher or two since they're running awfully late to the e-game.

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  6. Christopher HudsonMay 13, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Helen, I like that image. However, if this story is true, it might become a real Internet brawl ... razors, knifes, clubs, broken bottles ... the works!

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