Divide and Conquer

[Bill Floyd]

The Author's Guild has done a fine job of keeping the writers on its mailing list informed about these issues--which are central to the future of publishing and culture in America--for the past few years, but things are now reaching a crisis point.  For some reason, the Justice Dept. has made a decision that puts it into de facto collusion with Amazon to destroy competition in the e-book market, which from all appearances will soon replace the brick-and-mortar market for most of the readers in this country.  As Amazon continues to assert its market dominance via predatory pricing, fewer and fewer writers will be able to make a living off their work, and readers will have fewer and fewer choices.  

If reading is important to you, I urge you to read the linked article, familiarize yourself with both sides of the argument, and spend your book money accordingly.  Push back while you can.  The clock is ticking.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/12/business/media/amazon-to-cut-e-bo...

   

[Brittany]

For me, nothing beats a page that I can turn. I shop neighborhood stores when I can, and so does my husband. I refuse to buy mobi files and support Amazon's domination. It's a Kobo for my son, who reads quicker than we can purchase, and those are e-pub files which are supported by iPad and iPhone too. We are Kindle free and will continue to be indefinitely. I hope that a bounded book will not become a dying breed :(