Such a fascinating topic! You gave me much to think through and, goodness, the conundrum is SO REAL. Regardless, thanks for shedding some insight into this topic from both the perspective of an author and a reader. It's a worthwhile conversation.
I pre-ordered one copy from Amazon and one copy from Baker. Don’t know if that solved/helped anything, and it was mostly because I forgot the second time around that I had already pre-ordered a copy! 😂
My husband and I have had really bad experiences with Amazon Canada for preorders and we’re done using them for that. We still order books from there, but not preordered ones. They never came in on the day, and more than once didn’t come at all and we had to follow up. I wish the advantages of ordering from the publisher applied to Canada, like free shipping or 40% off. 😉But alas, since that’s not the case, this year we got so fed up we decided to try out a local option. I preordered your book through a small indie bookstore here in Montreal. I hope to bless their small business while supporting and encouraging great work from authors like you, whose insight and beautiful craft serve me so well. ♥️
I really connect to this discussion. As an author, I don’t want to solely sell through Amazon, but I’m still learning the ropes of the other publishing and distribution platforms of how to make that possible. The ranking might make it easier for people to find it, but if readers are getting something out of the stories we tell, and we’re doing the leg work and trusting that those books will reach the people who will get something from them, that’s what matters. The impact that story, whatever kind it is, has and the truth it contains.
Well your link the day I bought was Baker. But that does not preclude me from reviewing it on Goodreads, nor from giving a copy to my library, or recommending it to friends, who may choose Amazon. Do a book signing at the library as a local author. And I also would suggest at this point that anyone with a podcast ought to invite you as a guest. Before you leave your New England home, get a spot on local, regional radio. The book is relevant in an election year. Broaden your scope. You have excellent thoughts.
Thank you for pointing out the good deal at Baker. I pre-ordered there and I’m looking forward to the package in the mail in May! Working on my delayed gratification is always a good thing. 🙂
As an author with a guided journal coming out tomorrow and a nonfic book in spring 2025 I am constantly thinking about "the Amazon problem". I know Amazon makes it incredibly easy for the consumer to purchase books, and of course, I want to reduce that friction as much as I can for my potential readers. I also know that Amazon creates a lot of problems for pretty much everyone else, from indie bookstores to authors to Amazon workers, which this article does a great job of laying out! I wish this problem wasn't one that consumers and working authors had to try to solve on our own. Lord knows Amazon and Bezos have little to no incentive to make things better.
I appreciate this peek behind the curtain. Our household has made it well over a year without buying anything from Amazon but I understand there is some privilege there making that possible (time to find other vendors, ability to pay more at other places, an ability to do without if needed). I pre-ordered your book from Baker and I'm excited to read it!!
I’m bummed that there wasn’t REALLY an answer to the question, lol. I have used Amazon to buy way more than books (though I remember the beginning when it was all books and it seems so sweet and innocent then, me a house-bound new mother in the depths of winter, ordering all that Penelope Leach and then, later, books about toddlers and then preschool and then…)
Now I go to it because I don’t have the time to go from store to store to MAYBE find what I’m looking for. I bought a walker for my dad because the only medical supply store that might have carried it is an hour away. I bought the little brass beads I needed for the class craft because trolling multiple Michael’s in search of that tiny box would have driven me mad (and I’d likely have walked out with more than just that tiny box, let’s be honest). I’d be willing to pay a little more if shopping in person wasn’t so fraught. Maybe the trouble is that there are no guardrails to an Amazon becoming an Amazon. There should be some laws about fair compensation and proper taxing of businesses AND of extravagantly rich individuals. I’ll bet my tax rate is higher than both Amazon’s and Bezos. Therein lies the trouble I think, because if that weren’t true, maybe then Amazon could be looked at in a positive manner because not only dies it give us choices (we never knew we needed maybe) but it paid its workers well and Bezos extreme wealth could help the economy by being sliced and diced like yours and mine is.
It doesn’t solve the issue of independent bookstores and such, but I do love a good bookstore and will visit as often as I can. Maybe if my taxes weren’t so high (and had more of my hard-earned cash to spend), I’d be able to frequent them more often.
Swoboda's endorsement alone convinces me to order this: "Part Wendell Berry, Eugene Peterson, and Madeleine L'Engle. The result is sheer magic." Bravo.
I get it.
Being a purist feels good, until the bills arrive. I still struggle with the Amazon problem as a writer, too. Thank you for sharing this.
Such a fascinating topic! You gave me much to think through and, goodness, the conundrum is SO REAL. Regardless, thanks for shedding some insight into this topic from both the perspective of an author and a reader. It's a worthwhile conversation.
I pre-ordered one copy from Amazon and one copy from Baker. Don’t know if that solved/helped anything, and it was mostly because I forgot the second time around that I had already pre-ordered a copy! 😂
Thank you! I could not agree more.. just as I ordered a book on Amazon…
I try to keep somewhat of a balance.. buy locally in person, buy from small businesses, order direct.
We all know how bad any monopoly is. We can’t stop the juggernauts all we can do is try to balance it out somewhat with alternate choices.
My husband and I have had really bad experiences with Amazon Canada for preorders and we’re done using them for that. We still order books from there, but not preordered ones. They never came in on the day, and more than once didn’t come at all and we had to follow up. I wish the advantages of ordering from the publisher applied to Canada, like free shipping or 40% off. 😉But alas, since that’s not the case, this year we got so fed up we decided to try out a local option. I preordered your book through a small indie bookstore here in Montreal. I hope to bless their small business while supporting and encouraging great work from authors like you, whose insight and beautiful craft serve me so well. ♥️
Lore,
This resonates with me and has stirred my thoughts. Thanks!
I really connect to this discussion. As an author, I don’t want to solely sell through Amazon, but I’m still learning the ropes of the other publishing and distribution platforms of how to make that possible. The ranking might make it easier for people to find it, but if readers are getting something out of the stories we tell, and we’re doing the leg work and trusting that those books will reach the people who will get something from them, that’s what matters. The impact that story, whatever kind it is, has and the truth it contains.
Well your link the day I bought was Baker. But that does not preclude me from reviewing it on Goodreads, nor from giving a copy to my library, or recommending it to friends, who may choose Amazon. Do a book signing at the library as a local author. And I also would suggest at this point that anyone with a podcast ought to invite you as a guest. Before you leave your New England home, get a spot on local, regional radio. The book is relevant in an election year. Broaden your scope. You have excellent thoughts.
Thank you for pointing out the good deal at Baker. I pre-ordered there and I’m looking forward to the package in the mail in May! Working on my delayed gratification is always a good thing. 🙂
Thanks for laying this out so clearly.
a conundrum, for sure. but i'm wishing you well on your book release, Lore.
As an author with a guided journal coming out tomorrow and a nonfic book in spring 2025 I am constantly thinking about "the Amazon problem". I know Amazon makes it incredibly easy for the consumer to purchase books, and of course, I want to reduce that friction as much as I can for my potential readers. I also know that Amazon creates a lot of problems for pretty much everyone else, from indie bookstores to authors to Amazon workers, which this article does a great job of laying out! I wish this problem wasn't one that consumers and working authors had to try to solve on our own. Lord knows Amazon and Bezos have little to no incentive to make things better.
I appreciate this peek behind the curtain. Our household has made it well over a year without buying anything from Amazon but I understand there is some privilege there making that possible (time to find other vendors, ability to pay more at other places, an ability to do without if needed). I pre-ordered your book from Baker and I'm excited to read it!!
I’m bummed that there wasn’t REALLY an answer to the question, lol. I have used Amazon to buy way more than books (though I remember the beginning when it was all books and it seems so sweet and innocent then, me a house-bound new mother in the depths of winter, ordering all that Penelope Leach and then, later, books about toddlers and then preschool and then…)
Now I go to it because I don’t have the time to go from store to store to MAYBE find what I’m looking for. I bought a walker for my dad because the only medical supply store that might have carried it is an hour away. I bought the little brass beads I needed for the class craft because trolling multiple Michael’s in search of that tiny box would have driven me mad (and I’d likely have walked out with more than just that tiny box, let’s be honest). I’d be willing to pay a little more if shopping in person wasn’t so fraught. Maybe the trouble is that there are no guardrails to an Amazon becoming an Amazon. There should be some laws about fair compensation and proper taxing of businesses AND of extravagantly rich individuals. I’ll bet my tax rate is higher than both Amazon’s and Bezos. Therein lies the trouble I think, because if that weren’t true, maybe then Amazon could be looked at in a positive manner because not only dies it give us choices (we never knew we needed maybe) but it paid its workers well and Bezos extreme wealth could help the economy by being sliced and diced like yours and mine is.
It doesn’t solve the issue of independent bookstores and such, but I do love a good bookstore and will visit as often as I can. Maybe if my taxes weren’t so high (and had more of my hard-earned cash to spend), I’d be able to frequent them more often.
Swoboda's endorsement alone convinces me to order this: "Part Wendell Berry, Eugene Peterson, and Madeleine L'Engle. The result is sheer magic." Bravo.
Good to know!