Hi, it's me again, total paranoia.
But damn it if Amazon isn't up to something.
So here's the play by play for those e-book 'indie' authors out there. The same ones who swear by J.A. Konrath and Barry Eisler's assurances that self-electronic publishing is where the money is at and how you shouldn't accept a traditional publishing deal.
Well, Janet Reid (the Query Shark), a widely respected agent in NY has posted on her blog that Barry Eilser has signed a deal with Amazon's new publishing house imprint, Thomas and Mercer for a rumored $500,000 deal. So tell me my author friends, WTF is Amazon up to?
Are they working their way to take out the big six publishers, and honestly doing a fine job of it? By using us, authors, who believe we can make hundreds of thousands of dollars on our own ebooks? Did Barry take an advance because he knows that he cannot make that kind of money for one book selling at the standard 70% royalty rate ebook author price of 2.99? He'd have to sell a million copies to make that much money. That's not going to happen. So he does the smart thing and publish with a new big time, throwing lots of money around, imprint. Who can blame him?
So now 'inde' authors of the Kornath and Eilser kind must admit that they aren't really 'indie' authors but humps for amazon and their new conglomerate. They are no more rebel at writely heart than you or I. They want money and fame, and amazon is giving it to them.
Hey Amazon, I'd like some money and fame too! I'm willing to sell out! Cheap too! Just ask!
