The Bare Complexities

The world of books is vastly complex – perhaps more complex than it need be. As I read The New York Times’ article In Latest Volley Against Amazon, Hachette’s Writers Target Its Board, I can’t help but shake my head at this complexity. It’s definitely not something a writer expects as we embark on telling a story to our readers. In that case, it could be said that we writers may be a bit naïve about the world out there—especially as the complexity is nothing new.

For as long as there has been literature, there has been some sort of censorship or control (as censorship can be a strong word at times) over who and where and what can sell or read it. It truly gives meaning to the saying that “words are power”. As kids we are taught that sticks and stones may break our bones but words will never hurt us. In fact, I believe that sometimes words can do more damage than anything physical.

This latest debacle seems to be about Amazon discouraging readers from purchasing Hachette’s print books and while it seems to have raised the hackles of quite a few authors, this is neither the first nor the last battle when it comes to book sales. With all the publishers and platforms out there, an author will find it near impossible to work without following some sort of rules (rape, incest and bestiality is a common one) if you want to publish or sell with any of these publishers/platforms. This is not necessarily a bad thing depending on your preferences and what your end goal is, but it does give one some sort of pause as to what you aim to accomplish.

So what is the moral of today’s blog? Read, read and read. Do your homework before you write or even as you write, keep abreast of what is going on. If you want to play a part in this literary world, it behooves you to be informed about the complexities of the industry.

Happy Writing this week!

Filed under: Business, Writer's Life, Writing Topics