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AMAZON BUYS GOODREADS
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Mirta
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Mar 28, 2013 02:33PM
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffberco...
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I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. Will be interesting to see what this means for us.
Well you can be sure that Goodreads will shortly receive a whole lot more advertising space; just look what happened when they acquired Lovefilm. So expect all sorts of tie-ins with Amazon's existing book-selling platforms. For authors this will facilitate reviews which I'd say is a good thing. On the other hand it might stifle the efforts of indie publishers if we all have to start conforming to minimum pricings, Amazon exclusivity etc. I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see I suppose?
I've taken a few days to think this acquisition over and I still have an uneasy feeling about it. If its just about advertising space, to push their e-readers then that's OK. But if it means 'controlling' the freedom and flow of author/reader opinion and interaction (Amazon forum style) then I am concerned.
However, if opinion/interaction does get stifled I'll find a way of opening up the Memoir Library for these discussions - haven't got a clue how to do it, yet. And its a daunting prospect with regard to time and commitment but we have to have our freedom.
Let's cross fingers and hope for the best! I do hope though that it won't mean an end to the current interaction.
Richard wrote: "I've taken a few days to think this acquisition over and I still have an uneasy feeling about it. If its just about advertising space, to push their e-readers then that's OK. But if it means '..."
You're a gem for even considering it!
Amazon's increasing growth in market influence is worrying. On the other hand, my experience as an author is that Amazon has been remarkably sensitive to concerns & needs of authors & indy publishers. And it has been Amazon that has really opened up the opportunity for writers to direct publish their work with the possibility of significant sales.
Nancy wrote: "Richard wrote: "I've taken a few days to think this acquisition over and I still have an uneasy feeling about it. If its just about advertising space, to push their e-readers then that's OK. Bu..."
The 'gem' may be cracked - or certifiably insane! We'll find out which when the men with the white coats come and take me away!
Jeffrey wrote: "Amazon's increasing growth in market influence is worrying. On the other hand, my experience as an author is that Amazon has been remarkably sensitive to concerns & needs of authors & indy publishe..."Jeff, as an avid Amazon author, I can attest to that. It's kinda like a two-edged sword, I guess.
Just in case you didn't pick up the tweet, here's an interesting article on Amazon/Goodreads - don't know if there's any Amazon 'inspiration' behind it but I think its worth looking at http://goo.gl/pezlP
It will be very interesting indeed to watch and see what happens! I did read that Goodreads will not change, but I guess that only time will tell...
Richard wrote: "Just in case you didn't pick up the tweet, here's an interesting article on Amazon/Goodreads - don't know if there's any Amazon 'inspiration' behind it but I think its worth looking at http://goo.g..."I'm not on Twitter yet. I thought it was a passing thing but it seems to be here to stay so probably should. Thanks Richard, this is a good article. I didn't actually think of the information yield potential of Goodreads for Amazon.
"far fewer people are finding their reading material at brick and mortar bookstores than two years ago. Instead, they're relying more on online media (including social networks and author websites)and personal recommendations from people they know...given the problems Amazon has had with writers buying friendly reviews, they might use the site as an a big cache of trustworthy opinions."
Leo wrote: "Richard wrote: "Just in case you didn't pick up the tweet, here's an interesting article on Amazon/Goodreads - don't know if there's any Amazon 'inspiration' behind it but I think its worth looking..."I've only been on Twitter a little while but I've already run out of things to say - so just promoting the books on the library, starting with the latest first and working back to the first!
