Amazon on the Amazon: what's piranha got to do with being an indie writer?

[Andre Jute]

On Kissing the Blarney I sometimes shorthand Amazon as “barrowboys” to emphasize that they do not exhibit the attitudes expected from publishers. Now, in a brilliant analogy, Nathan Lowell explains precisely what Amazon’s name means and how it affects not only their trading stance, but their attitude to indie books and indie writers.
http://coolmainpress.com/ajwriting/ar...

[Larry]

Andre,

After reading his comments, I'm still not sure if he favors or opposes Amazon. I'll be more explicit. Amazon has opened the door wide to authors otherwise excluded from the marketplace. As with any private enterprise, it has a business model. If we like it, we sell there. If we dislike it, we don't. And let's face it, Amazon is a name most readers know. I had never heard of Podiobooks as either a writer or reader. That says something about the amount of traffic being driven to their site. I want to sell my books, not just have them available.

[Andre Jute]

But why does Nathan have to choose sides? I don't. I observe that Amazon is a dangerous partner, like an elephant that turns over in the night and squashes you without even noticing. On the other hand I admire Amazon's non-elitist outlook. (I'm an old-fashioned liberal, like so many American would like to be, but don't have the balls for.)

Nathan's a smart cookie. Reminds me, I should invite him to join us.

[Andre Jute]

New comments from P J Jones, Nathan Lowell and Andre Jute on this article that may interest you.

http://coolmainpress.com/ajwriting/ar...

[Marion]

I think the analogy of Amazon as THE AMAZON -- a mighty river, makes sense. You aren't on a river's side. A river flows. You can use the currents to get you somewhere or you can drown. It doesn't like you or dislike you. You can admire it, but it is neither your friend nor your enemy.

[Amos]

The Amazon is fine, it's those damn starving piranha that are the problem...