Amazon is in talks with book publishers. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that Amazon hopes to launch a virtual library service similar to Netflix for tablets and other digital books. The venture would allow customers to pay an annual fee to access library content. An Amazon spokesperson was not available for comment, but the Journal cited people familiar with the matter. According to the article, "It is unclear how much traction the talks have received", so time will tell if it actually happens. "Several unnamed publishing executives said they are not enthusiastic about the idea because it could lower the value of books and could strain their relationships with other retailers that sell their books."
Personally, I doubt publishers are happy with anything Amazon is doing. But this is interesting news.
First, there is the 'Bartleby Snopes Third Annual Dialogue Only Contest' – Compose a short story entirely of dialogue; under 2000 words. As of 9/11 the grand prize is $540. But see the site for full details. Monetary awards plus publication. Entry fee: $10. But you'll need to hurry, the deadline is today! See: www.bartlebysnopes.com/contests.htm
Next there is the 'HOOT flash fiction, poetry, and memoir monthly contest' - fewer than 150 words. Award: 30% of the entry fees they receive. Entry fee: $2 for every two entries, unlimited entries. Deadline: The 20th of every month (next is September 20, 2011). Info: http://hootreview.com
Also, a reminder that there are still some open contests at Writer's Digest, but they have yet to fix their ever-so frustrating website. If they can't keep their website from crashing, I see no reason to believe they can keep their business from crashing as well. With all the websites offering the same information as Writer's Digest, and all the other changes in the writing world, do you think Writer's Digest is in danger of becoming a relic too? And what do you think of Amazon's latest idea? Do you think this digital library will happen? I'm not a betting woman, but if I were, I'd bet on Amazon. Much as I love traditional publishing, it's rapidly becoming obsolete. Publishers might need to get over their aversion to doing business with Amazon. It may be their best chance of survival.
33 comments:
Doralynn - Thanks for the tips! Always looking for new contests. I'm looking forward to seeing you in the second round.
P.S. I stopped by to let you know that I have a blog award for you on my blog!
I came up with that Netflix model for Amazon. No, really. I posted it in the comments section of Nathan Bransford's blog nine months ago when he asked what the future of publishing was. Didn't know the people at Amazon read his blog. :))
Thanks for the tips, will keep them in mind.
Yvonne.
Congratulations on advancing to the second round!
NetFlix is a good model, but - even they ran into trouble recently when studios started charging them four times the amount for the free streaming movies. (I guess they hadn't planned for the popularity of free streaming media when they signed the original agreement.) Wonder how that will affect what happens with Amazon?
Hi Maeve, thanks for the award and thanks for stopping by. Doralynn
L.G., somewhere there's an executive with a big, fat pay raise thanks to your post at Nathan Bransford's blog! I guess lots of unexpected folks do follow him. And apparently, some of them work for Amazon. :-)
Hi Yvonne, nice to see you... glad the tips were helpful.
Hi Alex, thanks for the congrats. Just imagine how much trouble NetFlix would be in if the post office really went down! (Which is a terrifying thought!) But all these changes could spell trouble for Amazon too.
Well, with traditional pub going to hell we do need something to aspire to, and Amazon is reeling them in. I'm considering buying a Kindle. That's right, I don't have one yet, been digging in my heels. I think it's time. :)
Congratulations on making it to round 2. I've been too afraid to check any standings since I made it. Figured it's best not to think about it and enjoy making it this far.
I finally broke down and bought a Kindle. Glad I did, but I still prefer hard books. I really like the Netflix model.
Would looooove it if Amazon did this. Nothing would make me happier!
I haven't gone into the Writer's Digest site enough to see any problems. I've ordered a few things through them and never had a problem with that.
Mixed feelings about Amazon's subscription plan. Could devalue books, but maybe that's already been happening. Time for creative thinking I guess.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Hi Laila, I don't have one either. I guess I've vaguely considered getting one, but I've been digging my heels in too. Yikes... hate the thought of switching over from print. Don't think I can do it. I guess the time still hasn't come for me.
Hi Isis, looks like round 2 is as far as I made it. I had fun though! I hadn't written flash fiction in a long time. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it. I'm kinda impressed with the Netflix model too. But I have mixed feeling about the whole thing. No going back though... unless we really do get hit by an x class flare or YU55 and get sent back to the dark ages.
Enjoy yout Kindle!
Hello Alleged Author, it's pretty impressive. Amazon is really out there on the forefront of everything. They're like Star Trek... boldly going where no one has gone before.
Hi Lee, the WD site is terrible. It crashes continually. Sometimes it won't load at all. I think the worst links may be the contest links.
Unfortunately, "real" books have already been devalued by e-books and epubs. I doubt I'll ever come around to e-books. I prefer print, but the change is here and it will continue to change.
Thanks for stopping by.
That dialogue only contest reminds me of that book Clarissa did in that format.
I don't think that anything that'll cause people to buy smaller numbers of books will go over well with the moneymakers.
I think Writer's Digest has found a way to keep up with the marketplace. They are now offering a self-publishing service. I think it's called Abbot Press and you get the WD seal of approval once they've read and approved your book. It's a matter of time before more of the big businesses and smart agents will be trampling down this path.
Amazon is just awesome. My only beef with them is the extra they charge me to download books 'cause of where I live.
Interesting concept but I have my doubts as to how successful it'll be.
I just knew L.G. was behind all Amazon's ideas :PP
A lot of great reminders, I had a dialogue only story I could have entered...oh well.
Amazon is taking over the world. Half of me hates it for that, but half of me loves it for good prices and great service.
Very interesting about Amazon. I'm not sure what to think. My local library is already offering digital borrowing, so why would I pay Amazon?
I'm fascinated by this Amazon development and am shocked it hasn't happened sooner. I am sure publishers are bummed, but honestly, as a very fast reader, I sort of love this idea. Is it that different than a digital ebook library?
HI J.L., Conversations was the first thing I thought of too.
Sorry to take so long to reply -- had a hectic week and my computer is screwing up. Oh well, it's old and has been rebuilt twice.
It's a good thing WD has a self-publishing service, but if it's as bad as their website, then there must be a lot of dissatisfied people out there. But the WD seal of approval is a good move.
It makes no sense for Amazon to charge you more to download a book based on where you live! How outrageous! I don't see how they can possibly justify that.
Hi DWei, I can see a few problems with it too... but, like you say, it is interesting!
Hi DEZMOND, I think L.G. should be given a bonus!!
Hi Clarissa, I immediately thought of Conversations when I saw that contest. I wish I'd e-mailed you, but I didn't know you had a short story you could have used.
Hi Shirley, that's what it feels like! Wish I'd been on the ground floor of Amazon! I'm sure politicians will punish them for being successful in the future... sort of like what they did to Bill Gates.
Hi Cynthia, it seems every time I turn around, Amazon has a new plan. My library offers digital borrowing too... but it's a pretty meager offering. I've only found one book that I haven't already read. Well, I should rephrase that. I've read all the books I'm interested in -- except one.
Hi Christa, I was pretty fascinated by it too. It does seems like it would have happened sooner. Publishers sure have a lot to be bummed about lately!
Despite fighting it early on, I'm now a kindle convert. I love it. I'm not sure yet about the library service, it could be a good thing. Time will tell... I'd hate to see "real" libraries close...
Hi Pat, I hope I can become a Kindle convert, but I have my doubts. I hope real libraries never close!! I hadn't even thought of that. That would be terrible!
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