July 1 question – There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?
The awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!
I missed out on the big change in the writing industry when it became possible for authors to self-publish, or when putting a book on sale at 99¢ was almost a guarantee of big sales figures. Such is life. But there are a couple of changes I’d like to see happen.
First, I’d like to see Amazon change their policies on ebook returns. Their current policies allows readers to use Amazon as a lending library. Buyers have seven days in which to return a book. I can easily read a book in that time frame. Authors have reported watching a series being purchased and then returned one book at a time. That’s just not fair. Amazon, can you fix that?
While I’m picking upon Amazon, how about their review policy? I’ve had reviews removed because Amazon thought the reviewer was my friend. Guess what? Everyone who likes my author page on Facebook isn’t my friend. They’re called fans. That’s why they write reviews. Oh, and how about pulling reviews that aren’t about the book itself. You know, those ones that talk about how Amazon messed something up in the download. Or were for a totally different book.
I suppose I should mention one that isn’t Amazon related. (They are easy to pick on!) I’d like someone to invent a way to make pirating books harder. Without making it harder for readers to read the book! Right now, it’s like playing whack-a-mole for an author to keep their books off pirate sites. One site goes down and another pops up.
What changes would you like to see in the publishing industry? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
Until next time, stay safe.
I wish Amazon would change their review policy as well. Some of their policy is necessary to make sure reviews are legitimate, but the rest only hurt authors and readers.
But their criteria for figuring out legitimate reviews is flawed and they don’t care.
Amazon’s reviewing rules do seem quite backward. It’s hard enough for indie authors in particular to get noticed, so it would be nice if they helped more!
The trouble is, indie authors are not Amazon’s big money maker, so they don’t give them the sam support as they do big companies
Those are some real challenges Indie authors have to deal with, wow! It is in amazon’s power to make these changes in support of authors. I hope they read this post!
I had no idea about this eBook return policy, that’s crazy. It’s like buying anything you only need for a week and then being able to return it for a full refund! How can anyone make an honest living from that???
Thankfully, there are enough honest people that buy and keep books. Sadly, this isn’t limited to book sales. Ask people who works in retail and they can tell you the stories about TVs being bought before a big game and returned a few days later, etc.
“First, I’d like to see Amazon change their policies on ebook returns.” I hope someone realizes, unless there is waiver signed, that books fall under the same protection as other intellectual properties such as software, physical or digital media etc. Open it, it’s yours.
“I’ve had reviews removed because Amazon thought the reviewer was my friend.”
I’ve had reviews pulled because I posted in so many words, the work sucked. In Amazon friendly language, even. It wasn’t an Indie work so maybe they were covering their obligation to not cheese off Simon and Schuster.
Equity and authenticity is what we and the industry need. In representation, delivery and reviews. And even if it was a friend of yours, who the hell is Amazon to play review arbiter? Based on what? Their algorithm for what they think the review of your material should be? Jeez…Okay, I’m out before I start to steam! Great post.
I have heard stories of Amazon pulling books from everyone’s kindles due to a dispute with the publisher. Granted, that was a few years ago, but I imagine they still have the capability.
Pirating is such a huge problem, and not only for authors. I’d love to see that addressed!
there is work being done on block chain technology to help. How long before it becomes available to authors is anyone’s guess.