Macmillan's embargo on ebook library lending should serve as a warning to everyone, libraries included, that tradpub is entering its terminal stage. Only companies backed into a corner commit such bizarre acts of seeming pettiness and irrationality. The news today that the newly merged ViacomCBS is putting Simon & Schuster up for sale is another data point trending downward for tradpub.
As the LA Times notes, the likeliest buyer of S&S is another one of the Big 5 publishers, which would mean a further concentration of clout in the (albeit shrinking) publishing industry. This raises the risk that Macmillan's ebook dispute with libraries could grow in scope and affect a larger share of new published books than it does now.
It helps to look at this dispute in terms of a labor strike. Macmillan controls the books, or the labor force, and libraries control product distribution. Publishers can hold back their "labor" to negotiate better ebook licensing terms with libraries. Libraries, under pressure from customers--or their members--would be forced to negotiate or lose their members.
Most big publishers rely on a handful of writers and highly publicized releases each year to turn a profit. Some writers, household names like James Patterson or Stephen King, have as much, if not more, power as the imprints that publish them. One of them could opportunistically cross the picket line and negotiate ebook licensing on his own.
Or something else could happen. Libraries could read the tea leaves foretelling tradpub's doom and change their acquisition model. There are independent publishers and self-published writers who are dying to be read. They would love love love to sell ebook licenses to libraries. The conversion rate of freeloaders to paying customers is high owing to the higher premium readers put on their time, as opposed to their money.
The good news is most libraries are set up to directly serve their communities. They're naturally inclined to feature local authors and local presses. If they've been on the fence about pivoting to the indie book scene, this Macmillan embargo might be all the convincing they need.
It doesn't hurt to try. Macmillan's gambit presents an opportunity too good to pass up for agile, independent writers and publishers with high growth ceilings. Seize it.
Here's the American Library Association's FAQ on the embargo.
Speaking for myself, I give my book to anyone who asked if I knew they were going to read it. I do, in fact, give my debut book Tendrils to the Moon to anyone who signs up for my mailing list. You can sign up for the mailing list on the right side of the blog page. Or, if you're viewing this on the mobile site, click here.
Also, you can read the first 4 chapters of my newest book, Seeds of Calamity, for free. If it piques your interest, get yourself a copy at Amazon. I appreciate the support!
No comments:
Post a Comment