I take your points, they're all made. However, I still refuse to give my money to Amazon directly. I've told a number of authors that is love to buy their books but won't do so from Amazon. One of them (Nicole) even granted me temporary free access to her book on SubStack so that I could read it, a gesture I found profoundly generous, touching and moving. I promised her that as soon as it's available elsewhere I would buy a copy, not just for her generosity, but because I loved her book and wanted to have a copy I could re-read.
I mean no criticism of you or any other author who publishes on Amazon, I just choose not to even if I may be giving them my custom indirectly. And I applaud you for giving us alternatives. It's a matter of principle for me. And I also try to urge people to find alternative sources, wherever they can. It may be a futile gesture, but if no one does anything things won't ever change. The Lone Skums, Bezarses and the rest of them will take over the world.
Thanks. As I write in the article and you noted, accessing my newest book through NON Amazon means is the FIRST option I make available. I also make it available to all paid subscribers for free. In addition to that, every short story in my anthology is available FREE to EVERYBODY here on Substack.
But not using Amazon is not a realistic option for indie authors.
People who want change need to vote, and not do things like refuse to vote for someone like Kamala because she didn't meet a litmus test when everyone in the world was shouting about the fascist who was going to take the Oval Office in her place. (not saying that's you).
I take your points, they're all made. However, I still refuse to give my money to Amazon directly. I've told a number of authors that is love to buy their books but won't do so from Amazon. One of them (Nicole) even granted me temporary free access to her book on SubStack so that I could read it, a gesture I found profoundly generous, touching and moving. I promised her that as soon as it's available elsewhere I would buy a copy, not just for her generosity, but because I loved her book and wanted to have a copy I could re-read.
I mean no criticism of you or any other author who publishes on Amazon, I just choose not to even if I may be giving them my custom indirectly. And I applaud you for giving us alternatives. It's a matter of principle for me. And I also try to urge people to find alternative sources, wherever they can. It may be a futile gesture, but if no one does anything things won't ever change. The Lone Skums, Bezarses and the rest of them will take over the world.
Thanks. As I write in the article and you noted, accessing my newest book through NON Amazon means is the FIRST option I make available. I also make it available to all paid subscribers for free. In addition to that, every short story in my anthology is available FREE to EVERYBODY here on Substack.
But not using Amazon is not a realistic option for indie authors.
People who want change need to vote, and not do things like refuse to vote for someone like Kamala because she didn't meet a litmus test when everyone in the world was shouting about the fascist who was going to take the Oval Office in her place. (not saying that's you).