I joined a group calling itself NJ AuthorsNetwork
My first post was the following:
Our books are listed on Amazon and B&N, available on Kindle, Nook and iPad, but we
find it impossible to get a foot of space on the shelves or get a book signing in a
bookstore.
Why? Because we "don't have a publisher."
In order to overcome the barriers which the independent writers now face in the
publishing industry, a group of us has started a free membership group:
www.indiePENdents.org. Our Working Group is now developing ways to take selfpublishing
into the mainstream, and open the door for our works into bookstores and
libraries.
In a separate group discussion on LinkedIn last night, I proposed an interim action: to
set up a table in front of Barnes & Noble store in Princeton where our books will be on
display (and if legal for sale) with posters indicating the absurdity that B&N sells them
on their website but not in the store.
We could distribute leaflets protesting the second-class citizenship assigned to
independent authors by the industry and call ourselves OCCUPY PUBLISHERS,
BOOKSTORES AND LIBRARIES.
We must start somewhere, so exerting pressure on B&N is a good beginning. We must
work on opening the gates to us, and breaking the barriers now standing between
independent authors and the reading public.
Readers today are not given the choice to choose or not our books because they are
kept from their sight. Tomorrow, that will change if we start acting toward that goal.
If you are interested in participating, please email lastexile@yahoo.com. We could then
meet to discuss this action at a Panera of our choice.
An astonishing reply came from John Gibbs, the owner the group
Jasha,
Sorry, but this is not the place to discuss occupying anything. I've deleted your original message from the boards. Please don't post anythimg like that again.
Jon Gibbs
www.acatofninetales.com
www.acatofninetales.com
RHe was joined by another imported writer, Paul Barnett:
Just wondering, Jasha, if you're able to give B&N the same discounts they get from traditional publishers?
Paul
This makes three immigrants, 2:1 for the Brits, which doesn’t make them right. I have had my scraps with their likes in Her Majesty’s Government before (Read; The Last Exile)
To which I replied today:
Re: For self-published authors: Occupy Publishers, Bookstores, Libraries
I protest your censorship. We are an open society and writers of all people
should not be the one's who shut other peopleup.
Had I named my call OPEN THE DOORS TO INDIES, would it have been censored as
well? I used Occupy for its shock effect and I don't care how it is called, but
my call is valid and of deepest interest to authors.
How come you do allow posts on B&N policy on indies authors bu you not a
disciusion on the indies authors policies on B&N .
What is this network for if not for the concerns of NJ authors? If you insist on not letting authors speak their mind, shouldn't you change its name? It
deceived me.
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