Slog - Comments on Sweet Mystery of Extortion http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion On Seattle Mystery Bookshop's blog, there's a fairly long post that touches on a more and more frequent problem with author readings: This morning, we got a message from Dana Stabenow. Her publisher was making the offer to send her to shops who could guarantee 100 'pre-sold' copies of her new hardcover by Jan. 17, 2009. Their response was both emotional: On one hand there is the feeling of loss. We were the shop that hosted Dana's first signing for her first mystery. In fact, it was our founder, Bill Farley, who told her she would win the Edgar with... Copyright 2008 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:08:51 -0800 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:33:45 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Dougsf How can publishers that undercut bookstores by selling to online retailers at a discount expect those same bookstores to invest so much effort in their authors?

For the most part though, I don't care about readings. I'm glad when they pull in money for the shops, but with a few exceptions, I've never wanted to hear an author's speaking voice, or even meet them in such a setting. Kinda ruins it for me.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181027 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181027 Books Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:32:43 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Mysteries shouldn't even be published in hardcover. Mysteries should be printed in mass-market paperback only, with lurid covers. I'd feel dirty reading Carl Hiassen in hard covers.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181037 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181037 Books Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:39:46 -0800 Comment by leek Yikes! I actually really like Stabenow's books, too. She seems like the kind of author who would shut this crap down if possible. Wonder if she knows the full story...

]]> leek http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181125 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181125 Books Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:42:28 -0800 Comment by Lincolnish @3: You make a good point. But lame as some publishers' marketing tactics may be, many authors feel just as hamstrung by them as the bookstores. Like musicians who struggle to get signed to major record labels, authors work hard to get published -- and then they're often dismayed by the hoops their new masters insist they jump through. But most authors (especially the new ones) feel helpless to protest, since that could mean falling back into obscurity and poverty.

It would be great to see authors stand up to their publishers and refuse to participate in these cheap schemes. Maybe it's time for a sea change, like what's going on now in the music industry.

]]> Lincolnish http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181173 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181173 Books Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:30:26 -0800 Comment by Broxx Rear side. , cute nude college girls, [url="http://www.vidilife.com/index.cfm?f=profile.main&intUserAccountID=1162640"]cute nude college girls[/url], http://www.vidilife.com/index.cfm?f=profile.main&intUserAccountID=1162640 cute nude college girls, hot girls kissing compilation, [url="http://gs54.photobucket.com/groups/g91/9XWXI9FDYO/"]hot girls kissing compilation[/url], http://gs54.photobucket.com/groups/g91/9XWXI9FDYO/ hot girls kissing compilation, black boobs, [url="http://www.movieweb.com/u/ga1b5x1"]black boobs[/url], http://www.movieweb.com/u/ga1b5x1 black boobs,

]]> Broxx http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181203 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181203 Books Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:09:04 -0800 Comment by Some cheese with your whine? "On one hand there is the feeling of loss."

On the other, grow the fuck up and welcome to the real world. And don't expect to be taken very seriously by actually spouting sentences like that.

]]> Some cheese with your whine? http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181275 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181275 Books Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:31:42 -0800 Comment by Amelia ("Sweet mystery of extortion, at last I have foooound you...")

And thanks for bringing this to my attention after the Seattle Mystery Bookshop made it public. How many independent booksellers are left?

]]> Amelia http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181336 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181336 Books Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:27:24 -0800 Comment by Bubbles It is kinda rediculous, but I can understand it too. Authors often have to prioritize visits on tightly packed promotion junkets. It effects Big Box stores as well is independents.

]]> Bubbles http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181387 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1181387 Books Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:30:44 -0800 Comment by leek Update on the bookshop-situation-that-few-care-about:

http://seattlemysteryblog.typepad.com/seattle_mystery/2008/10/a-dilly-of-a-miscommunications.html


]]> leek http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1183164 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/sweet_mystery_of_extortion#c1183164 Books Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:33:45 -0800