Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I’d never before stepped inside a bookstore where my mere presence was unwelcome and quite possibly hated. Of course, upon going in, I wasn’t unwelcome. Just another potential customer curious about the shop. I’d never been in before, and tended to be a fan of small bookstores where you can buy used and new copies. Nothing wrong with a used book, half of mine are, and I’m supporting a small business that way.

It was a spur of the moment thing. I was in town to spend a day with my mom, since I really hadn’t seen her since I got back from Germany. We were out shopping, and she knew I loved bookstores and mentioned that my sister liked it a lot. She also knew that I can’t spend less than half an hour in a musty shop like that, so I told her I’d only be five minutes. Just five minutes to check them out.

Those five minutes were going to be a real doozy.

So when I went into the shop, it was nice, clean, and had a good selection of books. The prices weren’t bad, and I was considering grabbing a couple books on my way out. Before I had my books, I stopped by the checkout counter, and looked at the lady behind the register.

I introduced myself.

“Do you support local authors,� I asked ever-so innocently.

She smiled, “Why yes!�

I smiled now. “Great, I’ve written a few books, and was wondering if you might like to have them in the YA section of your shop.�

She goes on to tell me how to submit my book, and then she pauses to ask who I have it published through.

“I’m self published.� I said, feeling proud. I mean, this is my full time job. My living. I am proud of myself!

“Yes, but who do you publish through?� She asked, a little more intense. “Do you use Amazon? Createspace?�

â€Ô¨±ð²õ…â¶Ä�

Before I could say anything else her demeanor went from nice to so very angry I didn’t have time to process it.

“We will not do any business with authors who use Amazon!� She said this so loudly the whole shop went silent. I swear you could have heard a mouse fart.

I took a step back, because she was obviously angry.

Now, the next question I asked her, I am not proud of. I was so caught off guard by her switch from sweet to angry, that I stupidly asked. “What do you have against Amazon?�

Insert foot in mouth.

Mental forehead slap.

She was so angry, and spewed at me, “They have ruined bookstores! They put Borders out of business! Barnes and Noble is next!�

Another big step back, and I can honestly say I don’t remember what I stammered as I bolted for the exit.

As I reflect on what happened, I now know exactly what two things I would say to her.

1. The books in your shop are for sale on Amazon. The authors who wrote them and the agents and publishers made that happen. They are making money together. So you shouldn’t want their books in your shop.

2. Amazon hasn’t done anything wrong.

Now please, just hear me out as to why I think this�

It’s not Amazon that put Borders out of business, not really. And it’s not Amazon that is hurting book sales in other stores. When you get right down to it, it’s the people. It’s the masses and the money those masses spend.

Amazon didn’t force anyone to buy their product, or to buy into the ebook sensation. They aren’t standing at the computer with a gun pressed to some poor person’s temple, telling them to click buy. They merely saw something that they thought the masses would like, took advantage of it, and made an amazing business out of it. So how can you blame Amazon for putting other stores out of business when clearly, the people have spoken? They like ebooks. They like being able to carry a library around in their purse or pocket. The people made this happen. Not Amazon.

It could have gone differently. Amazon could have tanked in the ebook biz, and the people could have ignored the ebooks and Kindles and kept going into Borders and their local book stores. But they didn’t. It’s clear times are changing, and bookstore owners like the one I encountered have to realize it’s not my fault. I shouldn’t be penalized for running my business by using Amazon. And from my point of view, Amazon has done what any other business would have. They capitalized. That’s what businesses do! If someone thinks differently they are kidding themselves.

No business would ever succeed or turn a profit if this is how their conversations went�.

Borders: Well gosh, Amazon, our profits are down real bad. I think you’re killing us with your fancy Kindles.

Amazon: I’m so sorry. Here, we’ll take them off sale so you can get your footing.

Barnes and Noble: Hey, that’s real nice of you Amazon, I think I’ll hold off on releasing the new Nook, you know, to help too.

No, that’s not how the book business works.

So to the owner of this bookstore I would like to say,

GET A GRIP. Embrace change! I should be just as welcome as any other author in your store. The used books on your shelves are a part of Amazon, just as much as me. Some of them were probably bought on Amazon before ending up in your store. So since you hate Amazon so much, you might as well close up shop. That way you can be extra sure you are not doing ANY business with them.

When you get down to it, Amazon didn’t do anything wrong. No one business did anything wrong. Its not them you should be angry with, and it’s not me. I’m not hurting you. The other indie authors aren’t hurting you.

So before pointing your finger at me or someone else for being part of the business that supposedly killed books, think long and hard about who you condemn.

I bet you’ve purchased something from Amazon.



Sincerely,



J.C. Isabella