NUMBER 102
So now the word going around is that people are shopping in Barnes & Noble and other book stores, looking at books they want and using their Smart phone or whatever to go on line and purchase it, especially if the price is right and they can get it on Kindle, IPad, etc.
Here’s more of the latest hoopla. “Last week Amazon caused a furor in the book selling world with its reveal of a Price Check App consumers could use in bricks-and-mortar stores to get discounts at the retailer. Although the app did not include books, its announcement offered many a chance to slam Amazon as a ruthless corporation out to destroy the community bookstore (Too late if you ask me, they done that!!!) and, as Richard Russo claimed in the New York Times, literary culture along with it. Although the price check app is what continues to be discussed in the media, what has publishers riled, behind the scenes, is aggressive moves the retailer is making in its demands on co-op and discounts. A number of sources in the industry, all of whom spoke to PW on the condition of anonymity (oh, so nobody wants to give up their name, sure!), said the retailer is, in certain cases, threatening to stop selling titles from companies who won't pay up.”
I do not think that’s going to hurt the publishing industry that much. Those suckers have taken money from us for years. Got books selling for $25.00 to $35.00 a pop and some of them are lousy as hell. Then the publishing companies are turning around and selling books to libraries when they have known for years that libraries do not sell the books but lend them out to people who cannot afford to buy their books. And yet, they also know that our libraries, an intuition that has been around for centuries and has helped many people and in the last two years with the economy drowning down, help people who cannot afford a computer to look for jobs and improve their resumes. Who in the hell do they think they are! It’s over, buddy-boy, it’s over. This is not new. Many consumers have gone into book stores, saw the price and said to themselves, “Oh, hell no, I can’t afford that price, let me look around some more.” Aren’t these same consumers doing the same thing for everything they buy? I know I am.
I do not think that’s going to hurt the publishing industry that much. Those suckers have taken money from us for years. Got books selling for $25.00 to $35.00 a pop and some of them are lousy as hell. Then the publishing companies are turning around and selling books to libraries when they have known for years that libraries do not sell the books but lend them out to people who cannot afford to buy their books. And yet, they also know that our libraries, an intuition that has been around for centuries and has helped many people and in the last two years with the economy drowning down, help people who cannot afford a computer to look for jobs and improve their resumes. Who in the hell do they think they are! It’s over, buddy-boy, it’s over. This is not new. Many consumers have gone into book stores, saw the price and said to themselves, “Oh, hell no, I can’t afford that price, let me look around some more.” Aren’t these same consumers doing the same thing for everything they buy? I know I am.
And let me tell you about those “bricks-and-mortar” stores, specifically Barnes & Noble. You can see the writing on the wall when you walk into their stores and see the jive-time, overpriced toys and puzzles in the front. You also see two tables of Nook products (I’m not blaming them, I got friends who stupidity brought one when I told them to buy a Kindle and subscribed to my blog, “my so call friends.” Yeah, Right!! Lol). The new “fiction” section is in the back and the cheaply priced, or as they call them in the publishing business, “remanders” and last year’s or years before fiction is in the front. As you continue to walk around, there’s the huge “Teen fiction” and toys, puzzles, more toys, more puzzles abound. Come on, we have lost Borders, who did display our books not on shelves, but book cases and now that they are gone, Barnes & Noble have moved us into the fiction section and unless you know what author you are looking for, you can be in there for hours looking and searching. (That’s why I’m pushing my blog). I saw that years ago when I arrived in Charleston a few years ago, a small, black own book store was opened by a guy who had to retire because the Navy Base closed. I busted my but off to buy a book or two from him every month because I knew how hard it was to have a “Black” book in a city that did and does not support enough of our black authors. Then Barnes & Noble opened up the street and he stated selling candy, sodas, hallmark cards, toys and fewer and fewer black books at higher prices than B&N. They sucked him dry and he closed. We have a kiosk in the Mall, but he sells mostly the “Drugged induced, pimp-mack-daddy-dingaling with big breasted! woman with all hanging out on murder charges” books. Hey, some are good and some I’m just tired of, but I’m going to buy those books and give them to the drug dealers on the street. Some body will listen to my crazy ass and read them. God, I hope so!!
Oh, now come the hell on!!! We know how to create titles for books don’t we!!!
DAVID WEAVER - ME AND MY BITCH - 99 Cents - - - What happens when a double crossed female goes to the greatest of all possible extremes to get her revenge? Absolute mayhem! This is a mind twisting, unpredictable, romantic nail biter from the same veins that brought you "A Love Story - 99 Cents A Love Story and "Bankroll Squad! - 99 Cents Bankroll Squad.” The twists in this book are guaranteed to blow you away all the way to the last paragraph. This is that "I didn't see that coming" at it's very BEST! Brisk paced and will not bore you even for a minute. A winding roller coaster of events that will leave you speechless. You will not forget this story!!
That pisses me off) or they love the plot and ending and want more. That’s what I mean by the “pimp-daddy” books. Holler!!
TYSHA, KAIE GOLSON, LaSHONDA DeVAUGHN and MIMI RENEE - I’D RATHER BE SINGLE - 99 Cents - - - An anthology with four stories on women who have been through it all and pushed to the point where they just rather be single. Tyra went from dating deadbeats to dating athletes. But living the good life came at a price, "The Skeletons In My Closet" - LaShonda DeVaughn, Author of A Hood Chick's Story I & II - They say in order to receive true and real love, we must all take chances. Will Kenneth end up being the real deal? Or will Rita end up regretting her decision in courting a young thug? "Taking Chances" - Mimi Renee, Author of Deadly Decisions and Pretty Bright - Despite years of women playing games to take her husband away from her, Jai was determined to hold on. Her best friend questions why she puts up with his infidelity. Jai reasons: It's just Something In His Backstroke. "Something In His Backstroke" - Tysha - Author of The Boss, the story of a female hustler, fairy tales should all have happy endings. Unfortunately, in Zoe's world each ending comes with a tale of lies. "Sleeping With The Enemy" By: Kaie Golson.
AIJA BUTLER - THE MIND’S EYE (MY NEMESIS) - 99 Cents - - A tragic storm claims the lives of Joy Anderson's family. Unable to cope with the loss of her husband and children, Mrs. Anderson awakes to find herself strapped to a bed, afraid of her own reflection. "My Husband and children are alive, their bodies were never recovered," Joy yells hysterically at the crowd of spectators expressing their condolences. Joy’s delusional sightings of her children and husband become the highlight of conversation for friends, family, and business associates. Samantha, Joy’s younger sister, is faced with a chance to live beyond her sister’s shadow. She must either choose to save Joy from her behavioral dysfunctions or her already troublesome marriage. Joy's Mother n Law continues to plan a memorial service Joy refuses to attend, while Sam's Husband Charles and business partner of Joy's late husband Justin sets his sights on a fund that could clear his name of all gambling debts.
AIJA BUTLER - VENGEANCE IS MINE - 99 Cents - - - Charles is making moves, Darrin is having trouble deciding the matters of his heart, and Sam is as nasty as ever. There is a million dollars at stake. Lines are crossed and bonds are broken. Will Joy uncover who her nemesis is? Is she her worst enemy? The mind’s eye began with Joy’s loss of sensibility after her family is taken by the storm. Joy may appear crazy but she will not be taken advantage of, not if Lillian Andrew’s has anything to say about it.
As Volume II begins Joy fights to decipher between her lust for revenge and the good natures she longs to promote as she clings to her need for attention and heroism. Now that Lillian has made her debut Joy must decide whether Lillian’s shenanigans are warranted. Joy seeks comfort in her mirrored friend and begins to see just what her husband and conscious warned her about from the beginning. A hostile takeover is a foot as whispers of a million dollar check spark a loud chatter. Rumors of debt to some rather unsavory personalities, turn decent natures into scandalous rogues, desperation befalls party’s trying to relinquish the debt. A plan is put into action to discredit Joy’s right to Justin’s estate. Sam conjures a plan to get out of debt and build a nest egg of her own. While her husband Charles takes advantage of Joy’s wavering consciousness. Both sisters look to uncover the missing link that has a hold on both Joy and Sam. Who will prevail? The truth unfolds as vengeful acts birth a sibling rivalry that tests the line between love and hate. The saga continues as Joy uncovers the myths of her family history and unveils the identity of her true Nemesis
Got to stick on one for Black History Year.
Hey, found me a Zombie black writer man. You don’t find many black sci-fi writers, but once in a while I will give them a try, especially since I love old horror black and white movies.
GERALD RICE - 30 MINUTE PLAN - Free - - - It's the dusk of the zombie apocalypse. What's left of mankind is huddled in the husks of the cities of the world. There are fewer of the walking dead, but they are just as dangerous as ever. After scientists come up with the brilliant idea of scent-marking them something goes wrong and a soldier is taken. When a fellow 'dog' decides to take matters into his own hands to rescue his comrade he finds the living dead have changed for the worse.
I do the same thing. I take my Nook to Barnes and Noble and browse and download books I'm interested in reading.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I've rarely seen other people do that; or maybe they're just more discreet about it than I am?