ed2drobinski

I just discovered that there is a website which says that for an $8.95 monthly fee, waivable under certain circumstances, a subscriber has access to over 3,000,000 books, many in public domain, at no additional charge. It is also said that Amazon downloads these generally scanned books and charges for them. .......................... I suppose that's what "Amway on Steroids" is best at; stealing someone's labor.

Amazon will soon die. That's no wishful thinking. Its a recognition of the smell already there. On a financial basis, holders of their twenty year, profit deficient, over-priced stock are rated #1 in the possibility of taking severe losses. That's not me saying that; its the cold, numerical calculation of Wall Street. 

The other sites have a virtual e-library. GOOD. Good for readers, and that's the point; isn't it? For a writer or reviewer, it suggests a need to keep their day job. Yeah, I know that there are Kings, Weirs, Saunderses and Sandersons out there. But, the chances of joining that club are lower than the chances of winning a million dollars a month for life from Lotto.

In fact it is indisputable that all of these "literary breakthroughs," broke through utilizing their prior access to the big muckety-mucks with access to promotional dollars. This is not to say that they are un-talented. For every one of the "breakthroughs," there were 99 others pushed and deemed deficient.

In recognition of many of the "problems" engendered by the ease of digitation, it is also an environment in which the reader has more choice than ever before. That's as it should be. Its just an environment in which those writers and reviewers in need of a regular credit to their checking account would play their hands best to drop out when the betting gets heavy. ..................................... That's so anti the "New Age," "go for it" crap, isn't it? Not to sound "smart," I recommend the 20 year old DFW "Infinite Jest."

So, bottom line; you've put in the work; a work you at least initially loved. It seems the height of desperation and financial stupidity to then pay for some useless, internet charlatan to "make your writing more lucrative," when it is also easily seen that the ones most credentialed and competent, have been attempting to precisely and unsuccessfully do that, in the course of their employment, since Guttenberg. Their "success" rate has been, for the "stars" among them a marginal 10% and an exemplary one-tenth of that. In this overloaded e-book and indie market they have found it more dollar-wise to extend "services" to writers and reviewers, rather than sell books.

Business aside, the whole thing is ultimately just for the gentle readers. The opportunists will never be able to change the fact that, that is how it should be should be. You writers and reviewers know damn well that any of us can write a book or a review. All of us. It is the kind readers at the core; without whom nothing else would exist.

I'm embarrassed to say that my books are again available for free on Amazon, until midnight today; whose time yet to be determined. After a day and a half 31 have been taken. ...................... Pathetic, right? Super pathetic when there are 20 books offered. .................... Its really OK for me. Sympathy is better placed elsewhere. Its more a joke to me. My only regret is that no one has taken one called; "Old Miss Gracing." Its pretty maudlin, with a jackass thriller attempt inserted. It most reminds me of; "A Trip to Bountiful," in feeling. Its kind of old; kind of sad, better written than personally typical, and was "poetically" based on the life of a wonderful person; one everyone would have been blessed to know. If she saw this she would say; "What the hell are you talking about?" .............................. She would say; she would say; she would say; she would become silent; she would turn away ....................................

So, maybe , just give it a small chance; whenever schedules permit. If the first five pages are un-interesting , then go on to better things. ............................ I don't think that this request is for me. Or her. Or my loved old lady. Maybe its Or a plea to the absolution of the un-explainable  guilt I will never escape; that which you and you and you call into question. ...................... Or maybe just, another un-heard cry we've all made in darkened pillows. Or maybe one which just reaches for a warm hand, never there. Maybe, a heart which has been buried under the dirt; the prevalent logic, research and Oz depiction with which the prevalent laws have made it dollar worthy. Or just; or just; or just.  I am comforted to think that it is for her too short of a memory; a memory never given a chance;  coupled with the longer memory of the one who made it all OK;  and your literary quest which  is so here. . ............................. I can't be sure. Something which seems to be horribly cruel made it this way. ............................... Thanks for bearing with US this far.

Try "Old Miss Gracing." I love you readers.