Can We Form a Better Union?
Wouldn’t it be nice if all writers had a union? You know, like screenwriters do?
And wouldn’t it be great if indie authors quit publishing on Amazon to make a point?
And wouldn’t it be awesome if one of us indies spoke up like Fran Drescher did here?
To quote the article, here’s what Fran Drescher had to say:
“SAG-AFTRA is taking a big bold step as the union prepares for our upcoming TV, theatrical and streaming negotiations,” Drescher said in a message posted on social media. “We’re asking you, one of our members, to vote ‘Yes’ for a strike authorization. This will give our negotiating team much needed leverage at the bargaining table. You know, acting careers are at stake. We must ensure that our employers don’t continue to devalue the performers who bring productions to life. “ [Bolded by me.]
Yes, wouldn’t it be nice, if writers understood the value of their work and insisted on being paid for it. I believe that was one reason so many authors decided to go indie. Higher royalty payments, etc.
Well, things have changed a bit since Amazon “offered” us the “choice” of becoming exclusive to them (and getting a bribe payoff some spare change in return).
And here’s a headline from The Washington Post: Washingtonian staff scores win in clash over remote work, covid policies.
As part of the settlement, this statement of support was issued
“WE WILL NOT unilaterally change the terms and conditions of employment,” one of the messages on the notice reads.
Wow! I wish I could say the same about certain publishing platforms I’ve been prevented from leaving, for reasons that I’ve gone into here.
Oh, and incidentally, I wouldn’t take this article at face value.
Apart from the fact that I have no idea how they arrived at the figures mentioned, this part is absolutely incorrect:
Do self-published authors own the rights to their books if they are published on Amazon?
- When selling an ebook on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, an author licenses the right to sell an ebook to Amazon.
- An author cannot sell the ebook version of their book elsewhere — not even on their own website.
- The only way to do so is to cancel the contract by written notice.
- The book can be sold in other formats (e.g. print or audio) in other places.
- This means Amazon and only Amazon has the right to sell the digital version of the book.
Clearly, this is incorrect and misleading. You can choose to publish ebooks exclusively through Amazon’s KDP, but you’re not required to be exclusive to them. At least, not yet.
While I was poking around, I ran across this video! I was curious to see if my old neighborhood in Queens got a mention.
Well, it did. 🙂
I lived in #6, the Astoria Houses. Fortunately, I never got shot. You didn’t hear about shootings that much back then. Well, I was a kid, so … I might not have been paying strict attention.
Originally published at http://randomandsundrythings.wordpress.com on May 29, 2023.
