Five Reasons I'm Angry

So I read about all this "new" Twilight stuff that's being released, and it unleashed an angry rant monster in me.

Don't misunderstand me, I liked the movie. Mostly because I drink the RPattz kool-aid every chance I get.

1. She sold 16% OF ALL BOOKS SOLD last quarter. To add additional NON-CONTENT books to this list of saleable items is ridiculous and obvious.
   
   
2. Why isn't Little, Brown channeling all that profit from the 16% OF ALL BOOKS that Meyer sold and channeling it into the next big thing? (While I'd prefer they spread the wealth to new and innovative voices, I'm aware this is a profit-driven business and that's not a realistic goal.) And while they're at it, maybe they can make sure the next big thing is well-written and readable. K, thanks.
   
   
3. This is almost (ALMOST!) as big of a money grab as the fourth book in the series. Meyer signed an original contract for THREE books at a fixed advance. Then all of a sudden, oh! It's a four-book series! Let me tell you what, it's not. It's barely a one-book series. You need conflict to make something interesting. Or not, I guess, according to the book sales.
   
   
4. There are so many well-written love stories out there that you don't have to buy BLANK NOTEBOOKS to support. Ask me. I'm happy to provide a recommendation.
   
   
5. I think the anger is passing, and now I'm just sad. Sad that people are throwing hard-earned money away on this shlock. Sad that young girls are idolizing books that demonize their sexuality. (Sorry, it's true.) Sad that young girls think "this is love." Sigh.
   

Books and the Recession

I've been building these up, so the links may not be exactly...timely.

1. Ayn Rand's readership is now expanding beyond hipster teenage boys.
2. A couple weeks ago, all the major news outlets were touting this story. Romance sales are actually UP right now, so the time's ripe for my Civil War-era romance between a Yankee spy and a Southern belle. Now I just need a really great nom de plume.
3. Penguin's The Great Crash sold almost 20,000 copies in 2008 despite the fact it was published in 1969. Remember that whole "those who forget history are doomed to repeat it" saying? Well, those who wait until history cycles back to bite them in the ass are doomed to pay 2008 inflation prices for a book they wouldn't have even needed if they had just loaned it from the library back in 1969 and used the knowledge to avoid the current economic meltdown. Hindsight: It's 20/20.
   
4. More authors are being published in original trade paperback. I see no issue, except that my taste in expensive things now runs toward the literary as well: I bought three hardcover books this past month.
5. It looks like I'm not the only one overwhelmed by e-book pricing, but I'm interested in Harper Studio's initiative. I particularly like that you get a free e-book with the purchase of the hardcover; I think all publishers should be doing this. It seems like educational publishers are pricing e-books at 50% across the board, but they have more to gain in selling e-books (like cutting down on used textbook sales) than the trade publishers do.