The downside, though, seems to be akin to the Disneyfication of literature–wherein publishers who are too chickenshit to take a chance on something truly unique (that–hello?!–could rev up consumer interest) fall into the routine of simply repackaging stale ideas, either literally or figuratively.

That’s already happened. I mean, it’s okay. When I want a romance with all the familiar devices (commonly called “tropes” in Romancelandia, which term I despise), I know I can get that.

What I miss is stumbling into unique and wonderful things when I’m just kind of swimming along in a sea of comfort and familiarity.

I love all you positive people.

I totally see this as opportunity.

Indeed.

I’m going to just work hard, get my stuff out there, and see what happens. With me totally in control of my work and able to “keep it in print” it doesn’t really matter if it’s next year or three years from now when the economy swings up. I just keep building readers with free ebooks and the option to buy a print copy, or donate, and let it work out.

I do believe it also would enable publishers to put more $ into marketing

Yes, but WILL they?

Ahh the for the days of 100k print runs and first press sellouts. The halycon days of romances.

The first time I see an Espresso, I’m buying something just to watch it whirl.

(Crap–I had a whole post that disappeared after this point when I hit Submit!)

Obviously, despite my love of Real Books, this is the future. The downside, though, seems to be akin to the Disneyfication of literature–wherein publishers who are too chickenshit to take a chance on something truly unique (that–hello?!–could rev up consumer interest) fall into the routine of simply repackaging stale ideas, either literally or figuratively.

The fact you finally had to resort to self-pub proves that, I think. Congrats on leading the wave of the future. If TPTB are too timid to climb out of their rut, they deserve to be usurped.