Okay. So, it appears, for the moment, that Amazon has replaced the pre-order button for Bitter Seeds.
But, you know… I’m not feeling super great about this. “This” being the whole thing where Amazon decided a viable “negotiation” tactic in its disagreement with Macmillan was to hold hostage the sales of hundreds and hundreds of authors. In fact, when you get right down to it, I’m feeling just the tiniest bit pissed off about it. (My Milkweed novels—Bitter Seeds, The Coldest War, and Necessary Evil—are to be published by Tor, which is part of Macmillan.)
Because that’s exactly what any debut author wants to see—a spectacular corporate hissy-fit that removes his or her book from the largest online bookseller in the world.
So. Below the cut, I’ve posted a long list of booksellers, from chains to small independents, both in the USA and overseas, where Bitter Seeds can be pre-ordered (now) or purchased (when April 13 rolls around).
And hey, if you don’t feel like buying my novel, that’s cool. But please consider buying something from a Macmillan author whose work does strike your fancy. Many, many people lost sales during Amazon’s public display of ass-hattery. Sales they need to make a living. John Scalzi said it best here.
Update, 8 February 2010: Here’s a cool service from the Author’s Guild: Who Moved My Buy Button?
First, some notes about this list.
Thanks to Kathryn Cramer for compiling this list and posting it to Making Light. Also please note that not every retailer listed here has Bitter Seeds in their online catalog, as of the time of this posting. This is particularly true with bookstores outside of the United States, at least for the moment. But I’ve still linked to all the bookstores I know of, whether they have my book listed or not—unlike Jeff Bezos, I don’t demand that the entire world revolve around my demands.
Since my book is being published in the United States, I’ve listed stores in the US first, because these are the places where you’re most likely to find Bitter Seeds. I promise it’s not because I’m a jingoist, okay?
This list is by no means exhaustive. Please tell me about other booksellers that aren’t on the list, or if you find an error.
We’ll be posting this list to the words page soon.
And finally: please support your favorite book store, whether chain or independent, foreign or domestic, online or brick and mortar. Booksellers need love, too.
Correction, 2/23: Nina Else has kindly informed me that I had posted an outdated link to Who Else! Books. I’ve corrected it. My apologies to Ron and Nina!
United States
The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore
Australia
Canada
United Kingdom
For I pre-ordered it from Borders the minute I heard about the Amazon idiocy.
Hmmm…
My plan was to come over to your house and steal one of your author’s copies while I distracted you with a badly pixelated youtube trailer for Megashark VS. Giant Octopus 2: Grudge Match.
I guess I could buy one though.
Hey, can i borrow 9 bucks?
Borders and I both appreciate it.