How Your Amazon Boycott Is Killing My Indie Poetry Press
As I write this, I am compelled to share a difficult truth: your well-intentioned boycott against Amazon is severely affecting my indie poetry press. The impact is not just a minor inconvenience; it is a significant, potentially crushing blow.
The Paradox of the Amazon Behemoth
Let's address the obvious: Amazon. It’s often seen as the corporate behemoth, overshadowing smaller retail and cultural ecosystems. For a small publisher based in the Netherlands, however, Amazon is more than just a marketplace. It is a crucial infrastructure that sustains my business.
Being outside the U.S., I lack many of the benefits that American indie publishers enjoy. Local distribution deals and specific publishing tools are beyond my reach due to geographical and bureaucratic barriers. Amazon somewhat levels this playing field, offering a platform where my books can compete with titles from major publishers worldwide.
The Lifeline of On-Demand Publishing
Amazon’s on-demand publishing is not merely convenient; it is fundamental to my business model. With a day job and numerous other responsibilities, I cannot afford the time required for grant applications or persuading distributors and retailers. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing allows me to print books as needed, eliminating the financial risk of large print runs and the logistical challenge of storing unsold copies. These books address anti-capitalist, anti-colonialist themes, aiming to educate about the very systems that Amazon represents. It’s a complex relationship, relying on the platform while critiquing its foundations.
The Unseen Benefits
Often overlooked in calls to boycott Amazon are the essential supports it provides to international sellers like me. Amazon’s extensive logistics network enables a poetry lover in Seattle to order my book with the same ease as someone in Amsterdam, without prohibitive shipping costs or long waits. This accessibility is vital for niche markets like poetry, where the audience is passionate but dispersed. Other platforms have proven inadequate, resulting in abandoned carts and inactive accounts.
The Ripple Effect of Boycotting Bezos
Every boycott, every diverted purchase, directly reduces visibility and sales for indie publishers like me. It’s painful to realize that efforts to challenge a corporate giant inadvertently harm small cultural initiatives struggling to find their place. Instead of boycotting, consider unionizing, engaging in political activism by supporting third parties, or educating others about the flaws of capitalism.
The Irony of Digital Dependence
The irony is stark: the platforms we use to criticize Amazon are often owned by other billionaires with their own sprawling digital empires. We share our thoughts on platforms with questionable practices regarding privacy, data security, and corporate dominance. This digital entanglement means we need these platforms for visibility and community, despite their similarities to the giant we aim to boycott.
A Plea for Nuanced Support
What is the middle ground? I am not asking for unconditional support of Amazon or ignoring valid criticisms of its business practices. Rather, I urge a more nuanced approach to activism. If the boycott seeks to promote ethical business practices, let's also discuss how to support the small entities relying on these platforms.
If you choose to boycott Amazon, consider also supporting indie publishers directly. Purchase from us directly to avoid Amazon royalties, engage with us at local book fairs, or subscribe to our newsletters. These actions help offset losses from Amazon and ensure we can continue to bring diverse voices and stories to the forefront.
In Conclusion
Navigating the complexities of global commerce and digital activism is challenging. As we strive for a more equitable market, let's remember the small players, the indie presses enriching our cultural landscape. Our choices wield power—let’s use this power thoughtfully, ensuring that in challenging giants, we do not trample the grass beneath our feet.