As many Amazon writers
have been discovering,
exclusivity puts suppliers
at the mercy
of the exclusivity-demanding vendor.
I like exclusivity
when the relationship is equal,
when the vendor
demanding exclusivity
needs the supplier
as much as
that supplier
needs them.
When the vendor
demanding exclusivity
is completely in control,
however,
the supplier WILL be
f*cked over…eventually.
It is merely a matter of time.
Which means the supplier
should have a plan
and they should do their d@mnedest
to stick to that plan.
Many writers claimed
they would build a base
of readers with Amazon,
using the extra promotion
the bookseller gives
exclusive books,
and then they would
ditch the exclusivity deal
and expand to other booksellers.
That was a great plan
…except many of those writers
didn’t stick to it.
And now
Amazon has predictably
f*cked them over.
If you’re exclusive,
have a plan.