Is there a downside to Seattle’s anointment as one of the most influential cities in the publishing world?
Julie Bick’s recent piece in the New York Times Book Lovers Ask, What’s Seattle’s Secret? paints only a partial picture of the effect the new bookselling triumvirate; Amazon-Starbucks- Costco, has had on the world of publishing and its “increasing influence of what America reads.”
There is no doubting the merits of Seattle as a literary town, books and book culture have played a significant role in the city’s rise from an outpost to a leading 21st century city but there is doubt as to whether these new business models are actually helping the literary cause.
Both Amazon and Costco have played a role in dismantling the traditional pricing structure of books. These new pricing schemes have played a large part in the demise of many independent booksellers. It takes a herculean effort on the part of new bookstores to survive on this new playing field. Luckily, here in Seattle we have enough of a base of independent-minded book-loving people that continue to support the remaining bookstores.
Also, though Amazon provides an unparalleled selection there is no physical component, no opportunity for the tactile experience that historically was such an integral part of bookselling and book buying. On the other hand, while both Starbucks and Costco do provide the physical experience there is a very limited selection. Starbucks offers up one book at a time while Costco offers up a limited number of books on table displays within their vast warehouses of consumer goods.
Yes, each of these companies plays a different part in the publishing puzzle yet each in their own way contribute to the winnowing of the independent community bookshop. The very bookshops that are part of the foundation of the city, part of the fabric of the city which fosters the atmosphere that leads to the creation of these companies in the first place.
Lastly, Bick talks with Kim Ricketts who owns a book promotion company here in Seattle that brings authors directly to corporate clients. This ‘literary catering’ approach completely bypasses the independent bookshops and does very little to support the local book community. Though it may be seen as a good corporate perk it has a negative effect on the local bookstores. Many of these authors are no longer giving readings at the book store, they are giving them at corporate offices. If these companies truly wanted to support the local bookstores they would schedule the reading at the bookstore and line up their shuttle vans to bring their employees to and fro.