Potential Dangers to Literature Surpassing Book Bans
In the rapidly evolving landscape of publishing, several key issues have come to the forefront. From the control of e-book distribution to the preservation of editorial independence, these concerns are shaping the future of our literary culture.
One of the most contentious issues is the dominance of Amazon and Apple in the e-book market. With Amazon controlling over 80% of the market, and holding around 90% of the e-book market share primarily through its Kindle platform and the Amazon Kindle Store, the company's influence is undeniable. This monopolistic control has raised concerns about the future of literary culture, as well as the rights of customers.
Critics have pointed out that digital books bought on Amazon are licensed, not sold, to customers. This means that customers do not truly own their digital books, but rather have a chance to read them at Amazon's pleasure. Furthermore, Amazon reserves the right to terminate access to digital books bought on its platform for various reasons. This was evident in 2009 when Amazon deleted e-book copies of 1984 and Animal Farm from customers' Kindles without warning.
The US book industry is also under threat from an oligopoly of intermediaries controlling distribution. Major companies such as The Follett Corporation, Clarivate, EBSCO Industries, KKR, Ingram Industries, and others have raised concerns about their commitment to freedom of expression. KKR, for instance, controls approximately 90% of library e-book loans through its OverDrive/Libby platform.
The dominance of these intermediaries has led to a situation where many publishers and authors are bound by contracts that demand exclusive rights for distributing their books. This has made it difficult for independent newsletters and authors to gain traction, as they are often locked out of the market. However, there are signs of change on the horizon.
Brick House, a writers' cooperative, is working to create a safe passage between authors, publishers, libraries, and readers, free of intermediaries. By enabling writers to sell their e-books and newsletters straight to libraries, they would have control over how their work is sold and disseminated. This initiative has garnered support from many publishers and authors, but challenges remain for those bound by contracts with intermediaries.
Independent journalists, by publishing through platforms like Ghost and Substack, retain ownership of their publishing rights. This model allows them to maintain editorial independence and control over their work, which is crucial in today's climate of debate over editorial integrity.
The preservation of our literary culture is a critical issue, particularly in the face of efforts by Republicans to dismantle it. Irreparable damage has already been done to universities, libraries, schools, and research institutions. Protecting and strengthening library collections is a crucial shield for our culture in this dark moment. Building open-source models to connect publishers and libraries directly is imperative for restoring the traditional role of libraries as a permanent repository of books and periodical literature.
In the face of these challenges, it is clear that the future of publishing is uncertain. However, initiatives like those of Brick House offer a glimmer of hope for a more democratic, open, and independent publishing landscape. As readers, it is crucial that we support these efforts and demand that our literary culture is protected and nurtured for future generations.
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