“Why Should Google Editions Have All the Fun?”
by caleb j seeling
Speaking of new publishing models, GalleyCat reports that OR Books, an indie publisher, has partnered with St. Mark’s Bookshop, the famous indie bookstore in New York, to offer all of OR Books’ titles in print or electronic form through the bookstore’s online store. The publisher is looking to expand this program to other bookshops around the country. In the words of John Oakes, Co-Publisher of OR Books, “Why should Google Editions have all the fun?”
Why indeed?
This brilliant kind of synergy is what the independent community needs to battle behemoths like the Leviathamazon. It takes the risk, and the grudges, out of the relationship between the publisher and the bookseller. It shows how they can work together–it shows that they can. We’ll see how well this model will work and if there are any other booksellers willing to play, but for now, it’s certainly a step in the right direction.