Why the Seattle Mystery Bookshop Must Close

Wow, Seattle's been all over HN the last couple days. Not that I mind, but it's a little strange.

I can only point to one quibble:

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Those who have benefited from the exposure and attention of little shops, who are so grateful for our help launching them into bestsellerdom suddenly do not wish to use their power and leverage to help those who gave them attention and benefits. “I contacted sales and all the tip-ins went to Barnes and Noble. I have no control over that…” Well who the hell has more control that a major bestselling author?

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As far as I can tell, neither Tom Clancy nor Stephen King have any control over their publishers' marketing departments; certainly nobody less exalted can hope to do anything with them.

One, two, three--done!

It's just not that easy for a lot of us.

I do know this, a little part of me dies when I hear any bookstore closed.

It was the only retail experience I looked forward too.

Maybe someone ordered a bunch of submarines (stories). http://paulgraham.com/submarine.html

> That’s what publishers did. They allowed a far less expensive version of their books to be available right away, undercutting the sale of hardcovers with the cheaper e-version.

And...?

Is the author seriously trying to convince me that getting books into the hands of poorer people immediately is a bad thing?

> Those who couldn’t afford the hardcover price knew they could get it at the library or get it in paperback in a year.

All so that a funky little book stores can exist as middlemen?

I'm sorry, but as much as I loved the small independent book (and music, etc) store, that model is done - and if the result is that books are cheaper, and more widely accessible, it's a fair trade.