I think last week’s Amazon announcement and whatever Apple announces on Wednesday are going to radically change the face of publishing. It will put authors, especially ones who can sell their own work, in a position of much greater power–and possibly help them earn a decent living. However, that’s assuming the author can sell his or her own work (or can afford to hire a publicist who can do the marketing work).

Just as at the Apple app store (or at any bookstore, for that matter), there will be some books that never make back the author’s investment of time and money in them. Most people simply a) don’t write well enough and b) don’t have the marketing savvy to move enough Kindle copies to make a decent profit from any given book. I lump myself in the latter category. And even though I’m a good writer, I highly value the direction and suggestions of a good editor; without them, my book (The Circle of Seasons) would not be as good as it is.

So while Amazon and Apple are going to change the publishing game in ways that I think will ultimately benefit writers, I still want to find a partner (ie, agent) who can help me make my writing better than it already is and who can navigate the changing publishing business with my best interests in mind.

Amazon sold more Kindle downloads than books during the holiday retail sales season this year:
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=120142

Amazon AND Apple both pay 70% royalties to authors on downloads:
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100125-705207.html
You sell a download for $5.99 – they pay you $4.20 – try making that from the printing cartels!

One other thought, video can be used to provoke deep introspection – and yes, even to read! Check out what high school and college age kids are thinking about – the Divine Comedy – amazing! (Disclosure statement: my daughter is one of the stars of this film).
http://www.youtube.com/user/tricofilms#p/a/48ECC49DD653275F/0/BRFv1eM0_sI
But think about it – if kids are making films about morality and spirituality – as an author you’ve got yourself positioned in a pretty edgy demographic. Pretty cool, huh? And one that pays 70%.

So chuck the agent! Or to put it another way, you’ve got two agents already: Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs! And yes, this is a pitch to have Trico make book trailers for you!