Amazon Park

Remember how the T-Rex came out of the jungle to chomp the velociraptors? From Publisher's Lunch:

Ingram on Amazon: Ingram chairman John Ingram issued a brief statement on Amazon's recent move to drive POD publishers to use Booksurge if they want their books sold directly by the e-tailer, noting "it clearly is alarming many of our publisher partners." At the same time, Ingram reports that "so far we've been unable to get a response directly from Amazon.com." He says, "We all live in a world where decisions are made about insourcing and outsourcing, and free choice is important. At Ingram Book and Lightning Source, we are going to work really hard to continue to be the compelling choice as publishers make their outsourcing decisions.... At Lightning Source, we produce a great product and thus do justice to our publishers' valuable titles. There is no question that we provide the highest print quality, the fastest turnaround speeds, and the most comprehensive portfolio of channels for a publisher's books."

Yeah, here's the deal: Ingram, Lightning Source and Baker & Taylor are the vanity print-on-demand industry from Lavergne, Tennessee. To the publishing industry in New York, this is a nano issue. Less even. To vanity authors and to crooked scam outfits like Publishamerica, and pay to publish, straight vanity presses alike, it's the kiss of death. Whatever.