Cat let go of my tongue

Okay, I try not to get too opinionated on my blog. Not that I think opinions are bad, but everyone has one and why would I want to infringe upon you, my awesome cool kids, opinions that may get your panties in a bunch? I'm just not a controversial person-which is sometimes my undoing. However, on this issue I can no longer hold my tongue.

Amazon and Kindles and E-books in general. Here's my problem. Since when did writing a novel and selling it become worth 10 dollars or LESS? The argument is that it costs less to publish e-books. Hallelujia, maybe the author/agent/editor/publisher that put so much time, thought and love into the making of that book could be better reimbursed. Oh, that's too much to ask for.

How much do you pay to rent a movie only to give it back? How much do you pay to go and be entertained at an amusement park or movie theater? How much money do we as a collective nation spend on video games? A whole lot more than the price of a book which can be kept on a shelf to be remembered and escaped into for a lifetime. To be passed on to generations of children, teenagers and friends that need an inspiring word. For this treasure, for literacy, we suddenly have decided we shouldn't pay the people that collaborate to bring it from a tiny seed into a full blown tree of multiple branches.

I'm just as broke as the next person. Trust me on this. My family of five is currently living on the income of one disabled man. However, I managed to spend money on books for my children and nephews. I didn't buy the $20 DVD, I bought two brand new $14 books. I bought myself Heidi's book-err CJ bought it, he just didn't know until after the fact. I paid $16 for a book that I have read twice and now is in the hands of my sister in law. My mother wants it next, but is sure she'll want a copy for herself.

CJ hates to read. I mean, really hates it with a burning passion. Like I hate math. Which is really really hard for me to grasp, but I still love him. He discussed the whole publishing issue with Amazon with me and was very adamant that it was ridiculous to think we should have to pay less for e-books.
"It's only to cover the cost of their damn Kindles. If they want to do their consumers a favor, they would make the e-reader affordable, not the books that take human brain and effort to write."
I love the man. But he truly means it. He told me he spends $30 and $40 bucks on video games that he enjoys. Why would he be upset to pay $15 for a book that I would enjoy? Why would it be asking too much to provide someone with years of happiness?

I propose that we boycott Amazon. (Not e-books or digital presses, just Amazon dot com the company) I would rather buy directly from the publisher, smaller booksellers online, or directly from the author when it's available. Perhaps if we all banded together, all people would realize that we are valuable as writers.