Why is it misleading? The fact that alternatives exist doesn't mean that they're any good .

xhkkffbf 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

It's true that the alternatives may not be good, but if so it suggests that maybe publishing is a business that requires certain behavior.

I think the best thing that Doctorow could do is set up his own publishing business and show the big companies the right way to do it. If he's right, he'll get the best new talent and quickly succeed.

But I'm guessing he'll discover what the major companies know: the consumer is fickle, developing a new book/movie/song is expensive, and only a few hits pay for the rest.

	▲	mrguyorama an hour ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Doctorow has been distributing most of his books for free for at least 20 years. That's how I read them as a kid with no money.
	▲	dehrmann 2 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Or set up a social content recommendation system.

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MichaelZuo 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

There are plenty of fine, even higher quality and credibility, publishers out there.

In fact even a mediocre university press likely has higher standards, in just about every conceivable quality aspect, than even the best imprints of the big 5.

	▲	Taek 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Yes but do the books make more money and get more distribution? Quality is not the critical factor here