Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

Writers, take note!  Amazon is now offering authors their very own blog network.  According to an article over at MediaPost, the announcement was made this week and over a thousand authors have already signed up for their blogs.  Upon first reading, it sure sounds like an interesting concept.  After all, references in the MediaPost piece make it sound like the network will offer authors featured on Amazon an excellent opportunity to connect with their audience and allow fans to better get to know the writers of their favorite pieces.  As we all know, the folks who are happy with our business (or book) will provide us with referrals and repeat business.

On the flip side, though, are these comments, which I found on a quick search for the Amazon Connect program.  (Which I couldn't even get full details about without creating an Amazon account...ho hum.) 

• TDavid over at MakeYouGoHmm.com has a screenshot and a good description of why this new "blog" network, well, isn't one.
• Alyce Lomax discussed the reasons this concept could (and should) work over at TheMotleyFool...the question is whether Amazon will actually make the most of the idea.
• Then there's the one I found most informative regarding the actual process of becoming an Amazon Connects user: Tobias S. Buckell's entries regarding the matter.

My take?  If you've got a book (or several) on Amazon it's possible that this could be a great promotional tool.  However, the legal language brought up in Buckell's blog post makes me pause in concern.  Authors may be better off just building a darn fine website and creating their own blog on it and indulging in semi-shameless self-promotion. 

After all, writing is your business...you should be prepared to market it anyway!  It's great if they help, but don't expect the booksellers (even Amazon) to do it for you.