Booksellers are tied to publishing - they need conventional publishing models to continue - but for those companies, that's not the case. Amazon is an infrastructure company; Apple sells hardware; Google is really an advertising company. You can't afford as a publisher to have those companies control your route to market.
This quote highlights the delicate balance publishers face in navigating the modern landscape. Traditional booksellers rely heavily on established publishing models, but tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google have diversified their roles, shaping the market's flow. For publishers, maintaining independence and control over distribution channels is crucial to preserve the integrity of the literary ecosystem and prevent over-reliance on corporations that may prioritize their direct interests. It underscores the importance of adapting to digital transformations while guarding the core objectives of literary dissemination.
