It’s true only so many books can be placed on any one shelf in any one book store. And there is only certain people who need certain projects completed.

So, is there a limitation? Yes. But the revene keeps filling up with new water.

The competition is stiff though. Especially since so many writers were forced into freelancing since the economy changed. Reporters were laid off in droves, they had to do something with their skill set. This added to the list.

I guess it’s like everything else, it all on how you want to look at it. Personally, with the numbers getting so large, I decided to go back into teaching.

I like your idea of “a tacitly accepted approach to pricing that effectively freezes out undercutters,” as undercutting is problem that many writers are facing.

I don’t necessarily believe in the concept of “karma” (although I don’t know), but I find generosity often trumps selfishness, and if you help others out it does tend to have a way of returning back to you.