The Secrets of Amazon HQ

RHYS BOWEN: Most of you know that my stand-alone novels are published by LAKE UNION , one of the Amazon publishing companies. They are actually doing rather well and I was invited to visit Amazon headquarters in Seattle when I was on my way up to Left Coast Crime in Vancouver.

So I thought I'd like to share my impressions of that day because the place is--well--unusual and spectacular.  The first thing you notice is there aren't really any offices as we know them. Lots of spaces and cafes and secluded areas to network and create. And the buildings are dog friendly so expect to meet a dog around every corner. There are pooch-parking stands for when the owners want to go into a food court, and dog parks at various levels of the building (including fire hydrants).

Every desk is simply a board with two legs. No drawers, no personal stuff. This is because Jeff Bezos's first desk was a door on two trestles. And people are moved around a lot, to encourage networking and interacting. It was all very open. The marketing types like this but I think it would be hard for editors to do their work in peace and quiet.

Everywhere the theme is creativity. Employees are encouraged to write on walls and windows to jot down ideas. There are craft rooms with resident artists where employees can join in making pieces of artwork. This is knitted glass!

There are things like large Scrabble boards in hallways. I liked this one!

 The headquarters is composed of three tower buildings and between them is something called The Spheres--giant glass balls filled with tropical rainforests. Jeff Bezos wants people to go inside and get recharged with oxygen and tranquility!

There are the secure floors. Only people with a special pass can get through the electronic doors, because what goes on inside is top secret! (I was allowed in! )
I suppose security and spying are always a concern. In the elevators there are old WWII posters saying Loose Lips Sink Ships and underneath added And Also Projects!

Then there is the wall with portraits of those authors who have sold a million books for Amazon.
I'm delighted to say my portrait will be joining them as soon as it's ready!
Would I like to work there? Probably not. I need my own space and privacy and quiet to write. I can't work at Starbucks like some people. But am I glad I joined them? Hell yes!!