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by Ricardo_Ramos
purchase a used copy of Olesha's Envy and Other Works from an amazon z-seller for $1.89 ( $3.49 S&H). The Roth novel I looked at, Sabbath's Theater you can buy used in hardcover through amazon for $.97 ( the $3.49 S&H of which only $2.26 goes to the person packaging and mailing the book).
As an author with low sales and pitiful royalties, I'm ambivalent about royaltyless resales...
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Dec 29 '04
6:46 pm PST
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Re: Re: Trade paper vs. Pocketbook (Reply to this comment)
by pearannoyed
I'm not disagreeing that greed and corporate profit plays a big part of what a book (or anything) costs these days. However, you also have to remember that since the 50's, there has been a big--huge even--increase in the amount and type of marketing done for books with high expectations, there has been a huge increase in the cost of distribution (truckers make more than they used to, gas costs lots more than it used to), and honestly, I think _more_ authors are making a living at it than used to be the case. Part of the reason that's possible is that more books can be published more easily--and extra profits from the big sellers partially goes to fund the smaller, but often more important, book runs.
Am I defending the big book sellers? Sort of... I pay less for a book from B&N or Borders than I would for a book from a small independent bookseller. I'm more likely to find something unique at the independent though--and I also shop regularly at places like Half-Price Books and 75% Off Books (a favorite place of mine--all new stock and nothing in the store over $5).
My point is that the big book warehouse stores, because of sheer volume of sales, play a big part in keeping the publishing industry running. I don't have hard facts on this, but I would guess that a large percentage of the used books you buy at Half-Price-Books originally came from one of the big sellers. So, indirectly, you get your $.80 paperbacks thanks to Barnes & Noble. I love buying cheap books, and I love supporting smaller independent book dealers. But I won't be too quick to condemn a company for the sole reason that they are making a profit--that's called capitalism. Get used to it.
Amy
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Nov 23 '04
1:22 pm PST
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Re: Trade paper vs. Pocketbook (Reply to this comment)
by cyanne_t
In my experience, used books don't exactly fall apart in your hands. Of course, they aren't flawless either, but neither are the books at B&N, which can have their front covers (talking about softcover) bent back by moronic customers so much that their cover remains curled, as well as have nicks and marks. Often times, the book you find is the ONLY one of its type in the store, especially when it is a rarer book, so you pretty much have to live with it.
Anyway, consider the prices of hardcovers from fifty years ago.. They are made of the same basic components as today's hardcover books, but are much cheaper. Now I know it isn't author's being paid more for their works, as the percentage authors receive per book hasn't much changed. Since the fifties there has been an approximately ten dollar or so increase on the price of hardcovers. Considering they cost no where near this amount to make, why do they market them so high? In my opinion, greed. That is all my article is trying to say.
You might not mind paying $14 for a softcover book with paperbacks not even being an option, but I do, because they don't cost close to that to make, and the author doesn't get all that much from them, so I see no real justification for such a high price.
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Nov 22 '04
10:10 am PST
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Trade paper vs. Pocketbook (Reply to this comment)
by pearannoyed
While I agree that hardbacks and large-format or trade paperbacks are expensive, I think the price is justified for a book that I plan on keeping for a long time and reading over and over. Even if I have a choice between a small "cheap" paperback and a trade, I will usually choose the trade edition. I find it easier to part with my $14-$20 for something I know will still be useable a year from now than to spend $6-$9 for a book that might fall apart on the first reading.
Just my opinion--
Amy
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Nov 22 '04
6:29 am PST
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I personally... (Reply to this comment)
by plorentz
...don't mind 14 or 15 bucks for a soft-cover, especially by an author like Philip Roth, Michael Chabon or John Updike. Consider the prices we pay for new release compact discs or DVDs, and book prices don't seem so unreasonable.
And I don't mind Barnes & Noble (or Border's) either, for the simple reason that I can find a corner of the store, sit down in a big plush chair, and read a book cover-to-cover without earning myself the ire of the store's employees. B&N and Border's have become library alternatives for me, and the best part is that after I've finished reading a book there, I can choose to buy it.
I love shopping at little independent retailers, and used book stores; but when I'm looking for new books, I go for the big chains, and try not to feel dirty about it.
-Paul
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Nov 21 '04
7:41 pm PST
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Re: hey there... (Reply to this comment)
by cyanne_t
It is no answer, of course, but merely my suggestion for readers sick of paying ridiculous amounts for books, especially those by dead authors like Marlowe, Milton, and Balzac. As for the author being supported, keep in mind that the majority of people still go out there and buy expensive books without a care for price, and that a good many of these individuals help an author get on the bestsellers lists. Just because a few frugal readers do otherwise isn't going to affect much. But you're right, buying used isn't a solution for anyone but a reader, not so much a writer, especially if they do not have alternate means of supporting themselves.
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Nov 21 '04
6:00 pm PST
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hey there... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54,  in Books
..
Interesting thoughts.
you said...
"They offer a massive selection and sell books for half the market price and allow book trading. . . .we rarely pay much more than five dollars at the most."
Just wondering how this goes to support any author. I would guess it does not.
Same thing with libraries. One purchase . . .then hundreds of reads for a popular book. How does the support the author or even the 'greed' of the publishing company?
I am not sure that 'used vs new' completely defines or even begins to solve the problem.
It would be interesting for one of our fellow authors here who have experience with the 'print-on-demand' method would share their thoughts.
Interesting thoughts indeed.
...tom...
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Nov 21 '04
5:48 pm PST
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