used bookstores & libraries, from the writer's POV

juniper · May 5, 2010

I was at a thrift store today looking for a cork board and wandered past the book section. Bill Bryson's The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid caught my eye and of course I grabbed it. I would read anything written by him.

And then I found Eats, Shoots and Leaves for $3, and something else.

As I was waiting to check out I started thinking about how the authors wouldn't be making any royalties from this sale.

A few days ago I'd got Before I Wake from the library and wondered about that, too. (It's wonderful, BTW. I'm totally caught up in it.)

From the viewpoint of a thrifty or poor person, those places are great resources. From the writer's POV, that's a lost sale.

For those of you who have works in print, how do you feel about people getting your books secondhand or from the library?

Stacia Kane · May 5, 2010

Just fine.

People who buy a new author used or get them from the library might very well buy the next one new. And even if they don't they're still reading, and that's a good thing. Sometimes I see it kind of the same way as a doctor or lawyer doing some pro bono work, if that makes sense.

Now piracy? Grrrrr. But libraries and used bookstores are great. I wouldn't have been able to read half as much as I read as a child if not for them.

willietheshakes · May 5, 2010

Hey, Before I Wake!

I'm fine with used book sales and libraries -- I've already received my royalties on that particular copy, and if it attracts a reader for a future book, so much the better.

(As well, in Canada we have the Public Lending Right, which pays authors for the presence of their books in public libraries. It's a way of off-setting that loss of income-per-sale). Yeah, I'm fine with it. And glad you're reading BIW!

ishtar'sgate · May 5, 2010

willietheshakes said:
I'm fine with used book sales and libraries -- I've already received my royalties on that particular copy, and if it attracts a reader for a future book, so much the better.

(As well, in Canada we have the Public Lending Right, which pays authors for the presence of their books in public libraries. It's a way of off-setting that loss of income-per-sale).

Yup, me too. I like getting my report from PLR. It's good to know they've found my novel in almost every library that's sampled. Getting into print took me a long time and I'm simply happy to be read. Don't get me wrong, I like the royalties but for me that's just icing on the cake.

friendlyhobo · May 5, 2010

Personally I'm poor, and if there wasn't the library, I would read 75% of the books I do. I don't have the money, I don't have a choice. It's not really a lost sale, at least in my case. My small book budget exclusively goes to authors I already love/part of a series, or books I've already read (from the library) and want to own. So yeah.

CAWriter · May 5, 2010

I remember the first time I saw my first book in a used book store. I had this ironic feeling that I'd arrived. What bothered me more than not getting a royalty from that (potential) sale was the fact that someone who'd had the book at one point didn't want it!

juniper · May 5, 2010

I'm glad you saw this thread! I'm about 100 pages into your novel ... I cried my way through the first part ... I'd say more but I don't want to give away the plot. I'm a fan - if I ever get solvent I'll buy it in hardcover.

willietheshakes said:
Hey, Before I Wake!

I'm fine with used book sales and libraries -- I've already received my royalties on that particular copy, and if it attracts a reader for a future book, so much the better.

(As well, in Canada we have the Public Lending Right, which pays authors for the presence of their books in public libraries. It's a way of off-setting that loss of income-per-sale). Yeah, I'm fine with it. And glad you're reading BIW!

Mr Flibble · May 5, 2010

(As well, in Canada we have the Public Lending Right, which pays authors for the presence of their books in public libraries. It's a way of off-setting that loss of income-per-sale).

Something similar in the UK iirc

And I'll buy a book used that I might not in a book shop just because it's cheap. And if I like it I'll buy another of that author's books from the book shop. So it can be good advertising.

Terie · May 6, 2010

I, too, have no problem at all with libraries and used bookshops. Love 'em, actually. The biggest thing to me is to be read. I don't begrudge people using libraries and used bookshops whatsoever. I was poor once and had to rely on these resources; it would be pretty poor form to resent others using them!

Even now, I'll buy a used copy if I want an edition (such as hardback or trade paperback) that's no longer available new. Since I like to support my favourite authors, I prefer to buy books new, but if I discover someone and want their earlier books, well, the fact is that my eyes are getting old even faster than the rest of me (sigh), and if I can get a larger-format edition of an earlier book, I will, simply because reading mass-market paperbacks is getting hard.

Any author disliking libraries and used bookshops really would raise my hackles.

aruna · May 6, 2010

ishtar'sgate said:
Yup, me too. I like getting my report from PLR. It's good to know they've found my novel in almost every library that's sampled. Getting into print took me a long time and I'm simply happy to be read. Don't get me wrong, I like the royalties but for me that's just icing on the cake.

Same here. I'm happy for books that have already sold to be passed on to used book shops, so that other readers can get at them. Better than staying on someone's shelf at home, don't you think?
As for libraries: they're great! I get PLR, and it's going UP every year -- this year I got £120+, last year £90+. This tells me that people are not only reading my books, but recommending them on, and as the main one is out of print that's wonderful!

Elisabeth Bruce · May 6, 2010

We're not in a position to have a budget apart for the one for our ISP. Our nearest bookshop is nearly 200kms (each way) and we have only the Library, which we visit once a week.
I get to meet new authors and authors I haven't read, courtesy of our free Library.
I am comfortable they have been paid some remuneration via the Library system and authors I fall in love with are noted for our twice yearly visit to the 'Big Town' and the one bookshop there.
I telephone 'Dave' in advance and he makes sure I get the ones I lust for ready for me to look at and choose. I'm allowed two, and Bob one. So we try and 'pay back' the authors we read for free.
We don't have Christmas or Birthday presents, but we do have Dave and his kindness.

gothicangel · May 6, 2010

I work [voluntarily] for Oxfam books. It's a lifeline for many people. I know regular customers from the taxi driver who buys several thrillers a week to an old lady who can buy 5 M&B for £1. Neither of them could afford to read that many at retail prices.

I even donate used textbooks from Uni, even though I could sell them on myself.

How great is it as writers that we get to entertain readers, and raise money for some of the most desperately in need people?

mccardey · May 6, 2010

(As well, in Canada we have the Public Lending Right, which pays authors for the presence of their books in public libraries. It's a way of off-setting that loss of income-per-sale). Yeah, I'm fine with it.

Yes, we have this in Australia as well, and very pleased I am about it - also ELR which does the same kind of job on the books that are held in school libraries. Bless them both

Also - I live at my second hand bookshop....

brainstorm77 · May 6, 2010

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172932 <----- same thread, if anyone wants to take a look at some opinions. Mods may want to merge the two.

shaldna · May 6, 2010

In the Uk writers get royalities when someone checks out a book at a library, so I'm all for them.

As for used books stores, I can only speak from my experience. I have come across some interesting books in them that I wouldn't have picked up at full price. I read them, liked them and went and ordered other (new) books from the same writer.

Becky Black · May 6, 2010

I agree with Shaldna. If I try a writer I haven't read before by getting a book from a used book store, then if I decide I want to read more of their books I'm probably going to have to head to the normal book store, where I can get their books that are in print even if I have to order them. In the used book shop it's just pot luck.

Also, Gothicangel raises a good point about Oxfam. In the UK a lot of used books are sold through charity shops, so the money goes to good causes. If I do ever get published I'd hope I wouldn't begrudge that! And at least like people say it's getting the book out there and read, which can lead to more sales later of other books, or of that same book if the second hand buyer enjoyed it and tells their friends, or praised it on Goodreads or something similar.

seun · May 6, 2010

Libraries obviously buy their books from suppliers; the suppliers get them from the publishers and the writers get paid that way.

sheadakota · May 6, 2010

seun said:
Libraries obviously buy their books from suppliers; the suppliers get them from the publishers and the writers get paid that way.

Not always- I live in a small rural area- the library inmy town get their books through donations- I donated a copy of my book to them- I've been told there is a two week wait for it

As someone mentioned I am thrilled to be just have someone read my work-

Captcha · May 6, 2010

I work in a library, and we find that most books don't really have a very long life - I'd estimate 5-7 readings is all we expect for a paperback, 10-15 for a hardcover. And that's excluding the casualties to loss and damage.

So, while libraries may give more readings per royalty payment, it's still not exactly unlimited. And we don't just give up on the worn-out books - we buy another copy, or often two, since we have proof that it's being read.

So, still not a goldmine for the author, but not as much of a money-pit as they may seem!

JimmyB27 · May 6, 2010

Stacia Kane said:
Now piracy? Grrrrr. But libraries and used bookstores are great. I wouldn't have been able to read half as much as I read as a child if not for them.

From my point of view, as an honest, nice kinda guy, I actually see piracy and used books/CDs etc as more or less the same thing. If I'm not sure of an author/musician, I'll either buy second hand, go to the library or, yes, download a pirate copy. If I like it, I'll buy new next time, if not, I won't.
There's a legal difference in the way I do it, but I don't see any moral difference.

gothicangel · May 6, 2010

JimmyB27 said:
From my point of view, as an honest, nice kinda guy, I actually see piracy and used books/CDs etc as more or less the same thing. If I'm not sure of an author/musician, I'll either buy second hand, go to the library or, yes, download a pirate copy. If I like it, I'll buy new next time, if not, I won't.
There's a legal difference in the way I do it, but I don't see any moral difference.

Raises future locked thread alarm.

Dude, you openly admit to pirating other people's creative projects while seeking to publish/make money from your own?

Alpha Echo · May 6, 2010

ishtar'sgate said:
Yup, me too. I like getting my report from PLR. It's good to know they've found my novel in almost every library that's sampled. Getting into print took me a long time and I'm simply happy to be read. Don't get me wrong, I like the royalties but for me that's just icing on the cake.

First of all, that's awesome abotu your novel!

Second of all, if I ever get published, I'll feel the same way. The excitment in knowing someone's reading what I wrote...awesome. It's not about the money for me anyway.

shaldna · May 6, 2010

JimmyB27 said:
From my point of view, as an honest, nice kinda guy, I actually see piracy and used books/CDs etc as more or less the same thing. If I'm not sure of an author/musician, I'll either buy second hand, go to the library or, yes, download a pirate copy. If I like it, I'll buy new next time, if not, I won't.
There's a legal difference in the way I do it, but I don't see any moral difference.

Ok, used books are not piracy. You might donate a book, or pass it to a friend. In which case a handful of people, AT MOST, are going to read it. It's not like making copies and passing it around to 10,000 of your closest friends.

JimmyB27 · May 6, 2010

gothicangel said:
Raises future locked thread alarm.

Dude, you openly admit to pirating other people's creative projects while seeking to publish/make money from your own?

Firstly, you're assuming that I seek to make money from my writing. I do, but you didn't know that. :tongue

Secondly, I would be perfectly happy for individuals to download a copy of my book. I believe that most people who do this sort of thing - as individuals - are not crooks, and are doing it for the same reasons I do.

shaldna said:
Ok, used books are not piracy. You might donate a book, or pass it to a friend. In which case a handful of people, AT MOST, are going to read it. It's not like making copies and passing it around to 10,000 of your closest friends.

See above. I'm not talking about mass reproduction. I'm talking about one guy who doesn't want to shell out twenty quid for a book only to find it's crap.
It's been shown in various studies that people who download the most are also the people who spend the most. I don't want to alienate the biggest audience, so I'm good with it.

ETA: I know this is never going to be a popular opinion. I don't really expect to persuade anyone - I've tried before, but it's too counter-intuitive for most people to accept. Just think on this, though: Most pirated blu-ray ever? Avatar. Highest selling blu-ray ever? Yep, Avatar.

gothicangel · May 6, 2010

You're STEALING.

You want me to produce something that you don't want to pay for? This is why the film and music industries are in serious shit.

used bookstores & libraries, from the writer's POV

Always curious.

Girl Detective

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

living in the past

Always curious.

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Writer is as Writer does

On a wing and a prayer

Toughen up.

practical experience, FTW

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Writing my way off the B Ark

Horror Man

part of the human equation

Hoopy frood

Toughen up.

I should be writing.

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Hoopy frood

Toughen up.