Comments on: Save a Writer, Buy a New Book! By Susan Gable

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 21:36:32 +0000

Ursula, You’ve brought up a good point about packaging. I think separating these lines from the others would’ve been a much better idea. Same thing with the new Nocturne line, even though I know that’s not what they plan to do.

By: Ursula

Ursula — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 21:24:47 +0000

I buy hardcovers, from Amazon, or with a Borders coupon, if it’s a must have read that I can’t wait to come out in paperback. (just got Kay Hooper’s Sleeping with Fear. AMAZING by the way) I am much more careful with spending on romantic suspense, though, because of too many inconsistent reads. I do plan to use the library more in my area now that they’re all in a big consortium, but only for reading older things and sampling authors outside of romance. I always donate my books, either to the Salvation Army (so others on a tighter budget can still read and enjoy) or I give them away. (A month ago we hosted a media swap where all our friends traded and gave away all manner of books, movies and discs. Found a great band that way and bought another CD). Publishing is a tough racket. I like the way Baen has the free library and escriptions and uses that to increase sales. It’s a novel concept. I don’t think libraries kill numbers, though. I think a variety of things go into the death of a line, or, a writer sometimes having numbers issues. I think Bombshell had the deck stacked against it when they pub came out and said it wasn’t regular category, but packaged and shelved it as such. Very thought provoking post.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:45:13 +0000

Charli, Those numbers absolutely count, when buying new from Amazon. I know a lot of people don’t like purchasing from them, but sometimes (due to location or convenience) you have no choice.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:44:01 +0000

Thanks, Sunny!

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:43:42 +0000

Raine, I didn’t write this entry, so I can’t tell you what Susan Gable meant. I know for me that if someone can’t afford to buy new due to economic situations, then that’s a whole different ball of wax. You do what you have to do when the money is tight.

By: Charlene Teglia

Charlene Teglia — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 14:22:56 +0000

I use the UBS for out of print titles, but I’d rather see publishers keep titles in print with POD. I live in the boonies, so I do a lot of bookshopping online. But I do try to buy it from the bookstore or Walmart first. I would think that Amazon orders would count on an author’s numbers, though. (I’m talking new book sales, not used.)

By: Sunny Lyn

Sunny Lyn — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 13:44:32 +0000

What a TERRIFIC post, Jordan!

By: raine

raine — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 03:22:55 +0000

I read this elsewhere, and was of two minds about it. Yes, I can see the point of saving the lines, etc. And if it’s a favorite author, or I have the money to spend, I definitely do buy the books new.

But when things are a little tight, as they’ve been lately (the economy is screwed, folks), I’ll hit the used book store or library in a sec, rather than not reading what I want at all. And sometimes it does come down to that simple choice, unfortunately.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 03:16:42 +0000

Lynne, I definitely vote with my dollars. Sorry all the lines that you liked have closed.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 03:15:42 +0000

Bailey, Good for you on buying new. I know at the used bookstore I worked at people wanted the latest books used. Some came in for the backlist of certain authors, but overall they wanted the latest releases. I only bought the used ones when it was an author I wasn’t sure about. If I liked them, then I bought their next book new. As for the Bombshells, I found the same thing to be the case. I’m wondering if the orders were low. That would explain them selling out quickly. One theory I read implied that because the books didn’t have a HEA all the time that romance readers abandoned them. :-/