Amazon, used books and publishing

[Spriggan]

There's a good article by the NYT over at news.com (so you don't have to register to read it) about how Amazon's used book sales are getting some publishers and authors quite upset.
http://news.com.com/New+value+for+used+books+flows+from+Amazon/2100-1026_3-5810146.html?tag=nefd.top

The Blurb:
***********
New value for used books flows from Amazon
The Internet has helped the book market become larger and more efficient--and that has upset a number of publishers and authors.

[Chimera]

That's interesting.

I'm one of the people who prefers to buy new books--and new hardback books, if I can afford it. I don't like my books to have a lot of wear and tear--I beg people to treat them nicely when I lend them out--so it is unlikely that I will buy a used book that is dirt cheap but also dirt ugly. I would probably save more if I wasn't so picky. However, I also have started trying to buy books in hardback if it is an author I really like because the author gets more money from a hardback purchase, and like nothing from a paperback purchase (EUOL could give you the exact figures). Since I want to become a writer and want the book market to last, I feel I would rather save and get hardbacks rather than get more paperbacks--especially since the library is always available for free books. That said, I use Amazon much more than bookstores, because Amazon discounts a lot and you still get a good hardback.

[fuzzyoctopus]

Too freaking bad for them.   Books are expensive, and until I see solid figures otherwise, I will not believe that they need to be as expensive as they are.  (Why were paperbacks $5 when I was a kid, but $7-$8 now?)  I tend to buy used books for authors I don't know.  If I find a new author and discover I like them, I'll buy them new.  That sounds only fair to me.  I won't pay $7 for a book I don't know if I like if I can pay 50 cents.  But if I know I'll like it I'll buy it on release day.

And look at it this way - if I sell my used books that I don't read, I (personally) am only going to end up spending the extra money on someone else's new release.  And I never use Amazon for used books. I use half.com and thrift stores.

[Entsuropi]

(Why were paperbacks $5 when I was a kid, but $7-$8 now?)

Because of a magical word named 'inflation'. Basic economic knowledge.

[Spriggan]

Entropy's right on the price increase, also paper price has gone up in the US due to logging restrictions.

[fuzzyoctopus]

Because of a magical word named 'inflation'. Basic economic knowledge.

Thank you, Alan Greenspan.  I'm sure no one at all in the publishing industry is seeing any profit from that "inflation" either.

[Spriggan]

probably not as much as you think Fuzzy.  Remember book stores get a decent chunk of the price too, EUOL said that on his hard back book they're getting around 50%.  Also, and I don't have any numbers but I'm sure he does, EUOL has told me that Publishers really don't make that much money off of paper backs, only hardbacks make a significant profit.

[EUOL]

Yeah.  It's kind of strange--they almost consider the paperback to be little more than a publicity stunt for the next hardback.

The big hidden cost here, Fuzzy, is shipping.  It costs A LOT to get all those books out to the bookstores.  

Now, I'm not saying I disagree with people selling their used books.  In general, I'm of the opinion that the more people who read my books (no matter how they get them) the better.  I feel that exposure will translate to eventual purchases as readers want nice, hardback copies of their favorite books.

[stacer]

Our books are mainly paperback, so our situation is a little different, though I don't know how profit margin compares.

[Chimera]

Do your authors get paid less?

[Entsuropi]

Besides, I'm amused at the typical american arguement - 'this is too expensive!'. Let us compare (these are list prices, not amazons discounted ones).

The color of magic at Amazon.com. $7.50

The colour of magic at Amazon.co.uk.    £6.99

£6.99, when converted to USD, equals $12.28.

Americans get things too cheap Plus: Average american wage is slightly higher than the average British wage.

This announcement comes to you courtesy of he who spends too much money on books.

[Spriggan]

American price for a CD
$13

Japanese price for a CD

$30 (3,000 yen)

rule of thumb conversion rate of dollars to yen

$1=100yen

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

Did you want a pity party or something, ent?

[Entsuropi]

Books, mainly.

[stacer]

Do your authors get paid less?

They get paid differently, a different setup, though we still do advances. I could discuss it with you privately when you come up, but it's probably best not to post it on a message board.