From: Norma Jean <nsawicki>
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 20:24:35 -0500

While I understand Mary's concerns about Amazon classifying, and selling a book as "used," even before a review has appeared, I am not sure the problem will ever be solved. Prior to the existence of Amazon, and other online bookstores, reviewers have always sold books to one bookstore or another...mostly those that sell "used books." Some publishers send a catalogue to reviewers along with a checklist...the reviewer decides what he/she wants to see/read, and returns the checklist. Other publishers do not send a catalogue/ checklist to reviewers and select the books based on the number of books the publication reviews, as well as the region ( for books with regional interests etc.). In my experience, either way works well but reviewers are still inundated with more books he/she can review...and too, a reviewer may ask to see a book but for one reason or another, decide not to review. Furthermore, after a book is reviewed, the reviewer may decide not to keep it...there is not enough room in most reviewers' offices to keep even half the number of books he/she receives. It is no easy task to donate books to libraries, or to children...for the reviewer, one is often looking to clear out cartons of books at a time...not single copies. It is not a matter of money ( which is minimal) but a method that is expedient and efficient. Few organizations, etc., are willing to pick up books, and/or sometimes there is simply too much red tape. While one can certainly question Amazon's policy regarding "used" books, it also sells hundreds of thousands of books for which writers do receive royalties but more to the point...this has been going on for many many decades...with smaller bookstores throughout the country; Amazon is larger and visible. I buy many books from used bookstores...online and in stores, as well as new books. If I did not do so, I would buy less than half the number of books I do buy...and would have far fewer to recommend.

There is an old adage in publishing...the best form of promotion is a free book which I believe is still true. X may buy a book on Amazon and recommend it to friends who may buy it in a bookstore. Some evidence has shown that people who buy books from Amazon, or other online bookstores are people who do not live near bookstores, or who usually do not buy books in bookstores for one reason or another. One study showed more men than women buy books on the internet because they are uncomfortable in bookstores. I do not know if it is true but it certainly is true of my male friends...they all buy many more books due to the internet; they can browse at their leisure, etc.

Last but not least..." It also supports unsalaried, untenured, un-health-insuranced writers who pay their full social security and work without sick leave, professional leave, or vacation days," I know I am wading into a swamp when I say no one ever asked a writer, painter, artist, musician, etc...to live the life of a freelancer. As a matter of fact, along with many of my former colleagues, I begged...and begged is the word... writers and illustrators not to give up their day job until they knew they could earn a living from their work...more often than not, the advice fell on deaf ears..their decision, not mine. A publisher is responsible for publishing a book to the best of its ability...how to pay the mortgage, health insurance, etc., should not fall into the bailiwick of a publisher's responsibility or concern. Norma Jean
Received on Mon 17 Oct 2005 08:24:35 PM CDT