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[CCBC-Net] Celebrity Books
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From: Norma Jean <nsawicki>
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:01:16 -0400
Historically, publishers have always sought to "fill out" their lists in one area or another but I do not believe for one single second that HC's interest in acquiring movie tie-ins, etc., has anything to do with the decision not to publish a work by a single writer, and it certainly has nothing do with books going out of print. Publishers make their profit from books that stay in print for a long time, and it is not to a publisher's advantage to put books out of print that continue to sell. Thousands of books enjoyed good backlist sales when school and public libraries had more funding and would order replacement or multiple copies of backlist titles, especially those published early on. Many books may not enjoy strong bookstores sales but enjoy strong sales from the institutional market. Not all books enjoy strong sales from both markets and for those books that are dependant on the institutional market, sales can become wobbly if books are not reordered, and supported.
Kudos to Henrietta for pointing out that she receives review copies of many many non-celebrity books from Harper and to ME Kerr for mentioning some of the many many fine writers published HC. It is unfortunate that a publisher is whipped by name in these pages, and in this case, inaccurately so. It is as if a publishing house does not consist of dedicated editors who acquire and and work incredibly hard to publish books they love, and are not hurt when their publishing program is shredded and when it is suggested all they care about are celebrity books or movies tie-in that will make a quick buck...nothing but carpetbaggers is the implication which is wrong headed and inaccurate. That individuals sometimes have hurt feelings as a result of a response to their opinion is certainly unfortunate and no doubt unintended but a publishing house is more than concrete and cement...it is chock full of people whose passion for children's books reigns supreme...people who breathe, walk, talk, and have feelings. Good form dictates the details of the relationship between a writer/editor remain confidential which renders publishers impotent when it comes to explaining the reason(s) for this or that decision. Never assume silence means true. Norma Jean
Received on Tue 12 Jun 2007 11:01:16 PM CDT
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:01:16 -0400
Historically, publishers have always sought to "fill out" their lists in one area or another but I do not believe for one single second that HC's interest in acquiring movie tie-ins, etc., has anything to do with the decision not to publish a work by a single writer, and it certainly has nothing do with books going out of print. Publishers make their profit from books that stay in print for a long time, and it is not to a publisher's advantage to put books out of print that continue to sell. Thousands of books enjoyed good backlist sales when school and public libraries had more funding and would order replacement or multiple copies of backlist titles, especially those published early on. Many books may not enjoy strong bookstores sales but enjoy strong sales from the institutional market. Not all books enjoy strong sales from both markets and for those books that are dependant on the institutional market, sales can become wobbly if books are not reordered, and supported.
Kudos to Henrietta for pointing out that she receives review copies of many many non-celebrity books from Harper and to ME Kerr for mentioning some of the many many fine writers published HC. It is unfortunate that a publisher is whipped by name in these pages, and in this case, inaccurately so. It is as if a publishing house does not consist of dedicated editors who acquire and and work incredibly hard to publish books they love, and are not hurt when their publishing program is shredded and when it is suggested all they care about are celebrity books or movies tie-in that will make a quick buck...nothing but carpetbaggers is the implication which is wrong headed and inaccurate. That individuals sometimes have hurt feelings as a result of a response to their opinion is certainly unfortunate and no doubt unintended but a publishing house is more than concrete and cement...it is chock full of people whose passion for children's books reigns supreme...people who breathe, walk, talk, and have feelings. Good form dictates the details of the relationship between a writer/editor remain confidential which renders publishers impotent when it comes to explaining the reason(s) for this or that decision. Never assume silence means true. Norma Jean
Received on Tue 12 Jun 2007 11:01:16 PM CDT
