tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post7314811451758698782..comments2024-03-28T12:01:31.049-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: On Buying Books—Or NotJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-57562828443646871972013-06-24T21:29:04.027-04:002013-06-24T21:29:04.027-04:00Yes, Shari, I learned that the hard way. Years ago...Yes, Shari, I learned that the hard way. Years ago, I was forced by my first husband to get rid of half my books. I let some classics of literature go, thinking I'd always be able to get those at the library. Only to find later that I couldn't. I had to go buy back those same books at friends of library sales.<br /><br />So now when I'm picking up research books at the library, I add a book or two by a favorite author each time, even if I own those books. I want to see those authors still being carried by the library.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-62488713831654917792013-06-24T20:57:56.996-04:002013-06-24T20:57:56.996-04:00Hi Linda - I know I am late, but I am glad you men...Hi Linda - I know I am late, but I am glad you mentioned what librarians call "weeding."<br />Public libraries are not archives, which have the mission of preserving books and other media. Public library collections are dynamic, constantly changing to meet demand. So if a book does not earn its shelf space by getting checked out (and each library system has its own criteria, usually two years) it will be discarded - usually finding its way into a book sale, which makes money for the library to purchase new books. Librarians hate to deaccession books, but you constantly have to think about all the new books that are rolling in, and how to make space and serve the public best. This is a touchy subject for a lot of people - I've heard of people Dumpster diving to "save" books thrown away capriciously by those book hating librarians. If a book ends up in a Dumpster, it usually means that something, let us say, unhealthy, has happened to it.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-5208982050299031652013-06-24T17:45:27.012-04:002013-06-24T17:45:27.012-04:00EB, you should never feel bad about checking books...EB, you should never feel bad about checking books out from the library! Library sales are important to writers, too, even if they don't figure toward bestseller status.<br /><br />I often go check out books by writer I love when I own the books, just so the library will see there's demand for them and order the next of their books. That's something everyone can do for their favorite writers. I return them quickly so they won't be out of circulation.<br /><br />Does everyone know that libraries usually get rid of books when they're not checked out often enough? The period varies from library to library. So if there are books you want to continue to see in your library, check them out.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-76093344704364909322013-06-24T17:11:19.237-04:002013-06-24T17:11:19.237-04:00LD--that's one good aspect of ebooks. To borro...LD--that's one good aspect of ebooks. To borrow a title, you have to trade Kindles. No one will do that except spouses perhaps. We don't read each others' authors.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-81748512014970785762013-06-24T17:08:52.070-04:002013-06-24T17:08:52.070-04:00Linda, I always feel bad when I check books out of...Linda, I always feel bad when I check books out of the library. But then, I also feel bad about how many books I buy. So I guess I'm balanced. Either way--I'm guilty!E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-55365439129207296772013-06-24T16:56:13.752-04:002013-06-24T16:56:13.752-04:00Gloria, you're right. Self-published authors a...Gloria, you're right. Self-published authors are in a different situation. But I think authors of all kinds can unite around opposition to pirating. Which is the "cool" way of saying stealing.<br /><br />I know people who let friends read my books because their friends can't afford to buy them. So I hope the friends come to like my books and will buy them when their financial situations change.<br /><br />It's easy to forget (because the media seems to have totally forgotten), but there are still tons and tons of people out of work, on (or getting thrown off of) food stamps, foreclosed on, or downright homeless. A large part of our economy has never yet recovered from the big crash. And despite the stereotypes, many of those people are avid readers. If someone shares a book they bought with someone who can't afford one, I'm glad.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-24430164383392658222013-06-24T14:16:23.561-04:002013-06-24T14:16:23.561-04:00If you could see my library, and indeed my whole h...If you could see my library, and indeed my whole house, you would see that I do buy books - lots of books, and many of them new. But I also buy books from used book stores, too, and check them out of the library. I belong to two book clubs; Mystery Guild and Book-of-the-Month Club that I buy from and I won't even mention how much I spent at Malice. And no, I'm not a wealthy person living alone on a pension. <br /><br />I feel for the published authors who are being ripped off. It's not so bad for me because I'm self-published and don't have to worry about meeting a publishers quota. So when I had a book signing last weekend and a retired teacher from where I taught came in with a book of mine to be signed that another friend of hers had given her, I wasn't upset at all. She'd like the first one, too, that the friend had also given her. Two other friends of mine each bought one of my two latest books and were going to switch after they read them. Some would be offended, I was pleased. But like I mentioned, I'm in a different situation, and quite frankly, I would be very upset if someone pirated my books.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-48784612978190691232013-06-24T12:27:23.962-04:002013-06-24T12:27:23.962-04:00Yes, Jim, I believe strongly in supporting librari...Yes, Jim, I believe strongly in supporting libraries, too, and spend a lot on them with taxes and donations--but I buy a heck of a lot of books, so don't know if that would equal out.<br /><br />I'm sorry you've not had good luck with libraries for your own events. I've been very fortunate there. I've done wonderful events, not only at our own great local library systems, but at many libraries throughout Kansas and Missouri. (I usually do events with bookstores or organizations in other states. Haven't tried libraries in other states yet.) Perhaps it's just one individual blocking you. I've found most librarians very receptive to doing programs with authors.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-53493761972851715032013-06-24T11:51:38.301-04:002013-06-24T11:51:38.301-04:00An additional two comments regarding libraries:
(...An additional two comments regarding libraries:<br /><br />(1) between the portion of property taxes I pay to support them and the donations to them each year (because I believe in free access to books), I probably spend as much or more on libraries than I do on purchased books.<br /><br />(2) Some libraries are good about working with authors - however, I have found others that have absolutely no interest - even with a local author and like many others in this business don't even bother to return phone calls.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-81963547511606289482013-06-24T11:25:42.303-04:002013-06-24T11:25:42.303-04:00Gayle, that's the way I feel about the librari...Gayle, that's the way I feel about the libraries also.<br /><br />And yes, I've heard that about the piracy sites. Lots of viruses and malware. Karma, as you say, is a bitch.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-13178255290467040922013-06-24T11:23:57.046-04:002013-06-24T11:23:57.046-04:00LD,you're introducing that reader to that auth...LD,you're introducing that reader to that author. I don't think most authors would have a problem with that.<br /><br />Most people won't buy a brand-new author. They'll borrow from the library or the friend who recommended that author. We all hope that, after that initial borrowing, they'll like the book and buy the next and next and...Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-36374761680550137452013-06-24T11:20:13.827-04:002013-06-24T11:20:13.827-04:00Yes, Warren. One of the things I've found afte...Yes, Warren. One of the things I've found after doing book tours is that writers' groups are often the worst about not buying books when you come to speak. Not our own Border Crimes chapter of SinC, thank heavens, or most SinC groups I've visited. But other writers' groups have really surprised me that way. They'll keep you going way past the agreed-on time with questions. Then they'll all walk out without buying a book.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-71785565865075001172013-06-24T11:18:13.509-04:002013-06-24T11:18:13.509-04:00I'm a library trustee, so I'm more than th...I'm a library trustee, so I'm more than thankful that folks check my books out of the library to read. I completely get it: there are people who like to read who can't afford to buy a lot of books or a fancy-schmancy ereader. I still want them to have access to my stories. Legally. <br /><br />The pirating thing I'm not so happy about, but I've learned from other sources that pirating sites usually come with a high risk of viruses, so maybe they get their comeuppance.<br /><br />Karma can be a very bad girl, after all.Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-1267454581013836312013-06-24T11:18:06.089-04:002013-06-24T11:18:06.089-04:00Erma Bombeck wrote about loving to go to a library...Erma Bombeck wrote about loving to go to a library and finding that all her books were checked out. But, of course, Erma didn't have to worry so much about her sales. I run into a problem sometimes when I recommend a book to a friend and they ask to borrow my copy. I know that could cost the author a sale but it seems selfish to refuse. A variation on the library issue.LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-34200004426476396292013-06-24T11:06:30.694-04:002013-06-24T11:06:30.694-04:00Good post! Used book stores do not benefit the aut...Good post! Used book stores do not benefit the author or the publisher. I want my publisher to make money on my book so she/he will want to publish me again. When a writer speaks at a group I attend. I always buy a book, especially when nobody in the group is buying, as a 'thank you.' Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-51584275459514541412013-06-24T09:13:42.963-04:002013-06-24T09:13:42.963-04:00KM, exactly! Many big readers will check out a fir...KM, exactly! Many big readers will check out a first book in a series to see if they like the author and the characters. If they do, they'll go on to buy the whole series.<br /><br />A couple of my biggest fans are living fairly restricted lives on fixed incomes. They couldn't afford e-readers, and my books are available in hardcover and e-book only at the moment. If they couldn't check them out from the library, they couldn't read my books. But they are big boosters of my work, and I appreciate that so much. <br /><br />I'm always glad to have folks check out my books from their local libraries. I even encourage those who own them to do that on occasion. It keeps the library buying my books, and it helps the library show how much they're being used in this dreadful era of major cuts to libraries.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-32057171141669455692013-06-24T09:07:04.631-04:002013-06-24T09:07:04.631-04:00Jim, that stinks! I hope they took it down. I can&...Jim, that stinks! I hope they took it down. I can't monitor all those bit-torrent sites for mine. New ones crop up all the time. Whenever anyone lets me know that they've seen my book pirated, I send a copyright-violation-take-it-down email, but I don't go looking for them. It would take all my time.<br /><br />I, too, have a young relative who uses those sites. We've had some heated discussions at family holidays, and I think his mother's very embarrassed that he does, but he's on his own so she has no control. He parrots all this talk about greedy writers, musicians, and publishers and content must be free. then he makes sure to let me know that he'd never pirate mine and he's only talking about big names. It's like saying, "I wouldn't steal from the mom and pop store down the street, but I have the right to steal from WalMart or BestBuy." But of course, they don't go there and put their philosophy into practice because they'd get caught and arrested. Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-87358904126499570682013-06-24T08:56:52.309-04:002013-06-24T08:56:52.309-04:00Shari, I'm so glad you're going to do that...Shari, I'm so glad you're going to do that post. I do think some newer writers simply aren't aware how helpful libraries to writers.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-33524594253657055712013-06-24T08:54:40.039-04:002013-06-24T08:54:40.039-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-397942244726939232013-06-24T08:54:37.769-04:002013-06-24T08:54:37.769-04:00Paula, I don't know what publishers will final...Paula, I don't know what publishers will finally do about piracy. They tried DRM, but it was a pretty dismal failure. I don't know what the next step will be. It's a real problem, however.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-59231795943349235912013-06-24T08:52:04.888-04:002013-06-24T08:52:04.888-04:00Kath, I've been a starving single-mother stude...Kath, I've been a starving single-mother student who's had to get books from a used-book store because the library didn't carry them. I know it can be a problem.<br /><br />I, too, grew up in the military, the Navy. Mine was a very dysfunctional family. Libraries were my shelter, my way of learning that there were other ways to live in the world. Without them, I'm not sure I'd have survived the violence of my childhood. They're still playing that role, among so many others, for children today in an increasingly violent world. I absolutely love libraries and librarians!Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-7092670536232884452013-06-24T08:32:35.734-04:002013-06-24T08:32:35.734-04:00Very seldom will I buy a book that I haven't b...Very seldom will I buy a book that I haven't borrowed from the library and previously read. If I love it, I will buy a copy. If I think someone I know would like it, I will buy them a copy. I love to give books as gifts.<br /><br />I've worked in libraries, and I see the delight books can bring to people who could never begin to afford to buy all that they read. And I've seen people discover the joy of reading for pleasure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-39538092768333092912013-06-24T08:21:48.171-04:002013-06-24T08:21:48.171-04:00“All content should be free” is a load of crap. I ...“All content should be free” is a load of crap. I have had my bridge book posted as a “free” pdf file. As the copyright owner I informed them they must remove the file, but in reality there is little I can do. <br /><br />Theft is theft. I know people who have downloaded thousands of “free” books. They blanch when I tell them they have committed grand larceny and quickly change the conversation.<br /><br />I have no problem with people reading books from libraries (I do) or borrowing them from friends (I do) or buying used (I do, especially for church fundraisers) or waiting for the paperback edition (I do). <br /><br />Frankly, the bigger the author, the more likely I am to borrow their book because there are many copies at the library. My purchases are more likely of midlist or no-list authors.<br /><br />~ Jim<br />Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-21146120615536570662013-06-24T08:19:23.933-04:002013-06-24T08:19:23.933-04:00Thanks, Linda, I learned a lot from this post. As ...Thanks, Linda, I learned a lot from this post. As a librarian and writer I see both sides of the issue, and e-books add another murky layer. Next week I'll post about what libraries can do for authors, which I hope will allay some worries.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-127800333625326392013-06-24T07:48:02.783-04:002013-06-24T07:48:02.783-04:00I agree. Libraries are purchasers and provide intr...I agree. Libraries are purchasers and provide introductions to books that may lead to additional sales. It will be interesting to see how publishers and others continue to address piracy issues in electronic publishing. Thanks for this thoughtful post.Paula Gail Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843350597811462936noreply@blogger.com