Literary Kicks investigates an interesting question: Why do some books come out in hardcover then paperback, while others debut as trade paper originals? A publisher, author, and agent give their perspectives. I like Richard Nash’s idea:
Now, I happen to think that it would be rather good if we could engage in a far more sophisticated level of price discrimination, much like the airlines do. Signed limited edition for one price ($100), regular hardcover at another (maybe as a subscription), high-end trade paperback (maybe with flaps) at another ($16, $17?), cheap borderline mass market on 35 lb. paper at another ($9, $10), and electronic at yet another ($5, or also as a subscription). There are so many levels at which a given person might be willing to commit to a book, I feel it behooves us to try to get more of the the dollars that lie below that Economics 101 price elasticity curve. That would sound crass in a business where we’re minting money, but that’s hardly the case in publishing! Plus, it gets more readers.
My perspective? I like trade paperbacks: they are inexpensive, wear well, are lightweight, save space on the bookshelf, and look nice. I especially like the ones with French flaps — I feel like I’m getting more bang for my buck. (I’m serious!)
What do you think?
(Via edrants)
I used not to care. Then at some point I undertook a concerted effort to get paperback copies of books for precisely the reasons you mentioned and because they’re so much easier to read holding them in one hand while lying in bed. However, when I look at my bookshelf, I can’t help but wish that all of my books were hardbound: ultimately, they look so much more elegant, especially in large numbers.
I certainly like the trades. The only time in recent memory that I have ponied up for a hardback is if the book is keenly anticipated work from a well-known writer, or if I want to support a friend who has been published.
I have many hardcover editions that I treasure, but I’m becoming more conscious about how much I spend on books and how much more “stuff” I want to bring into my house. I’m not hanging on to books the way I used to.
The vast majority of the books I read come from the library. When I do receive a book as a gift or buy one, I prefer paperback so that it takes up less space.
I like trades best for actual reading ’cause they carry lighter and are much easier to read in the bathtub. I buy hardcovers only when they’re the only available option. I do tend to buy older, pre-dust-jacket, hardcovers at thrift shops and sales for the style rather than the content.
Oddly enough, I was just talking about this the other day! http://prospectus.wordpress.com/2007/09/02/ones-you-might-have-missed/
Other than food, the only things I buy are books. The price is a concern, of course, and so is space (although I’ve run out of space, so there isn’t room on the shelves for a paperback anyway), but I still feel more of a connection with hardcover books and I do feel that I’m supporting writers by buying them.
I remember an essay by George Orwell written in the 1940s, I think – he made the point that books aren’t as expensive as people often make out, when you compare them with other forms of entertainment and recreation. Alongside cinema tickets, cigarettes or a night on the beer, books are quite cheap – and last a lot longer!
And I know that if the power’s out or I’m stuck in a doctor’s waiting room, I can always turn to my trusty book.
[...] do you think about ebooks and ebook readers? Like so many people (see comments here, for starters), I have an attachment to books as objects. But I suppose I could get used to ebooks, [...]