is buying used books bad for authors?

[boricuaqueen327]

I have recently thought about this. I LOVE buying used books. I love the creases, the markings, and just the feel of used books. But lately I have been thinking about how fair this is to authors. Do you think it is ok to buy used books?

[Aliviasmom]

I don't see why not. It IS stopping it from going into the landfill after all!

[Arduinna]

DO you think the library is unfair to authors? After all probably thousands of people read the library book.

[boricuaqueen327]

I don't think libraries are unfair to authors. I personally rather buy the used copy of the book so I can have it at home and mark it up with notes. The reason I ask is because someone I know says people should only buy new books so that they can support writers. I was wondering what other people thought of that idea. If I could only buy books at bookstore prices I would not have nearly as many books. I can buy three books at the used bookstore or at thrift shops for the price of one new book at barnes and noble.

[MamaJenese]

I don't think it is unfair. But I must say when my cousins book was published every single person in our family bought a copy! We are all usually library people but we all wanted to show our support.

[enkmom]

Think about this. Used books give you a chance to read authors or titles you may never have heard of or a title you wouldn't have picked up at full price, but will pay a buck or two for. I have found several authors this way that send me scurrying for the backlist or eagerly awaiting the new release. I gladly pay full price for an author I truly love, after I may have stumbled upon them from a book at the thrift store.

As an example, look at the Sookie Stackhouse books that are currently popular. You may have read a friend's copy, but if you love them, are you really willing to take what may be years to find them all used? Many people read their first book and then run to Amazon to purchase the rest because they can't wait. I no longer work at the bookstore, but I would imagine that the pre-order list for her forthcoming book is HUGE. I'm sure Charlaine Harris does not mind at all that many of her fans found her first book at the Salvation Army for 10cents.

[stik]

I agree that what benefits authors most is to have their books read by as many people as possible. There's nothing wrong with buying a used book or borrowing a book from a library or a friend.

[Arduinna]

Originally Posted by boricuaqueen327

I don't think libraries are unfair to authors. I personally rather buy the used copy of the book so I can have it at home and mark it up with notes. The reason I ask is because someone I know says people should only buy new books so that they can support writers. I was wondering what other people thought of that idea. If I could only buy books at bookstore prices I would not have nearly as many books. I can buy three books at the used bookstore or at thrift shops for the price of one new book at barnes and noble.

I buy almost exclusively on Amazon so I don't usually pay full price, but yes writers still get their royalties. I do buy used, but only if the price difference is worth it or it's out of print. I never go to the library anymore I'm just too lazy to deal with their due dates and such.

[Tra1978]

Libraries are different in that they pay a "fee" (for lack of better words) for the book. I assume this covers the cost of many people reading the book and the author losing out on the potential royalties that they would get if those people bought the book.

I agree with others. I think if you really love the book you will buy other titles by the author or maybe buy that book as a gift for a friend. Better you read the book second hand and enjoy it than it sit on the shelf and not be read at all (imho)

[Red Sonja]

When I go to the used bookstore, I'm not as picky about what I buy. If it looks even slightly interesting then I'll buy it. I've found a lot of authors I like that way and, like a PP said, I'll then go buy their other books and the new ones when they come out.

[annettemarie]

No more than buying used clothing is bad for designers.

[BMG580]

Actually there are some midlist authors who really need to pull certain numbers when they have a book published to get another contract or to even make a pittance in royalties, some of these writers make under a $1 per hour for their work when all is said and done.

So, YES, buying some authors used can really hurt them. I have a specific list of auto-buy authors that I always buy new because I want to support them and their writing. If I were just looking for a book by a prominent or best-selling author I wouldn't even think about it, their career is established and they are already raking in the $$$.

[stik]

Originally Posted by Tra1978

Libraries are different in that they pay a "fee" (for lack of better words) for the book.

I know that libraries in some countries pay fees to offer books to patrons, but libraries in the US do not.

I'm cruel, but IMO, if a midlist author can't command my attention by writing something I feel compelled to buy, then sad as it is that it will continue to be difficult for them to publish, they have probably kept their day job and that's life. Publishing is brutal. About a bajillion people who would like to be published aren't, and I don't weep for them either.

If the work is good, I will read it. If it stays good, I will buy it. If it gets less good, I will stop buying it. I have a limited budget for books and an almost infinite love. I sample new authors through the library, then progress to seeking out their backlist second-hand and buying new books from the bookstore. If the quality of a series drops off in the middle, I finish it out by borrowing it from the library. This callous approach to my financial impact on the writer allows my appetite for reading and my budget to live together in harmony.

[possum]

Authors, after all, do live in this world with the rest of us. I think we all benefit from buying used stuff to keep down demand for MORE STUFF. If an author is really good enough (supposing that he/she gets the first big break), his books will continue to be in high demand. Otherwise, there is no point in propping up a dead horse.
Melinda

[St. Margaret]

We've managed to go almost 100% library for all our book needs, and sometimes I feel SOOOO bad for the authors (especially as I would like to be a published author someday). I might buy a book occassionally to support the author, but my bookcases and home can't take any more books, seriously. I do the same thing with music-- I listen to most on a subscription service and when there's someone I really want to support (like MDC's own Kimya-- we LOVE Alphabutt in this house ) we go out and buy it.

[Arduinna]

That is what I love about my Kindle, I buy, authors get paid, and it's a very green purchase, no printing, shipping, packaging and it doesn't take shelf space.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by enkmom

Think about this. Used books give you a chance to read authors or titles you may never have heard of or a title you wouldn't have picked up at full price, but will pay a buck or two for. I have found several authors this way that send me scurrying for the backlist or eagerly awaiting the new release. I gladly pay full price for an author I truly love, after I may have stumbled upon them from a book at the thrift store.

:

I've discovered several writers by buying used books, and have then gone on to buy at least one (often more) of their books at full price. I can think of at least one author who has made 6 sales to me in the last few years, all because I picked up one of her books second-hand and loved it. She made nothing on the one book that I bought for $1.50...but she's made her royalties on all the ones I've bought for $10.00+.

[Ell-Bell]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

That is what I love about my Kindle, I buy, authors get paid, and it's a very green purchase, no printing, shipping, packaging and it doesn't take shelf space.

Me, too! There's even a website where authors purposefully offer the first book in a series for free (download for ereaders) in the hopes that they will gain fans and sell future books.