On Laws Not Unique To The Publishing Industry, Reporter Assertions Notwithstanding

But even those figures raise questions, given the long time it takes for a book to complete its sales life, first as a hardcover and then as a paperback. Indeed, publishers are burdened by the law of returns, which is unique to the book world. To the despair of many in the business, bookstores can return unsold copies of a title to publishers for full credit. This means that a book with an impressive first printing, accompanied by a media splash, could wind up tanking if many copies are returned.

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