Comments on: The Book Swap Conundrum

By: SusanGable

SusanGable — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 14:23:28 +0000

Perhaps publishers need to go back to using less-effective glue. This way the book will self-destruct after several readings. (And I’m only sort of joking about that. lol.)

I agree, it’s all about the PROFIT. If people are making money off this (hello, Amazon’s Used Book Program, anyone?) type of book-sharing, then it would be nice if the authors did, too. Send me a quarter if you enjoy my book. (g) Something.

By: Booksquare

Booksquare — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 16:05:48 +0000

I am not so much opposed to the idea of swapping books (as Karen so aptly pointed out, I do it all the time), but when a service adds a profit motive, then I start to get concerned for the authors. I think every author I know would say that she or he wants readers exposed to their work; it is frustrating, of course, that others are making money off of your labor, and that’s the part that gives me a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to these services. It’s the not the activity being engaged in here, it’s the business model.

And authors do make money off of library sales. They don’t make money each time a borrower takes a book out (in the United States, some other countries have created a royaty system for compensation), but if you consider the number of libraries buying books, repeat sales as stock is worn and damaged, and multiple copies purchased of popular books, there is a good revenue stream for authors via libraries. Also (and this gets back to the key point), libraries don’t make a profit off of their customers.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 14:19:06 +0000

Here’s where I admit, while cowering to avoid the fire and brimstone that will befall me, that I use PaperbackSwap. Of course, I still spend upwards of $50 a month on new books, but I certainly can’t afford to buy all the books I want. Would an author rather I didn’t read her book at all? I also use my library frequently. Author’s not making any money off me there, yet we aren’t complaining about libraries.

I know it’s tough on authors, but it’s tough on avid readers, too. We just can’t afford the rising costs of books when the time we spend reading hasn’t gone down. Getting one trade from PBS helps me buy two MM books from the bookstore. And when you read 15-20 books a month, you cannot afford to have bought all those new.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 18:43:08 +0000

Agreed! Agreed! Pay us SOMEthing, you bastards! (Which reminds me, I am not returning the books you loaned me just yet, as I still haven’t had a chance to read them.)