Jean Harkin's Blog - Posts Tagged "life-in-the-lion-s-mouth"
Used Books Like Rabbits
They multiplied like rabbits in springtime; used copies of my novel did. More offerings than the number I received royalties for! A month ago, three used copies of “Promise Full of Thorns” were available on Amazon, and twelve copies were listed on Abe Books. I wondered who had purchased my novel and were now re-selling their copies online.
Not a clue who in Australia was listing my book (used) for $26.86. That one is no longer listed, but the highest priced copy-- $85.54 is still for sale from a source in Texas. The median listed price is $29.12 on Abe Books, $13.04 on Amazon. As of today, the population of used “Thorns” is slowing a bit, now down to nine copies from Abe, still three on Amazon.
Where did these used copies of my novel originate? A knowledgeable author friend, James R. Dubbs (author of “Confessions of a Farmers Market Romeo” and “Life in the Lion’s Mouth”), provides an explanation:
“The books listed at realistic used book prices are actually used books the seller has in their possession. The ones listed at close to or above list price are secondary sellers who take the order and then order the book and have it shipped directly to the buyer. They get a 40% discount when they order and are content to make a small amount of money for, in essence “flipping” our books. I think they list them as “used” because more people search “used” than “new” on their sites. The author still gets a royalty (although 40% smaller) when they order.”
Jim adds that in the case of “Promise Full of Thorns,” booksellers probably don’t realize that my book is out of print and impossible to flip. Won’t that be a slap in the face when the book orders can’t be filled!
Authors, take note: See how many of your books are for sale “used” from online booksellers, and be amazed at some of the asking prices.
Not a clue who in Australia was listing my book (used) for $26.86. That one is no longer listed, but the highest priced copy-- $85.54 is still for sale from a source in Texas. The median listed price is $29.12 on Abe Books, $13.04 on Amazon. As of today, the population of used “Thorns” is slowing a bit, now down to nine copies from Abe, still three on Amazon.
Where did these used copies of my novel originate? A knowledgeable author friend, James R. Dubbs (author of “Confessions of a Farmers Market Romeo” and “Life in the Lion’s Mouth”), provides an explanation:
“The books listed at realistic used book prices are actually used books the seller has in their possession. The ones listed at close to or above list price are secondary sellers who take the order and then order the book and have it shipped directly to the buyer. They get a 40% discount when they order and are content to make a small amount of money for, in essence “flipping” our books. I think they list them as “used” because more people search “used” than “new” on their sites. The author still gets a royalty (although 40% smaller) when they order.”
Jim adds that in the case of “Promise Full of Thorns,” booksellers probably don’t realize that my book is out of print and impossible to flip. Won’t that be a slap in the face when the book orders can’t be filled!
Authors, take note: See how many of your books are for sale “used” from online booksellers, and be amazed at some of the asking prices.
