In the WHOO-HOO department, I'm now down to one-and-a-smidgeon chapters still to rewrite before I'm finished my novel and can stick it in the fridge for a month to chill. Simple excitement over the prospect of being done has sped the process considerably.
In the OH-POOH department, the library workers in my city remain on strike, and oh, how I miss my library. I support the workers and wish them well in their negotiations, but oh - how I miss my library. *sniffle*
Speaking of libraries, I once read the website of a writer who was very funny, but who had some curmudgeonly comments about library books.
Specifically, she grumbled about people who tell her how much they love her novels - and then mention they borrowed the books from the library or bought them second-hand. Grouch, grouch, says the author. Thanks for nothing; I get no money from that and hey, I'm poor and all. If you love my books so much, toss a royalty my way.
I can see the author's point, but I disagree with her assessment that a person who didn't buy the book new is not helping the writer earn a living.
Word of mouth sells a lot of books. If I hear someone rave about a novel, I seriously consider getting it. And if I do buy it, the author just made a royalty, regardless of whether the original person bought their book new or not. That's a sale the author probably would not have made otherwise.
Recommendations are worth money. Even as a would-be novelist, I'm a fan of the library. First, it allows me to scout for new authors without feeling ripped off if a book proves disappointing. When I do find a writer I like, I will start buying their books new. Second, when I love something, I tell others. That can directly translate into sales for the author. Third, the library allows people too poor to buy new books to be avid readers. Society benefits from that.
In short, I ♥ my library.
If I'm ever lucky enough to have someone tell me they loved my novel - which they got from the library or a second-hand shop - I'm going to grin and say thank you.
And then I'll tell them to please remember to repeat that to their friends and neighbours.
9 comments:
I completely agree. On occasion I have bought books and been mightily disappointed in them. I always feel that if I'd just waited, I could have borrowed them from the library. True, I would still be disappointed, but I would not be out of pocket and my irritation would not be so great.
Some of the books I now own were purchased after I vetted them at the library, then decided that I couldn't live without them. Authors ought to support libraries and be happy to be read. I'm going to grin and say thank you too, if I ever get the chance.
Exactly.
Mary Witzl: *waves* Hi and welcome!
*nods* I think a lot of writers do support libraries because they realise every little bit helps. An enthusiastic audience tends to increase its numbers through infection. :-)
Any reader is a good reader. Personally I'll take 'em where I can get 'em.
There are over 9000 central public libraries, over 7500 branches, and over 90,000 school libraries in the US. If your book sold only to libraries, you'd do nicely--assuming your book was something library patrons wanted in their library. Are these authors unaware that libraries pay for their books?
Are these authors unaware that libraries pay for their books?
Well, I'd like to think there aren't many of these authors - that most writers whole-heartedly support libraries. I have only seen one author make such comments, after all.
And those numbers do look impressive! 90,000 school libraries? Wow; wouldn't I love to have written something like The Outsiders... :-D
Wow, phooey on that writer... technically, no, she doesn't earn on someone borrowing or buying second hand. Is it just me or is it tacky to grouch about that in the face of a complimentary fan?
I love libraries, too. My kids love trips to the library - I could say we're going to the pool and they wouldn't cheer any louder!!! My kids have found books there that they adored so much that, you guessed it, I went out and bought them their own copy. And I have bought books that I borrowed and loved that much... In fact, when I really adore a book, I've bough multiple copies to give as gifts or replace my own copy when I've lent it out and not had it returned....
When I get to be published, please kick me in the pants should I ever grouse about a library... After all, if the book is well written enough, access to it at the library will only increase sales.
s it just me or is it tacky to grouch about that in the face of a complimentary fan?
It is tacky, but the writer did not actually say anything to the fan. She only grumbled about it on her website in a generalised way.
My kids love trips to the library - I could say we're going to the pool and they wouldn't cheer any louder!!!
That's awesome!
Hearing things like that helps offset the pain of hearing that 1 in 4 Americans didn't read even a single book last year. :-/
I agree and if you find a fan via a library or used book store there is a good chance they will buy future projects but they might never have given you a chance if they had to pa full price for that first.
Post a Comment