Comments on: A Question for the Authors

By: Geoff Anderson

Geoff Anderson — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:01:50 +0000

A fascinating thread. I’ve written a novel called The Legend Of Aranrhod (you can read what it’s about on Amazon) and I am giving a copy to all my friends – I never knew I had so many – in the hope that they will enjoy it and send out ripples of enthusiasm. I would love people to buy my book (The Legend Of Aranrhod) and so *become* my friends, but those friends I have already are welcome to a freebie. And Kate, I’m sure you know me from somewhere – a parallel universes, perhaps – so you can be happy to buy my book. Aranrhod was the Welsh/Celtic moon goddess, in case you were wondering. Libraries are great.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:48:38 +0000

I wouldn’t expect any of them to purchase it unless they were actually interested in the subject, but one thing I do find rude is to not even attempt to read it when your friend gives you a copy. I had a great deal of support from my friends during the entire research and writing period and wanted to reward that support with personalized copies.

I would not be so arrogant to think all of my friends should go out and pay $20+ for a book they have no interest in.

Besides, a book checked out from the library has also been purchased at some point. I’ve always thought, If I really wanted to reap a large financial windfall from the book I probably should have chosen a differnt subject.

By: Nerdfury

Nerdfury — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:04:03 +0000

When I published Harry Potter, I never expected my friends to bu– what? What are you looking at?

Okay, FINE, that wasn’t me.

But I seriously would expect my friends to read what I’d written.. but only because I know all my friends read the same things as the things I do write. Hell, I bounce ideas off of them!

By: Higgins

Higgins — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:28:49 +0000

YA novelists John Green and Maureen Johnson appear to be quite in favor of public libraries and stuff, as evidenced by a Brotherhood 2.0 vblog entry – they discuss it about halfway through.

By: Allison

Allison — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:01:00 +0000

I am working on a novel now, and I just hope someone reads it and feels something from it. I really haven’t thought about whether or not it would be lucrative. I guess that’s because I’m a poet at heart. You never expect to make any dough, but you love to hear someone say “Hey, I saw your poem was printed in such and such…”

Libraries do so much good for so many. Knowledge and Art should never be limited to the priviledged.

By: David

David — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 19:04:08 +0000

Thanks for the plug, Jason. It’s an interesting point you raise, one I’ve actually thought about a lot. Most of my close friends bought the book at one of the readings I did while on book tour. How could they not, right? There’s a lot of public pressure to stand in line and have your book signed by your pal.

Many of my students wind up taking the book out of the library, which is fine. I think it’s great that they’re reading it and only hope, if they like it, they’ll suggest it to someone or perhaps buy a copy for someone’s birthday.

Interestingly, I get a fair amount of fan-mail, and almost always the letters are from people who’ve checked the book out of the library. That seems to suggest that the type of person who doesn’t need to own a book is also the type of person who’ll go the extra mile and write a fan letter. It’s odd, but I estimate 80% of all the emails I receive are from folk who’ve discovered me in the public library.

Perhaps they have a lot of time on their hands? WHo knows. But it’s nice to know people care and people still visit the old library.

By: Miss Cellania

Miss Cellania — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:37:56 +0000

I think you should give up reading books while driving.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:35:19 +0000

In a parallel thread, I have a friend who is a musician. She stores boxes of her CDs, which she is never hard-pressed to part with, at home. I haven’t, however, seen her since before her new CD was released (more than a few months ago).

On my last trip to a thriving metropolis, I found her CD. (I imagine, Jason, that finding a book checked out is a fantastic feeling; I was excited just to find her name on a little black card under Rock/Alternative.) I was happy to buy the CD to support my friend. If anyone I know writes a book, I will do the same thing.

By: Bart King

Bart King — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:27:24 +0000

Though it sounds fatuous, I am a published author. I let my friends off the hook by not only assuming that they have not read my books, but also by not bringing up my books in conversation with them. That way, nobody needs to feel awkward.

Further, there is absolutely no shame in reading a friend’s book that’s been borrowed from the library. After all, the library book was purchased, giving the author a royalty. Most writers are sensible enough to know that they’re not going to gain untold riches; they write to connect with their readers.

So at signings, I often encourage undecided book buyers to sample my work at the library first. My thinking is that if they like it, I’ve got good word-of-mouth. I’ve found that a lot of my books are purchased as gifts as a result.

By: Stew

Stew — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:13:59 +0000

I have an old college buddy that has written a few books. As a courtesy to him, I have bought the ones I am aware of. I figure, if I can afford it I should support my buddies. He has offered to give me copies, I told him I already bought them.

Although, I can’t say that I’ve completely read the ones I have bought. The responsibilities in my life limit my reading to 20 minute snipets a few times a week, so I have rarely been able to read full books.