I agree -- I think a lot of authors want to be read, perhaps even more than to be paid for it. Face it, if all you really wanted was a living, you'd find an easier field at which to make one. :)
But beyond that, I do think that libraries and used bookstores help authors get paid. No, the authors don't make as much money as they would if they go royalities for every read. So what? Perfume companies don't get paid for spritzing people at the counter. Grocery stores don't get paid for handing out free samples. But they do it anyway, because giving some of it away lets you sell more of it later.
The people who buy used books or read from the library weren't going to run out and buy new if the other avenues didn't exist. More likely, they'd never have become readers at all. It's like crack: you get hooked when it's free, and then you stay on it for life. >:)
And if you don't believe me, go ask Baen Books what they think of giving away their product. :)
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branchandroot
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Date: 2004-08-07 09:34 am (UTC)But beyond that, I do think that libraries and used bookstores help authors get paid. No, the authors don't make as much money as they would if they go royalities for every read. So what? Perfume companies don't get paid for spritzing people at the counter. Grocery stores don't get paid for handing out free samples. But they do it anyway, because giving some of it away lets you sell more of it later.
The people who buy used books or read from the library weren't going to run out and buy new if the other avenues didn't exist. More likely, they'd never have become readers at all. It's like crack: you get hooked when it's free, and then you stay on it for life. >:)
And if you don't believe me, go ask Baen Books what they think of giving away their product. :)