Buy a Book, Save the World
Okay, I stole this post title from Alison Kent and her post about this, but I couldn’t think of anything more eye-catching and appropriate than that.
To be blunt, I’ve been reading a lot about how the publishing industry is in bad shape lately and while I felt particularly optimistic this past weekend after hearing about great deals for unpublished authors, I am now worried. The posts by Moonrat, Nathan Bransford and Jessica Faust make me scared for the future of the industry and the careers of authors I love.
I said this last week, but it’s important enough for me to repeat. If you care at all about the publishing industry, please, please go buy a book. Paperback, hardcover, debut author, industry pro. I don’t care. Just buy one and support the business.
Anyone who reads this blog is a reader and/or a writer. A lot of you are writers. And like I’ve heard many say this past week, I’m going to say it as well. If you want to be a writer, if you want a career doing this wonderful thing of creating worlds and characters, the best thing you can do right now is buy books. Because if we don’t show support, the industry is going to change. Lists will get cut, authors will be off the shelves, mid-listers won’t be able to survive and debut novelists will have even a harder time of finding a publishing home. I’m not trying to sound all doom and gloom here, but it’s going to happen unless things bounce back. And how do we make that happen? Buy books.
Even in my unemployed state, I commit to buying at least one book this week. Do you?
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Comments
This is just too scary.
I got this problem. I have books arriving almost every week due to my Fantasy Debut blog. And I don’t even ask for them. In fact, my official blog policy is that I don’t take review copies, but I get them anyway, because some people still have my address from when I did take review copies. So I admit to not buying books often.
However, when I do buy them, I seem to have a greater commitment to actually read them. We really do value what we pay for, as opposed to what comes for free.
I usually buy a couple a week, if not for me than for my daughter. Haven’t gotten any this week, but I blame that on yesterday’s snowstorm and today’s waiting on the plumber. I haven’t even seen the Tuesday new books. *gasp* Tomorrow. It has to be, or I’ll get the DTs.
When you think about it, spending $7 to help the industry (and ourselves, if we write) is better than spending $7 to buy a couple Big Macs. Or someone could forego Pizza Hut and buy two books. =o)
I actually bought three books this week. So, if some of you guys don’t get around to it, I’ve got your back (that’s just the kind of guy I am).
Of course, being a giant dork, I usually buy 3 or 4 books every four to six weeks anyway–which explains why I (a) never have enough space on my bookshelves, and (b) always seem to have a giant stack of TBR books.
I actually bought four over the weekend, and the hubs bought one…so we’re above board!
I’m heading to Pittsburgh tonight to see YA author John Green & his brother Hank, as well YA author Maureen Johnson. I already have two of John Green’s, but I’m dying to read the other one. And I’d love some Maureen Johnson–if her books are as hilarious as her blog, she’ll keep me entertained.
So yes, books WILL be purchased. And signed. And coveted.
Also, last year, my siblings and I (there are several of us) did a book exchange for Christmas, and I’m thinking we’ll do it again this year.
Thanks for this post, btw. You’re right–we all need to do what we can.
@Kristin - Wow, that sounds awesome! Maureen Johnson is hilarious on her blog but I haven’t read any of her books yet. So hey, I think that will what I buy this week.
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