used books, yet again
I've touched on this issue before, but never in depth -- and I'm not going there now, either. But I would hope that people inform themselves and think about the impact on the author before they make their buying decisions. Points to consider:
1. the only sale that counts, as far as the publisher is concerned, is the first one. If copy x is sold ten times, that's nine readers whose buying decisions don't count for anything. And before you ask: of course the story is the thing, and of course kind and thoughtful and generous reader feedback is wonderful and gratifying. But those things don't pay the rent.
2. If an author doesn't sell well enough, there will be no more books from that author, which will leave all booksellers (new and used) -- and the readers -- in the lurch. Not to mention the author, who will have to rededicate him or herself to short-order cooking or bookkeeping or whatever else it is that does pay the rent.
Do I have a fair, thoughtful solution to this problem? Nope. Please do let me know if you come up with one.