Why the Publishing Industry Isn’t Dying
One of the great things about my writing conference last month was talking about great YA books with other people who love YA books. So here are two lessons I need to mark down as learned.
1. When someone who loves the same books you do says you have to read something, go get it that day.
2. Do not start an awesome series until the entire series is finished, or else you will wait an entire year drooling for the next installment.
A couple of the girls at my conference kept mentioning Holly Black and two of her recent books, White Cat and Red Glove. I recognized the name from Twitter, but I had a stack of books from the last Friends of the Library sale to read, so I waited until this weekend to pick up White Cat. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Holly Black is a genius, but I’ll save the review for another post.
When I finished, I immediately ran to Barnes and Noble to pick up the sequel. After scouring the shelves, I landed at the customer service desk to see if they had it in stock. I kid you not, the girl at the counter said, “We don’t have a physical copy, but we have the e-book on our website. You can go home and download it to your Kindle.” I don’t know if the girl realizes that her advice will eventually eliminate her job, or that she works at a store that sells the Nook, or if I look like someone who drove to a store because I didn’t know I could download a book from my computer at home.
I drove my old-fashioned self over to Books A Million, where I purchased Red Glove. I paid full price for the hardcover because I love real books, and I couldn’t wait to read it, and when my friend asked me to borrow a book the other day, she asked for the single book that I downloaded to my computer, and I couldn’t lend it to her. The next time a friend wants to borrow a book, I will have White Cat and Red Glove in-hand.
The publishing industry is changing, but it isn’t dying. Eventually I will get an e-reader. But whatever the format, there will always be readers like me, who will do whatever it takes to get their hands on a great story.
Music tonight: Thanks to Pandora for The Section Quartet’s cover of Time is Running Out
I agree whole heartedly. People who read the same type of books as you can often enlightening you to books you may not have considered before but after reading think…wow how did I never pick this up before.
Waiting until a series is done. I have said I would do that for a long time but alas my will power is never good enough or more often than not I start a book then find out later it’s a series. But I will make note of one thing in particular I have learned. I don’t like waiting on trilogies. They are horrid. The first usually in the ones I’ve read is good you want more but the ending leaves it okay. Then you wait a year and get the sequel and you are so excited you fly through it which usually ends with everything up in the air major conflicts coming up and/or one of the characters life in question. Then you wait another year. It sucks but we do it.
I haven’t read those books just yet but I do have both of them on my self. I’ve just got to catch up with all the new books coming out to the open series I already have. It’s a never ending cycle but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
E-readers. I have a Kindle. I love it. I waited for a long time to get it. I liked the concept but the idea of not having the physical book…something to keep on my book shelf . But alas with my bookshelf filling up and my inability to let go of a book I’ve read and enjoyed which lets face it is all of them I needed to reconsider e-readers. I got it and it is great. My favorite feature though has to be the delivery, no more running all over for a new book it is delivered to my finger tips. Plus holding it is sometimes easier than some of the thicker books and other advantages like the books appearing to be slightly cheaper. Mostly it came down to space and convience.
You going to multiple stores to get a book is funny. I have been there. Living in the country means 30 minutes north to the closest town. I had read James Dashners ‘The Maze Runner’ and enjoyed it greatly and couldn’t wait for the sequel which I found came out only 5 months after I read it. I had the date marked in the calendar and saved my grocery shopping for that day to conserve a trip. I checked every store in town, Books-A-Million, Wal-Mart, Sams Club, Target, and nothing. None of them had the book. Sams was expecting it but it was delayed in shipping for 3 days. Unable to wait I finished my grocery shopping and headed home. On the way home I called a friend and neighbor and asked if she wanted to go to Tallahassee, the next closest big town to me, which is an hour drive west of me. I had already called the Barnes & Nobel there and confirmed they had it in stoke, even made the nice man go and get it in hand to hold at the counter for me. I drove an hour both ways to get a book. I turned out to be a fun experience and lots of interesting stories come from that trip and it all started with me wanting a book and refusing to wait for it.
So yes I agree publishing will never die, not with addicts like us around to keep it going.
You feel my pain! 🙂 That girl at B&N was just wrong on so many levels. I know one day soon I'll get a reader, but until I do, I have to keep feeding my habit. I love The Maze Runner books, too! Book 3 is coming in October, finally. I have to warn you, when you read White Cat you will fall in love with Cassel Sharp. Thanks for reading!
I miss you so much! I just caught up on your life by reading the past several posts. I am so proud of you finishing yet another book. I can't wait to pay money to read your work. Well I have been reading the Aurora Teagarden series. I have a new neighbor that loves to read like us and her grandma had sent her the series. I am still holding out on an e-reader as well, trying to get books from the library. Anyways, I am homeschooling and am not sure how it is going. I think Devin is doing well and finally accepted that this is his life now but I worry about Alex. There are moments that I love it and feel like this is what I am meant to do and other times I am full of anxiety. Well we are headed to Reno this weekend to catch up with close friends flying in from Gainesville, FL. I am ready for a mini vacation. I will have to check out the books you are reading, you know me, I love hearing about what you have read because you always introduce me to a great story. Oh, I finally read the Host and it was awesome. I don't know why I didn't read it sooner. Looking forward to reading your next blog. Say hello to the rest of your family. Go Gators!!
Thanks, Carrie! I just sent you a pm. Go Gators!