Question re hard covers

[iamjenai]

There's a question I couldn't answer myself. I recently bought a hard cover book but the author is new. I so wanted to read it but it's so expensive to buy it. I was told that they're not sure if the book will be available in paperback. Well, in the end I bought it and it's not that great.

 

Now the question, why would a new author have his/her new book in hard cover? I buy hard cover for my favorite old authors or well, a series that i love so much. BUT this is the first time I bought a hard bound book for a new author of a new series. Is there any reason why they do that?

 

Thanks!

[iamjenai]

well i bought it because the bookstore pips couldnt tell me if it was going to be in paperback.

[Frank Zubek]

@ Zohar,,, I kind of meant that nobody knows which "new" writer will be a hit, if at all.

 

Naturally, the publishers sink lots of bucks into the "name" authors since those are their bread and butter.

[Janet Benrey]

This was the choice of the publisher.  The publisher might also be one that specializes in selling books to libraries.  Those books are always hardcover and rarely in stores, but some find there way there.

[Little Red Reviewer]

Feeling nervous about plunking down big bucks for a hardcover by a new author?

 

request that your local public library purchase the book.  Many libraries welcome patron requests for new fiction to purchase, and some libraries even have the request form right on their website, and will hold your request for you when it comes in.  So you get the read the book soon after it's published, and if you like it you can always purchase a copy for yourself.

 

this only works if you live someplace near a library, and you have a library card!