There was a recent article on Smart Bitches, Trashy Novels that states they’d been informed by a couple of authors that Barnes & Noble was demanding book links on an author’s website before they would carry the novel in their stores. The email that some authors received included the wording:
One of our major accounts is now checking author websites, and is REFUSING to put in an order if their site is not listed as a place to go to buy….
In the comments of this thread, B&N VP of Trade Merchandising, Joe Gonnella adamantly denies the charge. He wrote on the SB website:
Barnes & Noble does not have a policy to boycott books because authors don’t link to us.
Everything is bought in anticipation of in store or online customer orders.
We do encourage authors and publishers to link to our website as part of a comprehensive marketing approach to drive sales in all channels.
I give the man some credit because he listed his email address on the comments for anyone to place their questions or concerns with him.
Is it happening? My guess, probably. SB,TN wouldn’t post it if they didn’t believe it and if they didn’t believe they had some facts to back it up. It’s also doubtful, as another commenter said, that such a practice would be in the B&N handbook for dealing with authors, so where this demand is coming from, who knows. That’s for B&N to investigate and I hope they do. That’s a slippery slope for a bookstore or retailer chain…if B&N is allowed to demand a link for shelf placement, then every bookstore would have the right to ask for the same.
Because I like imagining the absurd, can you imagine if this became a common practice? As an author, you’d receive a list of hundreds (or more!) of bookstores saying “I”ll place your book if you link to my store on your website.” — the big chains, the independents… and really, in that, who would win? Knowing that your local independent bookstore doesn’t have the same buying power or ability as the big boys and knowing that you can’t list 100 “buy” links to your book on your website, you’d select the big stores. And I can’t seriously imagine stores having the manpower to keep up to date with every single author website…
As I said, absurd.
So… anyway, where do you buy your books? What percentage do you buy online or offline?
That makes me wonder — as a reader, where do you buy your books? Online at Amazon? Another online retailer? Or do you go into the stores, into B&N or Borders or Walmart, and buy there? Answer the poll and then in the comments, tell us why you buy where you buy.
n
4 comments
Interesting post and one I want to follow to see the results of the poll. I voted but I seem to change so what I need is a 1st 2nd 3rd so I don’t have to pick one. I always check Costco out but they flexure on what they have available. Hard cover, trade, paperback. And, I always check the local grocery because I hate buying groceries and it makes the trip a little easier to do.
I also purchase a lot online and since Barnes and Noble carry my books I’ve purchased a membership so it’s cost effective for me to purchase from them. In the past I bought from Amazon a lot but I always feel guilty with them selling used books so much even though I justify it with a number of things.
When buying e-books I almost always purchase from the publisher.
Great post to start the week with.
Most paper books I get at Walmart for the discount–being laid off I’m on a very limited budget. That said, I don’t buy many paper books anymore, and the e-books I buy direct from my publisher, The Wild Rose Press. Or at local booksignings to support my friends.
I adore my local, independent bookstore. Several years ago, I started buying almost all my books there (except e-books and out of print books). I pay full retail, yes, but I’m doing my part to make sure I have a place to go and browse whenever I want.
In return, they find obscure books that are perfect for me, that I might have never heard of otherwise. And sometimes they move heaven and earth. Last Christmas, my bookseller was able to find me TWO copies of the Twilight books when nobody had them, and today he offered to send out the only store copy of Diana Gabaldon’s new book even though it’s backordered at the distributor.
I would imagine that it happens unofficially. They want more publicity. Don’t we all, but it doesn’t make it right.
April Dawn