05 January 2009

You and I Are Killing Books

There was a very interesting piece in the NY Times this past week about the terrific damage that buying used books online is doing to publishers and resellers. The fact is, every time we buy a used book online, often for a pittance, we deprive the author, publisher and retail resellers of potential income. Many authors will always publish, even if they make no money at it. But print publishers and resellers are really hurting from this new economy, and shrinking, and dying. Should we online book buyers feel guilty? I think not. The market will adapt, money will always be made by somebody, and good books will always be published. Just maybe not in print.

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