Quote:
Originally Posted by DMcCunney
The average bookstore had limited shelf space, and had to clear older books to make room for new releases, so stuff that didn't move quickly got remaindered.
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Remaindered books don't put a nickel of royalty into the author's pocket ... but the consumer gets the book anyway. There's much greater benefit to keeping the title always in stock -- for the length of time the contract runs. It's up to the author, agent and publisher to come to terms which create win-win.
For author's with a backlist, keeping those in print at virtually no cost enahnces the profits of everyone -- and benefits the consumer who, having read the latest title, can now buy one or more of the older ones. As you point out, this concept doesn't even apply to certain points of the distribution chain.
Right at the moment, not a single Perry Mason novel is in e-print and almost all are out of print in paper as well. Yet Perry Mason is one of the most recognised characters in 20th century English fiction. That's just silliness and ebooks would correct it with profits generated on every single copy sold -- and no waste.
I fail to see how this can be considered "creating a new problem".