Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfwreck
What we're also paying for is
1) immediacy--this is why paperbacks aren't available right away, and
2) perceived quality--doesn't matter if the cost difference is only a little bit; people *want* nice hardcovers on their bookshelves, and they're willing to pay more for them.
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Agreed, though the staged release is something they've built in to the process to add to the amount they can charge for the hardcover. It's not the immediacy itself that is an increased cost, but they want to make the highest margin in return for their marketing expenditure. They'll do a little reminder marketing when the paperback comes out but the bulk of it is during that initial release. Sure, there are books that are so highly anticipated by so many that the hardcover will make a good show regardless. These are rare. Most of the time, they've got to get the author out on the publicity circuit giving interviews and signing books. They've got to get the reviewers interested. They time this all for the hardcover and it doesn't come cheaply. Plus I have to grudgingly admit that, without it, many good books would go unnoticed.