Quote:
Originally Posted by pwalker8
I try to avoid going off the rail on these type of discussions, honestly I do  but since the OP went in that direction, I'll give my 2 cents worth.
I buy books for selfish reasons. I like to read and more specifically, I have favored authors that I like to read. Authors aren't going to write more books unless they can make money at it. That's just a hard, cold fact.
A lot of people want their books either free or super cheap. Some pirate, some use libraries, others buy used. One can argue the moralities of each case, but from my selfish point of view, none of these will put money in the author's pocket and encourage him or her to write more books. That's why I have no problem buying books, to encourage authors to write more. That underlying fact also drives my view on copyright, i.e. copyright is to encourage the arts. Books should be available to the buying public to be eligible for copyright. I don't mind paying for it, but I do mind not being able to buy it. Heck, it's also why I tip well. I like good service and believe in encouraging good service with a good tip.
(and just to clarify before someone comes out with guns a blazing, no I'm not saying you are a bad person if you use libraries or used book store. I've used both. I'm just saying that in neither case does the author get more financial encouragement to write more books. ) |
I might give a bit of an argument on your last sentence. I think on libraries the authors do get a small percentage but not positive.
On used book stores, the author might gain a new fan that wouldn't have found them otherwise who is now willing to buy new books or ebooks. Yes, I have done that too.
But then on used book stores and especially thrift shops, many times the author has already quit writing. In the case of cookbooks, many had a very limited print run to begin with and if it was a charity book to begin with the buyer if they so wished could still donate to the original cause. (I have hundreds of those.)