I went shopping this weekend at our local mall. I live in a relatively small town, maybe 35,000 people, and most of the shops in the mall are closing. The economy totally sucks right now and we are not immune. (But let's not get into that.) I had to buy some clothing for my 7 year old for school. While I was there I stopped in the book store B. Dalton because I just could't pass up the opportunity. I ended up purchasing Kiss of a Demon King. I have really been wanting this book. So many other bloggers have already read and reviewed it. I always seem to be the last one to the party. Hey, at least I'm consistant. Right?
Now, this book officially went on sale January 20th. But I know for a fact, that some stores were selling it before the official release date. This messes with the author's selling statistics. I try to buy the books after the release date to make sure the author gets credit for the sale. In the past my purchasing habits were not this way. I usually bought books whenever the mood struck me. Now, after it being brought to my attention that buying a book before the release date can hurt the author, I try to buy after the release date. I am curious to know if any other readers feel this way. I have created a poll over in my sidebar, if you care to participate, about this very thing. Feel free to give your opinion.
12 comments:
I guess I'm bad, but I can't wait till official release dates ^_^; As soon as I know I can get my hand on the book, I go for it. My small pleasure in life unfortunately...
Dude - I'm with Nath...I can't wait either. If it's there I buy it. Obviously if I can't get it before I won't lol..
I guess I do not think about it much. I do not buy new books often because I have a great library system and when I do it mainly is just a money issue. if I have the money, then I buy it before the money is no longer there.
I hear different rumors that release dates don't matter and that it is illegal. I know from experience if to a store a few days before the release date and they have the book in the back, unless it is a hard street date, they can't put it out on the shelves.
The problem is who is going to check and enforce the law if it's illegal?
For example, in Quebec province, you're not allowed to have more than 4 employees working on any kind of holidays... However, there are perhaps only 4 investigators checking for the whole province... and the worst case scenario is a fine.
I do buy the books, that should count for something... no? ^_^;
I guess I don't pay much attention to it - probably because I didn't know that it affected the author. Now that you have brought it to my attention - I am going to try to be more informative about relesase dates.
By the way, I love your blog - very classy!!
Sometimes they make mistakes, and the books end up on the shelf by mistake...I unfortunately make use of that mistake! I grab it as soon as I see it!
For example, I found Pride (Rachel Vincent) the other day, bought it, and have since read it. It isn't due until the 1st!
I must confess that I am completely ignorant as to how it works given that I am in Australia. I don't know if the romance bookstores that I buy from feed into any kind of stats or anything.
I should make an effort to find out really.
It wasn't until the author Karen Marie Moning posted about this subject on her blog did I pay attention. I think there were rumors that certain stores had put her book Faefever on the shelves before the release date. She posted asking people to try not to buy the book until the release date. If you just couldn't help yourself, then buy it only one day prior.
I just think it would be a real shame if those books don't count toward the best seller statistics. I don't know if that is true or not.
I guess it's something I don't concern myself with. I appreciate the author wanting to get recognition, but as a fan I want the book now. RIGHT NOW. I would think the author would be more pleased about that.
I've always heard that buying before the shelf date would hurt the author's rating scores with bestseller lists, but not their profit. Either way, I'm guilty of buying before sale dates, but then I also buy after. Lately it's been more of waiting until after sale dates due to trying to be a good girl and not add more fuel to my TBR fire.
I go back and forth with my diligence about buying a book at or after its release date to help the author's sale numbers. While I don't necessarily go out looking for a book before its release date, if I do come across it early, I'll buy it. These days, I'm buying my auto buy books weeks after the release dates. I'm really anxious for Briggs' Bone Crossed, but doubt that would be out early since it is a hardcover release. I have a gift certificate that I got for my birthday (...way back in early October!) that I still haven't spent. Let's just say I'll probably deplete the whole thing this coming Tuesday! :D
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