Nice people thread part 8 - worth the wait

tomterm8

vivatifosi wrote: »

I can't discuss buying processes. I'm not the buyer, it isn't my decision. However I know what I deal with on a day-to-day basis. Take travel guides for example, you're much more likely to see known-quantity items such as the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet for a destination than a well-written one off. I know because I use them when I go there that the best guides to Disneyworld are Brit's Guide by Simon Veness and the Unofficial Guide by Sehlinger, but you'll rarely see them in libraries. In fact I've just checked a large consortium and there are a couple of copies of Sehlinger, whereas you'll find umpteen copies of the Eyewitness guide for the same. This isn't necessarily about where I work, I'm a customer of and have cards for several library authoritys

If your library buys lonely planet guides odds are, it buys print-on-demand. They were one of the first adopters in the uk. It doesn't bring out all front list guides in POD (only some of them) but most backlist are pod.

Likewise, if your library stocks o'reilly.

vivatifosi

tomterm8 wrote: »

If your library buys lonely planet guides odds are, it buys print-on-demand. They were one of the first adopters in the uk. It doesn't bring out all front list guides in POD (only some of them) but most backlist are pod.

Likewise, if your library stocks o'reilly.

OK, I take that back then. Maybe I should say I tend to see stock from big publishers. I hasten to add this is as a library user...

tomterm8

vivatifosi wrote: »

OK, I take that back then. Maybe I should say I tend to see stock from big publishers. I hasten to add this is as a library user...

Thing is, most of the big publishers are moving to POD too... it'll take them longer because of their contracts. But when they set up a new imprint, POD is always in the mix for backlist titles.

I'd say most publishers are now using POD for some of their books. It's a bit of an invisible revolution... because it's basically not possible to tell the difference.
( edit: it is economics. Traditional printers needs a print run of thousands of copies to get the price down to a competative level.Then, three to six months after they print it, the sales drop to a level where the warehouse costs are greater than the profit from sales. So, tradtionally, book goes out of print. POD only costs $35 to set up a new book, and profit dribbles in slowly from selling numbers traditional printing would lose money on. All publishers will eventually have POD as part of the mix; to do otherwise is throwing good money away) .

zagubov

Just finished some deadlines at work and now enjoying the weekend. Just come back from the new Star Trek movie. And re-reading an interesting book called Don't Get Fooled Again by Richard Wilson which is a great read (mentioned it last year but need to finish it). Also I've got to teach a course about people refusing to accept scientific claims so need to get me head round this!

PN I wouldn't suggest moving abroad . BUT
If you got a TEFL qualification and found work in Spain I'd give the idea some serious thought.

lostinrates

I got this blasted meal planning wrong. Tonight is a grilled meat and salad day after cocktails if ever there was one. Instead I serve them sheperdess pie and a fluffy jelly . . Dh is mixing cocktails though.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

vivatifosi wrote: »

Crikey that was a l-o-n-g grand prix.

Sky just showed a flat just up from the start-finish line with Aberdeen and McLaren flags on the balcony and much drinking and merriment occurring. I wondered if it was Hamish.

Not this year, sadly.

Although a logical connection...

Have a team invite to the British GP this year. Unfortunately have another commitment so won't be able to go.:(

PasturesNew

Fluffy jelly...... doesn't sound too appetising

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

lostinrates wrote: »

cocktails.

Third day in a row.

My liver has been bad and needs to be punished.:D

vivatifosi

tomterm8 wrote: »

( edit: it is economics. Traditional printers needs a print run of thousands of copies to get the price down to a competative level.Then, three to six months after they print it, the sales drop to a level where the warehouse costs are greater than the profit from sales. So, tradtionally, book goes out of print. POD only costs $35 to set up a new book, and profit dribbles in slowly from selling numbers traditional printing would lose money on. All publishers will eventually have POD as part of the mix; to do otherwise is throwing good money away) .

Please tell me they'll lead to the end of mass market paperbacks. I hate them. They fall apart so quickly.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

Fluffy jelly...... doesn't sound too appetising

It's odd. But they like deserts and its not too hot for a warm day nor too cold for a cold day. It's a kids pudding and involves no cooking.