by Peter Joseph Swanson
Member since:
April 13, 2007

Publishing News: Publishing Companies close because of high returns from Bookstores

November 19, 2008 08:57 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 22

Here is a shocking blog that should be read by everybody who loves books (and Gather has quite a few of them).

If a publisher isn't a POD (Print On Demand) like mine (Stone Garden Publishing) then it means the publisher has all its books for a title printed up at one time and sent out. The bookstore keeps it on their shelves for a short time, then the ones that didn't sell are sent back to the publisher.

A big return can close a publisher in one month, wiping out a year of its profits.  And these days (who buys books in a recession/depression???) they are closing up: 

 

http://editorialass.blogspot.com/2008/11/crash-flow-or-what-went-wrong-in.html

Comments: 22

donna h. Nov 19, 2008, 9:09am UTC
I never would have thought that they be affected
Peter Joseph Swanson Nov 19, 2008, 9:12am UTC
It was the Great Depression that started the policy of bookstores being able to return their unsold merchandise back to the publisher, to keep the bookstores from all closing.

I wonder what new models of business this Great Depression will start ...
Tracy Fabre Nov 19, 2008, 9:13am UTC
So if you buy a book, never take it back, and if you see books sitting on a bookstore's shelves, buy as many as you can. Yeah?
Susan *Brian's girl * H. Nov 19, 2008, 9:16am UTC
Very interesting
Charlie B. Nov 19, 2008, 9:18am UTC
Interesting
Peter Joseph Swanson Nov 19, 2008, 9:27am UTC
And just to complicate things - YOU now want my Tinseltown Trilogy !!!
William Dotani Nov 19, 2008, 9:39am UTC
It might make the publisher more helpful in advertising a book so it will sell.
Wade A. Nov 19, 2008, 9:56am UTC
I'm afraid our economic woes are going to affect every aspect of our lives.
Denise C. Nov 19, 2008, 10:10am UTC
So you are a book publisher?
Minnette M. Nov 19, 2008, 10:37am UTC
I think the main message here is to go out and buy books. The returns are not the ones we bring back to the book stores, it's the ones the book stores can't sell that go back. Anyway, buy books...
Alexis H. Nov 19, 2008, 11:41am UTC
Give books for Christmas to everyone on your list!!! Especially the children!!
Nancy O. Nov 19, 2008, 11:43am UTC
sad really .....my only vice is books, books, and more books so this saddens me , in hard times maybe we should give up on cable and video rentals and just read MORE !!!!!!!!! Just a suggestion !!!!
Kay M Nov 19, 2008, 11:46am UTC
Bad economy for everyone
Christopher L. Nov 19, 2008, 12:28pm UTC
I already buy a book a week from Borders.
Dame Ruth, Chief Executive Elitist D. Nov 19, 2008, 12:54pm UTC
The return policy used to hurt just writers...publishers would automatically withhold a certain percentage of royalties in expectation of returned product...but now everybody gets shafted. Oh well.
Thank you for posting to this group whose only purpose is to thank you for posting to this group.
Chana M. Nov 19, 2008, 1:47pm UTC
This is very sad Peter!
That is not a good thing. all their hard work will be for nothing. Very sad.
Chelle L. Nov 19, 2008, 3:29pm UTC
Thanks for sharing this, Peter... I love books and have a birthday tomorrow that I have already received a little money from... Now I will probably venture off to the bookstore instead of saving it...

Don't get me wrong, I'll save some... But most of it will probably go to the bookstore! =)
Peter Joseph Swanson Nov 19, 2008, 5:01pm UTC
Save ???

(ha ha)
Marge H. Nov 19, 2008, 5:47pm UTC
I wonder if more of the larger publishing companies will try the POD model?
Peter Joseph Swanson Nov 19, 2008, 6:30pm UTC
I wonder how they'd do that - but they DO want to save !!!
Nyota *Star* Nov 20, 2008, 1:14am UTC
I love books too! I hope to have mine published and ready by Christmas.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.