Spring Book Show 2007 in Atlanta

[Tony Burton]

Well, I just got back from my first day of participating in that, and it was interesting. The Spring Book Show is primarily aimed at the returns and remainders market. It was astounding to see all these dealers with HUGE boxes of books, or more often, with single copies and a little label saying "Lots of 50, $3.25 NET" meaning they would sell the book to you in lots of no less than 50 copies, at $3.25 each. And these books have a retail price of anywhere from $9.95 to $21.95. Most would not accept purchases of less than $100, and a couple had signs up saying "NO orders for less than $1000." If you have ever walked into a WalMart or a grocery store and have seen tables near the front saying "Bargain Books!", this is where they got them. Or one source, at least.

Sort of sad, in a way.

Tony

[Patricia Harrington]

Hi, Tony,

Thanks for zipping over to my "page." I'm still feeling my way as to how best to post and also to use this Crime Space site. Re: those remainers, or however, they are titled and then resold. Will tell a quick story. Went to my local Walgreen's and found Stephanie Plum's latest mystery selling for five bucks, two for ten. Obviously, the publisher was unloading supplies to places like Walgreen's. Interesting to say the least. It also makes me wonder about the stats used to say who is a "best seller," or how accurate the number of sales at regular retail/wholesale.

Cheers, and I'll send you another 50 pages, if you're interested. (Murder Visits Antigua).

Pat