A writer friend named Pamela Tracy
at stumbled upon the history of the paperback novel and I was so fascinated that I just had to share.
Here's the original posting, which I can't seem to make work as a link: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/fiction/article6847448.ece
Apparently there was this guy named Alan Lane who, in 1934, was frustrated by the high cost of hard back books (I know the feeling even now though books are more affordable then they were in the 1930's and before)and unhappy with the quality of paperback books.
So this man had an idea to produce hig-quality, affordable books.
Here’s a direct quote:
It is quite clear that the time has come to wake up to the fact that people want
books, that they want good books, and that they are willing, even anxious, to
buy them if they are presented to them in a straightforward, intelligent manner
at a cheap price.
I guess people in the book world didn’t think much of the idea. They predicted his venture would fail, and tarnish the reputation of the hardback world in the bargain.
Lane had difficulty getting the rights to the books he wanted to publish in this new, low-cost paperback because most refused him. The one man who did agree to work with him only did so because he assumed Lane would pay for the rights (which he did) and then proomptly out of business.
Eventually Woolworths (remember them?) caught the vision and ordered the paperbacks to sell in their store. People bought the paperbacks. Woolworths ordered a lot (really, really a lot) and Lane not only made a ton (or several tons) of money, but he revolutionized the world of books, making them more affordable to the average person and changing the publishing world.
For which I am eternally grateful
5 comments:
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Can't wait to read your book.
One might draw a parallel between this story and the kindle/paper book contest that is currently occurring. Or one might just go out and read something. :-)
Thank goodness for visionaries!
I echo what Daev noted. The ebooks of today are the paperbacks of Lane's time. As another author pointed out on his blog recently, he made more money off of his much cheaper ebooks than he did off of his traditionally published (and higher priced) paperbacks.
People are much more willing (particularly in today's economy) to shell out $1-3 for a book than $15-20. And I am one of them. Much as I love the physical feel of a book, even the smell of new print, if it's available on Kindle, I'll download it onto my iPhone. And the new iPad announced by Apple today will only increase the demand for ebooks!
Gee, I certainly hope today's e-books take off like Lane's paperbacks did.
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