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
