Tayari's Blog: My Galleys Are Being Sold on Ebay

Posted by TayariJones on February 25, 2005 09:04 PM
Filed under The Writing Life

I was cruisng half.com today and what do I see... advanced copies of The Untelling. I can't help but wonder who these people are and why they are so hot to unload my precious second novel!

For a writer with a new book on the horizon, advanced reading copies (also known as galleys), are scarce resources. My publisher printed up a few hundred copies to be sent to reviewers, booksellers, and other "taste makers." These copies are so rare that I don't even have an extra for my personal archives. So what am I to think when I see three copies for sale on half.com. "Brand New!," boast the ads. "Never read!"

So, feeling a little bit done-wrong, I click on "contact the seller" and ask a few questions. For example: "This book you're selling, does it have a label on it saying NOT FOR RESALE?" Another: "Is there any reason in particular you are sellling this book as UNREAD? Would it hurt you to at least READ it first?"

So far, no one has gotten back with me. I'll keep you posted.

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There are 4 comments on "My Galleys Are Being Sold on Ebay". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Frederick Smith

First, love the new website. As for your ARCs, it's a shame anyone would want to sell them. Hello. If you don't want it, GIVE it to someone who'll read it.

Well, you don't have to worry about me selling the copy I received. Been talking it up to everyone I know who reads, and will write up a blurb in our spring publications at Cal State L.A. THE UNTELLING is great. And I will buy a new copy when it's out in April.
Fred

February 27, 2005 02:18 PM

Comment #2, by William Welburn

Well, I just placed my order with Amazon. I'll probably get a second to send to my daughter.

March 4, 2005 04:01 PM

Comment #3, by Cydney Rax

Tayari,
Don't despair about your books being sold on Half.com. Sometimes it can turn out to be a good thing. For e.g., I buy galleys off Ebay or Half.com, mostly with the intention to review the book. Now, please note I end up getting a LOT of books through various means, and want to promote, review, spread the word about a book, but not everyone buys advance copies for that reason. Some are just collectors - they don't want to read, they just want to own the advance copy. And some like sellng books, plain and simple. But, the best part is if your book gets read and favorably reviewed months or weeks prior to the release - that would be an excellent thing. So hopefully, this is what's happening in your case.

June 8, 2005 01:05 PM

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October 5, 2005 06:24 AM

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