The Future of Bookselling
Some bookselling tactics have been around since the earliest books. Some have been spurred on by the new technology, which has changed the nature of the bookselling world. This paper looks at the old methods, examines where we stand now, and makes some predictions about where we are headed. The world of bookselling is divided into the purveyors and their customers. From the perspective of booksellers and publishers, selling of new and used books has been facilitated by the emergence of highly functional technology that allows for relatively inexpensive production, advertising, and distribution. Sophisticated levels of market analysis have helped publishers learn what size of press runs to do, how to market new books, and how to maximize profits. Used-book dealers have more websites now than ever before for selling their goods, with a real worldwide clientele. Yet neither camp is completely happy. Buyers, on the other hand, have much to be thankful for: a wider variety of materials immediately searchable; competition among used-book sellers; and, in some cases, dropping prices. Yet they are not completely happy either. Where does bookselling stand today and where is it headed?
Keywords: Bookselling, Internet buying and selling, Future of bookselling
Dr Sidney Berger
Communications Department, Simmons College
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Ref: B06P0141