I just recently purchased "Magic Street" in paperback, at a cost of $14.95 (USD). This is roughly twice the rate as a been of similar length produced as a mass market paper back (MMPB from here on).
Now, I understand that the "mass" adjective of MMPB explains why the price is so much lower. But my question is this: Why do some books only come out in this slightly larger, more expensive form? Is this a decision made by the author? The publishing company? In my experience, most books which AREN'T MMPB can easily fit into a MMPB size, so that's not it. Perhaps it's easier to make a few books of the larger size? Perhaps it's purely for profit?
I'm particularly interested in responses from people who actually know the answers (as opposed to the other 99% of you who, like me, are both a) merely speculating and b) too lazy to google search the real answer), but bonus points may be rewarded for clever or witty responses ;-)
Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :
I have a feeling that the publishing industry is trying to get the public to *want* the larger (therefore, more expensive) size.
It rankles me. The larger size (aside from being more expensive) is awkward for me to hold and read. I cannot put that size in my back pocket. And hey, I'm out roughly twice the money, to be frankly. Some of the books I read are only *worth* $7.99.
I have a feeling what you have purchased is not a MMPB but a *trade* paperback. There is also a middle size that is the same skinniness as a MMPB, but taller. That is the one that I hate in particular, extremely awkward for me to handle and read.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
Magic Street is in the trade paperback format right now. Hot sellers, and cult sellers tend to do that now before going to mass market paperback. I always just wait for the mass market one to come out. There is even now a "premier paperback edition" which just annoys me. I was waiting for ever for the last 3 Dark Tower books to come out in MMPB. The jerks at the publishing company came out with a $9.99 PPB instead. They are slightly taller then a regular MMPB, and thinner (less words on each page).
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
I just buy "new" hardcover books at used book stores. You can typically count on a few appearing a couple of weeks after a book comes out at a substantially discounted price. Hardcover books feel more complete to me anyways.