I was wondering if anyone knew how long, on average, paperback versions of new novels take to arrive at stores (after the release of the hardback ones.) Example: I want to purchase a book, the hardback is released early February...but I want to save money and wait for the paperback version (albeit it'll probably be months after.)
Or does it vary by publisher? Thanks!
2007-01-24 10:13:13 · 4 answers · asked by ☆sock☆ 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
By "paperback" do you mean mass market paperback (the size of the books in the grocery store check out aisles) or just trade paperback (usually $12.95-$14.95)?
For both, it depends on the success of the book, the genre, and other external factors (like, if they made a movie out of it). Most of the time it takes a year. Some genres, like romance and thrillers, have mass market paperbacks in the stores only six months after the initial hardcover release, whereas more literary fiction may never come out in mass market paperback. Trade paperbacks tend to take about nine months.
If you are wondering when a particular book will come out in paperback, you can check amazon.com. Often they begin to list the paperbacks and their release date a few months before they actually go on sale.
If you would like to save money, the library is a good option, or you could investigate used bookstores in your area. Often you can get the hardcover for about the price of the mass market paperback!
2007-01-25 04:35:09 · answer #1 · answered by jtrash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends partly on the success of the book, size of the run and probably does vary by publisher.
BUT a good way to save is to check out Amazon.com. Seriously. Sometimes you can get a fairly new book dirt cheap. I bought Cell for less than half the cover price, and it hadn't been out all that long. You can also try www.addall.com and www.fetchbooks.info to check out other on-site listings for books. Of course, if the demand is there, it's going to be a long process.
And you know, I have purchased a hardback copy of a title when the paperback came out for LESS when purchased through an Amazon merchant. Keep your options open.
2007-01-24 10:27:23 · answer #2 · answered by Isthisnametaken2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would guess the soonest would be nine or ten months...and I've seen it take as long as two years. I would check it out of the library and keep on the lookout for used copies on Amazon. Sometimes you can get hardback books for two or three dollars plus shipping.
2007-01-24 11:21:11 · answer #3 · answered by laney_po 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is usually about a year.
If you really want to save money, how about borrowing it from the local public library?
2007-01-24 10:21:26 · answer #4 · answered by SAMUEL ELI 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋