Mass-Market Paperbacks Sales in Decline

[eileen_donovan]

A comprehensive survey released last month by the Association of American Publishers and the Book Industry Study Group revealed that while the publishing industry had expanded over all, publishers’ mass-market paperback sales had fallen 14 percent since 2008.

Mass-Market Paperbacks Sales in Decline - NYTimes.comPersonally, I stopped reading mass-

Comments

[kitasangel]

I hate to see the death of the mass market paperback. I have thousands of them. That is a true amount. Lol. I have a terrible time giving up my books. MM books were a cheap item until a few years ago. It is hard to buy many if you are on a budget because prices are 8 to 10 dollars now. Romance,mystery and sci-fi were always the mainstays of the mm. Now more and more romance readers are choosing the convenience of a Kindle. Prices are very competitive plus you can start reading in seconds. Mysteries have transitioned well to the e-book format and now sci fi fans can buy a e-book version of a hardcover immediately at the lower price. In the war between mm and e-books the e-book wins. I of course will cling to my battered old copies of my favorite mm books. :)

[eileen_donovan]

I feel the same way about the mm paperback, Lyn. It's hard to think of them being replaced, because they were such a part of my life. I don't have that many in my collection, because I've been forced to downsize over the years. That doesn't mean that I don't value them, though, because I do. However, it's hard to resist the e-reader. Progress, huh? Things always change and there isn't a lot you can do about it, although I have a feeling mm paperbacks will be around for a long time!

[kitasangel]

I will always have my shelf of favorite mm books. They are the ones that open up to my favorite parts and even with me taking excellent care still have worn covers. There is Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire and Vampire Lestat and Marian Zimmer Bradley's Catch Trap and Nora Roberts,Linda Howard and Laurell K Hamilton. Also my favorite romance book of all time Laura London's Windflower. So many memories.

[eileen_donovan]

I know how you feel, even if my book selection was more sci-fi and fantasy than romance. Interestingly, I just bought Interview with a Vampire for my Kindle, because my copy disappeared during one move. :)

[kitasangel]

I just saw that Catch Trap is on Kindle. I am so excited because it is out of print so I prize my copy.

I want to get the Anne Rice books for my Kindle too. I wish they had Chris Rice's books on Kindle. :(

[eileen_donovan]

I don't think I've ever read Catch Trap. I'll have to take a look. Bradley is a good author.

And, yes, Christopher Rice is on Kindle, at least Blind Fall and The Moonlit Earth are. I may have to grab those too, lol!

[kitasangel]

The Catch Trap is Bradley's M/M circus story. My first M/M novel. :)

Chris even bitches that his early novels aren't on Kindle. I love his first 3 novels so much and I want them on Kindle. Not a huge fan of Moonlit earth. His new book is done and it is set in New Orleans. I read the first 15 pages and it looks really good. I love Chris on Twitter. If you don't follow him you should. :P

[eileen_donovan]

Well, since Chris is an established author being published by a major publishing house, I'm sure he doesn't have the power to decide what goes on Kindle. I'll definitely follow him on Twitter, because I'm interested in good stories involving gay characters. Will check out the Bradley one too! Thanks, Lyn! Feel free to recommend things anytime you see them. I do not, however, read slash fiction from sites like Dreamspinner. Personal preference and no judgement involved on my part. :)

[kitasangel]

Chris is wonderful to follow as he has worked with oh crap I forgot the name but it is the LGBT writer's group and he is very critical and supportive of the gay market. I love his political rants and funny observations. Plus he is so wonderfully neurotic ideas oh and he takes pictures of his cats. :)

[eileen_donovan]

I followed him ... at least I think it's him. He doesn't have a verified account. It's chrisricewriter. Thanks for the suggestion.

I don't think I follow you, do I? Or are you one of the quiet ones who never say anything? :)

[kitasangel]

Lol that is Chris's account. He is so pissed he can't get verified. He tried showing pictures of him standing next to his Mom as proof but still he is scorned. :P

I still haven't applied to Twitter. It is on my to do list and since I now seem to have free time.... I will let you know when I get it done.
Hugs

[eileen_donovan]

Oh, that's funny. Poor Chris!

It takes, like, five minutes to sign up, Lyn. The hardest part is choosing a username. Well, let me know when you do, or follow me and I'll follow back. I'm eileen_donovan. :)

[poehleroid]

Right now a lot of new paperback releases are cheaper than their e-book version. So you really are only paying for the convenience.

[kitasangel]

Lol. That is true that a lot of mm books are still cheaper then e-books but I also notice it is the one that they will throw on the free or 1.99 list. :) I like reading the free books. Most are crap but every once on awhile you get this great little gem.