Pulp fact - an appeal · Through the sandglass

I have recently received the devastating news that the several hundred unsold copies of the Oxford University Press hardback edition of my book are to be pulped.

This is purportedly so that the hardback “doesn’t interfere with the paperback sales,” but I wonder how this equation really works. Is my book clogging up valuable space in the OUP warehouse? Quite apart from my intimate personal relationship with this, the idea of pulping any book is repugnant (well, maybe I can make an exception for the countless Mills and Boon romances that provided the foundation for a stretch of British motorway). I would be relatively happy if Sand showed up in remaindered book stores, but pulped?

So, this is by way of an appeal. Does any reader of this blog have any ideas as to a better destiny for the books than toilet paper? Are there educational charitable organisations, distributors to schools in the developing world, anybody anywhere that could find a better use for them?

Needless to say, any ideas gratefully received…

Comments

Annukka 9/5/2011

The news from your publisher reminds me of Foucault's Pendulum (by Umberto Eco) and the Manuzio publishing house featured therein. Manuzio uses the threat of pulping to scare authors buying back all of their stock with their own money = profit.

Rob Robertson 9/6/2011

I simply can not believe there are unsold copies of your book. However, for your reference, I found this page from the American Library Association, and a link therein that points you to page after page of "book rescue" organizations. Wrenching them away from the publisher would probably be the hardest part of the process. [http://www.ala.org/ala/professionalresources/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet12.cfm](https://web.archive.org/web/20111005000432/http://www.ala.org/ala/professionalresources/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet12.cfm)

F 9/13/2011

Wow. How about donating them to educational institutions? (They could send me one - I can't afford hardcovers. :p) But seriously - even send them direct to science teachers and geology department heads. Not only could the books be used for education, but this is also known as advertising. Even the most progressive publishers can really have their heads stuck in poor business models. I feel sad, now.

Sandglass 9/15/2011

Thanks to all for the comments. Rob - following up on the kinds of "book rescue" organisations you pointed me to for the US enabled me to search intelligently and I found this wonderful program in the UK: [http://www.readinternational.org.uk/about/](https://web.archive.org/web/20111005000432/http://www.readinternational.org.uk/about/) I sent the details to Oxford University Press and am awaiting a reply - will keep you posted (so to speak). Seems like a "no-brainer" to me, but then what do I know????

Annukka 9/5/2011

The news from your publisher reminds me of Foucault's Pendulum (by Umberto Eco) and the Manuzio publishing house featured therein. Manuzio uses the threat of pulping to scare authors buying back all of their stock with their own money = profit.
Rob Robertson 9/6/2011

I simply can not believe there are unsold copies of your book. However, for your reference, I found this page from the American Library Association, and a link therein that points you to page after page of "book rescue" organizations. Wrenching them away from the publisher would probably be the hardest part of the process. [http://www.ala.org/ala/professionalresources/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet12.cfm](https://web.archive.org/web/20111005000432/http://www.ala.org/ala/professionalresources/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet12.cfm)
F 9/13/2011

Wow. How about donating them to educational institutions? (They could send me one - I can't afford hardcovers. :p) But seriously - even send them direct to science teachers and geology department heads. Not only could the books be used for education, but this is also known as advertising. Even the most progressive publishers can really have their heads stuck in poor business models. I feel sad, now.
Sandglass 9/15/2011

Thanks to all for the comments. Rob - following up on the kinds of "book rescue" organisations you pointed me to for the US enabled me to search intelligently and I found this wonderful program in the UK: [http://www.readinternational.org.uk/about/](https://web.archive.org/web/20111005000432/http://www.readinternational.org.uk/about/) I sent the details to Oxford University Press and am awaiting a reply - will keep you posted (so to speak). Seems like a "no-brainer" to me, but then what do I know????

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Pulp fact - an appeal

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