These proof copies/advance reading copies or whatever they're called may be necessary - but why do they print so many? I groan when I see them advertised - they shouldn't be sold, but they are, sometimes masquerading as the official first edition.

Jim

Apparently they're thinking of numbering them, so when they turn up on eBay or wherever, they can work out who's sold them on. But of course that's a lot more expensive.

I suspect they also have mixed feelings and motives on the whole subject: ARCs aren't supposed to be sold on, but a few leaks are good for the buzz. And if you send a copy to some famous author unsolicited, in the hope of a puff, and she hasn't room for it on her shelves (with or without giving a puff) and gives it to Oxfam, are they then really not supposed to sell it?

Emma