Maybe you're right. I always wish there were indie bookshops in Preston, but even so, I don't think I'd frequent them much, I'd just like them to be there. I know that makes no sense.

I have decided this year I will give up Amazon for lent and only use Indie bookshops for the duration.

I thought about doing it for a New Year resolution but knew I'd break it - but I think I can cope with six weeks.

FloraPost, that is a good idea...it's so easy to just one-click things on Amazon and I find myself doing it almost without thinking, specially when second hand books can cost about 48p. But no more! (well, for as long as I remember...)

I do have a rule not to buy anything second-hand which is available new. If I can't afford to buy new, then I get it from the library. That way the author gets something in the way of payment.

But I am blessed with good indie bookshops, and ordering something from them is much quicker and more convenient than Amazon. And friendlier. And serves me well, because they're hugely supportive of local writers including me. etc. etc. You reap what you sow, I reckon.

What's extra-frustrating about Waterstone's, though, isn't just that it's the only bit of HMV which isn't falling apart at the seams and is paying for problems which aren't its own. Yes, it had problems, of course, but its recent re-design and re-think was all getting away from the high-discount, supermarket model, which they can never win at when their competitors are Amazon and Tesco and which nearly sank them, towards something more like a 'proper' bookshop with the booksellers allowed to do what they're good at. And was widely felt to be very successful and promising.

There's some talk of it being sold/bought out. The Lord send that they don't go the way Borders went. I do think there's room on the high street for one national, chain bookseller.

Emma

We are lucky in Lincoln as we have 2 Waterstones, not that far apart. I was in the High St one recently as I wanted to buy a good story book as a Christening present, so wanted to see what I was buying. I find them quite expensive though. I'm sure I could have bought the same book far cheaper online.

One really good thing is we have a charity shop that specialises in books. They have some that look brand new for a very small ammount. Good for the customer, not sure how that works for the writers. A lovely place to browse and get a lot of books for next to nothing.

I don't often buy fiction as we have so many excellent libraries (worked in various ones for many years), but I'm addicted to buying cookery books.

Pat

One really good thing is we have a charity shop that specialises in books. They have some that look brand new for a very small ammount. Good for the customer, not sure how that works for the writers

Badly, I think. I don't buy books from charity shops anymore unless the author of them is dead. But I do give my used books to charity shops sometimes, so as always, my principles make no sense at all.

not sure how that works for the writers.

It doesn't - we get nothing, instead of the royalty on a new copy. The only difference between buying there, and buying from a 2nd hand seller on eBay or Amazon is that the charity benefits a bit.

Like you, Jenn, I buy new if the author is alive, and the book is in print.

Emma

When an artist sells a painting, and then the owner of it sells it on, is it true that the artist gets another royalty on the resale?

J

is it true that the artist gets another royalty on the resale?

I thought this was under consideration. Does anyone know if it's come in?


One plus about e books - they can't be re-sold second hand so they don't add to the non-royalty paying supply.

Naomi