Do you think it is ethical to trade ARCs (advance readers copies)?
Yes I actually think this is okay. ARCs are pined for on every blog and I know many, many bloggers want to read them. But since there aren't a lot of them around-many book bloggers don't get the chance to read certain books until the publication date. And I'm not saying it's unfair to have to wait for the publication date-because it is fair. But trading ARCs gives other bloggers the opportunity to read their "waiting on wednesday" reads. And by shipping the book off to other people, they will most likely review the book on their own blog and spread the word even more. This will then publicize the book that much more.
Do you think it is ethical to sell ARCs (advance readers copies)?
No, I do not think it is right to sell the ARCs. I have an ARC of The Duff by Kody Keplinger and an ARC of Forget You by Jennifer Echols in my hands right now. On the cover of The Duff there is a circle sticker that says NOT FOR SALE. On the cover of Forget You (in very small letters) it states (in exact words): This advance uncorrected reader's proof is the property of Simon and Schuster. It is being loaned for promotional purposes and review by the recipient and may not be used for any other purpose or transferred to any third party. Simon and Schuster reserves the right to cancel the loan and recall possession of the proof at any time. Any duplication, sale or distribution to the public is a violation of law.
Yes that sounds very serious and I'm sure they are not happy about the selling of ARCs.
Do you think the trading/selling of ARCs makes the author's sales go down?
No, I do not. Personally whenever I read an ARC that I absolutely love-I go and buy a finished copy when it is available. I do this because the covers are usually different and I want a copy that doesn't have any mistakes or what not. An example of this is: Forget You by Jennifer Echols. The cover on the ARC is plain light blue but the cover on the paperback copy is gorgeous so I had to have it!
UPDATE Because of Trisha's Book Blog post, I have been looking through EBAY at what people are selling for ARCs. Selling them are bad enough but some of the prices are ridiculous!
- Forever by Maggie Stiefvater $45
- Crossed by Ally Condie $74.99
- The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater $45
- Lola and the Boy Next Door $74.99
What do you think about this topic? here are some other book blogs that have posted about this issue (you can click on the link and it will take you directly to their posts): Trisha's Book Blog and Confessions of a Bookaholic
10 comments:
I'll trade or giveaway my ARCs but like you, I don't sell them and think it is wrong to do so.
~Briana
I completely agree with you! Except... I'm guilty of buying ARCs from The Strand Bookstore in NYC for 1.99. But I don't sell them! =)
Your views align pretty well with mine! I will say that I get a little irked when I notice a blogger selling finished copies of books they got for review - I know that it's legal, but since they didn't buy them in the first place I wish they would consider donating or at least selling them for a very discounted price.
As for sharing ARCs - the publicists at the Book Blogger Convention said that they absolutely like when this happens because the book gets more coverage. That was something I was unsure of before but hearing them say that made me more confident!
I couldn't have said it better myself!! Trading ARCs is completely acceptable but selling is a huge "No No"!! I have yet to trade my ARCs with anyone yet (I have Book OCD issues sometimes lol) I still go out and buy the finished copy.
Great post - short, simple and too the point!
Having only received my first ARC earlier this month, I'm not sure I'm quilified to comment. However, my opinion is yes, it would be ok to trade, but it's not ok to sell them. Most ARCs have a No Sale notice on them, so to do so is just wrong.
Purchasing a finished copy is a great way of showing your support for an author. :)
OMG! That is unbelievable!
For now, I'm keeping all my ARCs, but in a future I think I possibly give them away....
I can't believe people are paying $40+ for an ARC that comes out in a few months. It's insane. For the money you'd pay for that one ARC, you could buy 3 hard backs.
I agree with everything you said! I like to trade so I can get books to review before they are published. But to be honest, I don't do it often. I do borrow ARC's from a few closer bloggy friends though. And loan out mine as well. But more often then not I just wait and buy the book.
And I've never looked on ebay for ARC's but WOW! I had NO CLUE people were trying to sell them for that much! That's crazy ridiculous.
I agree with you. I would never sell an ARC. That's taking money away from the author. I think trading is fine though, because it is a form of promotion. Those prices are INSANE btw.
I'm a new follower. I found you through the once upon a read-a-thon linky :)
Steph
www.the-caffeinated-reader.blogspot.com
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