Spring Book Show Founder Discusses Remainder Book Market
Atlanta, Ga. (PRWeb) February 27, 2007 -- Far more books are sold at a discount from retail than are sold at the suggested cover price - and a large percentage of the discounted books end up in the remainder market.
Knoxville's Larry May, founder of the Spring Book Show, scheduled for Atlanta's World Congress Center on March 23-25, knows the remainder business. Formerly an executive with the 100-store Book Warehouse chain that specialized in remainders, he founded Atlanta's Spring Book Show eight years ago. Following is what he told the Southern Review and AbeBooks.
Q. What kind of booksellers and books are found at the Spring Book Show?
A. (Larry May) We specialize in remainders, hurts, returns, promotional and white sales. We also have sidelines - calendars, reading glasses, music (CDs), cards, stationery, pens and other writing instruments. There are a couple of close-out companies that will sell anything that they think someone will buy at a discount. Beanie babies, scooters, package deals, videos - you name it.
Q. How many book buyers will be at the show this year?
A. Approximately 700.
Q. How far do your book buyers come?
A. We have buyers coming from Nigeria, Indonesia, Canada, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Virgin Islands, South Korea and The Bahamas
Q. Can you name a few of the sellers who we can expect to see there?
A. The largest would be American Book Company, Book Depot, Strictly by the Book, Fairmount, Daedalus, Book Country, S & L Sales, World Publications, Book Smart and Kudzu -- to mention a few.
Q. What are the origins of the show?
A. The show grew out of a cooperative called Affiliated Value Booksellers. There were about 40 members who formed a buying group and would have a conference twice a year. At one of the meetings, we would invite vendors to come to the hotel and display their product to the members of the group - it was a "member only" showing. In the mid-90s, the group disbanded and I took the small show and built it into a bigger one.
Q. Do particular genres do better than others once they become remainders?
A. I would say that it exactly mirrors the general trade book industry. What sells well in the general trade industry sells well at our show. Of course, the reason we have a show is because the publisher didn't sell enough of something, overprinted, allowed returns or they need to turn books into cash. I must say this about the book industry, I don't care how good an author is - their books will end up being handled somewhere along the line by one of our vendors. It is inevitable. We feel that our vendors, our show, our industry gives the book additional "lives." In other words, if it didn't sell in a specific setting, it very well may sell in another setting. We give the publisher a variety of "settings" in which they can recoup their money.
Q. What's the state of the remainder book industry at the moment?
A. The remainder business seems healthy to me - it is the independent retailer who is struggling. You probably know the figures, but in the early 90's, the membership in the ABA peaked at around 4,800 members. Today there are less than 1,800. If you were to ask me, how many of the 1,800 are viable retail operations - meaning profitable stores not being subsidized by the owners - I would have to say less than half, maybe 750 to 900 stores. The CBA, the Christian Booksellers Association, is in even more dire straits, primarily because the general trade bookstore has determined that the inspirational book is a viable seller in their market too. The remainder dealer has had to venture outside of traditional book markets to survive - the ones who are thriving have done that.
Q. What does the internet do for the remainder book industry?
A. The innovative remainder dealers have made good use of the internet. They use it to wholesale, business to business, and to retail, business to consumer. They have had to adjust like everyone else. Those that have adjusted to the internet, gone outside the traditional book retailer and found specific niches to sell into have done better. Those that have failed to adapt to the changes in the industry are pretty much out of the business.
Further information: Spring Book Show, 3517 Neal Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918
###
Need a Fresh Look At the Market?
Wizetrade is America's most popular investment training and software.
Related Articles:
New Non-Fiction "Diet" Book Focuses on Healing and the Power of the Truth
Wayne Nickens, M.D., has created Eat Me: The Ultimate Diet as a prescription for affecting change in our lives that goes way beyond what we place in our mouths. Dr. Nickens encourages readers to discover the poisonous influences that lie inside our brains and control our urges, drives, desires, attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. He then challenges readers to rise up out of ignorance and embrace the truth that comes from God, allowing the Power of the Spirit of Life to do the healing. Complete healing is the only solution to brain injury.
Two Works of Fiction by Local Authors Highlight Youth Homes Auxiliary Annual Book Review
Two book readings, "Clear of Clouds" and "The Cultivation of Weeds", followed by a question and answer period with Mr. Leigh Robinson and Dr. Emory Menefee, the books' authors and close personal friends, will be the highlight of the annual Youth Homes Auxiliary book review to be held on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at the Hope Center Covenant Church (2275 Morello Avenue, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523). Funds raised by Youth Homes Auxiliary support neglected and troubled youth in Contra Costa County.
Independent Author Offers Free Science Fiction Audio Books
Mike Luoma offers his Science Fiction novels as free downloadable MP3s. "Vatican Ambassador" just completed at Podiobooks.com! More at Glowinthedarkradio.com
Writing a Non-Fiction Book
Enigmatic stories, book ideas and thoughts use to run into the minds of everyone, why not to pen it down. Let?s put our dream into action by following these tips of writing a mesmerizing book.
Outskirts Press Announces Destiny, the Latest Highly-Anticipated Fiction/Historical book from Author Don Helling
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published "Destiny: A Love Story from the Ashes of Despair" by Don Helling, the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Fiction/ Historical category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $9.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/destiny was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Psychology of Male Friendships Explored in New Fiction Book
In the vein of chicklit, new novel Four Men on a Cruise, Hola! illustrates that emotional intimacy between men isn't just fiction.
Black Author Brings New Voice to Science Fiction and Fantasy
African American sci-fi/fantasy author R. A. Baker shares his views on the genre, and the future of black speculative fiction
Kevin M. Weeks Blends Urban Fiction with a Twist of Crime Fiction in Sophomore Novel
Award winning author Kevin M. Weeks incorporates the best elements of Urban Fiction and Crime Fiction together in his sophomore novel titled: The Street Life Series: Is It Passion or Revenge?
'1919 - Misfortune's End' Listed Among Top 10 Books in Historical Fiction
The novel is listed as one of the most original, brightest and best selling on the market.
"The Revenge of Little Crow" Historical Fiction Novel Makes an Excellent Holiday Gift Idea
One hundred and forty-five years ago on December 26, 1862, while the Civil War raged in the south, 38 Sioux Indians were executed by hanging at Mankato, Minnesota. This execution, the largest in US history, was ordered by President Lincoln as the result of Minnesota's bloody Sioux massacre which left nearly 1,000 settlers dead or wounded. "The Revenge of Little Crow," historical fiction by Steven M. Ulmen, tells the tale.
Outskirts Press Releases Evermore, the Latest Fiction/Mystery Book from Author Mary Morris Carrington
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Evermore by Mary Morris Carrington, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Fiction/ Mystery category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $15.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/evermore was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Historical Fiction Novel Depicts 'Red Summer' Riots, Observing 89th Anniversary
1919-Misfortune's End Creates and Develops Authentic Characters Who are Placed into Historical Events to Reveal Lessons that Mirror Today.
Outskirts Press Announces Satan's Bulge, the Latest Highly-Anticipated Fiction/ Science Fiction Book from Upland, CA Author J R Kapz
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Satan's Bulge: A recounting of the Palmdale dragon hysteria as reported by by J R Kapz, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Fiction/ Science Fiction category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $13.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/satansbulge was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
The Storyteller - Fiction Books!
Review by Jessica Dearborn
Tolucan Times / Canyon Crier - California"The Storyteller, Volume I" by Martha Whittington
AuthorHouse, Paperback, 514 Pages, $24When inspiration hits, it is usually followed closely by desire. A willingness to do
whatever it takes to explain your inspiration, to create a picture.
First Private Equity Funding of Non-Fiction Book
The Complete Kant.