I have a copy of 'Runes'

[Romeo]

If you'd like to do that, I will gladly chip in - I can pay you back at the Fest.

But if anyone else on the Watch is bidding, please let us know so we don't end up competing amongst ourselves.

[awalter]

Which leads to this question: would it be legal to borrow it, or is it a "employees onlyl" deal? I could read it now, no harm done, but if there's a penal code 400395B that causes a flock of publishers to smack me down, then I won't touch this thing. So should I go for it and give this thing a read (I mean it's freaking RUNES), or should I just wait till it officially comes out? The power of the dark side is seductive.

I really doubt there'd be anything wrong with you reading it. Mainly, publishers put the "This Book Not For Sale" language on ARCs/UPs because they don't want bookstores to sell copies of books that they are getting for free. You see lots of old ARCs for sale in used bookstores long after the book has been released, and there's nothing wrong with that. Why? Because the used bookstore paid money for the book to whoever owned it, and they have the right to re-sell it.

Adam

[madship]

I haven't asked her yet if I could read it, as I don't want her to lose her job or anything. Which leads to this question: would it be legal to borrow it, or is it a "employees onlyl" deal? I could read it now, no harm done, but if there's a penal code 400395B that causes a flock of publishers to smack me down, then I won't touch this thing. So should I go for it and give this thing a read (I mean it's freaking RUNES), or should I just wait till it officially comes out? The power of the dark side is seductive.

Lord Foul, There shouldn't be any problem for your friend unless the manager or District manager of the store has a problem with her taking the book out of the store.

I used to manage a B. Dalton Bookseller. For the most part the ARC's we received got thrown away. 1 in 5 was actually of any interest to the staff members. This may be different in the big box store era. I had a staff of 7. These stores have as many as 10x that or more, but they may get 10x the pub copies I used to receive.

The purpose obviously is to generate sales. With a book late in a series like this one it is unusual to see publicity editions. However TC has been out of the public eye for a long time. The manager will most likely be happy that someone is interested in the book and may be willing to talk it up when it arrives. Even if it is something like A friend of mine loved it and now he's driving me crazy about how great it was.

My wife and I met at B. Dalton and work within the B&N system for years. I'll be checking tonight if either of us has any firends left in the local stores.

Of course that mearly satisfies today. It will mean an extra 3 months of waiting for Fatal Revenant.

[A Gunslinger]

heavens. If anyone gets a copy...out of loyalty to the author and to the mass of us...

...destroy it.

[duchess of malfi]

I gave ebay a full 24 hours to do something about my complaint. So far, they have not, so the girl with the smokin' debit card is now at work and making bids.
If I manage to win, the book is going unread back to its creator.

[A Gunslinger]

I gave ebay a full 24 hours to do something about my complaint. So far, they have not, so the girl with the smokin' debit card is now at work and making bids.
If I manage to win, the book is going unread back to its creator.

Duchess, you surpass us all.

[Edinburghemma]

Looks like markjeffery is the man with the moolah just now,1 day, 16 hrs to go (so sayeth the avid ebay watcher)xx

[Romeo]

Mark's a good guy (assuming it's the same Mark Jeffrey that organized the Sep 97 interview). If it's going to be auctioned off, it's good that one of "us" will be getting it.

[markjeffrey]

Hello ... just read this thread --

1. yes that IS me on ebay bidding
2. I didn't know Watchers were also bidding /even knew about it: my sister's husband is a frequent ebay poster and stumbled on it the other day and told me about it ...
3. I must admit candidly and openly, I *will* read it if I get it After all that was why I was bidding!!! ....
4. ... But I would also purchase a legit copy when released in the fall as well. (Besides, I want a hardcover edition anyway.)
5. Me and only me would read it. Nobody else. I just can't wait if there's a chance I can see it now, hellfire and bloody damnation, alright!?! End result: I read a mostly finished copy early, and somebody makes some money off me I'm happy to cough for this -- and probably ONLY -- this. For my first hit of TC in 20 years? Yeah, I'll pay. There is no subsitute.

So no harm .. no ... Foul.

[Creator]

I am very excited about the potential to get an early look!! But $202.50 so far. Well I could go for it ... but ... reading this discussions seems to suggest I would be committing sacrilege.

Sigh !! Guess I won't. It would be rude to run up the price further for the Watch! As nasty as putting my hand thru the Arch!

[Revan]

People. If you want to buy and read that book. Do so. There's no reason to real bad in any way. So if Duchess and Romeo, fair play to them, are making you feel guiltly; carry on...

I wouldn't waste so much money on it myself... I'll just wait till it comes out... however... if I could afford to waste that type of money I would do so without question. However I'm going on holiday soon, and need that money. Now go home, and leave me alone, You bunch of lepers. heh.

[Romeo]

I'm not ticked off about someone buying it. My peeve is that someone is SELLING it before the official release date.

I apologize if I made anyone feel guilty about wanting to bid on it. And I *certainly* would not hold any ill will toward the person who wins the auction.

[Revan]

hmmm... then why are you and Duchess trying to prevent it from being sold? (and to give it back to the author?) I mean I kind of understand why... you don't want it spoiled... yet cannot people make there own decisions... hmmm... this seems a bit of a rude way to pose a question... I am sorry if it is perceived that way. I mean no harm.

[dANdeLION]

Well, there's a problem with Dutchess' selfless thinking. Now the one copy of Runes on ebay is over $200, that got other owners thinking, and now there's 3 more copies on ebay for sale. The net result is that they're profiting off of our desire to see these book in the 'right' hands. Hopefully ebay will act soon on behalf of Mr. Dolandson and remove the books.

[Revan]

Or hopfully not. How about you all buy them and send them to me.

[A Gunslinger]

IMHO it is a terrible disservice to the author and the marketing plan for the book by the publisher.

What's more, by participating in a scheme built on a foundation of greed, you become stained as well. This is why Disck Cheney has a special seat right next to Satan awaiting him.

[Revan]

hmmm... it's not that bad... your only reading a book... but I guess your right... but I tend to break a few little rules anyways... so I'd do so for this one... I love the Chronicles too much to be able to refuse to know hwta happens...

[duchess of malfi]

Three more copies, eh? Well, its time to start sending more messages to ebay's legal department.

Not that it seems to be doing much good. I seriously doubt that I will be using their services anymore after seeing that they are willing to turn their back to illegal activities on their website.

Its all about fairness folks. Not just people selling things that are illegal to for them to sell. Not just people profiting on Mr. Donaldson's hard work. Its the fact that it is four months before the general public can read this. I have no problem with someone who works in the publishing industry or the bookselling or reviewing industry having these copies and reading them. It is, after all, part of their jobs. I would have no problem with these being sold AFTER the hardcover comes out, as a collector's item. It is the fact that some unscrupulous person can buy these things and post spoilers (or even scan and post the work itself) on the internet and perhaps ruining the reads for thousands of people. Now, I know no one here would do that. At least I hope that everyone here would respect Mr. Donaldson and his fans enough that they would not do such a thing. But who is to say that everyone bidding/buying these copies is a member here and would NOT do such things?

[markjeffrey]

A beggar just handed me this note:

'A man from our world has the opportunity to purchase an early proof release of a book about another world. The man will also buy a copy of the book when it is released in the fall. Does the man purchase the early proof book and read it? This is the fundamental question of ethics."


Ethics! I snorted.

The publisher throws these early books out there as a loss-leader to build an audience for the upcoming book. They know they are partially cannibalizing future sales, but they are betting on the come: the reader will rave about it to their friends, which will result in a chain reaction of good word of mouth resulting in MUCH more sales. Books are largely sold on word of mouth. And i intend to be a Big Mouth about this. And I predict a MONSTER best-seller in any event.

So who loses?
Me: No way. I get a new hit of TC.
Donaldson: No. I'm buying a copy anyway when released. He gets his dollar from me. And besides, I've bought the old series several times over to replace worn / lost copies, and gotten many friends to buy. I've been a good $ supporter of SRD, very happily so, and will continue to be.
The Publisher. No. For same reasons above.
The Dude Selling It To Me: Of course not. He's making bank. I'm allowing him to gouge me. But to me, it's still a deal.

[markjeffrey]

Here's another thought for you:

If the publisher sees the ridiculous run-up of price of these early copies, they may well come to appreciate how amazing these books are -- and grok just what kind of demand there IS for Donaldson -- resulting in a greater press run and committment to a marketing effort than they may be planning on now.

Same goes for the audience: people see these books climbing up in price and go, What is this? It MUST be killer. Look what people are willing to pay!!!

It may be some of the best underground marketing afoot for Runes at the moment -- which is exactly what these early copies in circulation were intended to achieve.