DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Dawn, issue 11, combined with The Imaginative Collector, issue 1, November 1950

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Dawn, issue 11, combined with The Imaginative Collector, issue 1, November 1950

Page 3

BOOK PRICES and CONTENTS
by
Bob Tucker (3)

I realize I'm not alone in my belief that science-fiction and fantasy book prices are too high, especially when considering the age and type of contents of most of these books, but I must confess that I'm probably the mousiest observor of the stitution--- up to now I've done nothing more about it than mumble to myself, while less reticent genthemen have been heatedly agitation their tonsils. Redd Boggs in particular, with his gift of an acid pen, has fired both barrels many times without pausing to reload

I can see two reasons for these high prices from the fantasy publisher's point of view, but only two. First: paper and binding materials and printers' wages are unquestionably high, the highest they have ever been. Second: like everyone else, they too want to become capitalists. Most of the science-fiction firms in business today print anywhere from 1000 to 4000 copies of each title and then must wait awhile to sell that stock. Admittedly their margin of profit on such small runs is slim. But on the other hand, their comparative overhead is likewise small.

Any of the standard New York publishing companies must sell around 5000 copies of a title to just break even; and they must push that sales figure up to as near 10,000 as is possible to realize a modest profit. Note too, that any of the standard New York publishing companies have terrific overhead; large office, huge advertising costs, excess excutives to drain off profits, operating expenses and stenographer's pencils. And usually they produce their books in the metropolitan area where workman belong to unions and get very good wages, where printing establishments add on a healthy fee to take care of their own overhead, and where seperate warehouses must be maintained out of the city.

The stitution in our small fantasy houses is just about the reverse. In those firms where I am personally acquainted, or where I know something of the inter workings, the science-fiction novels are produced far more cheaply than the New York companies would possible. Most (if not all) of the books are done on non-union presses and consequently a lower wage-scale, many are produced in smaller cities and towns where prevailing costs are not so high, warehouse (actually, stotage rooms) are right there in the same office and in two cases I know of, one of the partners in the publishing firm actually does some of the printing himself. Generally speaking then, the fantasy houses are getting by far more cheaply than their New York brothers and could afford a price cut on that score.

Actually this is beginning to happen in a few cases, as I shall mention in a moment, but I doubt if it is a "trend" or anything resembling price-cutting on a national scale.

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BOOK PRICES and CONTENTS by Bob Tucker (3) I realize I'm not alone in my belief that science-fiction and fantasy book prices are too high, especially when considering the age and type of contents of most of these books, but I must confess that I'm probably the mousiest observor of the stitution--- up to now I've done nothing more about it than mumble to myself, while less reticent genthemen have been heatedly agitation their tonsils. Redd Boggs in particular, with his gift of an acid pen, has fired both barrels many times without pausing to reload I can see two reasons for these high prices from the fantasy publisher's point of view, but only two. First: paper and binding materials and printers' wages are unquestionably high, the highest they have ever been. Second: like everyone else, they too want to become capitalists. Most of the science-fiction firms in business today print anywhere from 1000 to 4000 copies of each title and then must wait awhile to sell that stock. Admittedly their margin of profit on such small runs is slim. But on the other hand, their comparative overhead is likewise small. Any of the standard New York publishing companies must sell around 5000 copies of a title to just break even; and they must push that sales figure up to as near 10,000 as is possible to realize a modest profit. Note too, that any of the standard New York publishing companies have terrific overhead; large office, huge advertising costs, excess excutives to drain off profits, operating expenses and stenographer's pencils. And usually they produce their books in the metropolitan area where workman belong to unions and get very good wages, where printing establishments add on a healthy fee to take care of their own overhead, and where seperate warehouses must be maintained out of the city. The stitution in our small fantasy houses is just about the reverse. In those firms where I am personally acquainted, or where I know something of the inter workings, the science-fiction novels are produced far more cheaply than the New York companies would possible. Most (if not all) of the books are done on non-union presses and consequently a lower wage-scale, many are produced in smaller cities and towns where prevailing costs are not so high, warehouse (actually, stotage rooms) are right there in the same office and in two cases I know of, one of the partners in the publishing firm actually does some of the printing himself. Generally speaking then, the fantasy houses are getting by far more cheaply than their New York brothers and could afford a price cut on that score. Actually this is beginning to happen in a few cases, as I shall mention in a moment, but I doubt if it is a "trend" or anything resembling price-cutting on a national scale.