1-800-Authors: New Service, Old Way to Buy Books

Diane Patrick -- Publishers Weekly, 8/30/1999

Prospective book buyers who don't have access to the Internet or bookstores can now purchase books the old-fashioned way, through 1-800-Authors, a new service that allows consumers to buy books over the phone, via live operators, 24 hours a day.

The company, a limited partnership, was formed by Denis Calabrese, founder of the communications consulting firm Calabrese & Associates, and Richard W. Weekley, a commercial real estate developer; the president is copartner Laura D. Dale, formerly vice-president of Americans for Fair Taxation.

Currently the service is in the trial stage in Sacramento, Calif., Raleigh-Durham, N.C., Kansas City, Mo., and Austin, Tex. Calabrese told PW that radio, television and print advertising are planned for these cities, to be followed by a national campaign around the holidays.

There is a "similar discount structure as in your bookstore," Calabrese said, but admitted that 1-800-Authors is unable to offer 50% off New York Times bestsellers à la the big three online booksellers. An operator at the service explained that bestsellers are discounted 30% off list and other titles are available at list price, and offered three levels of shipping, $4€“$8 per order, plus a per-book charge. Orders are fulfilled by Baker and Taylor. Also offered are book search assistance, book recommendations and automatic notification about soon-to-be-released books.