Letters

by Staff -- Publishers Weekly, 8/29/2005

Overhyped Harry?

Sally Oddi's soapbox ["Harry Potter and the Overhyped Party," Aug. 8] expressed my sentiments exactly. When the last Harry Potter book was published, I was quoted in our local paper as saying we weren't having a party because 10-year-olds belonged in bed at midnight. This time, I was more careful about spouting off! We also took a totally different approach, due to the kindness of author Richard Peck. He spoke to a large group of adults here on Friday, July 15; the next morning he spoke to children. We sold many of Peck's books (at full price), had a good night's sleep and, incidentally, sold some Harry Potter on Saturday, too. So, when we were asked what we were doing for Harry Potter, we said, "We're having Richard Peck!"

SHIRLEY MULLIN KIDS INK, INDIANAPOLIS, IND.

Our thanks to Sally Oddi for voicing the concerns of independent booksellers. We second every single thing she wrote. If only Scholastic and other publishers would pay attention.

SUSIE ZLOTNIK AND DALE SPECTOR YELLOW BOOK ROAD CHILDREN'S BOOKS LA MESA, CALIF.

I was delighted to read Marc Aronson's soapbox ["Getting Over the Rainbow Party," Aug. 15] about positive trends in young adult literature. I am continually disappointed by media misrepresentation of the genre. As a teen librarian, I often find more quality new YA literature than adult titles. I hope there will be more articles like this, which reflect the positive realities going on with YA literature and libraries.

AMY ALESSIO, TEEN COORDINATOR, SCHAMBURG TWP. DIST. LIBRARY, SCHAMBURG, ILL.

I just read the article "Amazon Short Lists" ("PW Daily," Aug. 19). I was especially amused at the statement that "Their approach of going to agents is a bit of an end-around," according to one editor. "And if they win, where do they end up? We're still in business together. You never want to do something that's so big that it offends everyone else."

I could not have said that better myself. But doesn't that beg the question: Do publishers realize that booksellers share that same feeling when a publisher sells directly to a consumer or business? There should be more thought given to the long-term effects of a new program rather than a short-term quick fix approach to the bottom line.

In this difficult, competitive environment, we all need to think about what is good for the industry. A strong, cohesive publishing industry supporting its retail brethren with, for example, more and different co-op opportunities to help everyone sell more books would be a win-win for all.

BOB KUTIK WOMRATH'S BOOKSTORE TENAFLY, N.J.