In 1939, the 25¢ paperback made America a nation of readers, delivering thrillers, classics, and Pulitzer-winning books. So why did the Big Five publishers just kill the mass market paperback?
But most of the cost of a book is not paper. What about the author’s fee, storage, marketing, and typesetting? How much more paper does a hardback use than a paperback - not that much. Have there been any changes in how hardbacks are produced since 1939 that may contribute to a narrowing of the prices? I believe they are often glued, not sewn, now, for example.
But most of the cost of a book is not paper. What about the author’s fee, storage, marketing, and typesetting? How much more paper does a hardback use than a paperback - not that much. Have there been any changes in how hardbacks are produced since 1939 that may contribute to a narrowing of the prices? I believe they are often glued, not sewn, now, for example.