Remaindered book

A stack of books with remaindering markings on the bottom next to the spine.

Remaindered books are printed books that are no longer selling well and whose remaining unsold copies are liquidated by the publisher at greatly reduced prices. While the publisher may take a loss on the sales of these books, they are able to make some money off the sale and clear out space in the warehouses.[1]

Copies of remaindered books may be marked by the publisher, distributor or bookseller, to prevent them from being returned. "Remainder marks" have varied over the years, but today most remainders are marked with a stroke with a felt-tipped marker across the top or bottom of the book's pages, near the spine.

Only hardcovers and trade paperbacks (paperback books, often larger than "pocket" paperbacks, sold "to the trade" or directly to sales outlets) are typically remaindered. Mass market paperbacks ("pocket" paperback books sold through a third-party distributor) usually become stripped books rather than remaindered books. A book that might retail for $20 will typically be purchased by someone specializing in remainders for $1 and resold for approximately $5.[1]

In the United States

Since the Thor Power Tool Company v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue decision of 1979 in the United States and its adverse effects on the keeping of inventories for several years, books in the United States have been remaindered much earlier and in greater quantities than prior to the decision. Since that 1979 decision, the number of unsold books that have simply been destroyed (by being burned or recycled into paper or cardboard) instead of being sold at a large reduction has also risen greatly.[2]

Remainders in popular culture

Stephen King, Amy Tan, and a number of other best-selling writers have been members of an American rock and roll band called the Rock Bottom Remainders. The band has played at publishing events such as the American Booksellers Association and has raised money for charity.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Cohen, Roger (1991-08-07). "Book Notes". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
  2. ↑ Kevin O'Donnell, Jr, "How Thor Power Hammered Publishing" in The Bulletin of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Spring 1993.
  3. ↑ The Rock Bottom Remainders: Writers Who Rock for a Good Cause by Melissa Hellstern http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/The-Rock-Bottom-Remainders-Writers-Who-Rock-for-Good-Causes#ixzz3pgoz6V8u, Oprah.com


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