Wednesday, October 5, 2016

This, That and What Do You Do?


Welcome to an episode of ‘This, That and What Do You Do” where we cover general topics and I hope you share your thoughts with us.

First, let me get my question (or at least one of them) out of the way. What do you do or should you do with an ARC of a book once you’ve read it?

I would love to keep every single book I get, but unfortunately, I don’t have the space to do that. I tried to do that for several years and then finally had to stop because I had books everywhere in boxes and in stacks. Now I share some with family and friends and I donate a good many to our local library. I live in a small town which doesn’t even have a library, but there’s one in the next small town. With budget cuts, it’s sometimes difficult for small town libraries to get a lot of recently released books. I’ve loved libraries since I was a small child so I like being able to help when I can even in this small way.

So this is where my question comes in. Can ARCs be donated to libraries or should they be? I know it would probably depend on the library’s policy, but I’m wondering what the thoughts are from the viewpoint of authors and publishers. Can you help me out here and tell me your thoughts? What do you do with ARCs or would you want a reader to do with your ARC once finished reading it?

Do you ever jump right into something without knowing all about it?

I’ve always been one to open a box and start trying to put something together without first reading the instructions. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I’m also one who will attempt to operate a new system (like DVD player, printer, etc.) without reading everything completely. Sometimes I wind up having to call an 800 number to see how to make it work. I guess you could say I like the challenge.

Well I sort of did that recently. I’ve been seeing the Litsy app mentioned and how good it is for book lovers. A couple of weekends ago I saw that there was finally an app for Androids. Did I read up on it to see how it works – nope. I just downloaded it and glared at it wondering what to do with it.

After playing with it a bit I found how to mark books that I’ve read, am reading or want to read. I’m not so sure about adding reviews or posting about books, but I’m working on it. No calls to an 800 number yet (not so sure there is one even). So, if you’re on Litsy you can find me as MasonCanyon (of course). If you use Litsy, share what you think of it.

Also I’m on Twitter and Facebook for Mc Book Tours. On Twitter you’ll find me as MCBookTours and on Facebook it’s MC Book Tours. I’d love to have you follow, like and/or just drop by to say hi. BTW, Joylene Nowell Butler’s tour begins Oct. 17. You can check out her tour schedule HERE and following along. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

My last this and that, if you live in the US can you believe it’s already fall? I’m not sure where the summer went to and before we blink twice Christmas will be here. Are you already reading holiday stories or do you just have some lined up to read?

Okay that’s enough from me for now. I hope you’ll drop back by tomorrow as I have several interesting audio books to tell you about. What about you, any this and that to share? Will you share your thoughts on what to do with ARCs after they’re read? What about downloading an app without knowing how to use it? Have you read any Christmas books yet?

27 comments:

  1. I am in the middle of a well overdue book cull. I send them to our crisis line for them to sell at book fairs. Re ARC I think I would ask the writer what they want done with them.
    And I am an obsessive instruction reader.

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    1. E.C., I wish I was more obsessive about reading instructions. I'm trying to remind myself it's best to start out with more knowledge but I still like the challenge from time to time. Some of the books I've given to the library has been for their book sale.

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  2. Hmm, I've only gotten a couple ARC from very good friend authors. I kept them - they are the complete book, just without the final covers. I don't get many pre-reads that are print books though - I like the ebook versions. Take up less space; and when I store something on-line I tend to forget I have it. I am interested in reading other people's comments regarding this question, however.

    I never read instructions either. But, that's because I have kids I make figure out electronic gadgets for me :)

    The threat of impending Christmas is already haunting me. Can we go back to September??

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    1. dolorah, I'm with you on wanting to go back to September (maybe even August). I'm not ready to start thinking about Christmas but I see it in stores already.

      I agree eBooks do take up less space but I'm a print person. It comes from my old journalism roots I guess.

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  3. Hi Mason - it's difficult isn't it ... I don't like books that need to be tidied up ... I take books to the Hospice - what they can't sell in their local fund-raising shops, they can use as 'ballast-weight' which they get paid for ... not quite sure how it works ... but I know it does.

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary, you have given me an idea. I don't think there's a Hospice facility near me but there is a nursing home that might like the books.

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  4. No idea on the library.
    Do any apps come with instructions? Not many. Hopefully someone who has used the app can help.
    And sure to be a wet weekend...

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    1. Alex, you're right about apps not coming with many instructions. But I have seen some that are easier to use than this one. I'll have to keep playing with it I guess.

      Hope you don't get too wet this weekend. I don't think we're supposed to get any.

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  5. Some libraries might take them, but I think the best thing to do with ARCs is to toss them in the recycle bin. I know, that sounds terrible. But they aren't the finished book and libraries can't sell them either.

    I do keep an ARC of every book we have published. They're actually on display in our living room. If someone wants to read one, I sell them a finished copy.

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    1. Diane, tossing a book (even one that is batter and torn) is the hardest thing for me to do. I guess in the back of my mind I knew that was probably what it was going to come to though.

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  6. Dealing with old ARCs isn't easy. I think the publishers probably want them destroyed in some way (recycled, likely). There are so many floating around on the market. And I have a feeling the library (Friends of the Library) probably can't sell them, either. Maybe Goodwill? I'm not sure what's in the small print for ARCs.

    Going to be a wet Saturday here with the hurricane! I think you're in the clear where you are. A good thing! :)

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    1. Elizabeth, I know most of the ARCs I see have written on them that they are not for sale or can't be sold. With that on them I don't know if a library could use them in their regular collection. Sounds like a recycle bin would be the best bet.

      Hope things don't get too wet for you Saturday. We are definitely in the clear here even though we could use a good rain.

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  7. Interesting question, Mason, about ARCs. I would agree that publishers don't want too many of them floating around. As an author, I'd be happy to have copies of a book I'd written given to charity, but publishers may think differently.

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    1. Margot, I hadn't thought about charities. I like getting ARCs but I just can't keep them all. I'll have to check around and see if there are some organizations that might need books.

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  8. You're really making me think about ARCs now. They might be handy to keep if the book becomes big. I've never had a print ARC, and all the ones I read via my Kindle, I delete when I'm done.

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    1. Christine, reading ARCs on Kindle is a great way to cut down on space limits and easy to do away with once you're done reading. I just can't get into reading eBooks that much. I have a good excuse since my Kindle decided to die on me (I think it was from loneliness as I didn't use it much).

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  9. I have jumped into things a few times, but I'm trying to learn from my mistakes, so not happening as often as it used to. Still, sometimes I spend way too much time trying to decide. That's even worse. I don't have an answer right now, but I'm going to think on it. I have been keeping the books. No wonder I can't move through my basement. Thanks for mentioning my tour, Pamela! You rock, girl.

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    1. Joylene, I know what you mean about spending too much time deciding. Sometimes if I'd just read the instructions I could probably accomplish what I want in a few minutes where it takes me a hour or so when I don't read. Getting rid of a book is hard for me.

      So looking forward to your tour. It's going to be fun.

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  10. These days I tell people I prefer digital books because I am just plain out of space. Digital books are easy to read and they sure don't take up any space.

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    1. Kathleen, you are so right about digital not taking up space. When eBooks first came out I thought now that would be the way to read but I can't get use to it. I love print copies. If I could win the lottery I think I'd build a house just for my books. :)

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  11. It depends. If the ARC is autographed, I keep it. If not, I donate it to a book bin in our neighborhood.

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    1. Sherry, I definitely keep all the ARCs (as well as finished books) if they are autographed or the author has jotted a note inside. I've also kept some ARCs that were unusual such as not even formatted into a book yet.

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  12. I suspect libraries wouldn’t be able to use ARCs unless they were donated by the publisher. As a rule, ARCs are uncorrected proofs and not something authors or publishers want floating around.

    When I moved from Georgia, I left 99% of my library behind because of space issues. I no longer acquire print copies of anything, and I turn down all freebies. Now I depend on my library, read digital (which I absolutely detest), or listen to audio books.

    VR Barkowski

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    1. VR, I understand about leaving one's library behind. I did that when I moved last year too. But it's funny how quickly books accumulate. I've been listening to more and more audio books that I download. It takes up a lot of space on my computer but at least I can walk through the house without too many boxes of books in the way. :)

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  13. I generally give ARCs to my students - and I've donated them to used book stores as well. I'd love to keep them all too, but no way! :)

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  14. Because ARCs have errors in them sometimes, libraries probably wouldn't want them. Maybe donate it through one of those bins you see in parking lots? I'm not sure where the books go...to the needy somehow. I get all my ARCs on Edelweiss, so it's all just on my Kindle.

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  15. I bring ARC's that I have won to the senior center and to the hospital for patients and visitors to read. They are happy to get them.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.