Contests & Giveaways

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Respect the ARC!

I know people have different views on this topic so I just thought I would state mine.

I do not think that selling an ARC is okay, at all! 
They are not meant to be sold so they should not be sold. Period.


As a book blogger I have been fortunate enough to receive a few ARCs. I would never even consider selling them. I'm never one to debate but I did want to talk about this topic. For people who are passionate about books (as most book bloggers and reviewers are) it is a honor to receive an ARC. However, if this is abused publishers will have no choice but to stop allowing as many of the copies out. 

When publishers or authors decide to provide a review copy for someone, they are trusting that the person will not steal their work. When the ARC is sold, that is stealing. It is the same as when a book is pirated and placed online. The author and publisher suffer from these acts. Not only are the copies highly distributed, in some cases, but the number of copies sold suffers drastically. This is especially true if the book is self-published or from a smaller publisher. 

It is horrible to see popular ARCs being sold for sometimes $100 or more. These people know what they are doing is wrong. As bloggers, it is important that we take action when we can to stop this. This is also true if you spot a pirated book. Authors are sometimes not aware of these being placed online. They may find out only after hundreds of copies have been illegally downloaded. In either case, report these acts! Don't sit back and hope someone else finds out. Contact the author, publisher, or ebay if an ARC is being sold through them. Eventually, if these individuals know that they will be shut down quickly, they will have no choice but to stop. 

Remember:
If you spot anyone selling an ARC, report them! 

I've made a few buttons to get the word out on this issue.





Please feel free to take these and place them on your own blog.
 To get the codes go to my POLICY page.

They link back to this post but if you have your own post up, feel free to link it there!


Here are some other blogs talking about this issue. 
If you know of any others, let me know and I will add them.

Behind Yellow Eyes
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
My Overstuffed Bookshelf
Sharon Loves Books and Cats 
Trisha's Book Blog

Posted Saturday, May 29, 2010

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40 comments:

  1. great button! I definitely agree with you on this one.

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  2. Couldn't agree more. :)

    The button is a good idea. I'll come back to grab it. Too tired right now. :(

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  3. I went to a science fiction convention about two months ago in London and the publishers themselves are selling them. Added bonus is the authors are there to sign it for you if you want it autographed.

    So the publishers and authors are doing it. When does it become right and when does it become wrong?

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  4. I totally agree with you!! I'm glad that I hoard my books.. It is very seldom that I get rid of any of the books that I have..

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  5. I also put one of the buttons on my blog.

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  6. I have to say I completely agree with this. I am fairly new to blogging, but have a couple of arc's in my possession, and would never dream of selling them for a couple of reasons. I would hate for publishers to stop sending them out to us, and I would hate us to get a bad name from a few people. Sharing with bloggers is fine, but selling, oh no!

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  7. Grabbed it! Thanks for making one!!

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  8. Cherry, I'm fine if they want to sell it. What I don't like is if the book says specifically it can not be sold and people sell it anyway.

    I try to think of it like this. If I wrote something and gave it to someone else and said "please don't sell this" how would I feel if they sold it? I think especially for writing (although I'm far from an author lol) it is very personal work and takes an enormous effort to put out. If they wish for certain copies to not be sold, they should have their wishes respected. If they decide to sell it that is perfectly fine.

    But I do know that people see this issue differently and really the authors opinions are the only ones that matter.

    Thanks for the comment! :) Very cool that you went to that convention. I'd love to go to one someday.

    Jess~

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  9. I can't believe people do that. All of my ARCs says specifically it can't be sold!

    I put one of the buttons on my blog :)

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  10. I'm on board!
    I will never sell my ARCs and think it is unthinkable to do so.

    This button is going up on my page.

    DL

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  11. Grabbing and posting the button on my sidebar today, the 2 ARC's in my possession are never leaving my author won and signed book shelf,EVER!!!

    jackie b central texas

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  12. I did a blog post on it.. Nothing long but it got my point out.. =)

    http://trishasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/05/selling-arcs.html

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  14. I'm so glad that you designed that great button, as I couldn't actually get the original button at Behind Yellow Eyes to work so yours now has pride of place on my sidebar! Thanks!

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  15. Thank you for posting this and the button, from an author getting ready to give away my own ARCs. They are for review and to keep - not for sale! It would kill me to see them out on eBay. Button is posted on both of my sites. Thanks again!

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  16. I love this - added a button to my sidebar! :)

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  17. I also got an ARC when I was in UK. I bought some books by a fave author and the seller asked me if I really liked that author. Of course I said yes, so she gave me this book 4 months before it's publishing date. And now, only my parents know I have it. I haven't even told my best friend, because I don't want to be persuaded to sell it. Not that I'd sell it, anyway. I personally respect the ARC. And this is a great campaign to stop people trying to sell something that is actually not their work. Hope this comes out to be a successful campaign!

    -Ana.

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  18. FabUlous post & Button! Will be
    putting it on my blog.

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  19. Couldn't agree more! I am adding the badge to our sidebar.

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  20. Thank you for raising awareness about this! Publishers and authors really appreciate it!

    And if I can also add, please respect the pub date and don't post reviews before the books are available in stores. Publishers love when folks are enthusiastic about our titles, but if the reader can't buy the book, it's a wasted opportunity for the author. Thank you awesome book bloggers and readers!

    -Lara Starr
    Chronicle Books
    lara_starr@chroncilebooks.com

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  21. I am fairly new to blogging, and a HUGE reader, I am trying to break into the book reviewing world, and was wondering if you could help point me in the right direction, additionally. I would like to know what ARC is? I am thinking something along the lines of "A Reviewer's Copy"

    I would gratefully appreciate a response.
    thanks so much.
    Susan

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  22. Totally agree! added the button on my sidebar!

    http://moonlightgleam.blogspot.com/

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  23. I totally agree and I love the button. I'll add it to my blog right now. :)

    http://www.csilibrarian.wordpress.com

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  24. This isn't really something I have thought about or heard much about to be honest. I totally agree and don't think people should be selling these, will try and pop a wee post about it over at mine and put your button on (I am really new to blogging although my site has been up for ages).

    Lainy

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  25. I have posted about this and linked it back to your site :)

    Lainy

    http://smbslt.blogspot.com

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  26. Hi! I think this is a fantastic idea... totally agree with it. I have linked your button on my website as well. Keep up the good job!

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  27. Can I just say BRAVO!!! I can't believe that there would be reviewers unscrupulous enough to sell an author's ARC...well, then again, as an author, perhaps I've become more cynical.

    Love the button...it's going on my blog.

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  28. I found this :

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SUCCUBUS-REVEALED-Richelle-Mead-ARC-/290584030632

    I'm not sure you want the link but I don't know if the editor had solutions (I'm french, sorry for the expressions).

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  29. Hi Jessica,

    New Follower/Blogger, What do you think about other bloggers "swapping" ARC's? Just curious...I don't want to do anything considered ethically wrong, still learning the ropes here. Since no money's involved I thought it might be alright.

    Thanks!
    Teresa

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  30. @duchess_mommy- Thanks for the comment! From what I have read from publishers and some authors, they are fine with swapping ARCs or giving them away. The way they see it, that gives someone else an opportunity to read it and it gets more exposure. I think it's just the selling part because no one gets a part of that (money wise) so it's stealing from the author.

    So yes, swapping, giveaways, anything like that is something that happens a lot with bloggers and it's completely fine :)

    <3

    @Nyx- So sad! I've seen some authors talk about seeing their ARCs on ebay and they get really upset about it. There is a way to report the listing but I'm not sure if they really do anything about it. You would think they would because every ARC says it is NOT to be sold.

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  31. Well good! Now I will put the badge on my Blog!

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  33. What a treasure it is to have an ARC! Sell them?? Are you kidding? I sit here shaking my head. That is just WRONG.

    Definitely I say "Respect the ARC". Thank you for the buttons.


    Patricia

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  34. This is great! I've had the button on my blog for a while, and I think this goes for selling but also pirating eARCs, which has been known to happen.

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  35. Like the button, following you from the hop, hoping you will follow me back at http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com we also have a book blog hop xx

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  36. It's a great button. I just add it to my blog. Thank you !

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  37. I so agree with you! I'm putting the button you made on my blog and posting a note about it, too. Good for you for bringing the issue up again. It's really not classy to sell something someone else has given you!! :P Gross if nothing else. And, not in compliance with the agreement the publishers and authors have with those who receive ARCs in the first place!
    Deborah/TheBookishDame
    http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com

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  38. I've started a petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/ebay-stop-the-sales-of-arc-s

    And I plan to organize a blog event!

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  39. I am following you and I grab a button and I will post it soon

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  40. Thanks for the button, Jessica! I've got one up on my blog now and will have a post going up later today.

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Thanks for the comment!

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