I know that members of this forum are proud Australians and believe that it is the right thing to buy local and support local business, however if you're considering buying books online from overseas such as Amazon etc, go right ahead, you have a clear conscience.

The "guvmint" has just passed legislation to allow local publishers and booksellers (some overseas owned) to continue to rip off the Australian Public with their excess prices.

Yesterday in a debate before the National Press Club in Canberra Prof Fels (ex ACCC head) put a very detailed and measured case against this legislation (too late as it turns out) and answered all the objections put forward by the publisher/author lobby.

Second hand bookshops for me Jimricho   :)

Or join a good library and that way you don't have them laying around and trying to store them. We had thousands of books and ended up taking them to a s/h bookshop. Now we are down to hundreds. (There may be a slight exaggeration in those numbers)

Getting ripped off sucks. I know we should always buy local and as much as I can, I try to, but I won't be taken.

-- Edited by Disco Duck on Thursday 12th of November 2009 10:42:14 AM

Book exchanges seem to be the way to go for prolific readers. I write 'em, but I don't read fiction much. Mostly reference or educational material. Now, if I ever get my work published and marketed, will I get the equivalent percentage of the Australian or Amazon price for my books? I'd better find a really good Agent, and fast.

What do you write Granny??

Disco Duck wrote:

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What do you write Granny??

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Words, I think.

 

oh Ducky it's so obvious, please pay attention, she said she writes books, good grief!

Aaaah so Granny writes two things see?? You two know-alls may have just learnt something here. She writes words AND books !! It pays to ask!

Thanks for clearing that up guys. I often wondered what I was doing. I have been writing anecdotes, poems and short stories, based on my interpretation of the world as I see it, for about 30 years, and stowed them in a folder in the bottom of a cupboard. They were not intended for anyone to actually read. Just my thoughts. After many years of encouragement from rellys and friends (yes I have a couple), I finally relented and worked on categorising the work into genres. So I categorise my work as Australiana Non-fiction when I'm trying attract the attention of prospective agents. This is harder than writing the stories. There are about 6 books stored in this gadget and a couple of other places. Three complete, and others under construction. Scary AND exciting. Those years as a journo gave me the confidence to let others read my work, and it's all go from here. Thanks for asking DD, but you may now regret asking.

I never regret asking that sort of question Granny. It's always very interesting to find out what other people like and do. I would have thought if we weren't interested in other people we wouldn't be on here. I know that it is very hard to find someone to publish works if you don't have a big name. If you still know some editors or well known journos from your journo days, you could perhaps get them to write you a reference or recommendation letter?? That may pull some weight with a smaller publisher somewhere. Never give up!! Even Ma and Guru managed to put up with you :) Cheers DD

I love the Op-shops for books [among other things] . I've found some great books in them. Then again there's nothing like bringing home a book you've paid 2 or 3 dollars for, which would have cost anywhere between 30 and 50 dollars or more if you bought it new. I don't buy Fiction. Cheers, xina.

Yes DD, these 2 people exude a wonderful, generous spirit of nothing but kindness and love. Unfortunately they're going to leave Cairns without their ears. I talked them off yesterday on a trip to Pt Douglas they invited me to share. I had a wonderful day. My life is much richer for having met them. It'll happen if I put the effort in. I'm working on it. Thanks for your support and thoughtfullness.

yeah! anyway I buy any books that I require locally, it's just a personal thing, I know Meg (from Meg's bookshop) and Darren (from northern caravans and outdoor), they both have family, kiddies and roots well embedded in this town, they are regular donators to our many charities and are more than willing to support any show that our "special kiddies" put on in short I don't read all that much only when I have to, far sooner be out talking to people, or going for a walk, as soon as I pick up a book my mind starts wandering and then someone comes along, a good yak beats a book hands down, it has taken me 4 years to try and read "for the term of his natural life", only got through a couple of chapters, I reckon by the time I finish it he would have been out! and gone home and probably died of old age local for me everytime for research books or the latest Bible (camps Australia), I know they are cheaper through the INTERNET, doesn't mean much when we are trying to raise money to put new airconditioning through our day care centre to keep our kids cool and to help the parents get a little free time INTERNET salesfolk aren't there to buy the snags and hand made things the kids make

Talking of books, I recently purchased, on line, a book called Travelling in Caravanastan. While it was not exactly what I had expected, I truly enjoyed it. Written by a journalist who decided to travel with wife and young baby around Australia in a jayco caravan. It made me laugh, it made me wonder. It also made me cry as he told of his visit to Port Arthur several years after he had reported on the massacre. At the time of reading, I was sitting by a pool at the Blue Dolphin caravan park in Yamba. In front of me was a mum with 2 beautiful daughters. They appeared to be about the same ages as the daughters of Walter Mikac, who were murdered that day. It was impossible not to be moved by his account. He also wrote about famous poets, getting stranded in a crocodile infested river and many other adventures. If you like reading, I would definitley recommend it.