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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Selling of ARCs is UNETHICAL people!

I was on Twitter earlier and I found a tweet from another book blogger mentioning how some people are selling their ARC copies on ebay that they received FREE from BEA 2010.  I want to point out a few things to these people out there doing this.

ARCs clearly state on the covers that they are not to be sold.  They are for review purpose and promotion only.  I have spoke with people in the publishing community before on this and they even go as far to say that the larger publishing companies will take people to court for this.  Now, maybe some people are new to the world of book blogging, but when it states it clearly on the covers that they are NOT to be sold, people should have some common sense.

This is why some publishing companies make it so hard for reviewers to obtain these sort of books to promote and review for everyone.  Yes, I occasionally get jealous over other bloggers getting those coveted copies I have so desperately wanted, but to sell it on ebay for an outrageous price unethically is just wrong.

I live on the west coast and was unable to attend BEA 2010 because I just don't have the money to travel back east.  I am drooling at what everyone was able to obtain, but I understand as well that most of what I have drooled over are from other book bloggers who know that it is unethical to sell them.  It frustrates me to no end to see people who attended BEA just because they live there and think they can sell them for a quick buck.  Do you even realize how hard bloggers sometimes have to work to even achieve receiving one of those coveted copies? Do you even understand how bloggers who are unable to attend these functions feel already and this ruins there chances of receiving one for review in the future?

I am approaching my one year blog anniversary, and I have worked very hard to keep my blog honest and to where it is today.  Now my blog may not be as huge and popular as other blogs, but I have let it grown honestly and with respect to the publishing companies. Believe it or not, those ARCs cost money to make and they come out of an authors earnings.  Author's do not receive money for those ARCs that are being sold on ebay.  The publishing company is not receiving any money either.

I am sorry for ranting on my blog about this, but I wanted to put it out there.  Yes, I want the publishers I work with to know that I DO NOT support ebay seller's in this.  I support the author's and publishing companies in doing what is right with ARCs.  I trade them with other bloggers, donate them to my local library and yes hoard them for keepsakes.  I just wish other people would do the same.

posted by Amy J at 3:20 PM

32 Comments:

Blogger Julie P said...

Very good post! I am fairly new to book blogging and it is very disappointing to think that the book blogosphere I felt was so ethical and honest has some bad apples out there. Use your brain people! Remember the Golden Rule--treat people the way you would like to be treated. I know I wouldn't like it if someone exploited me in this manner, so I wouldn't dream of doing it to anyone else!

May 29, 2010 at 3:29 PM  
Blogger Paula said...

I agree and think it sticks even for those who get swag not all of us have figured out to get swag and such and it just gets like appealing when you see those being sold on ebay I mean really. How are the publishers and authors suppose to take us seriously when other bloggers are selling it? Sorry to hijack your post it just drives me nuts!

May 29, 2010 at 3:30 PM  
Blogger Monica Corwin said...

Great post hon! Great blog too! Following and you are welcome to some of my ARCs as I read them, just let me know the ones you are interested in. The signed ones I am not getting rid of but you are welcome to borrow them if you plan on reviewing them :)

May 29, 2010 at 3:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Get post! I think it's horrible that people are selling ARCs on ebay. I, too, live on the west coast and was not able to attend BEA. And that upsets me even more. The publishers and authors could decided to stop doing future events, like BEA, because of people who take advantage.

May 29, 2010 at 3:44 PM  
Blogger Anna said...

Wonderful post Amy. I agree 100%. I have a bunch of ARCs just sitting around and plan to do a giveaway with them. For a while I debated about it, but I've seen tons of bloggers giving away ARCs after they are done reviewing. So, I'm assuming this is not frowned upon. I love the ARCs I receive and have kept quite a few, but I just don't have room for all of the them. I think Giveaways are way better than selling them.

May 29, 2010 at 3:45 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

Before I say anything else....I don't think that it's bloggers and ONLY bloggers doing it. I think that it comes from other "people" also.

Now, I understand where you're coming from Amy, because I would have given my left little toe to be able to attend BEA and snag those ARC's. Honestly...I can't even look at all the posts of ARC's because I'll admit that I'm jealous! But that's besides the point.

The point is....like you said...it makes everyone look bad. Book Blogger or not, publishing companies will stop trusting EVERYONE and EVERYONE will suffer for that.

May 29, 2010 at 3:48 PM  
Blogger Jessica said...

I'm so glad you mentioned this. It is HORRIBLE that people sell ARC's. Like you said, some of us would have loved to attend BEA and it's sad that some people take advantage of a good opportunity. ARC's are expensive to make and things like this will make publishers not give out as many copies. Sad. I only have 1 ARC that I won in a contest and I would NEVER give it up.

I just really hope that it doesn't hurt the honest bloggers/reviewers out there.

May 29, 2010 at 4:15 PM  
Blogger Heather said...

People will do anything to get a buck even if it's something illegal. I think it's horrible that people are selling ARC's on eBay. They should be taken to court and should never be able to get ARCs from publishers or authors again.
Great post by the way!!!

May 29, 2010 at 4:29 PM  
Blogger ReaganStar said...

Well said and GREAT book related RANT no I was talking about you on my post but I had to highlight your wonderful post here through my blog.. Great job and 100% agree with you.

May 29, 2010 at 4:31 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Wonderful post, I am with Kris, I can't even read the posts, I will admit I am VERY jealous, especially of books I REALLY cant wait to get my hands on, but OMG to SELL an ARC? really, it's sad they say on them - NOT FOR SALE, even if these people who are selling are just "people" who went, they say DONT SELL them, that's no excuse. :( I am sad by the whole thing...

Wonderful thoughts!

May 29, 2010 at 4:32 PM  
Blogger Mary (Bookfan) said...

Wow, I'm in my third year of book blogging and it never once occurred to me to sell ARCs! I usually give them away to other bloggers or readers of my blog. I'm amazed that ebay would allow it! Shame on the people who do this and the people who buy them.

May 29, 2010 at 5:16 PM  
Blogger Natalie said...

Ugh. I completely agree with you. I wasn't able to afford BEA this year, but I would have loved to have gone. The fact that people are trying to make a buck off of free, promotional copies is ridiculous. And you're right: it's one of the reasons why ARC numbers are being reduced.

May 29, 2010 at 5:19 PM  
Blogger Alexia561 said...

Great discussion! I just hope that publishers don't decide to stop producing ARCs, as I think they're a great promotional tool. I haven't received very many ARCs in the past, so was thrilled I was able to make it to BEA this year! While the books were a great bonus, I was more excited to meet some of my favorite authors in person and get their autographs!

May 29, 2010 at 5:52 PM  
Blogger YzhaBella's BookShelf said...

Ugh! That's horrible! I am honoured to receive an arc! Personally, I choose to keep all of the arc's I receive for keepsakes. I think anyone who's using them to make a quick buck needs to take a look in the mirror and re-organize their moral code.

May 29, 2010 at 5:55 PM  
Blogger StephTheBookworm said...

That is so frustrating! Great post, Amy, and thanks for bringing this to our attention. It's really unethical and just plain wrong.

May 29, 2010 at 6:50 PM  
Blogger LuAnn said...

I totally agree. The few ARCs I've purchased have been ones that were donated to secondhand stores. I would never even think of buying one at close to full price, but 50 cents is reasonable and the money goes to a cause rather than into someone's pocket.

May 29, 2010 at 6:58 PM  
Blogger Holly said...

How is hoarding books better than getting them out to other readers??

May 29, 2010 at 7:21 PM  
Blogger Amy J said...

@Good Golly Miss Holly
Book reviewers are given ARCs to review and/or to pass on FOR FREE to other readers. We read it, we review it on our blog to share what a book is about or how it makes us feel. It is our choice to either keep it like we would do a book we purchased in Borders or such, or if we pass it to someone else. Our posted reviews are in a way sharing the book with other readers.

May 29, 2010 at 7:49 PM  
Blogger CHRISTIE said...

Awesome post! I wasn’t able to go to BEA and would love (love, love) to have an ARC of Matched. Will I buy the one on eBay? Heck no! I’m not going to pay a random eBay seller money for something an author worked months or more on. Those eBayers should be ashamed of themselves. I hope something can be done to stop the selling of ARCs.

May 29, 2010 at 7:59 PM  
Blogger Rebecca Chapman said...

So true. It's abusing the trust, and making fun of the book love out there in the community to resell books that were provided for free. Having said that, I don't have any objection to giving them away. As much as I think it's a bit rich reselling a book youve got for free, I also like sharing the book love around.

PS. Congrats on your one year blogoversary coming up. I am extremely jealous. I am coming up to my 1 year blogoversy and have 174 followers. I noticed that you have close to 700. That is amazing.

May 29, 2010 at 8:35 PM  
Blogger Chioma said...

Really great post!!! And I agree 100% its such an abuse of an authors hard work. I mean there are plenty of people who would have loved to go to BEA (me included),and would have done actually read and done the books justice. It really is just wrong to sell something that was given to you out of privledge and through an authors trust that you wont abuse the fact that they are giving away their hard work for free.

@GoodGollyMissHolly Hoarding??? Really. I doubt the person selling these things are thinking about anything more than making a quick buck, I even doubt they actually read these books. It is just an abuse of privelage.

Great Post!!! I am appalled to be hearing that this is actually happening.

May 29, 2010 at 9:06 PM  
Blogger Mitzi H. said...

I don't have a blog but am an avid blog follower and twice I've been fortunate to win an ARC...I Treasure Them...And would never ever consider selling my prize!!!

Shame on those that do!!!

May 29, 2010 at 9:34 PM  
Blogger ham1299 said...

Don't apologize for posting this! You are right-on! PISSES me - and clearly many others - off!

May 29, 2010 at 9:42 PM  
Anonymous Jen said...

Glad to see the word spreading like wildfire suddenly. My website actually started the respect ARC's campaign if you would like to be listed as a supporting site that would be awesome just snatch our button and send us an e-mail :)

May 29, 2010 at 10:17 PM  
Blogger Top2Bottom Reviews said...

Wonderful post, Amy!! Kudo's to you.

May 29, 2010 at 11:07 PM  
Blogger Gaby317 said...

I'd just heard about people selling their ARCs recently, which as you point out is unethical as well as illegal. I'm glad that you took the time to point this out and to get the discussion going. It might help rein in bad behavior!

Like Yzhabella, I feel like receiving an ARC is a bit of an honor, they trust you to read the book early and are willing to have you post your opinion out there. Help shape other readers' expectations of the book. Though there might be special circumstances, it's seems tacky to turn around and sell the book.

Personally, I keep the ARCs of the books that I really love. The other ARCs I swap, pass on, give away on my blog, or donate to my local library. I think that the library sells the books that they receive on their website, though.

I think that the publishers appreciate it if you get the book into the hands of another reader or blogger who will talk about the book. Help build the interest, since that's one key reason why they're distributing the ARCs in the first place.

May 30, 2010 at 4:14 AM  
Blogger Curling up by the Fire said...

I have been a book reviewer for a long time, although my blog is only several months old, and have been watching this going on for a long time too. Publishers have always encouraged readers to pass on for free books reviewers have received for review as it helps spread the word, but they get discouraged when these ARCs are found on eBay.

This is a great post!! Most of the book bloggers and reviewers are honest and treat ARCs with respect. It's too bad the few spoil it for all the rest.

May 30, 2010 at 9:01 AM  
Blogger Rachel said...

I so agree with you. To sell ARCs is unimaginably wrong in my book, for many reasons, including the fact that it actually lowers the value that many of us reviewers put on ARCs as priceless.

May 31, 2010 at 12:06 AM  
Blogger Zia said...

Great post and I couldn't agree with you more! I can't believe people would sell them. Very aggravating indeed.

May 31, 2010 at 9:58 AM  
Anonymous Notorious Spinks said...

Great post. Thanks for addressing. I didn't know or would think that people would do this. SMH...

May 31, 2010 at 12:32 PM  
Anonymous Carina said...

I agree - it never even would have occurred to me to sell ARCs, particularly ones that I got for free at a convention!

June 1, 2010 at 11:49 AM  
Blogger Candace said...

What a great post! I SO agree and it's so frustrating! I too live on the west coast and couldn't make it to BEA and I could just scream at the people who do that!

June 8, 2010 at 8:07 AM  

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