The VERY Best way to Go Out of Print!!!
The sad thing was a letter I got in the mail, informing me that my first novel, Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains, was going out of print in hardcover. This was awful to read. My little book, which took me 10 years to write, was dying (at least in hardcover) after a short two year run. My poor book!
But the letter went on to explain that before the boxes of books sold to “remainder” at auction (so that they might go to live at Big Lots or somewhere equally magical, if not to a chipper. Eek!), I would be able to buy some copies. As many as I wanted. VERY CHEAPLY!
Hmmm…
This got me thinking about all the emails I’ve been getting all fall, about how RIF is having its funding cut, and about how libraries are being closed, and about how some kids have little-to-no books in the home. So I asked how many books they had in the warehouse. They told me about 800 copies were left. 800 copies. Only 800?
So I did something INSANE! I pulled out my credit card and bought every last book. EVERY SINGLE COPY!
Ever wonder what 800 books looks like, in the back of a Honda Oddyssey? It looks like this!
Indeed, you CAN fit 800 books, 2 small kids, and all your groceries (up front) in a mini-van. But you’ll ride REAL LOW!
So then, once I had the books, I took them to some friends of mine.
First, and most importantly, I took a lot of books to Joe Davich, at the INCREDIBLE Georgia Center for the Book, at the Decatur Library. He offered to help the books find homes in libraries across the state, so that I wouldn’t have to pay shipping costs to get my books into the hands of readers.
YAY, JOE! Not only did he accept the books, and help them find a home, he put up with my adorable kids taking his picture and “helping” him. Which went something like this:
Don’t worry, I helped too!!!
After we finished “helping” Joe, we headed over to the best bookstore in the universe, Little Shop of Stories, where Diane Capriola (because devoted indie bookstore owners don’t have enough to do) had generously offered to store and deliver another few hundred copies for me, to a wonderful 4th grade class, so that the kids could all have a book to take home for the holidays. Yay, Glenwood Academy!!! (and yay, Diane!)
(Seriously, I can’t imagine this town without Diane and Dave and Krista and everyone else at LSOS)
Finally, I was down to a few boxes, so I ran by the elementary schools in my own neighborhood, and dropped off copies with some awesome media specialists. They were all about as friendly and nice as they could possibly be. I promised to go back and visit soon, at Toomer Elementary and Parkside Elementary and Burgess Elementary and the Neighborhood Charter school too!
And so now I’m done. The car is empty, and the money is spent, but the books… the books… the books are where I wanted them to be all along. From the moment I began writing. The books are with kids.
Because some bookshelves look like this.
And they really don’t need to.
This spring I’m going to sit down and try to think of a way to help other authors do what I’ve done. I have in mind a matching program, to pair donors and authors up, to buy books at hugely reduced rates, and then coordinate the gift through a library system or school that would handle distribution.
This cost me a lot of money, but when I think of 800 books getting into the hands of kids who don’t have enough access to books, it feels like it cost me almost nothing.
And if I can only find a clever accountant to help me write some of this off, I’ll do it all again the NEXT time I go out of print.
I can hardly wait!!!!
December 13th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Are you going to be going into print in softcover? Because I have never heard of your book, but now I want to read it, because anyone who wants to help get kids books is OK in my book!
December 13th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I’m sorry to hear your book is out of print… but WOW! That was an incredible thing you did. So impressed. You rock!
December 13th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
So great! I love this!
December 13th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Very cool! I love this story AND your idea of helping other authors do the same thing with their books.
December 13th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Now I’m torn between wishing that every book stays in print for ever, and that every book goes out of print soon.
You’re the most amazing person, because pulling this off must have been a bit of a logistical nightmare. But, oh, what a case of the warm fuzzies you have given me.
December 13th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
First, hugs. Second, very classy. Brava!
Finally, are you familiar with the Authors Guild Back in Print program: http://www.backinprint.com/
December 13th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Very impressive!! Wow, not only did you use your credit card, but tons of sweat equity. Happy Happy Holidays!
December 13th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Best holiday story EVER!
December 13th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Awesome way to give back. I always looking for new authors to read… I hope you go back into print because I would love to support you!!!!
December 13th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Wow! Words can not express just how wonderful you are. This is a Pay it Forward moment that will come back to you ten fold! Way to go!
December 13th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
What a wonderful thing you did! I love this story about sharing and generosity.
December 13th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Laurel…what a FANTASTIC idea! I’m sure my time is coming (paperback’s coming out in March, no idea what that does to hardcover sales but I bet it’s not good) so I’ll check in with you when it does. At the very least, maybe your Georgia guy could connect me with someone in Maine, where I know there are empty bookshelves all over the place.
You rock, Laurel.
December 13th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Ah! Been wondering about the nuts and bolts of this adventure since you bought up the books. How inspiring and cool that you did this (and so smoothly!); it’s going to be impossible whenever i get my next remainder letter (tick-tick-tick) not to think carefully and proactively about next steps. Thanks so much for this story– and like many others, I’m very curious to read Up and Down the Scratchy Mountain myself.
December 13th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Wow, this is so amazing! I love finding positives in bad situations. I think it just takes a little creativity to turn any disappointment into a wonderful thing–and you REALLY proved my point! Fantastic job! I’m an aspiring writer and sometimes I get really down when I think about the many ways to “fail” as a writer, even as a published writer. This makes me feel SO much better. Thank you!
December 13th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Dear everyone,
Thanks for your support. Yay!
But also, seriously, authors, EMAIL ME IF YOU GO OOP! I think I’m going to make this a “project.” I might be able to match you to funding, so that you can do this without going out of pocket! Between the Centers for the Book nationwide, and the network of philanthropies in this country, we should be able to do a classroom library for like 100 bucks, if authors get on board!
December 13th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Such a lovely story (and gracious donation, on your part). Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous.
December 13th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
You are awesome.
December 13th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
This is why you ave been for years continue to be one of my most very favorite people. This seems like an idea that needs some spreading. Let me know if there is anything I can do as a librarian (albeit not a library employee). I’ve got contacts, though!
December 13th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
What a fantastic and generous thing to do! And an inspiring example! I would love to be able to do the same if (when?) that happens to me. And I will definitely spread the word to anyone else I know with a book going OOP.
December 13th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
I love this so much!
December 13th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
This is a wonderful thing you have done. I wish you luck on your matching program.
December 13th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Needless to say, I’m more than a little proud and impressed…..particularly by the photos of my grandsons learning at an early age to do things like this. What a great post, Laurel. You do indeed rock.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
This is totally awesome, Laurel! If you get that program going, I’d love to be part of it. And it really *sucks* (eloquent author language) to have your wonderful book go out of print.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
What a great story Laurel. I LOVE IT.
I like your idea of a matching program for books. Tell me more!! (It reminds me of what American philanthropist Harold Grinspoon created for Jewish summer camps)A Matching program. Matchmaker matchmaker find me a book, Give me a nook, By hook or by crook. Let me read all night and read into morn, and perhaps I shall be reborn! Oh pages give me some stories Oh artists give me paint and some glue, Oh writers it woudn’t matter if you were to send me to Kalamazoo….Match maker match maker find me a book….(you know the tune)
December 13th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I’d never heard of you or your lovely book (am going searching right after I post this) but a) you made me cry, b) you made me a fan, and c) you just made me make a self-promise that I do solemnly swear to do this as well if I am ever in the same place. You are made of awesome!
December 13th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Did you see that the KIPP school which burned down needs books? Might slide them a copy or two:
http://www.kippmetroatlanta.org/
December 13th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Reading this just made my whole week. You are awesome – and if there’s anything I can do at all to help this get off the ground in an ever bigger way, say the word. I have a lot of teachery friends, so I might be of use if you want to expand this awesome idea you had.
Well done. Truly.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
That is so awesome! I’m sure the kids will appreciate them!
December 13th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Oh man. Jennifer Laughran retweeted this post and I had to click on the link. And I have to tell you… there is something so magical and wonderful about what you’ve done. I literally had to wipe the tears away. Thank you for taking initiative and truly, for writing for all the right reasons– for the kids.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
You’re amazing. This is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard of. What a gift you gave, not just as a writer in creating the book but by sharing it the best way you know how. Bravo!
December 13th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Just finished your book Penny Dreadful and came on Twitter to see your blog. What a absolutely amazing idea. I teach fifth grade and have taught for 14 years. I can tell you there is a huge advantage to children who have books or access to books. I love that you took a situation that could have brought you down and turned it into something positive. If you ever need help in Illinois I’d be happy to assist.
Great job!
December 13th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Laurel – What a wonderful present you just gave to so many!!!! Thank you. If you ever need help passing on books, I know a lot of kids in California that are short on books!
December 13th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Brilliant. : )
December 13th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Hi Laurel!
I giggled as I read this piece and send congrats for your altruism. I, too, rescued one of my books, TEN LITTLE WISHES, from remainder heaven. I bought all the copies, sent many into the hands of children without home libraries, and the rest are resisting mildew atop a credenza in my garage. I would love to help with an initiative to save books from shredders.
Happy holidays.
Andrea
December 14th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Laurel,
Did you ever get into (or talk the publisher into) putting it up at Amazon as an E-book for Kindle or one of the other e-vendors? There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. (Both for you and your publisher)
John
December 14th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Wow! How inspiring! “The car is empty, and the money is spent, but the books… the books… the books are where I wanted them to be all along. From the moment I began writing. The books are with kids.”
What a great idea, and what a great attitude you have.
I’m sorry to hear Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains is going out of print (in hardcover), I love that book.
December 14th, 2010 at 8:01 am
What a mitzvah!!! I continue to be impressed by your inner beauty and the myriad of ways it shines.
December 14th, 2010 at 10:14 am
This is such a fantastic thing to do! I know that all of those kids will enjoy it! I hope other authors follow your lead. For any PA authors – I run PAYA: Bring YA to PA and we can ALWAYS use books like this. We distribute them to schools, libraries, and organizations all over Pennsylvania.
But anyway, kudos to you! This just goes to prove that there really are some amazing, caring people left!
December 14th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Great story! I’m definitely going to remember this!
December 14th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
So inspiring! Magical really. If I ever have a book published that then goes out of print, I know what to do!
December 14th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Beautiful story. So glad you shared your story with us.
This is truly a story of healing – out of the darkness and into the light. You are helping me recast my own life at this very moment, from feeling mostly fear to birthing the opportunities will be present.
Wonderful reminder!
Thank you
December 14th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Laurel, you are amazing!
And your lovely editor would like remind everyone that the delightful UP AND DOWN THE SCRATCHY MOUNTAINS is available in paperback and as an eBook–so do not despair!
December 14th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Wonderful story. I’m an ex-commission rep and faced a similar problem when I retired—what to do with about 2,500 children’s books. There is a wonderful organization in the Cincinnati, OH area called Crayons to Computers whose mission is to collect donations of every kind of school supply including books to distribute free of charge to teachers at any of the neediest school in a three state area. Since 1997 C2C has ditributed approximately $77 million worth of books, pencils, paper, globes, etc. to area schools with limited budgets. So, C2C received my books plus several cash donations as well, a truly wonderful organization. This is an award-winning charity which serves as a model for the rest of the country. Their address is Crayons to Computers, 1350 Tennessee Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, and phone 513-482-3290, Shannon Carter, Director.
December 14th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Hi Laurel,
What you did was wonderful – I would love to help with your idea! My brother and I have a nonprofit for children’s literacy called Breaking the Chain (www.linkbylink.org) which I founded 3 and 1/2 years ago and for the past year we have been focusing on our Bookin’It program which puts new books in high-need elementary schools around the country. A couple of people on twitter who we’ve given books to are @alybee930 and @ms_norris. We would buy the discontinued books from the authors and distribute them at the schools. One hundred percent of the money we raise goes toward buying the books and getting them to the kids.
You’re the best!
December 14th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
This is a great posting. I liked it so much. I am glad you found good homes for your books. Now you can offer your book on Amazon perhaps as an e-book OR offer them to buy one at a time with instant publishing.
I am putting this posting on Twitter today because I think lots of people need to hear this story. Oh – and your book is SO cute!
December 14th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
That is dedication, L-Diddy.
December 14th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
You’re amazing! Thank you so much for doing this. We grew up really poor, but in a house full of books, and I credit that for a large part of me getting to be the first one in my family to go to college (my younger siblings now have too!), and the job that followed. Most of the kids I went to school with didn’t have books at home, and they weren’t so lucky. Our school had one day a year when a wealthy school would bring the results of their book drive over, and give us one book each, and I remember how even the tough kids – who were too cool to get excited normally – would totally wig out over getting a book of their own. We all used to write our name inside the cover right away! The sort of thing you’re doing could make all the difference – or begin to – in some kid’s life. Be so, so very proud of that.
December 14th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I LOVE YOU!! What an awesome awesome thing to do! talk about making lemonade!
December 14th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
What a fantastic story!! I love your bottom line that the books are being read by kids which is what you wanted in the first place
Did I mention that now I simply must read this book!??
December 14th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Laurel,
You are incredible! I love this blog post! And the photos too!
Great story, thank you!
December 16th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
I love it! Good on you.
December 20th, 2010 at 1:45 am
[...] Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains, was going out of print after two years, or as she says: “This is a story about something that started out sad, but then ended up happy!” Laurel writes: This got me [...]
December 21st, 2010 at 2:02 am
[...] Random House, explaining that my first children’s novel, Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains, was going out of print in hardcover. The warehouse was writing to see if I was interested in purchasing copies of my book, at a deep [...]
December 21st, 2010 at 6:46 am
Hi! Read this fantastic story in Publishing Perspectives this morning. Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration.
December 23rd, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I LOVE YOU!! What an awesome awesome thing to do! talk about making lemonade!
December 27th, 2010 at 9:25 am
What a great story! And I love that the boys are helping and got a 3D lesson in the importance of books (not that they wouldn’t get this at home anyway).
December 27th, 2010 at 11:17 am
This is a wonderful story. Now you should write a book about that! I only now got Inside the Slidy Diner for my children for Christmas. It is a beautiful story. And now I wish I could have Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains! Thank you,
Maryl
December 29th, 2010 at 2:34 am
This is a wonderful story. Now you should write a book about that! I only now got Inside the Slidy Diner for my children for Christmas. It is a beautiful story. And now I wish I could have Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains! Thank you, Maryl
February 24th, 2014 at 7:09 am
[...] Laurel Snyder’s blog post about Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains (and the very best way to g… [...]
March 4th, 2014 at 5:11 pm
So much wonderful. I would love to help any author get books to kids. those empty shelves are so sad. Very inspiring!
March 5th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
You. Rock. And you don’t need a clever accountant. This should definitely be deductible! My first trade book just went out of print, but there were only about 110 copies left, which they split between the illustrator and me. Love your story of book love and generosity!
August 20th, 2015 at 9:45 pm
[...] Even before your book is out in the wild, you’ll need an author bio. Heather Hummel has 10 tips on how to write an author bio. And if your book eventually goes out of print, Laurel Snyder shows us an awesome way to go out of print. [...]