Thanks to the magic of Google alerts, I found out that an ARC (advance release copy) of CREEP was sold on eBay recently. Here a couple of screen shots:
What amazes me is not that the seller somehow got hold of a copy (I have no idea how many are floating around out there), but that somebody would actually pay $19.99 for it! Plus shipping! It’s not proofed, and the cover has a black banner across it reminding you of this. And yet someone thinks it’s worth twenty bucks? Wow! Why not wait till it comes out in July? The list price will be $23 (or $27 in Canada), but if you buy it at any of the major retailers, you’ll get it for cheaper than that.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered (I think?), but I personally can’t imagine paying for an ARC. Unless it’s a Stephen King book or something.
What do you think? Would you pay $20 for an advance release copy by a debut author?
(I’m thinking one of my friends must have bought it… ‘fess up! Was it you?)
Yikes! How odd. Flattering and FREAKY at the same time.
I agree – HUGE compliment. But creepy all the same. I'm a little worried too, about the entrepreneurship of some, when they actually sell an ARC they (presumably) received for free. Greedy, poor judgement skills, or just – clever? (I'm inclined to say all of the above, but with a negative emphasis on the latter – clever isn't always good when it technically robs you of at least one sale)
Yeah…weird. And no, as an author,I wouldn't have bought it. I don't believe in purchasing anything pirated.
It is flattering but also unnerving.
Ack. Can't you contact e-bay and get that person shut down? ARCs say right on them that they're not for resale. Sheesh.
I guess it's just another step towards credibility you're taking. It's not the first time I have seen ARCs on eBay, but usually it's for writers like Michael Cunningham or Dennis Lehane. Good work, you're moving on up!
Shouldn't the publisher be notified? Isn't that piracy? I'd be totally creeped out, and a little panicked I think.
Naw, I wouldn't buy it! I'd (and am) waiting for a brand new shiny edited copy!
Seems like nothing's sacred anymore … 🙁
Someone told me once that the best form of flattery is if someone tries to steal your work. I'm not sure I agree with them. I would definitely wait until the book is published
You know, I want to read your book something fierce BUT you get nothing from that sale! It's theft, and as much as I can't wait to read certain books, being a writer I would never want anyone taking money away from something I put so much work into. It's flattering that they want it that badly, but inconsiderate that they wouldn't respect you enough.
Wow. This person is not just stealing from you but making money off the theft (from my limited experience most pirates just post downloads of my book online). But at least on ebay theres only one copy and not a billion with a download.
Hey, think of it as really good press! Though I'd be pretty pissed that I didn't get anything from the sale. You should "shake" the seller for money! Send a little email asking how he got your book and threaten action. MWAH HA HA HA HA!
I would pay the twenty bucks for your book happily, but not unless you were getting your rightful cut!
Colene makes a good point. You should get something out of this sale! I don't think I'd ever buy an ARC. I'd much rather wait for the real thing!
I would DEFINITELY pay $20 dollars for YOUR book!! Heck make that $50! But in case you're wondering, no. It wasn't me who bought it! LOL.
((SIGH)) Just one more thing to worry about.
So sorry!!!!!!!
Although it is flattering, it's wrong and you won't see any money from that sale 🙁 I would never buy an ARC from someone. A reputable reviewer/reader would NEVER sell them either.
BUT like I said on fb, obviously you will be super famous and your ARCs will be worth a TON of money in the future ;p
I would definitely want to know how they obtained a copy! However…it would not have stopped me from buying it. Is this ad still up?lol
If I had seen it, it might have gone for MORE because I would have battled your friend out for it! Although I did prepay already for my copy so I would have had two, but I could have given the hard copy away as a contest! I would totally pay upwards of $19.99 to read your book NOW!
$20 for an authentic JH bootleg copy? I say it was a steal!
I am not the stalker!
Thanks for the comments, guys! I love how protective everybody is. 🙂
I'm really not bothered by the sale of the ARC, just genuinely flabbergasted that anyone would think it's worth $20. Because I'm like, nobody. You know what I mean? Makes no sense.
Soon that may change, they may be frontrunning that possibility? In any case, looking forward to the book's actual release (I did not buy it on Ebay). You think my new avatar is scary????
Wow! I would be stoked, actually, if this happened to me. I'm erring more on being flattered here.
Hey, I don't know if I mentioned this before Jen . . . but I'm really looking forward to your book! You're not doing a book signing in NYC at any point this year, are you?
Hey Jen! Long time no see 🙂
so, whoa…yeah. not really sure what to make of that. i mean, yes it's flattering, but also kind of upsetting that someone would take your work before it's release day and profit from it. I don't know, kinda sucks cause the thing is, that person is making money from it and your not. boo. i personally don't care for that kinda thing and i will gladly wait until the book comes out and PAY for it to support my fellow writer. How much longer, dude??? Soon, right? *mwa mwa* sorry i've mia, trying to get back into blogging since i'm a total Twitter FAIL 😀
Yep, I agree with almost everyone–flattering and creepy, all at once!
Weird! I can totally see someone wanting to get a sneak peek (I know I'm like the 50th person on this comment string to say I'm really looking forward to it). But I agree, it's a little upsetting this was all done without your permission. Flattering, yes.
I agree with Abby though, since you're going to be totally famous, that's extra motivation to buy it! It's good of you not to let it get under your skin. As for me, I will wait to buy my legit copy in July!
It's totally going to be worth scads of dough in a few years. Wish I'd seen it listed!
Oh, duh. NM. July this year. WOOT Can't wait!!!
You guys are waaaaay too nice!
You're all good people. 🙂
Nice to see you, Mel!
flabbergasted is a good word.
it's is flattering and weird and I can't believe people actually SELL ARC's like that. They should get busted.
but yay that it sold, haha. Hope they enjoy it 🙂
@ Nomes, haha, I just used that word on my blog post today 🙂
btw, Jen, I had to re-follow you cause for some reason, I was knocked off of everyone's following list. Guess blogspot got annoyed with my disappearance and did a little, "Yeah? Take that Danielson!"
When you become the next big thing, that person will have the uncorrected proof of your first published novel. That will be worth some money. Mayhaps the person doing the selling is not so bright.
It cracks me up that people sell them, even though they usually come with warnings all about how they aren't for sale, etc etc.
But hey! It's good to know people want your book!
I, for one, am looking forward to reading it. Though I apologize because I'm not willing to pay for an ARC…Sorry. 🙂
I once found a copy of the UK version of my first book on Amazon.com from a secondary seller for $300. I wrote and asked what was going on. The next day it was gone, but it still creeped me out, so I did some investigating. I found out when a book is "rare" they charge what they think the market will bear.
I guess an ARC is by definition "rare," which explains the price. Still, it's kind of cool. They're betting that somebody will be really eager to read you.