If you know me, you’ll probably know one the things I like to complain the most about is lack of originality. These days, everything seems like a remake, a sequel, or based off of something else. Where did the new ideas go?
But I’m not here today to talk about the lack of new stories. We actually have quite a bit of those these days if you look past archetypes. And we’re certainly not lacking new books.
But sometimes I wonder where are the new books. I know they exist but imagine my shock when I found out half of the ARCs I requested from NetGalley were published once before.
It’s one thing if a book was originally independently published and then aquired by a publisher. It’s one thing if a book was first published overseas or in a different language. But it’s different when a book was published by a smaller imprint is being published again by a larger one.
I guess publishers have reasons to republish published books. For one, if they are aquiring the novel, the novel would already be relatively well done. There will be less editing to do and less packaging to complete.
I guess another reason would be that publishers are looking to make the most money they possibly can. I can’t blame them. They paid money to aquire a novel and maybe even signed a contract with the author for sequels. They spent a lot f money marketing the book and promoting. If the book didn’t do so well, I can see why they would want to try agian.
Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate seeing books being published agian. They always have the chance to reach a new audiene that way. But it’s just really fustrating to pick up a book all excited to read it only to learn that it’s an old book that’s been repackaged.
Another problem I have with this practice of recycling books is that many times where the “recycling” happens only a year or less after the original publication. If they’re trying to make up for a huge mishap and author controversy, publsihers have to wait a little longer for the memory of the scandal to die down.
But what’s more concerning is the shift of thinking. Before I only used to hear about brand new books. Books no one outside the industry has had a chance to read yet. But now, there are so many books that are being recycled. I’m just worried that one day, publishers will start looking more and more at failed or less popular publications instead of actively seeking new ones.
What do you think?
Do you know of any books that are being recycled?
How do you feel about them?
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