BellaOnline Forums Career Nonfiction Writing Handling Old Version Books

What do you do with "old" versions of your self-published books - ones with a few typos in them? Do you sell them? Recycle them?

Hi Lisa,

I would say it depends on the subject matter. If they are on a topic that is timeless, I'd edit them again and recycle them into something new, or sell them again.

If, on the other hand, they are on topics that change fast, I would
take out any information you may be able to use in the future and let the rest go.

Just my two cents : -)

Have a great weekend,

Bluedolphin

Bluedolphin -

I probably didn't ask the question clearly enough .

I mean if you have actual books in your house, of old versions of your content.

Say I have my book Seeking the Truth. Back in 2011 I released version 1. I'm now probably up to version 9. In my house I have copies of version 1, version 2, version 3, etc. in paperback. I wouldn't want to sell those now because they had typos I fixed in later versions.

What do I do with those old versions of the paperback books?

Thank you for clarifying Lisa,

I would call local cancer centers, hospitals and nursing homes. Many times they are in need of books and the people who read them are very happy to have them, so they typos will probably not be a problem.

While I was going through my various cancer experiences, I found a lot of people and their family members really wanted books to read and there were not very many available.

That's my only suggestion. : - )

Bluedolphin -

I would normally think about donation - but the concern is that many of those readers might then post reviews on Amazon. If they post reviews that the book is full of typos and errors, it's going to permanently damage your ability to sell going forward. People will see those one-star ratings and not necessarily read anything else to see you've since updated it. Especially if it's a current-date review because this reader got their hands on a 3-year-old book.

Lisa,

I understand your concerns. However, people who are very ill and their families tending to them in hospitals and the like do not post reviews. Their life is truly different.

Why are you asking this question?

If you are worried about bad reviews from old books, then just destroy them.

Dear Bluedolphin -

Hmmm ... I know a number of people who are bedridden and who adore reading and hanging out on Amazon. Maybe we have different groups of friends, to have such different experiences.

I have at least 20 books here in the house that are old versions of my novels.

I'd rather not destroy them, though. The books are pretty .

It might not be the best option, but I would suggest printing an eye-catching form of some sort with an brief explanation that this copy is a previous version of the book and subsequent print runs have any and all errors corrected. If the form is eye-catching, it won't be glossed over as simply part of the book. Then, paste this short form into the front matter of each of the books you want to use or give away.

That's an interesting idea, Glenda - I'll think about that!

Here was one of my ideas - turn the books into hidey-hole gifts .