I was browsing in Waterstones (UK bookstore) and I noticed Lee Child’s “Killing Floor”. I’ve always wanted to get into the series so I thought I’d give it a go.
Immediately I was annoyed by the sticker on the front cover talking about how “Reacher” is now on Prime Video – but I thought, no biggie, I can just peel off this eye sore.
I get home only to discover after I’ve peeled the sticker off that the same thing is actually printed on the book underneath.
Are they actively trying to piss me off? Why do publishers do this?
For many, physical products are a source of pride, and having a ghastly sticker (and now printed on) is just an eye sore that will only grow more obtuse as the years go on and “Reacher” the TV show is not in the public eye anymore.
Just stop it.
by Scofield442
5 Comments
Not to mention the message “Don’t read, go watch TV”.
I suspect publishers probably make a deal with the film/show producers or whoever is in charge of it, and are getting paid to do just that so that people in the shop or you can’t get rid of the reminder that it’s now available to watch. They don’t want to leave any chance of people missing this information. It’s not a problem for either of them if you’re now angry after buying it. The publisher has got the money and the adaptation will get a little extra publicity, even if you now resell or donate the book.
>Why do publishers do this?
Because it pulls in more casual readers AND does double duty as advertising for the TV show.
You and people like you/us, OP, are not the target audience for these kinds of things.Â
Reprints, especially of older books and double-especially books that have been adapted, are being aimed squarely at people who have never even heard of thr book, but are aware of the show. They are trying to grab non-readers, or different genre readers.Â
Same with every “movie poster” cover on a reprint. These are built to grab the person walking past the aisle at Target (or your preferred UK department store), not the existing audience.Â
I worked at a bookstore for years during the original Lord of the Rings film releases. I saw this in action for three solid years, with new covers every year. Regular readers would buy the nicer editions built for bookshelves, but we sold a lot of movie covers to the uninitiated.Â
While I mostly agree, I used to sometimes enjoy picking up decades-old second-hand books and finding a “Now a major motion picture” blurb for a film which had been and gone 20 years earlier.
There’s a touch of Ozymandias about it.