Why I want my books sold in used stores and for it to be shared among friends

Buying used books or borrowing books appears to be a controversial issue. I have read quotes, blogs, etc. from several writers who feel betrayed when a person buys a book used instead of buying it new off the shelf or online. As writers, we earn our living from royalties of books bought new. Without the new sales, we lose. It is essential to our lively hood to sell our books for profit. So yes, I want people to read my book that they have bought from a book store or online, I want the royalties. I want to do well.

I do not, however, want the royalties so badly that I have an issue with those who buy it second hand or borrow it.

Many, or even most of you, especially writers, will disagree with this thought, and that is okay. I am happy enough with myself that a little controversy does not send me into a fit of depression. I realize each of us have different views, values, and opinions. So, feel free to disagree.

The reasons I write are:

• I love telling a story
• I enjoy escaping into a fantasy world and get a thrill out of creating my own fantasy world, fictional characters who become my family and creating the outcome of situations, something I can not do in real life.
• It is fun seeing how a character will develop and where the book takes them
• I want to make a living selling my work
• I want others to be touched, entertained, or open their mind by something I have created
• I believe reading is a necessity in life for children, young adults, and older adults. It strengthens the mind, encourage free thinking, touches lives, allows escape from reality for hours in a safe, healthy way

I am from rural West Virginia where economy is slower than large cities. Many families are enduring hardships dues to lost jobs, layoffs and illness. I personally have dealt with poverty and know it is truly heartbreaking. When faced with financial hardship, it is often an act of faith to have a loaf of bread and peanut butter on the table. There isn’t money available to purchase a $12 or $25 book. The price of a new hard back book would provide a family of four with a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, a gallon of milk, a small bottle of laundry detergent and a pack of toilet paper. If given a choice, a parent will choose the needs of the family over a book. With that choice, the person has two other choices: not read or read a book that is bought for $1.00 second hand or borrow a book. I would much rather my novel be read without me receiving a profit because it was bought second hand or borrowed, than for a person to not be able to read it.

So what if I lose money? Yes, writing is about the money, but for me, it is about so much more. I want people to read my work and if the only way they can is to borrow it or buy it for $1.00 then so be it. Yeah, profit is awesome and wonderful, but even more fulfilling is knowing I am touching lives.

If I ever get to a point in my writing career where the money is more important that wanting my work to be read, I will stop writing.