Ain't Too Proud to Beg

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Well, folks, the holiday season is upon us. And what better way to celebrate than to catch up on all the recent news in publishing.

On second thought, no, don't do it. It'll suck all the comfort and joy right out of you.

Ah, hell, okay I'll tell you. But it ain't pretty. Publisher's Weekly is calling it "Black Wednesday" due to all of the massive layoffs today at major publishing houses.

I've only been an author for a little under a year. But I've been a lover of books since I was too young to read. Books have entertained, informed, enlightened, amused, and comforted me through every stage of my life. And I hate to see what's happening to the great people who make these amazing stories available to the world.

So I have a proposition. Instead of dwelling on the bad news coming out of New York, let's take action. And by action, I mean a little thing I like to call: BUY SOME FREAKIN' BOOKS DAY!

Buy books for everyone on your holiday gift list. Buy a book for yourself to celebrate just being alive. Get a new book for your kid just because they ate all their vegetables. Make up any reason, just do it.

The career you save may belong to your favorite author. Or that author's brilliant editor. Or that brilliant editor's fantastic assistant. Or the amazing designer who create that kick ass cover. Or the hard-working sales people who pitched your favorite book to the book store you love. Or the truck driver who drove that book from the warehouse to your favorite book store. The list goes on and on. But if everyone bought one book today, or hell, this week, maybe some people will avoid the unemployment line.

Naive? Maybe. Do it anyway.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I don't need a reason to buy a book... hence I bought 3 on my lunch break! (psst - I also live in NYC) I however am all for Buy a freaking Book Day --- it will just justify my purchase --- its a worthy cause.
December 3, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Anonymous said…
Yay Marnie. Of course you're right that most of the League readers are already voracious readers. Still I felt like it was better to encourage action rather than wallow.
December 3, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Anonymous said…
**applause**
December 3, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Anonymous said…
I bought one yesterday, to go with the two I bought last weekend. :)
December 3, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Anonymous said…
I bought two books today, and plan on buying at least one more this week.

I like the quote from Erasmus (paraphrasing) When I have money I buy books, if any is left over I buy food.

Books are a necessity for me.

Michelle
December 3, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Anonymous said…
Everyone on my list has gotten a book (or two). And I have a nice long list for me too.
December 3, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Anonymous said…
Excellent! I knew we had smart readers here.
December 3, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Anonymous said…
I was already planning my next allowance and what books I was going to buy. Typically I'm a library slut but adding new titles to the shelf satisfies me in ways chocolate can never attain.
December 3, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Anonymous said…
Pretty much everyone is getting at least one book. I am in a Secret Santa exchange...books, DH is getting two books, Lady K is getting books out the wahzoo, I gave myself books as a present to me because I want to and I deserve it. = ) Nephews...books. My sister and my dad are getting another year of a mystery book a month from my favorite little mystery bookstore, High Crimes in Boulder, even if it is only virtual now.
December 4, 2008 at 6:25 PM
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