Category Archives: Books and Bookselling

Book collecting and bibliophily, and bookseller’s tales

One more flowerbed weeded out

Posted on September 29, 2002 by Marchbanks

Bouchercon is the mystery fen’s equivalent of Worldcon.  And this year it’s being held in AUSTIN!! Continue reading →

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Why doesn’t what a poet is like matter to his poetry?

Posted on July 31, 2002 by Marchbanks

The fact is, there’s no such thing as a poetic type. Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Bookselling | 8 Comments

Der Konzern, die Firma, der Haus das Krupp

Posted on July 25, 2002 by Marchbanks

The wonder was that the Krupps succeeded at all. Continue reading →

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Amusement == an articulate teenage girl in the house

Posted on July 15, 2002 by Marchbanks

I was treated to a highly entertaining rant on the nugacity of the “commentary” she was supposed to provide. Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Bookselling, Family | 10 Comments

Why I dislike long author inscriptions in books

Posted on June 23, 1998 by Marchbanks

My reason for preferring signature only is that I’m not Somebody, and am unlikely ever to be Somebody. Continue reading →

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How independent bookdealers have to pay attention

Posted on September 23, 1997 by Marchbanks

Book buyers are looking only at the state of their wallets, and going where they can get the lowest price.  It’s understandable, it’s reasonable—and it’s killing off the independents. Continue reading →

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Buy Low/Sell High

Posted on July 23, 1997 by Marchbanks

For every buy-at-$5-and-sell-at-$500 item he (or any of us) may handle, how many $20 volumes sit on the shelf and catch dust for years? Continue reading →

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