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How did you find that book? Where? How can I get one? Page 1 of 1 | ||||
Make a list of all the books you have and always carry it with you when you go shopping.
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I ended my last article with a reminder about checking unlikely sites. I'm going to expand on that. But, first I want to remind you to make a list of the books that you have, and keep a list of what versions. CARRY IT WITH YOU! That list will prevent you from buying a second copy of an anthology, or that nice paperback. I am at the point where my list is several pages of tiny print long. I include pages for Anthologies, magazines, audio tapes and 'stuff'.
I have made a code that reminds me what versions I have (even if I don't have the whole edition notebook with me). Hence:
Dashes link the specifics for a single book, and plus signs indicate different books. If I string these all together I come up with H-1-J-S+UK-J-S+B+P-1+ for Hard cover, first edition in Jacket signed by Norton, plus UK edition in jacket signed by Norton, plus Book Club edition, Plus Paperback first edition, and the final plus indicates that I have a reading copy. |
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Wherever you go, check for books.
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Where do I find books?
Anywhere that books are. If I'm in the Salvation Army store, I check the books. If I'm at a tag sale, I check the books. If I'm in a library, I look for the perpetual book sale. I once found a copy of STAND TO HORSE for 25 cents at a library book sale. It was pretty tattered, X-library, no spine, lots of tape, BUT it did have the complete text. I check newspapers for Library book sales, and tag sales. I look for listings of book sales, sales at regional festivals, and joined my local library's 'Friends of the Library' just so I could volunteer at the local book sale. |
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Check out Locus and Science Fiction Chronicle for lists of new books and book signings.
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I subscribe to both Locus and Science Fiction Chronicle. These are both science fiction news magazines. These list new books and book signings. From these I get a preview of when to look for the next Andre Norton book. I subscribed to a specialized magazine, listing book sales and Auctions around the country. [Address and subscription price at the end of this article.]
I make frequent visits to at least two new and two used book stores. I go to as many of the regional Science Fiction Conventions as possible. At some of these I only go to the dealer's room. [The Star Trek, and other Television related conventions don't usually have books for sale.] Lists of conventions can also be found in Locus and Science Fiction Chronicle. I try to stay on a few book dealer catalogue lists, even if I have to pay for the service. The catalogues from these dealers contain information on books, even books that have already been sold, that can be used to identify what I already own. These are becoming a thing of the past. The cost for printing these is getting so that dealers prefer the electronic versions. Any place that sells antiques may have a few books tucked in a corner. Comic dealers may carry some magazines. |
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If you feel like driving into the country in search of books do so. Be sure, however, to always phone the dealer first.
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I had, for several years, made Sunday drives into the country. I had a copy of the Connecticut Book Dealers Association listing. Whenever I felt like a weekend drive, I'd phone one of the listings. Once I got there, I'd ask them if XYZ books was still in the area, and make the next phone call. ALWAYS phone first. The book dealer business is pretty tricky, sometimes a dealer works out of their own home with strange hours, and sometimes a long drive will end at a beautiful building, currently housing a dance school.
I've found copies of Andre Norton books on the back shelves (and behind shelves) in a book store. Don't forget to check the Children's section. Most of Andre Norton books might be catalogued as Children's, and not Science Fiction. Today there is a whole new forum for book sales; the Internet. There are the new on-line book stores, where you can make purchases without ever talking to a human. I have found several book dealers have their own web sites, are selling books through ABE books or Amazon, and can be reached via E-mail. What follows is a partial list: Book dealers that know me, and don't see their E-mail or Web sites here, please forgive me, some of my information is on paper, and not on my computer.
I have E-mail addresses for several Book Stores that don't put their catalogues on web pages. I've also just gotten an issue of Book Source Monthly. They have a new page for on-line bookshops, as well as their lists of auctions. Book Source Monthly is published monthly for $15.00 per year (or $21 for first class). Book Source Monthly, P.O. Box 567, Cazenovia, NY 13035-0567. I have tried, once only, the Ebay web auction service. Unfortunately I was outbid at 20:00 on a Sunday, and didn't see the E-mail until the next day. I've spoken to one dealer who is happy using this service. I spoke to another dealer who was about to put a book on Ebay, who admitted that she liked to make her only bid just as the bidding was about to be over. I also found the bidding system to be a bit strange. If you want to try it: http://www.ebay.com |
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