What Do Authors Think About Buying Used Books?

We asked four of our favorite authors for their opinions on buying used.

Published by Renee Powers, Mar. 14, 2024

It comes as no surprise that readers are some of the most thoughtful consumers. We care about the publishing industry and we especially care about the authors themselves. The best way to support an author is to pre-order their upcoming releases. This indicates to the publisher that there is demand for a book or author and they can use this early buzz to help determine their marketing budget. However, the gold standard is not the only way to support an author you love.

If you’ve pondered the ethics of buying books, you may have considered whether buying secondhand books is a helpful way to support an author. After all, the author doesn’t earn any sort of royalties or financial cut of secondhand sales and writers can’t afford to give away their books for free. Yet the used bookstore maintains the profit of their sales and the authors don’t see a cent. You might be wondering, if we want to see our favorite authors succeed, how do used books help the author at all? 

I’ve wondered about this myself, so I went directly to the source: the authors themselves! Here are a few of my favorite authors in their own words.

"As an author who loves perusing used bookstores, I find a little magic and even serendipity in wondering who held this book, bent its pages before me. What is their life story? I own several precious vintage novels with delicate sepia-tinted pages that I treasure, and that hold a permanent place on my nightstand. In the author community there are mixed feelings, of course, because we don't receive royalties from used bookstore sales, but new books can be pricey – hence the beauty of a library and discounts etc. My hardcore belief is in the 'book karma' factor. If a used book buyer loves your work, your stories, they will tell their friends and family, and it all comes full circle."

– Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author of Woman on Fire

I love that Lisa Barr acknowledges that some authors may not publicly embrace buying and selling their books on the secondhand market, but she brings up a great point about the price of brand-new books. Everyone should be able to own books, regardless of their socioeconomic situation. Andrea Bartz expands on this a little bit more:

Andrea and Lisa both point out that it all adds up eventually. If you love a book, no matter how you acquired it, tell someone! In Lisa’s words, this is just good book karma. When you purchase an author’s book from a used bookstore, that sale may not be reported to the New York Times, but it likely has even more impact through word of mouth. How many of us get our book recommendations from friends, family, or even folks we follow on social media? Your endorsement can influence more buyers, more readers, and more fans. That’s exactly what authors need to continue writing! Authors gain new readers through secondhand books, it’s that simple. Without new readers being introduced to their work, their audience is stagnant. While there may not be a direct line between the sale of a used book and the author’s earnings, the indirect reach of a book purchased secondhand is sprawling.

"I have to say I absolutely love used bookstores - both as a reader and as an author. I love reading a book that has been well loved and poured over - hands on the margins and breath on the page. Books are meant to be read and shared, and used bookstores allow them to continue on their journey."

- Kelly Barnhill, Newbery Medal winning author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Kelly reminds us that there is something so deeply special about thrifted books. It’s the story behind the book, not just within the book. More than anyone, authors recognize how important books are and deeply respect the experience of reading and sharing books with others. This is what makes Pango so special, too. When you sell a book on Pango, you’re sharing your reading experience with someone else and celebrating the author. And when you purchase a book on Pango, don’t be surprised if your book comes with a handwritten note from the seller! The act of secondhand book buying is deeply rooted in community, care, and shared experiences, for our fellow readers and for the stories within the pages. 

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