# When will it be in paperback? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 7, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019 "2004-06-07T00:42:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/1 "2004-06-07T00:42:52Z")
I almost put this in GQ! Anyway; Is there a way to find out when a recent novel will be released in paperback? I read quite a lot of fiction, but mostly while in a cafe, etc. Hard covers are just too much trouble to deal with. I’m waiting for _The Da Vinci Code_ by thr way. I do always buy new, out of respect for all you struggling (get a _job_) writers out there. 😉 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/2 "2004-06-07T00:45:50Z")
Have you tried the publisher’s website (assuming it has one)? Or perhaps [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com)? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/3 "2004-06-07T00:48:35Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Have you tried the publisher’s website (assuming it has one)? Or perhaps [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com)? I tried Amazon. They can get a special editition for sixty bucks. Maybe. I’ve never heard of that! ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/4 "2004-06-07T01:26:59Z")
It’s not going to be out in paperback until it falls off the bestseller lists; the publisher is gonna get every penny it can. The amount of time it takes a book to reach paperback varies. If it’s not particularly popular, it can be released in paperback as soon as six months. Usually it seems to be around a year for most books. To get _The DaVinci Code_, you best bet is it check Amazon when it’s no longer a best seller and you should see a reasonably priced paperback edition pop up. I once emailed Amazon to ask if there was a way I could be notified when certain hard backs were released in paperback and they didn’t have a system like that set up. So now I just put books on my wish list and then go back periodically to see if they’ve been released in paperback. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/5 "2004-06-07T01:33:00Z")
Thanks, **tremorviolet**. I’ll do that. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/6 "2004-06-07T02:07:53Z")
For info on when books will appear in paperback, I suggest checking the trade magazines for the publishing industry. I read an article a couple of months ago in one of them which said that Doubelday had no plans for a mass market paperback release in North America since the hardcover had sold 7.2 million copies and was still selling strong. There will be a special illustrated version in trade paperback this fall, similar to what they did with Seabiscuit. The book is already available in paerback overseas, in [asia](http://global.yesasia.com/kr/PrdDept.aspx/pid-1003199459/) and [the UK](http://www.dvd.co.uk/product2.asp?id=0552149519), if you’re willing to pay the postage. It’s not unusual for publishers to sell the foreign rights for a book, and in this case it probably fetched a princely sum. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/7 "2004-06-07T03:08:48Z")
There is, or used to be, a monthly, or thereabouts, publication called “Forthcoming Books.” I used to check it out at college libraries or other reference desks. Maybe it’s online now. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/8 "2004-06-07T23:17:30Z")
Speaking of size, why on earth do so many men get goofy over women with tiny mouths? Seems to counter overwhelming majority’s opinion here. I’ve known two women who’s mouths were too small to comfortably “take it in”. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-it-be-in-paperback/249019/9 "2004-06-07T23:30:02Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Speaking of size, why on earth do so many men get goofy over women with tiny mouths? Seems to counter overwhelming majority’s opinion here. I’ve known two women who’s mouths were too small to comfortably “take it in”. Somebody didn’t check to see which thread they were in before posting. :o Anyone curious to see what prompted this reply can see it [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=4937746) Sorry if I embarassed anyone. If a mod wants to delete all that, it’s cool 🆒 with me. Peace, mangeorge