Pricing Models for Hardcover and Softcover

I don't know how familiar many of you are with the wonderful Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind, but Sarah recently linked to a most interesting discussion over at LitKicks on the topic, "Does Literary Fiction Suffer From Dysfunctional Pricing?". As one might expect, the answer to that question largely depends upon who it is you are speaking with, but the conversation is a relevant one in an age that equates print with obsolescence. Note that one of the first respondents, a publisher, points out that *sales to libraries* are a primary target market for recouping costs on a book. The contributed responses are enlightening and worthwhile reading.

Just to underscore its interest and value, Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind focuses on the mystery genre and the business of publishing in that genre. Sarah Weinman covers a lot of ground and her blog is a useful resource.