A combination of fresh thinking by a publisher and hardship at a book chain have produced a breach in the facade of a tradition that at least one observer asserts is at the heart of trade publishing’s woes. According to the Wall Street Journal, Borders has agreed to buy books from the Harper Studio imprint, recently founded by Robert Miller, at a deep discount of 58 percent to 63 percent off, on a nonreturnable basis. A typical hardcover discount runs 50% to 56% depending on quantity purchased.

When Miller launched HarperStudio he expressed determination to find a way to break the vicious cycle by which bookstores may return unsold inventory for full credit, a practice that has proven ruinous for many a publisher. Skeptics, familiar with previous efforts including deep discounting, ironically wished him “Lots of luck”. But desperate times call for desperate measures. Rob Gruen, a Borders executive, stated, “The idea of taking inventory and then shipping it back isn’t a good idea for anybody. We’re open to all publishers to discuss alternatives to the traditional return model.”

We wish Miller and Borders lots of luck too, but without a trace of smirk on our faces.

Richard Curtis


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