Percy-L: Literary, Religious, Scientific, and Philosophical Discussion of Walker Percy

["Beck, David A" <dabeck AT iupui.edu>]

Larry, Jim et al,
I think that you are both correct. University presses aren't producing 
Dan Brown-like bestsellers. My hunch is that the reason the books are 
so high (besides the legit reasons Larry gave) is that they expect 
libraries to be their main customers. Hence they can gouge libraries 
and forget the mass market.
The upside of all of this is that the amazon market place offers most 
of these books at a reasonable price. My academic mentor in grad school 
(the late Tony Sherrill) published a great book that also discussed 
Percy (Road-Book America). It had a similiar price, but I found it in 
the used marketplace of amazon for half-price (and it looked like it 
had never been opened).
The problem, of course, is that the author probably won't receive any 
royalties. But, if you are like me and just want the book to be read, 
the internet offers some great deals. I receive such a small commission 
on my books that I'd rather give them away to more people than receive 
the chump change I get for each book sold.
I wrote two obscure (small press) books on Eastern Orthodoxy a decade 
or so ago. I'm amazed to see that some book sellers are offering each 
book at $40 or more. If someone goes via the publisher s/he can get 
each book for under $12 (paperback).
Anyway, I am going to ask our university library to purchase the book, 
if they haven't already ordered it. Looks good and I look forward to 
reading it.
BTW, as a follow up to the last discussion I brought up (on The 
Moviegoer), I'll dive into that book next week. I plan to give a big 
intro, using some of the work that Karey and Rhonda provided me. I'll 
have to admit, however, that I am still a little hesitant. Today we 
concluded our poetry section. I thought that it would be cool to use 
some song lyrics. I chose Springsteen's "Thunder Road", Counting Crows' 
"Round Here" and Jakob Dylan's (the Wallflowers), "One Headlight." 
2/3rds of my students weren't familiar enough with Springsteen to be 
able to name ONE song he wrote/sung. They thought that Counting Crows 
were from "my" generation (I'm 47!!!).
I felt so old that I thought I'd should ask for a handicap parking 
sticker. I mean, I asked, didn't you guys ever "roll down the windows 
and let the wind blow back your hair"?? If Springsteen is so dated, how 
will they get Bill Holden and Rory Calhoun??
Sorry, I won't go on, in fear that no one here will get it either.
Feeling old in Indy ("I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers 
rolled"--no, wait, "I shall wear my trousers sagging").
Time to go to bed (no mermaids sing to me).
-David



Quoting Lawrence Rhu <rhul AT gwm.sc.edu>:

> Jim--
>
> Pity indeed.  I take your point without any comfort to offer.  The
> crisis in humanities publishing continues, and university presses
> have had to take drastic measures to survive.  Of course, these
> include such prohibitively high prices, more limited printings, fewer
> paperbacks at least vaguely in the purchasable range, etc.  Still, I
> am pleased that you express some interest.  Thanks.
>
> Larry
>
> Lawrence F. Rhu
> Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature
> University of South Carolina
> Columbia, SC  29208
> Tel:  803 777 0144
> Fax:  803 777 9064
> Email:  rhul AT sc.edu
>
> > > > JHForest AT cs.com 07/04/06 6:13 AM >>>
> > > The pleasure and satisfaction of having a new book just out have
> irresistibly combined with the easy availability of an appropriate
> listserv and a "hard
> url" to make advertising its recent publication almost effortless. As you may
> recall, I have previously mentioned the presence of Percy and especially The
> Movigoer in my book as a matter of possible interest for subscribers to this
> list. So here it is, just a click away (with my sincere apologies for the
> price). <<
> > > http://www.cas.sc.edu/engl/faculty/faculty_pages/rhu/cavell.html
>
> What a fine title and inviting cover! But what a pity that it costs so much.
> I fear this will put it beyond the budget of many who might have
> wished to buy
> a copy, myself included.
>
> Jim Forest
>
> * * *
> Jim and Nancy Forest
> Kanisstraat 5 / 1811 GJ Alkmaar / The Netherlands
> tel: (31)(72) 511 2545
> Jim's e-mail: jhforest AT cs.com (alternative address: jhforest AT gmail.com)
> Nancy's e-mail: forestflier AT cs.com (alternative address:
> forestflier AT gmail.com)
> Jim and Nancy Forest web site: www.incommunion.org/forest-flier/
> Forest-Flier Editorial Services: www.incommunion.org/forest-flier/ffes/
> Jim's photo web site: www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/sets/
> Orthodox Peace Fellowship web site: www.incommunion.org
> * * *
>
> --
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>
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