When books cross borders
Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 5:00AM in Tess Gerritsen by Tess Gerritsen
Lately I've been thinking of cutting off all email accessibility from the public because it gives me heartburn to receive messages like this one:
Recently I was in an airport bookshop where I spotted a new book of yours that I'd never seen before. I eagerly bought it, only to discover later that I'd already read the story, but it was published under a different title. I am thoroughly disgusted by your greedy ploy to encourage double purchases, and I will never buy another one of your books. Shame on you and your publisher!
or:
You and your publisher should be ashamed of yourselves for selling the same book twice, under different titles. I cannot believe that you would stoop to such a tactic. I have demanded a refund but the bookshop refuses to give me one. How money-grubbing can you get?
The reason for these complaints has to do with the fact I am published in different countries around the globe. In the UK, my thrillers are published by Transworld Publishers. In the U.S., my titles are published by Ballantine Books. Anyone who's sold foreign rights understands that, with each new territory you sell to, you are dealing with a separate publishing entity, and each publisher will choose its own cover design, use its own translators, and yes -- specify its own title for the story. Not surprisingly, my book ICE COLD will not have the same title in Germany, where it's called TOTENGRUND. Nor will it have the same title in the Netherlands or Turkey or ... the UK. Yes, even though they speak English across the pond, the UK is a foreign country. (Although some Americans refuse to believe this.) Englishmen drive on the left and they have foreign currency and no, they do not think of themselves as Americans with cool accents. Nor do they believe they are required to publish books under the same titles that we do.
Which is why I'm getting those angry letters.
Because the UK is a different readership, my publisher there prints my stories with locally appropriate spellings. E.g., neighbor becomes neighbour. Sometimes my UK publisher also has a differing opinion on what the title of a book should be. THE KEEPSAKE, for instance, fell flat as a title for the UK market, where the word "keepsake" had little significance. Instead, Transworld opted for a more visceral title: KEEPING THE DEAD. My US publisher, however, thought that KEEPING THE DEAD was way too visceral for delicate American tastes. Each publisher has control over its own territory, and so the book was published under two different titles. Transworld distributes to the UK and its territories; Ballantine distributes in North America. In theory, their markets should not intersect, and readers in the UK should not be buying the US version and vice versa.
But then we come to world travelers. And the internet.
Once a traveler leaves his home territory and enters another, he also enters a different market. Just as you will not find paracetamol in a US drugstore, you will most likely not find acetaminophen (Tylenol) in a UK pharmacy. Travelers have learned to expect that the names of drugs may change once you cross a border. But they have not yet accepted the fact that the titles of books may also change in foreign countries. Internet sales add another complication because suddenly an American can go onto Amazon.co.uk to buy a book published in the UK. Or UK readers may go onto Amazon.com and buy a book published in the U.S. This foreign-published book isn't supposed to be available to them at all, but the internet doesn't know that. The internet is just there, at your service, to give you what you demand. And when you accidentally buy the same book, under a different title, whom do you get mad at?
The author. Because of course it's our money-grubbing fault that this happens.
For awhile, I was so guilt-stricken by the thought of all these readers paying double for the same book, that I'd offer a free title to everyone who complained. I'd mail out the books, free of charge. Then one day I realized that providing the free books, along with the foreign postage to mail them, had costed me hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I also wondered how many of these were authentic complaints. Maybe word had gotten out that Tess Gerritsen was an easy mark, willing to send out free books at the drop of an email. So I stopped doing it.
I also got fed up with being called a crook, a money-grubber, and a cheat.
I know I'm not the only author in this position. A US mystery bookseller told me that she gets complaints all the time from customers who come in asking for UK editions of books, and then demand their money back when they discover it's the same book they've already read. I know authors who are forever explaining why their UK editions have different covers and titles. On my own website, I point out the international differences in titles. Still these double purchases happen, and the internet has made this worse.
Consumers need to be alert to the issue. On Amazon.com, the U.S. site, you can find my UK editions KEEPING THE DEAD and THE KILLING PLACE for sale. But neither of these titles is offered by Amazon.com itself; they are available through third-party sellers, and once a book gets into third-party hands, it is beyond anyone's control. Likewise, Amazon.co.uk only sells the American editions through third-party sellers. Shouldn't that be a clue?
Nevertheless, it's the author who'll get blamed for it. On Amazon.com, in response to an annoyed reader, I offered this explanation:
"This is the UK version of THE KEEPSAKE. It is published by Transworld in the UK and its territories and WAS NEVER MEANT to be sold in the US. Each publisher releases its own edition in its own market area. Unfortunately, with internet sales (which erases all geographical boundaries) this book may be inadvertently purchased twice. Please do not blame the publishers, as each company intends to sell only in its own market. But online sales and international travel makes it impossible to control where their editions end up."
The responding comment was: "That is NOT an excuse!"
For some readers, no explanation will ever suffice.
Reader Comments (40)
I would've thought they'd read the blurb and realise they'd read it before. But I guess that's no excuse!?!
Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks :)
cheers,
Katherine.
I think you've done a wonderful job of explaining the situation you're in - the Catch 22. I think you should offer this very blog as a response to each complaint, perhaps include it as a link. If someone doesn't understand it from reading this blog, they never will. But at least you will feel that you've given it your best shot, without feeling that you should mail each reader a free copy of your books, which, of course, isn't free at all. You're paying for it.
I'm not sure when I discovered the differences in book titles, and sometimes content in the same books published in different countries. My most memorable example, however, was being in England when my tutor asked me if I'd read JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Hmm. Then I realised she was talking about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. When I told her it was published under that title in the US, she was incredulous, "Why would they call it that! They have completely different meanings!" As we discussed the book we realised there were many differences, maybe not huge ones but a couple of biggies, in the content as well. The US version seemed to have more characters and some added background?
I walked over to Blackwells and bought the whole English set then published. I wanted to see if the English versions had a different feel. It was a fun project. I ended up getting lots of doubles on purpose, and gave some away as gifts to friends and a set to the library after I was finished with my study.
Now that I'm going through all my old textbooks from so long ago that they are practically worthless, I am discovering that I've bought lots of doubles, a few triples, and I've managed to buy six copies of Black Elk Speaks . . . cannot imagine how that happened. I suspect I bought a new copy every time it was required for a course, not realising I still had it from a previous course. One of the doubles, I know happened that way, because I couldn't find the first I'd bought of -- EEEEEEEEK BLLLLLECH -- that horrible book by psychotic savant Bruno Bettleheim and had to get another for a psych course. Cornelia would be pleased to know that I ripped out each page and used them to start the the wood burning in the fireplace.
However we do use "keepsake" in Britain, it's just a case that you don't often have the opportunity to use the word, but we know what it is!
Come on. As far as I'm concerned, expecting things under different titles in different places is common sense. I kinda wanna shake those people who don't get it.
-Alaina
I think, though, that it would be a shame to cut off public email contact with your readers for the sake of silencing the ingrates. You might shut them up, but you'd also silence the voices of your fans, and that would seem to me a costly solution to the problem. I know when I was writing for my city,s newspaper, I'd occasionally get an irate comment from a reader. I realized, though, that the fact was that even an irate email meant that someone had taken the time to read what I wrote and cared enough to send an email.
Yes, the world is full of a certain number of ingrates, mixed in among the nice ones. But how sad it would be to throw the baby out with the bath water.
I spent way too much time wondering about it, though.
Alafair, those 1 star reviews are another way of expressing their anger about double purchases. But then, 1-star reviews seem to be a general way to protest just about everything, including the cost of e-books. It's sad that such consumers have made the reviewing process worthless over on BN.com, where it's hard to ascertain if people actually like the book, because what they're really reviewing is the price.
For the upsetting emails, I'm learning to hit that Delete button.
It's not my fault I'm an idiot and have bought the same book twice it's the authors fault. Errr no it's your fault for not recognising that you've already read it.
I've got involved in a couple of heated debates about the decision to cast Tom Cruise as Reacher I was disgusted at the vitriol aimed towards some I respect and admire when they had no say in the decision.
I'm glad that I took the time to email you to say how much I enjoy your books Tess, as one happy reader from the UK keep up the good work.
You have my sympathies for the nasty e-mails. I bet for every nasty one you get a really heart-warming e-mail that makes it all worthwhile. If you didn't, I imagine you would have cut off access before now.
My experience with several other "big" authors (and yes, you are in that category now) is to get an assistant to preview the e-mail and handle ones like that. I've become friends with Janet Evanovich's web assistant, and he has been quite helpful. I know that Janet doesn't have time to answer all my questions or problems.
But no, not everybody's momma taught them manners. Today's generation most of all has been raised by TV and electronic devices while their parents were out doing other things or perhaps tapping on their own computer. It's too bad the human element has been removed. Maybe a subplot for your next book?
I have to wonder how much your Asperger's Syndrome is involved in your feelings in dealing with these e-mails from people. I can't suggest how to ignore your feelings when people accuse you of the things they do other than to answer just as you've done, put it behind you and go on.
Sandie
I have this God thing - If I accidentally purchase a duplicate book I think, God must have wanted me to give this to a friend. Or I wonder why God wanted me to have two? or Aha! a Christmas gift.
I do think you need to speak with Michael Connelly - he has a fantastic assistant who saves him lots of time and he mentions her whenever he speaks of his website. You need to save your energy for meaningful pursuits. But don't you dare give up Murderati!! You've just solved some shopping for me. I never thought to give collections of author's books for Christmas or birthdays.
Always remember, there are some things only you can do, and lots of other things people can do for you. Concentrate on what only you can do and let some of the other stuff go. There's a retired person out there who would love to work for you part time and there you would be helping the economy.
Tragedy struck last night. I accidentally turned off my DVR instead of my TV and didn't record Rizzoli -- thank heaven for repeats. And thanks for the hours of pleasure you've given me, by the way. You money grubbing greedy crook.
"MGC" (money grubbing crook) does have a ring to it.
I'm with Louise on this one - I've managed to buy the same book (with exactly the same title/cover etc) more than once, and blamed no-one but myself. In fact, for long series I now carry a list on my phone so I can check what I already have and what I don't. And, hey, as I travel and buy UK and US editions, if the book had more than one title, I'd list them both.
The comments so far pretty much nail it for me. Yes, it's very flattering when somebody picks up a book and buys it based on the author's name on the cover alone, but they really should at least flick through the first couple of lines to see if it's something they recognise. And don't publishers put 'First published as ...' on the copyright page if it's had a name change for a different market? It's not brain surgery to check these things, surely? Particularly if you're in a bookstore in another country. And if you're buying on Amazon, you're only a New Tab and a few clicks away from the author's website ...
I know Stuart MacBride has exactly the same problem with BROKEN SKIN, which was retitled BLOODSHOT for the American market, and he still gets snarky reviews from people which have nothing to do with the brill quality of the book, and instead everything to do with the fact that he is an MGC who has personally mugged them for the price of the book.
Tess, you're a saint to have gone to the trouble of answering these incredibly rude emails. As for sending free books to people, that goes way beyond the call of duty ;-]
i would never call you a cheat or a money grubber? / grabber.
p.s
was awesome seeing you again in epsom. surrey
And it was so nice to see you!
An author doesn't have a lot of choice on these matters; few authors are going to argue when the sales force (or even booksellers in a particular market, who a sales rep may ask) give feedback that a title may not appeal in their market. My US title for my third standalone, COLLISION, was deemed too dull by my UK publisher. They went instead with RUN. And it did do better in the UK. Interestingly, some of the foreign editions went with the translated term for COLLISION, others went with whatever RUN is in their language.
Linda
Tess couldn't have taken it any other way. These weren't general complaints about publishing, made by readers in conversation with their friends over a beer. They weren't blog posts directed at the general book-buying public. They were personal messages directly attacking her integrity.
It's easy to tell authors: Ignore rudeness. In reality, it's impossible not to be affected by messages from complete strangers saying that you're a horrible person. Tess has handled the issue calmly and with far more generosity than many of us could probably manage.
"It amazes me that people can be so rude. You'd think their mommas taught them better manners than that. Shame on them for not checking the synopsis inside the front cover or on the back cover. Then they'd know if they had read the book before. Also, if you are such a fan of the author, you'd be aware that the book was re-released under another title if you followed their blog, or checked their website regularly. So - shame on them!"
I think that in the situation Ms. Gerritsen brings up, there are two distinct actions readers are taking. 1) they are buying the same book twice and 2) they are emailing their angry reaction/calling the author names.
I don't think the attitude to the first action should be "shame on them" or that readers are "stupid," "idiots" or have a "weak mind." It's true that it's not brain surgery, but it's possible for someone, even someone brilliant, to read the back cover/skim the first couple pages, and still not realize it's a book they read months ago, a year ago, 500 hundred books ago. Or maybe they were in a hurry, and they chose an author they trusted and a title/cover they knew they hadn't bought before.
But I agree that the second action (emailing the author in anger and calling names) is a problem, not because I believe a consumer doesn't have a right to complain about a product but rather because it should not be done rudely and probably should not be sent to the author to begin with.
I'm really not sure who is to blame here (for the first action, because the reader who emailed is clearly at fault for the second action). The mobility of people and products in the 21st century? The publishers for choosing different titles/covers/packaging? The reader for not realizing the same book only looks different? The author? I don't think I'd point to any one of those as solely responsible for the problem. Probably not to the author much at all. But I definitely would not put it all on the reader either.
I think it's perfectly natural to feel frustrated/annoyed if you buy the same book twice because of different outer packaging. I have, in fact, done that when traveling. I did not email her about it. I also did not blame myself or believe I was an idiot for doing it. I guess I just...chalked it up to one of those things, shrugged, and moved on.
(Also, on a different topic, I was unaware that authors believe customers shouldn't leave a review of the buying experience and/or product on the <i>retailer</i> website, that authors believe it should be a book review only. I thought that was what websites like Goodreads are for.)
I am sure some of these irate individuals have probably purchased a paperback version of a book they once bought in hardcover and are miffed that the covers are different and they were *tricked* by the "money grubbing" publishers.
Sheesh.
This is a mistake people can make without crossing any borders.
In the future, should you care to respond to such emails other than give them a link to this blogpost, you might suggest they give the newer copy of the book as a gift to a friend who will feel honored to receive a souvenir from a foreign country.
Or they could keep their new copy and donate the previous domestic edition to their local library and claim a tax deduction.
Either way, it is not your fault and should not become your problem.
May you have a lovely trip "Down Under."