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Monday, April 6, 2009

Books This Will Not Save Publishing

Posted by Paul Constant on Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 1:02 PM

b6f5/1239048020-personalized.jpg

Now, for only 4 to 6 dollars more than your standard paperback, you can pay Penguin to print your dedication and a photo in the front page of a classic (public domain) paperback:

You can personalize any book - For family, for friends... or for You! It's Easy — and Fun!

At least the shipping is free. I don't know why, if you were looking for a sentimental gift, you wouldn't buy an attractive used copy of Walden or The Age of Innocence or whatever and personalize it, you know, in your own writing.

Comments (8) RSS

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Dear Paul Constant,

A part of me just died.

Love, Jocelyn.

Posted by Jocelyn on April 6, 2009 at 1:09 PM

I can personalize any book? Really?

Can I give Hamlet a happy ending?

Posted by Chris B on April 6, 2009 at 1:15 PM

No. Hamlet is play.

Posted by elenchos on April 6, 2009 at 1:18 PM

If these are all public domain books, then just go to a print-on-demand site - like lulu.com - and print up your own version where you can customize every part of it.

Posted by JC on April 6, 2009 at 1:30 PM

I have the crappiest handwriting of any human being.

Posted by except for everyone else in my generation on April 6, 2009 at 2:27 PM

What I liked better was when Penguin had blank covers that you could design/draw yourself. I actually LIKE that idea, and it's more creative: http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/…

This dedication business is just lame.

Posted by Teresa Jusino on April 6, 2009 at 2:36 PM

It's not meant to "save publishing". Still, it might bring in a few extra bucks for a struggling publisher.

You got a better idea, a cake sale?

Posted by Oh that on April 6, 2009 at 5:13 PM

Thanks, Paul. I have a few family b-days coming up, and I'm going to use that web site.

P.S. As 7 says it's not meant to "save publishing", just like writing these posts for the Stranger is not going to "save your career".

Posted by Please just close all the publishers; it's hopeless on April 6, 2009 at 8:03 PM