There's a simple argument against the notion that dropping
the price equals increased readership, and that is THE
LIBRARY.
You can find pretty much any new book in the library and read
it FOR FREE! Yet, this hasn't spawned legions of young,
adoring crime fans.
I think that new fans will come in from different mediums and
will have to rediscover the noir classics for
themselves.
Maybe it could be the new Philip Marlowe movie with Clive
Owen (that may or may not still be in development). Maybe
it's a different movie, or graphic novel or video game that
lures in new audiences, but it won't be the cover price of a
book. A $7 paperback is less than the price of a movie ticket
and about half the price of a DVD. Yet terrible movies still
make millions at the cinema and on DVD.
And like I said, cost-conscious crime seekers can look in the
good old library. I know that Chandler and Hammett are
well-represented there on the shelves.
--Chan
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 17 Oct 2007 EDT