THE SOCIOLOGY OF BOOKS SELLING: HURRICANE IKE CHANGED EVERYTHING

I thought you might find this bit of sociology interesting and worth pondering.

At Thanksgiving in 2000 the book I had written comprised of historical stories about Galveston, Texas was published. It was a trade paperback -- that means a regular hard cover book-size paperback -- and it sold for $19.95.

Over the following years, amazingly literally thousands have sold. I had told the publisher when they first approached me that I doubted more than 500 would sell, and I advised him not to print many more than that. Instead, the first printing was 5,000 and there has been a second printing but I am unsure of how many thousand were in that printing.

Nevertheless, since Hurricane Ike hit the island, apparently there has been a re-surging interest in my book by the public. Add to that that they are in short supply.

I noted today that according to amazon.com, used copies of the book are selling for over $40 each. New copies are as high as $80.

That does not feather my nest. I still receive the same per-copy royalty.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS