Question about Book Editions/Second Printings, etc.

RM - Publishers set specific print runs for a book based on their Profit and loss, or P&L, statements.  That spreadsheet shows what format the book is in, what they need to charge, and how many copies they have to sell against the author's advance in order to show a profit. 

When a book goes back for a second or third printing, it means they have run out of copies but still believe they have significant demands (usually through re-orders from bookstores) in order to print more.  Same for a third, fourth, fifth printing, etc.

Initial print runs can be intentionally lower than demand, in order to make it seem the book is doing well by going back for more printings or they can be legitimate - the book sold well beyond expectations.

Hope that helps!
-Joe

Jnassise said:

RM - Publishers set specific print runs for a book based on their Profit and loss, or P&L, statements. That spreadsheet shows what format the book is in, what they need to charge, and how many copies they have to sell against the author's advance in order to show a profit.

When a book goes back for a second or third printing, it means they have run out of copies but still believe they have significant demands (usually through re-orders from bookstores) in order to print more. Same for a third, fourth, fifth printing, etc.

Initial print runs can be intentionally lower than demand, in order to make it seem the book is doing well by going back for more printings or they can be legitimate - the book sold well beyond expectations.

Hope that helps!
-Joe

Click to expand...

It does! Thank you!

Welcome!

The original Harry Potter book only had an initial first print run of fifty thousand copies just in the UK. The second run, I believe, was 250,000. The third, 500,000. I have an article about it, but I don't feel like looking it up right now.