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Bennett CerfBennett Cerf
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Session:         Page of 1029

Q:

And the author has already had some publicity because his book has been out.

Cerf:

They know what they're buying. They're not buying a pig in a poke, as we used to say. They have a lot of things in their favor.

Now, when a book like Peyton Place or Valley of the Dolls comes along, the paperback manufacturers make a colossal fortune. In four months, the Valley of the Dolls has sold eight million copies in paperback--eight million copies. I think it's priced at $1.25. Figure it out for yourself!

Q:

Eight million is an enormous number of books to be sold.

Cerf:

If we average eight thousand copies on a hardbound original, we're happy. Eighty thousand is cause for cheering in the streets. Eight-hundred thousand is virtually unheard of. Eight million staggers the imagination of a hardbound publisher.

Q:

Do you think that this will be the eventual trend--that everything will be in paperback?

Cerf:

No, not at all. First of all, most people who love good books want them to keep them in their library. A paperback book, no matter how well it's made, falls apart.





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