Hardback/Paperback

[yogasun]

Anyone any idea how long on average between publication of a popular hardbook it is and its appearance as a paperback?
Want to buy an autobiography for someone as a present but the hardback is expensive (published Sept.) and also costly to send through the post. Howver, if it isn't going to come out soon enough before christmas I will buy the hardback.

[pastafreak]

Why not contact the publisher? I'd have thought it would be 6 months to a year.

[yogasun]

Yes, I was going to do that if necessary pasta, thanks.

[Canary42]

It varies depending on the book and the publisher - some are released simultaneously.

[yogasun]

Thanks canary42,will find out.

[LyndaB]

Very rarely are the hardback and paperback editions published at once. It is usually about 6-8 months after the publication of the hardback before the paperback is published, although it is sometimes possible to buy 'soft' hardbacks in the shops at the airport.

Sometimes it is longer than 6-8 months. I work on the book department of a major supermarket, and many of the current paperback chart books are the ones that were published in hardback form in time for last Christmas. It all depends on the publisher.

[yogasun]

Thanks LyndaB
Have found out it's not out til March 2013 so have now ordered and got the hardback, no problem.