A book club is generally defined as a mail order operation via which a selection of books are sold direct to the public at a price substantially below the recommended retail price in return for a commitment to purchase a particular number of books over a set period of time.
The sales of a work to book clubs are negotiated through the publisher's rights department (in the case of a bestseller or other work that has gained fame, these rights may be auctioned). Terms do vary, but the split of royalties between author and publisher is often 50/50. Book club sales are seen as milestone events by author, agent, and publisher alike.
There are many bookclubs online that you are able to to buy or borrow books from. These are becoming ever more popular as it is an easy way to purchase a book. There will more than likely also be some kind of review of the boom you are looking at getting. henryparker.co.uk has compiled a short list of websites for people looking into purchasing a book online;
joinbookclubs.co.uk - book club
A single-title book club is one in which people usually meet to discuss a particular title that they have read and then go on to express their opinions, likes and dislikes about it. They may also be known as book groups or book discussion clubs. They meet in private homes, libraries, bookshops, and restaurants over meals, etc.
Characteristics of a single-title book club naturally indicate that every person in the group is meant to read the same title at the same time. Clearly, a single person or small group of people must decide beforehand what that title will be. Most often, that title will be a new book release, and it is expected that each member buy his/her own copy. If it is a book club that meets at a library, the title may be a new release or an older title. If they choose, each member may borrow a copy of the book from the library.
Book clubs have been effective over the past few decades at bringing literature to the masses at affordable prices.
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