Re-edited books

[G.G.]

Stupid question maybe. What do you do with printed books once they've been re-edited and are no longer the latest version.

Often they may have changed enough so it just seems wrong to give them away. So, authors, did that ever happen to you and what did you do with them?

[R.]

I had a box of 30 copies of my first book Knightfall, which I had planned to give away as part of competitions etc. When the first few reviews commented on the lack of editing (it was my first book, and in my arrogance I thought I could edit it myself), I had it professionally edited and they found an error on most of the pages.

I kept them in the garage for months and in the end decided to throw them in the bin. I considered giving them to a charity bookshop or whatever, but I thought that would just put more 'bad' copies of my writing into circulation.

Live and learn I guess, but now I won't publish without getting a novel properly edited.

Just my opinion!

[E.A.]

In my mind...give them away. Someone will enjoy "Edition 1".

Take them to a literacy program somewhere in dire need.

Or, if you are too self-conscious, have them recycled.

[Cassandra]

I would keep them, if you have the space. If the book really takes off, you may have a group of people who would like to win copies of the original "unedited" version. That could be considered a collector's item.

[G.G.]

Thanks Cassandra. I guess it makes sense. Not that I think my book will ever take off but who knows and if it never does, it wouldn't (couldn't) hurt the book if I end up giving 'original unedited' versions to people.
Anything is better than to throw things away or to the recycle bin...

[Cassandra]

G.G, you have a very creative take with the vampire/alien angle. I think it could be big if it gets into the right hands. I could totally see it getting picked up as a mini series.

[G.G.]

@Cassandra You are too kind. *blush*

[J. David]

@R, don't feel too bad, I did the same thing with my first book. Personally, I'd like to get hold of the first editions and recycle them to take them out of circulation, but that's me.

[Dionne]

Really? I would keep those very first ones. In the future I could look back at the numbers of books I'd written (and published) and chuckle at what I'd done and what kind of 'mistakes' I'd made back then. Walk down memory lane, so to speak.
'

[Ann]

You could always use them as gifts for people. Maybe someone who's helped you with your writing or someone who is interested in your book. You can sign it and tell them its an old edition but I think first editions are pretty nice keepsakes :]