Programming in D On Goodreads

[Jonathan M Davis via Digitalmars-d-announce]

On Saturday, July 18, 2015 16:29:36 Jacob Carlborg via Digitalmars-d-announce wrote:
> On 2015-07-18 15:34, Ali Çehreli wrote:
>
> > On a related note, the paper version of the book is in proofing stage: I
> > have just ordered a print copy for proofing. (I don't expect any major
> > problem as what they print is the same as the pdf copy.) It should hit
> > Amazon soon.
> >
> > I am also trying to determine the price for the paper copy.
> > Unfortunately, the threshold price for standard distribution channels
> > came out to be a little over $17, which is almost the same as what I was
> > hoping to sell for. Adding extended distribution channels pushes the
> > threshold price to over $25. :(
>
> I actually think that's quite cheap. Compare that with the dragon book
> [1], which costs $144.83 for the hardcover. And even more for the Kindle
> version, unless I completely misunderstand the page.
>
> [1]
> http://www.amazon.com/Compilers-Principles-Techniques-Tools-2nd/dp/0321486811

The dragon book is pretty much in textbook price territory (and it is used
as one), so that's _way_ higher than your typical programming books costs,
but $25 - $30 is still on the low end. Given that it's also available for
free online, I suppose that that does change the equation a bit, since
arguably, folks are paying primarily for what it costs to print and
distribute it more than really paying Ali for his time and effort, but if it
really costs that much to print and distribute it, then that's what it
costs. And honestly, if Ali wants to make some money off the print version,
I think that that's perfectly reasonable.

I don't know what "extended distribution channels" gets you, so I don't know
if that's worth it or not, but I think that it's perfectly reasonable for
the book to end up in that price range. Folks who pay for physical books
would generally expect a price like that, if not more, especially for a
programming book.

- Jonathan M Davis