Regular readers know I’m advocate of writers using good, current references and helps. To be good writers, we need to use good tools.
I do, however, realize that good tools cost big money. Well, that is if you buy them retail. I know I’ve advocated finding writers’ references at library used-book sales, garage sales, book wholesalers, and discount stores to help defray cost. But I’ve just discovered an even better place to find terrific, current resources CHEAP!
Don’t laugh here (I know I’m a bit behind the times), but my new discovery is…eBay!
For whatever reason, I never would have thought to look for writing resources on eBay. Not until I started selling my own. :o) No, I don’t have any books up for sale there right now, so this is NOT a plug for my personal eBay sales. I’m just tickled to find some of the best writing resources out there so affordably (even for struggling writers!). And I wanted to pass that information on to you!
I did a few random searches on eBay this morning, and look what I found (all are NEW, not used items):
- The Chicago Manual of Style (current, 15th Edition) for $6.00 (I paid $35.00 for mine)
- The AP Stylebook (current, 2004) for $6.11 (it’s listed for $11.67 at Amazon)
- A Writer’s Reference (current, 5th Edition) by Diana Hacker for $4.99 (I paid $40.00 for mine; it’s $33.75 at Amazon)
- Rodales Synonym Finder for 99 cents (it’s listed for $11.02 at Amazon)
- 2005 Market Guide $5.00 (it’s $18.89 at Amazon)
- 2005 Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide for 99 cents ($15.74 at Amazon)
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th edition) for $13.20 (Amazon is $14.27)
- Formatting and Submitting Your Manuscript for $9.47 (Amazon is $12.99)
These are some of the basic tools every writer who writes for publication should have and use. And at eBay they’re even affordable for writers!
Check it out. Go to ebay and search the title, author, subject, or book description of the resource you’re looking for. Chances are you’ll find it. And you’ll find it for less. :o)
Having said that, here are a few cautions:
1. Always check the feedback on your item’s seller FIRST before you bid or buy. On eBay, feedback/reputation is everything. Read other buyers’ comments about the sellers to find out what kind of buying experience you’re in for. Avoid those with less-than-stellar feedback.
2. If you choose to bid on an item (instead of doing a “buy it now” transaction), don’t get caught up in last-minute bidding frenzy. Your item is sure to appear on eBay again (guaranteed), so don’t feel pressured to bid too high. Patience pays off.
3. Also check the seller’s shipping rates BEFORE your bid or buy. Most list shipping fees upf ront. A book bargain isn’t really a bargain if you pay high shipping fees.
4. Read the seller’s item description carefully before you bid. You want to make sure you’re bidding on what you think you’re bidding for.
5. Item photos can be deceiving. Check to make sure that your seller’s photos are of the item you’re purchasing OR that the seller clearly states that the photo is a stock photo and not necessarily a photo of the item you’ll receive. If in doubt, check the item description and the feedback left by other buyers about this seller for any sign of misrepresentation.
6. Know your product. Check it out at amazon.com or at bookfinder.com to see what it’s selling for. Then you’ll know if you’re really getting a good deal on eBay.
My recent forays into eBay land (and it is a subculture) have been 100% positive. Every seller with whom I’ve done business has gone well above the call of duty to make sure I received a quality product for a decent price within a reasonable shipping time frame. I’m impressed.
And I will continue to do business on eBay. Yes, you need to be careful, but if you follow the cautions I’ve listed above, you should be fine.
Happy book hunting!
‘Til next time,
Joan
One Writer's Window 