Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Discussion Forums - Questions about PaperBackSwap Questions about PaperBackSwap

Topic: Book Postings, before they are out?

Club rule - Please, if you cannot be courteous and respectful, do not post in this forum.
  Unlock Forum posting with Annual Membership.
trucker-monkey avatar
Subject: Book Postings, before they are out?
Date Posted: 12/31/2011 3:50 PM ET
Member Since: 10/14/2010
Posts: 577
Back To Top

From time to time I have seen posts that allude to the ability to wish-list a book before it is out.

Given my reading tastes, this is generally not something I'm interested in (I'm more likely to be interested in a novel that was written and published prior to Gordon Foster, the inventor of the ISBN, being born), but I am aware that a book will be coming out this next year that my Uncle will be interested in.

How does this happen, who starts the book entry and what information is needed to start it?



Last Edited on: 12/31/11 4:02 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Standard Member medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 12/31/2011 4:41 PM ET
Member Since: 3/13/2009
Posts: 8,022
Back To Top

I just periodically check the author listing on PBS and list chronologically.  It'll pop up at the top, once it's added.

FlouncePony avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 12/31/2011 4:43 PM ET
Member Since: 12/31/2009
Posts: 3,995
Back To Top

I believe that as soon as Amazon lists it, the ISBN will be picked up here shortly after. Amazon lists books before they're available for sale. I've gotten on a few WLs early because I just happened to be there at the right time.

thameslink avatar
Friend of PBS-Double Diamond medal
Date Posted: 12/31/2011 5:20 PM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2007
Posts: 2,279
Back To Top

Try and obtain the ISBN for it and as others have said, searching for it by ISBN will sometimes get it into the database...not always, but sometimes!

EmilyKat avatar
Limited Member medalTour Guide medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 12/31/2011 7:21 PM ET
Member Since: 7/19/2008
Posts: 15,525
Back To Top
Once you find the ISBN, then search for the number with no spaces or dashes. The system usually will add the book within 24 hours of us searching with the ISBN. I check Amazon, the publisher, and the author's website for the ISBN.
sarap avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 12/31/2011 7:22 PM ET
Member Since: 1/17/2009
Posts: 12,214
Back To Top
Once you have the isbn (search publisher's websites, the author's website, or a site like fantasticfiction.com), if it is not listed in PBS but it is listed on Amazon, then a search in PBS will often trigger it to load. If it does not, then you can add the book manually, by posting it ( use the Isbn) entering all the info so that the listing is created, then delete the book from your bookshelf and WL it instead.

Last Edited on: 12/31/11 7:22 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
trucker-monkey avatar
Date Posted: 12/31/2011 10:59 PM ET
Member Since: 10/14/2010
Posts: 577
Back To Top

Thank you so much,

Now all I need is diligence to watch for the appropriate moment.

fangrrl avatar
Member of the Month medal
Date Posted: 12/31/2011 11:41 PM ET
Member Since: 12/28/2006
Posts: 14,177
Back To Top

Are you aware that PBS has a Saved Searches feature?  I save mine under that tab and check weekly (or even daily).  I currently have books wishlisted that will be released 5/2012, 7/2012, and even into the fall with October & November 2012.

trucker-monkey avatar
Date Posted: 1/1/2012 12:18 AM ET
Member Since: 10/14/2010
Posts: 577
Back To Top

LOL,

Yes Denise I do know about the saved searches, thank you for listing the option. I have already made a wish list for it. This is actually the best way to keep a book that hasn't been published with an ISBN on your Wish List, which is how I came to know about it.

I laugh because my Saved Search was so large it became unweildy so I have a home-made web-page (on my hard drive) that I've saved the appropriate searches on to keep track of them (some I check every two days, some less than that).  I can even tell you that they have changed the nomenclature used in the saved search algorithms twice since I've been a member (and can also list most of the variable identities for the search algorithm).

Patouie avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Coordinator medalBook Data Approver medalTour Guide Asst. Coord. medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Cruise Attendee medalPBS Blog Contributor medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 1/1/2012 8:28 AM ET
Member Since: 8/26/2006
Posts: 9,656
Back To Top

If it does not, then you can add the book manually...

 

My memory may be faulty, but I think the PBS Team has asked us not to do that unless we have the book in hand. 

fangrrl avatar
Member of the Month medal
Date Posted: 1/1/2012 5:26 PM ET
Member Since: 12/28/2006
Posts: 14,177
Back To Top

yes yuppers, PBS has some great features t-m!

I was thinking the same thing Patty. Do such 'created' entries eventually become the 'real' entry and acquire the picture & book information?  I'm reluctant to recommend members creating pre-publication entries...it's so often changed (or entered incorrectly, or even a short ISBN) and then other members wishlist the incorrect entry, not realizing it's a dead end.  Later the 'real' entry enters the PBS database and a new wishlist starts, but often dozens of members don't check back (erronously thinking they have already wishlisted the book).  I've seen these wishlists with over 100 wishers a year after the release date...always makes me sad b/c the real wishlist is moving but the mistaken wishers are merely frustrated.

And most annoying of all, are the members who add a 'short' ISBN (as a place-keeper, reminder, ?) before the real ISBN is available or in the system.  Many PBS members are unfamiliar with 'short' ISBN's and don't know to check for them when wishlisting books...especially pre-publication.



Last Edited on: 1/1/12 5:28 PM ET - Total times edited: 1