I've been meaning to ask this for a while.  Are periodicals with isbn numbers (Granta, McSweeney's, n+1) postable.  McSweeney's doesn't have advertising, but I'm pretty sure Granta does, but I have seen them posted.  VQR doesn't have an isbn, so they are obviously off limits.  It seems like such a gray area.  Does anyone know what the policy is?

Per help docs:

Magazines: NO

• These often contain advertising and cannot be sent MediaMail; even if not, the category is banned from PBS.

Single-Issue Comic Books: NO

• These often contain advertising.

Anything that is not a book: NO

• This is a bookswapping site ONLY.

I read what the help docs say, and my question is still not answered.  These periodicals differ from being a book only in that they are periodicals, i.e. are released quarterly (or twice a year, etc).  They have isbn numbers and in McSweeney's case, do not contain advertising.  I have to check and see if n+1 does.

I would say that a periodical is not a book and therefore not swapable here.

I don't see a problem with it.  Many graphic novels (manga) are numbered and released on a periodical monthly or bi-monthly basis, and those are actively traded here.

Just because people are doing it doesn't mean it's okay.

The help docs say only books.  Since a periodical is a periodical and not a book, posting a periodical is against PBS guidelines.

PBS is for the exchange of used books across all topics of interest. paperback, hardcover and audio books in good condition are acceptable here. 

Guidelines below

Allowed:

• Paperback books
• Hardcover books (dust jackets not required)
• Audio books (must be originals, not burned copies)
• Ex-library books
• Books with accompanying media
• Textbooks/Workbooks 
• Foreign-language books (if in a language other than English, the language must be specified in the book description)

Not allowed:

• Anything that is not a book (this includes calendars, coloring books, blank journals)
• Anything that contains advertising
• Advance Reader Copies* (also known as ARC s, Review Copies or Uncorrected Proofs--these are not the final versions of books)
• CD-ROM books/e-books (books that must be read on a computer)
• Burned copies of audio books
• Xerox or otherwise unoriginal copies of books
• Unbound pages
• leaflets or pamphlets or booklets** without ISBNs (other members complain at spending a credit for these)
• Brochures/Promotional "first chapters" of books - these are not complete books, even if they have an ISBN
• Books that require supplementary non-media materials (non-media materials cannot be sent by MediaMail)
• Pornography (sex manuals and erotica are allowed, hardcore pornography is not allowed)

Mcsweeney's is a hardbound book that is released periodically and does not contain advertising, therefore I don't see why it wouldn't be postable.  Granta, now that I look, is a paperback book, released periodically, that does contain advertising, therefore not postable.  Does anyone else see it this way?

ETA - I just messaged TPTB.  I'll let everyone know when I hear back.

McSweeney's is a periodical. Which is not a book.

The binding is irrelevant--it is a periodical, not a book..

(Um, in 2007 it won the Nat'l Magazine Award for Fiction... IT'S NOT A BOOK!)

From TPTB re: McSweeney's Quarterly Concern:

Dear Carolyn,

Hardbound copies of a magazine that has no advertising are fine to post here.  Magazines as a category are not permitted - since they have advertising and can't be sent Media Mail; and they are flimsy and don't stand up well to multiple swaps; and requestors balk at paying a credit for a magazine instead of a book.  Since these are not true of a hardbound copy of a magazine like McSweeney's, you can post these here.

Have a great day!

The PaperBackSwap Team

edited for typo, not content

ooo that's good news. I have a couple of duplicate copies of McSweeney's around.

Ooooh, please, please PM me!  I am looking for some back issues.

Well, I fulfilled a request for an issue of N+1, and would be glad to get most of the rest of them, which are on my WL.  They are not "flimsy," have little or no advertising and do have ISBNs.

Nora

If they have no advertising they should be fine as per the message above.

I'm glad that this got posted and an authoritative position by TPTB was made.  It's always nice when we can sort out the "gray" areas.

Ruth

What about scholarly journals...I wonder?

Do they have ISBN numbers?  As I mentioned above, the VQR, though book-like does not, and therefore seems to be off limits.  Sadly, I think they might really fall under the magazine category.