I actually work in textbooks and I am ALWAYS amazed at the lack of information in these kinds of posts. Everyone is blamed from the stores to the publishers to the authors - but then each of those is getting "screwed" too.

I'm pretty late to this party so this will probably be overlooked but I wanted to finally chime-in because the information in here is almost completely false when it comes to the inner-workings.

Here's how it breaks down for higher education:

1) The publisher sells the books to the bookstore based on what the professor wants. S/he will usually negotiate with the publisher for what they want their students to use - including study guides, online homework, etc and then a package is put together. Publishers have regional reps that are assigned to specific schools to cover specific areas of study.

2) The store then marks up the price by at least 30%. So the claims that the bookstores don't make anything on book sales is completely false.

3) In addition, if the publisher sells directly to the student - the bookstore will STILL get a cut (8%) even though they've done NOTHING.

4) Many bookstores have deals with the universities - whether it is to share proceeds or whatever - to help keep them in business. There are two major textbook companies - Follet's and B&N.

5) The bookstores KNOW they are in trouble. Sometimes they only see sell-through of 50% of enrollment. Publishers are in better shape because we can simply move to the online-model where students require access for grading, etc.

Now - I also see people blaming professors - WHICH IS NUTS!

1) Most professors hate the bookstore and how they are forced to work with them. They would rather the students buy directly from the publisher.

2) Many professors negotiate for lower prices for the students - but only bigger adoptions really have this power.

3) Most professors that write a book FOREGO royalties for units sold at their school - or that money is donated to their specific department.

4) Professors are NOT given cuts or paybacks. They DO sometimes get lunches or dinners - but it is not an all-the-time kind of thing. I have heard rumors that ONE of the major publishers does employ shady tactics but it's all hearsay. I know that for my company - the sales team might bring cookies into the office and that kind of stuff - but it is not widescale 'bribery.'

Now, for the publishers:

1) The reason new editions come out so frequently is that they see NO MONEY from used sales. So they spend hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars developing a new edition and really only get to sell it one year. Then the bookstore gives you back a fraction of what you paid and then sells the used version based on what a new copy costs (even if that 'new' price is increased!).

2) New editions are between 3-5 years if the book sells well enough.

3) It is expensive to make a textbook. Not just for printing - but copyediting, proofreading, accuracy reviewing, media creation, and permissions. An art book can have up to $1m in permissions costs. Typically, dozens of people have a direct role in creating a book - from design and development to manufacturing.

As for authors -

1) They are not screwed! I know authors who can make $1m+ an edition. Obviously they are outliers - but it depends on the success of the book and the enrollment for a class. If you're writing a physical chemistry textbook - you might make enough to help your kids go to college but you won't be able to live off it.

2) Many of these authors care DEEPLY about education. It is their passion.

3) It is an incredible undertaking to write a 1,000-page+ book. Not everyone can do this!

I hope that clears up some of the questions in here. I agree that the industry needs help and the government has created new regulations to help with that - but it is an industry in transition from solely print to a myriad of learning options.

Publishers and authors create, develop, and deliver the product - which is not an easy task. Your professors care about price and look out for you. The bookstores simply stock and sell you the book. Their role is limited.