You’ve likely heard the phrase that a “book has gone out of print” or maybe “never out of print.” This post will explain the meaning behind those words, when it happens, why it’s important, and give a few examples.
What does “out of print” mean?
Out of print refers to books that are no longer being produced by a publisher. There are no new copies of this title available.
Why do books go out of print?
Many books have gone out of print over time (think about how many books get published in a year!). A book can go out of print when it loses popularity so the publisher stops making new copies, or it can go out of print when a printing is all sold and not renewed.
The concept of what “out of print” means has become more complicated in recent years with electronic book editions of both new and old books. People disagree about whether this means books are still in print, or if it does not count.
Why should you care if a book is out of print?
Simply put, it is much harder to get ahold of a book that’s out of print. There aren’t as many copies overall, and you can’t order a new one from the publisher.
So how can you find a book that’s out of print? Your best bets are to check with a library. Sometimes even online library-type sites will have out-of-print books as well (for example, HathiTrust). However, if you want to buy a book, it can get more difficult. Try used bookstores, both in-person and online.
Examples of books that have never gone out of print
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
- Emma by Jane Austen
- Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
- The Bible
Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped, and invite you to check out our other informational posts, such as: What a “Buddy Read” Means — and How You Can Get Started, Meanings of Popular Book Title Acronyms (Alphabetical List You Need!), and What Do These Common Book Abbreviations Mean?: Lingo You Need to Know.