“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

Moreover, from this other general (paperback) market, you will consistently pick up a newer group of readers. To some extent you have been “hitting the underground movements.” Well and good, and important. You are competing now, as you were not before, however, in that general market with all of the conventional cultural goodies. As mentioned, you are not packaging our material either in such a way that it builds upon the cliches of the occult field believed in as the public sees it.

The immediate money resulting with the contracts served as financial reinforcement at a time when you and Ruburt needed it. This was more important than you seem to remember. (Although I do keep this in mind. So does Jane, I think.) Ruburt was worried about money in the bank then—not six months or a year hence with royalties. Prentice wanted to set up a paperback mass connection, for to them this means that a book is good and has value financially. They also wanted quick cash. It was a poor year financially speaking for them. They also needed financial reinforcement. You and Ruburt also wanted the books to be in the general market.

The paperbacks have not cut down the occult market that you had secured. Those people have already read the books, and are waiting for more. There would have been a lag in sales until the next book, which then triggers the loyal to pick up any of the others they might have missed along the way.

The paperbacks in the meantime are .picking up new readership that will broaden your base. Saleswise, then, you would more or less be in the same position now, whether or not the books had been sold to mass markets. The advantage, however, has not yet shown; for the people are still immersed in the books they have.

Prentice knows that the hardcovers will continue to do well over the years. They also understand that the general market paperbacks do not last—that is, they come apart. The people who really enjoy these books will buy Prentice editions as their own wear out, using hardcovers to make notations, etc.