📚 How to sell books

Book buyers want to know exactly what shelf life the copy has lived. A wood table or dark fabric backdrop looks right, and side lighting reveals page yellowing and spine creases that front-on light flattens. For first editions, the copyright page number line is the money shot — make it tack sharp.

📷 Photographing

• 🎨 Neutral background — wood or dark fabric works well
• 💡 Side lighting reveals page yellowing and spine creases better than front-on
• 📐 Cover, back, spine (straight-on), title/copyright page, and any highlighting or writing
• 🔍 Flip through and photo any dog-ears, stamps, or ex-library markings
• 📖 For first editions: photograph the number line on the copyright page clearly

📦 Packing & shipping

• 📚 Single paperback: padded bubble mailer, wrapped in a poly bag first for moisture protection
• 📦 Hardcovers or multiple books: corrugated box, crumpled kraft paper on top and bottom
• 📬 USPS Media Mail is the cheapest option — allowed for books, valid tracking included
• 🏷️ Insure rare or first editions; Media Mail is slow (2–8 days) — mention this to buyers

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