My affection for continued novels is limited. I was merely suggesting things publishers might do to stop driving away customers–such as telling a complete story within the lifetime of the reader. The things I’d like them to do as a reader would be a different list.

Actually, except for two serious works of military history, every book I want is readily available–either in print, POD, or quickly here in a good used copy. (In some cases the age of the paper is a problem.) I have a lot more trouble with movies and TV where some of what I’m after has never been released on DVD. Even there I’ve whittled it down to about three movies and maybe six program/seasons’s worth of TV. I tell my son about the wonders of buying a book with the Single Copy Order Plan in the 1960′s, or running ads in THE ANITQUARIAN BOOKMAN for used books in the 1970′s and I’m not sure he altogether believes me. For the reader, today is infinitely better.
I too would like to think any good mystery should have 10,000 people willing to pay $30 each for a proper hardcover. Either there really aren’t, in which case I think the education system has to take some of the blame, or there really are, but they’re not hearing about the books. Any suggestions for that one?

I stand corrected on copyeditor as opposed to proofreader.

I suspect a lot more people would read if they didn’t have those resources/time sinks.