The Hannah Barnes book

A better approach for those who don't like Barnes' arguments is to refute them with logic and evidence. That is how societies should address contested issues, by reasoned debates.

They did have a copy of Munroe Bergadorf's book in the new releases section, though.

That could be around for a while gathering dust judging by the sales figures...

I've already got a copy but I decided to test out my local branch of Waterstones, today. I've always had issues with the 'predicatble' new releases not being available on shelves, or in the new releases section, and today was no different.

I enquired about the book with a member of staff, who feigned ignorance of the book ( perhaps genuinely, not sure) and did a search. She said they had one copy in store. I asked where and wondered why it was not on the 'New Releases' shelf - she said it is upstairs in the 'Smart Thinking' section. I took a look. It was not there. It also was not in the Gender studies section, either.

They did have a copy of Munroe Bergadorf's book in the new releases section, though.

I've just into Bookhaus, an otherwise good bookshop in Bristol. No, not in stock, except for one copy ordered specifically. It's not just Waterstones.

And although I can now click and collect from my local Waterstones it’s not on display. It’s kept in the back. It’s just bonkers.

Just wondering if WH Smith are having the same “stock issues”
Cant see Hannah Barnes book here either

twitter.com/johnsweeneyroar/status/1635910821472600074?s=46&t=L-moZWFCgm4ZDc07DxTMGg

I was thinking of popping to the local independent bookshop to see if they had a copy. Anyway, it occurred to me, does anyone know if Hannah Barnes is planning any author signing tours?

The problem with just ordering online is that no one will then encounter these books unless they are specifically searching them out. No one will pick up a copy of Material Girls or Hags or Time to Think or Irreversible Damage or Trans or similar books, because they won't even know they're being written. Instead you see entire tables devoted to trans issues, but all from one perspective. If you aren't already paying attention to this issue you therefore may never even realise there are books to be bought.

And from the bookstores' perspective, if everyone is just ordering online, then they can justifiably say that there is no demand so they won't order any copies in.

I don't believe their claim that the books just sold out quickly as well. I went into the Victoria branch on the day of publication, and every few days after that, and they neither had copies nor would allow me to order into the shop - they just directed me to the Kings Road branch as Picadilly, Hatchards, and Foyles (owned by Waterstones) all had no copies.

Realise I could be giving them too much credit for cleverness though

Slightly out of the box theory here:

Could Waterstones be thinking that if they make it look like they are holding back on stocking the books- people will order from them precisely to show that there is the demand for them (as people are)- to prove a point- and that will actually increase sales for them. More people will buy from them to prove a point than will go to other sellers in protest. Maybe they've even done analytics in this.

Not sure I'm explaining this well- and probably too convoluted- but I'm sure lots of companies will be using the gender debate as a marketing opportunity. If you look at all the heightened visibility and consciousness (even when negative/via outrage) given to brands who use Dylan Mulvaney etc. Just wondering if there is something in it for them. Businesses are businesses first and foremost and I've been very cynical about the angles marketing will take since first learning about it in primary school. I'm thinking successful marketing can use trends in surprising and counterintuitive ways.

Any marketing psychologists/analysts here?

Could be totally off but just occured to me so thought it worth putting out there.

Well, Waterstones is a private company. They can choose not to stock any book if they wish, whether it's a bestseller or not.

And of course, people can choose to support other bookshops, instead.

People always talk about 'boycotts', but I think what actually probably affects a company more in the long run is just falling behind in terms of public opinion. As soon as a company starts to look like its judging its customers, it makes one far less inclined to spend money there.

I dug out some Waterstones vouchers the kids have had the past few christmases and ordered time to think plus the first Robert Galbraith book to get me free delivery. I'll give the kids the cash equivalent!
V pleased that Waterstones honoured the vouchers despite two of them being from dec 2020, I haven't been shopping much in person since Covid.

Would-be book-banners should probably not be taking jobs in bookshops. Or libraries.

As it's across a lot of different stores I don't think it can be down to woke employees in the stores. It's either the case that someone in their distribution team is deliberately suppressing books getting into stores or that they - a national bookselling chain - are really not very good at bookselling

I actually firmly believe that if people had absolute confidence in their beliefs and truly believe they are right and everyone else feels the same then you'd not be so afraid of a book like this being sold in your shop.

I mean it would be read and dismissed as nonsense right ? Wouldn't stand up to scrutiny etc

If your beliefs are so fragile that you need to suppress any other opinion then that should tell you everything you need to know about them.

As it's across a lot of different stores I don't think it can be down to woke employees in the stores. It's either the case that someone in their distribution team is deliberately suppressing books getting into stores or that they - a national bookselling chain - are really not very good at bookselling.

Plenty of alternative booksellers are available thankfully. (adds Waterstones to list of stores that will no longer get my custom).

My experience with Waterstones where I live is that they often do have a copy of a 'controversial' book, but it is "in the storeroom" or on a trolley somewhere; certainly not on the 'New Releases'section or on the appropriate bookshelf elsewhere. I always make a big point of asking where I can find it and enquiring as to why they don't have it on the 'New Releases' section.

I know there is at least one transman working in my local branch - and the staff tend always to be young or else students.

It looks like Waterstones are either lying through their teeth or talking out of their arse. Can't tell which.

Now even Hannah is on the case of the books missing from stores!

twitter.com/hannahsbee/status/1635580843090489346?s=12

I've listened to this now - excellent to hear Hannah talking so clearly about everything, and Singal is a knowledgeable and skilled interviewer.

It was a six-part series produced late last year, and is apparently worth listening to. There was some discussion of it here.

www.tortoisemedia.com/listen/thetavistock/

In case anyone missed it, Hannah Barnes was on the Gender: A Wider Lens podcast recently here:

gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/104-no-time-to-think-with-hannah-barnes-the-downfall-of-gids-at-the-tavistock

And Marcus Evans had a related essay in Spiked last week:

What I saw inside the Tavistock

Sorry if I’ve missed a thread but I just saw on Spotify a recommend to a podcast series ‘the Tavistock: inside the gender clinic.’ Journalist interviewing is called Polly Curtis from Tortoise media. I haven’t listened to it or looked into it yet but I thought it might be an interesting companion piece to listen to in the context of Hannah Barnes’ work. It looks like it covers the last days of the service.

Thanks, birchtreeglow - will catch up with that this evening.

I haven't listened to this yet.

Jesse Singal interviews Hannah Barnes.
www.blockedandreported.org/p/episode-155-hannah-barnes-on-the#details

I think your arse is showing, Waterstones.