Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-06-10 Origin: Site
Ever searched for a book and found it no longer sold anywhere? That probably means it’s out of print.Out-of-print books are hard to find, but many people still want them. Collectors, students, and researchers search for them every day.
In this post from (Redwood Co., Ltd.), you’ll learn what out-of-print books are, why they vanish, and how to track them down with smart tools and tips.
Before diving into rare book sites or collector forums, get the basics right.A small mistake in spelling or edition can block your search.
Always double-check spelling. A typo can hide a result completely.Use the full book title, including subtitles if known.Search for the author’s full name.
If you’re not sure, try different forms—middle initials or no initials.ISBNs can help, but not always.Older books may have no ISBN, or multiple ones across editions.
Search Tip | Why It Matters |
Use full title and subtitle | Avoids missing books due to partial matches |
Include author middle initial | Filters results more precisely |
Try multiple ISBNs | ISBNs differ across publishers, editions |
Some books exist in many forms—paperback, hardcover, reprint, or collector edition.Each one may have different availability and price.Hardcover often stays in print longer.Reprints may lack original formatting or illustrations.
Edition Type | What to Know |
Hardcover | More durable, often first to go out of print |
Paperback | Cheaper, but may differ in layout or content |
First Edition | Valuable to collectors, usually hardest to find |
Publisher Reprint | May use different ISBN, less collectible |
Knowing your preferred format helps narrow your search.It also prevents paying too much for the wrong version.
The internet makes rare book hunting easier than ever.Here are the best places to begin your search.
These platforms help you find and buy secondhand, rare, or out-of-print books.Many sellers are independent bookstores or collectors.
Platform | What It Offers |
AbeBooks | Specializes in rare, used, and out-of-print titles worldwide |
BookFinder.com | Meta-search across many stores, great for price comparison |
AddALL | Compares book prices across dozens of sellers |
Alibris | Features both rare books and textbooks from independent sellers |
Amazon | Look for used copies via third-party sellers and marketplace |
Tip: On Amazon, check the “Used” or “Collectible” tabs for hidden gems.Read seller ratings before buying rare or expensive copies.
If you don’t need to buy, libraries often still carry out-of-print books.Some even offer digital or interlibrary access.
Resource | Use Case |
WorldCat | Search global library catalogs for physical holdings |
Open Library | Borrow digital versions of older or out-of-print titles |
Library Genesis | For academic PDFs or hard-to-find scholarly works |
University Libraries | Often store special collections or archived editions |
Many libraries also let you request books via interlibrary loan.That way, you can access rare books without owning them.
If a book is out of print but not lost to time,you may still get a fresh copy through reprint services.
Some publishers keep digital files even after a book goes out of print.They’ll print a copy only when someone orders it.
Publisher/Platform | Service Offered |
Amazon KDP | Self-published and reprint titles on demand |
IngramSpark | POD distribution for publishers and libraries |
Lulu | Independent POD service, often used for reprints |
Books ordered this way are usually paperback.Quality varies, but they’re readable and often affordable.
Smaller publishers in academia and theology often reprint older works.Some even specialize in restoring out-of-print titles.
Wipf and Stock is a great example.
They reissue scholarly and theological books in small batches or POD format.Also check university presses—many quietly reprint long-unavailable texts.Use their websites or contact them directly.
Books published before a certain year may fall into the public domain.These are often reprinted or digitized by nonprofits and archives.
Source | What You Can Find |
Project Gutenberg | Free ebooks of public domain classics |
Google Books | Scanned editions of old, out-of-print works |
Internet Archive | Digitized and printable copies of rare books |
Some of these can be printed through services like Lulu or Blurb.You can also save them digitally or request a bound edition.
If a book is out of print and nowhere to be found,reaching out to the publisher or author might be your best move.
Start by checking the book’s copyright or title page.
It usually lists the original publisher.
If that doesn’t work, try these steps:
● Search the publisher’s name online
● Visit their official website
● Look for a "Contact" or "Rights and Permissions" page
● Use email or contact forms when available
Source | What You’ll Find |
Title page of the book | Publisher name and imprint |
Publisher’s website | Contact details, rights inquiries info |
WorldCat or Library DB | Original publishing info |
Once you find the contact, be clear and polite.
Here are a few helpful questions to include:
● Is this title still in print or available in any form?
● Are there plans to reissue it?
● Is it offered in digital or print-on-demand format?
● Can you recommend another way to access it?
Sometimes the publisher has leftover stock,or can direct you to another seller or archive.
Not all authors give up their rights forever.Some keep reprint rights after contracts expire.
The author may:
● Sell books through a personal website
● Offer digital copies directly
● Grant permission for a custom reprint
Try searching for the author’s name online.
Look for personal websites, LinkedIn, or professional pages.Authors are often happy to help readers find their work,especially if the book is hard to locate.
Just because a book is out of print in your country
doesn’t mean it’s unavailable everywhere else.
Some titles stay in circulation longer in other countries.Foreign publishers may hold the rights and keep printing copies.Translations can also offer a different way to access the same book.Even if it's not in English, it may still be worth reading or collecting.
Different Amazon marketplaces serve different regions.Each may list books unavailable in your country.
Amazon Site | Region | Why Try It |
amazon.co.uk | United Kingdom | Often stocks UK-only or Euro editions |
amazon.de | Germany | Large English-language book inventory |
amazon.co.jp | Japan | Japanese editions, anime/manga content |
amazon.ca | Canada | North American titles with different stock |
Use a browser with translation features
or change your region in the Amazon account settings.
If you're searching German, French, or Japanese sites,
Google Translate can help you navigate the listings.
Tips for non-English searches:
● Translate the book title into the target language
● Use author names instead of titles, when possible
● Copy ISBNs—they’re universal regardless of language
Try book marketplaces like Rakuten (Japan), FNAC (France), or Hugendubel (Germany).
Some have export options or ship internationally.
Sometimes, the best leads come from other readers.
Online communities are full of people hunting rare books just like you.
Subreddits like r/printSF or r/books often share leads on hard-to-find titles.
Post what you're looking for—someone may know where to get it.
Other helpful subs include:
● r/rarebooks
● r/scifi
● r/whatsthatbook
Search for groups like "Out-of-Print Book Exchange" or "Vintage Book Club".
Join, ask politely, and browse posts for leads.
These groups are often run by collectors.
Some even buy and trade directly through private chat.
Genres like sci-fi, horror, and theology have tight-knit fan forums.
Look for threads about missing editions or publisher-specific print runs.
Fans often trade, lend, or scan books within the community.
You don’t have to search every day.
Set alerts and let tools do the tracking for you.
Sites like AbeBooks, BookFinder, and eBay let you set notifications.
Enter the title or ISBN and get notified when it’s listed.
Try browser extensions that track ISBNs or seller changes.
Some tools scan global marketplaces for updates hourly.
Tool Type | What It Does |
AbeBooks Alert | Emails you when a matching copy appears |
ISBN Watcher | Tracks listings across marketplaces |
eBay Saved Search | Sends push/email alerts when re-listed |
Create an alert with quotes for accuracy.
Example: "John Smith" "Dark Waters"
You’ll get email updates when it’s mentioned online.
If every search turns up empty, don’t give up.There are still a few things you can try.
Libraries borrow books from other libraries.Even if your branch doesn’t have it, another might.Use WorldCat.org to find which libraries hold the book.Then ask your local librarian to request it.
Sites like archive.org, Google Books, or HathiTrust offer scanned copies.Some can be borrowed like eBooks, others downloaded freely.
Post a polite request in forums or book groups.Some collectors may offer a scanned version or lend the book.
For academic or obscure works, you may find detailed notes online.Blogs, journal articles, or even YouTube reviews can help.If reading the full text isn’t possible,these resources can still give you the information you need.
Finding out-of-print books isn’t always easy. It takes time, patience, and some detective work.With the right tools, searching gets much easier. Alerts, archives, and forums help you stay ahead.Never underestimate fellow readers and collectors. They often know where to look—or already have a copy.
A: Books go out of print when sales drop or publishing rights expire. Publishers stop printing due to low demand or licensing limits.
A: Buying used copies is legal. Scanning is legal only if the book is in the public domain or with the copyright holder’s permission.
A: Yes, you can contact the publisher or author. Some publishers offer print-on-demand reprints for out-of-print titles.
A: Used means pre-owned. Out-of-print means the book is no longer being published, but used copies may still exist.
