--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We sell books, other people sell shoes…" description: "\"We sell books, other people sell shoes. What's the difference? Publishing isn't the highest art.\" — Michael Korda" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/michael-korda-2925_art_we-sell-books-other-people-sell-shoes-wh_394739.png" --- # We sell books, other people sell shoes. What's the… ![“We sell books, other people sell shoes. What's the difference? Publishing isn't the highest art.” quote by Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/michael-korda-2925_art_we-sell-books-other-people-sell-shoes-wh_394739.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/michael-korda-2925_art_we-sell-books-other-people-sell-shoes-wh_394739.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/michael-korda-2925_art_we-sell-books-other-people-sell-shoes-wh_394739.png) > “We sell books, other people sell shoes. What's the difference? Publishing isn't the highest art.” [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts the perceived artistic value of publishing with that of other trades, suggesting publishing is more commercial than artistic. **In simple terms:** Publishing is seen as more business‑like than artistic. Key Takeaway Recognize the commercial side of publishing. Themes publishing art commerce value perception Mood reflective critical Type observational analytical When to use this quote - author negotiations - book marketing - career choices - industry analysis Key Concepts cultural hierarchy creative merit Questions to Reflect On - How does commerce affect artistic perception? - Can publishing be both commercial and artistic? A Different Perspective It may overlook the creative and cultural impact of publishing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Difference Publishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference-publishing-3554272/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Highest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highest/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Publishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publishing/) [Publishing Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publishing-isn-1790142/) [Sell Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sell-books-868099/) [Sell Shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sell-shoes-1316375/) [Selling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selling/) [Sells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sells/) [Shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoes/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [I know there's a lot of talk about self-publishing right now. Everyone's giddy with the possibilities. And I'll admit that it looks good on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/i-know-there-s-a-lot-of-talk-about-self-publishing-right-now-everyone/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [Publishing isn't a job anymore. It's a button.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-shirky/publishing-isn-t-a-job-anymore-it-s-a-button/) [Clay Shirky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-shirky/) > [Zappos is a customer service company that just happens to sell shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hsieh/zappos-is-a-customer-service-company-that-just-happens-to-sell-shoes/) [Tony Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hsieh/) > [If you wanted a safe job, go sell shoes. 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Agents negotiate contracts, but they don’t sell books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-macomber/agents-don-t-sell-books-good-writing-does-plotting-and/) [Debbie Macomber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-macomber/) > [I started selling in the early '90s, because at 18 years old, it's tough to go to your parents and say, 'Can I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/i-started-selling-in-the-early-90s-because-at-18-years-old-it-s-tough/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [When I talk to booksellers, they tell me how hard it is to hand-sell some of my books because I do keep popping around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-desmond/when-i-talk-to-booksellers-they-tell-me-how-hard-it-is-to-hand-sell/) [Matthew Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-desmond/) ## More by Michael Korda > [Hebron is a bone of contention between Israeli settlers and the Palestinians in part because Abraham is buried there, in the Tomb of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/hebron-is-a-bone-of-contention-between-israeli-settlers-and-the/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [In 'Gran Torino,' Eastwood moves towards the climax of the movie not by staging a shoot-out, but by putting his weapons to one side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/in-gran-torino-eastwood-moves-towards-the-climax-of-the-movie-not-by/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [Some people are so famous that the legends about them and the cultural aftermath of their life altogether obscure the real human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/some-people-are-so-famous-that-the-legends-about-them-and-the/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [The advice I would offer to any writer is that even when you think you have revised your book to the point where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/the-advice-i-would-offer-to-any-writer-is-that-even-when-you-think/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [Citizens of Rome might boast that the claim of 'Civus romanus sum' set them apart from barbarians and slaves, and it was true up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/citizens-of-rome-might-boast-that-the-claim-of-civus-romanus-sum-set/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [Concentration is the magic key that opens the door to accomplishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/concentration-is-the-magic-key-that-opens-the-door-to-accomplishment/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [Luck can often mean simply taking advantage of a situation at the right moment. 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