Regional Food Issues Book – Any Interest?

[Volod]

"...I hate with a passion what has happened to the publishing industry. Reading books, newspapers, hobby price guides, and magazines on line simply isn't the same in terms of its depth, scope ,and enjoyment. Just as the remote control added to the ADD problem, the internet ushering in the demise of the print industry is adding to the dumbing down of America."

Good points there, John, and I agree with most of them, but how 'bout this: the target audience for such a book would most likely be collectors who are well past the age of youthful fascination with the hobby. That is, those of us remaining who recall mid-50's regional issues from our youth. And, speaking strictly for myself, my eyes lost the ability to adjust focus on most printed media a couple of years ago, as just a consequence of ageing. Text on a digital monitor is now the only type that I can comfortably read, with or without artificial lenses. That may, in fact, be contributing to my continued dumbing down, but, if it ends up being the only reading material available, so be it.

[theseeker]

Volod, I honestly always enjoy your contributions to this board and think it's great that this new technology is able to help with your circumstances. My "dumbing down" commit was in no way directed at you but rather the "instant gratification" generation and it's use of google search to put together it's school work assignments. A far more thorough depth of knowledge is provided by repeatative, traditional textbook study. Educators at all levels seem to argee-- the internet in many ways is a hinderance. This Counry's steep decline in test scores in comparison to past generations and with that of students from other Leading Industrial Nations has accelerated during the internets rise in popularity.

Having lived most of my life without it, I know I can't imagine life without the internet but, it has come at a cost. Diminished magazine sections, newspapers that are a shell of their former selves, and the less personal nature of this hobby are casualties of the internet age. There is a distinct danger of internet bloggers replacing most of what's left of respectable newspaper reporting.

As for the proposed book, I am surprised to hear that despite the hobbies demographics, a high quality product can't be cost-effectively produced-- not despite of, but because of the internet. The software used in today's print industry is inexpensive and user freindly. There are numerous overseas companies that will take on such a project from start-to-finish or by printing after the software portion of the project is completed. The transaction can all be done online. The cause of the print indusries decline could also be its salvation.

[Volod]

I hear ya, John. And I agree with your concerns about print publication and its slow, agonizing death. If only we could put the genie back into the bottle, eh? I cancelled my newspaper subscription because Parade magazine nauseated me too much, but the real reason was i just can't read the fine type in the other sections anymore.

[steve B]

Speaking from personal experience the remote didn't change my ADD, it just let me sit farther from the TV.


I think one of the problems will be the hobby itself. The majority of collectors aren't interested in looking at something with any depth.

A book with some depth hidden amongst tales of searching for the cards would probably do well.

It's somewhat amazing to me that stamp collecting can support many incredibly detailed books at rather high price points while Sports collecting can't seem to support even one good quality catalog. The stamp equivalent to the standard catalog is the scotts catalog. That one is 6 volumes at $100 each, with very little written detail. They also make on that covers US only in more detail, and one for worldwide 1840-1940 at $100 and $150 -Although the $150 classic is hardcover.

Most of the smaller specialized books are around $50, with a few very detailed ones over $100.

Scotts is yearly, and the others may only be refreshed once a decade or for some once in a generation. The primary reference for one of the areas I specialise in is from 1961.

Steve B

[Exhibitman]

I can speak to this issue with some background because I am working on the 8th edition to my boxing cards book right now. There is no need for a traditional publisher any more. With the right technology you can use a POD [print on demand] publisher to not only prepare the books but to also market them. You can get an ISBN number and have your work on Amazon and other marketplaces. I use Lulu.com to handle my work. I design and assemble the book in Microsoft Publisher then convert to a PDF and upload to Lulu. You can also pay Lulu to do some of the work for you. If your passion is to write it, don't let a publisher talk you out of it!

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperbac...-2012/15370683

[Volod]

Some excellent pointers there, Adam. I imagine the increased ease of publication, including for novices and hacks, is more than compensated by the elimination of screening editors, like the one who told Herman Melville to stick to his day job as a customs clerk.

[Rich Klein]

However; Adam is backing up with his post one of my points. His book, and granted it is a labor of love for him to some extent, has a price point of nearly $40 IIRC.

Rich