[mec]

I would like to warn the board about a new entry on Amazon.com - "Percussion Revolvers, A Guide to.....etc"
This was to be a re-written and expanded follow up to the current same subject. The major object was to cover more revolvers, more history and more shooting modalities with an improved physical layout. With the latter in mind, I invested considerable money in iUniverse contracted proof readers and line editors. Unfortunately, their level of competence combined with my own poor proof reading ability resulted in some glaring errors in the final product. Rather than listen to three years of complaints, I instructed iUniverse to scrub the project.

The book probably does not actually exist and if a few have been printed, this took place against my instructions.

[mykeal]

Mike,

I ordered one yesterday, along with a copy of the first version. I've received notice from Amazon.com that the first book has shipped, and the second (later one) is due to ship August 8. I'm considering whether to allow it to continue, just to see if it really shows up or to cancel it.

Have you canceled the entire project or is an acceptable book still in the works?

[mec]

Amazon probably hasn't found out about it yet. They are a pretty good outfit and will probably just refund your money when they do.

Have you cancelled the entire project or is an acceptable book still in the works?

I've already spent enough money on it. I have the PDF file they created- Book, cover and index and to go forward with it, I would probably have to find a printer and then handle the sales myself. I would have to either re-write it or open the pdf and remove all the iUniverse language on the cover and title pages, correct the errors, hire a reputable proof reader and spend a bunch more money. I suspect it's as dead as Elvis himself.

[.cheese.]

here is the book I believe:

http://www.amazon.com/Percussion-Revolvers-Guide-History-Performance/dp/0595436242/ref=sr_1_1/104-5403125-3098312?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185574114&sr=8-1

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51dN2CG-EhL._AA240_.jpg

[Duncaninfrance]

How many pages do you want proof reading mec?

[mec]

The book would have been 212 pages. I know I'm not going to do anything with it in for the forseeable future.

[Peter M. Eick]

To bad. I was going to order one this morning. I am not the best proof reader but if you are looking for help let me know.

[mec]

Actually, I had some pretty good volunteer proof readers. What threw me is that the people at iUniverse changed something that was mainly right and I failed to re-proof read behind the proof reader.

[Vermonter]

I'd be glad to help manipulate the pdf file and do some proofing. I work as a web programmer so I'm used to staring at screens of text.

[Sistema1927]

Why not post that .pdf file somewhere so that all of us can see just how bad it really is? :evil:

(I bet that it is better than you think that it is.)

[mec]

(I bet that it is better than you think that it is.)


Oh, It is. It's just that a couple of non-professional aspects of it assume overwhelming importance when read by perfectionists. I found this out with the first one which is a product of informal proofing and editing.

Posting it widely is one option.The first book -flies and all, is in the Smithsonian Library and even in a library in Taiwan. If I ever go into print with this current one, it will be book-like enough that even the most pickinish reader will not go into a catatonic stupor over the presentation of it.
Right now, I have somebody who will be looking at it to see what might be done. An outside possibility, is that I might be able to have it printed locally but I don't want anybody to get too excited about that. time will tell whether or not it will see the light of day in book form.

[Gaucho Gringo]

I don't know of any book written that is perfect. The price of the book seems reasonable and I don't think you are planning to retire on the profits(if any). If you decide to publish it again let us know.

[mec]

I had posted a review on Amazon.com regarding the actual status of the book. Probably saved a few people aggrevation, but they removed the review overnight. I suppose people will continue ordering it.

[mykeal]

Half my order arrived yesterday: Percussion Pistols And Revolvers: History, Performance and Practical Use, the first book.

The invoice just says the second book will be shipped separately at no charge, but doesn't say when.

The web site order status tool says that the second book, Percussion Revolvers: A Guide to Their History, Performance, and Use, will be delivered between 10 and 17 August. I'll let you know if anything shows up.

BTW, I edit and publish a newsletter/magazine/journal for my wife's antique china collectors group. I use Microsoft Publisher to create the copy that goes to the printer, a local shop that prints, binds and stuffs (into mailing envelopes) for me. If any of that can be useful, please don't hesitate to let me know.

[mec]

we could be (real) surprised but I suspect amazon is in the dark about the actual status of the book. They list it on iUniverse too but in my completed submissions section, it's labled " Publication Cancelled." It seems that at iUniverse, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Understandable with the head jammed firmly up against the sigmoid flexure.

[Coyote Rider]

Have you considered going with a print-on-demand service like lulu.com? No upfront expenses, unless you have to pay for help generating the pdfs (for the content and the cover), reasonable final price, distribution available through amazon.com, etc., for a nominal fee.

[mykeal]

Amazon.com sent me an email today asking me if I still wanted to buy the new book. It was an automailer message with a link to my amazon.com account, where I was given the opportunity to cancel or confirm that I still wanted the book. Their new estimated ship date is 28 September. I chose to confirm the order; we'll see how long it takes them to acknowledge that it 's not available.

[mec]

Amazon now says " Not currently available. we don't know when or if the item will be back in stock."

[webguynh]

I used to work as a Tech Writer before I became a web engineer. If you need a 2nd set of eyes let me know. I'd enjoy the opportunity and figure I'd learn something to boot.

[Charles G.]

Interestingly, Amazon still lists this book and even claims that 2 are available.

If it matters, I would certainly love to see this in print, even if it were twice the listed price. The first book was invaluable; I can only imagine how useful this one would be. I definately stand by my review of the 1st book on Amazon.

Heck, I'd be happy to edit the manuscript for number two for free, though it seems you have plenty of offers in that regard. I did once upon a time work as an assistant editor for an antiquarian journal, and am fairly conversant with firearms of the period and thus probably wouldn't screw the job up too badly...

If bribes will help get this book published, I have a friend who can get Cuban cigars... :)

[mec]

Mykeal has edited the material and formatted it for disc. It works fine in my computer but another person I showed it to couldn't get it to open.

It still exists in nature but is a back -burner sort of thing.

[mykeal]

Hmmm. Cuban cigars....

[mykeal]

Hmmm. Cuban cigars....

[mec]

Amazon still lists this book and even claims that 2 are available

That is interesting. I notice that it has a higher sales rank than the hard copy version of the first one-the one that is actually in production. I wonder if iUniverse decided to wait a year and then make a few bucks on the QT.
Its not listed in the iUniverse book store. When I terminate the contract, they advised that they had the right to sell any books they had already produced but had chosen not to exercise the option. This may be enough to let them go back later, actually produce some books and sell them on amazon.
Just to find out, I ordered one. It will be interesting to see if it actually comes.

[HB]

Sorry to here about the book....
I suspect it's as dead as Elvis himself

That leaves it pretty open :D

HB

[mec]

I bet Amazon accidently made it appear available after they reconfigured their pages. The sales rank could come from people ordering it because it appeared to be active.
Can't figure why they say it's in stock ready to ship and avalible from another source though.

[Charles G.]

"Mykeal has edited the material and formatted it for disc. It works fine in my computer but another person I showed it to couldn't get it to open.

It still exists in nature but is a back -burner sort of thing."

Yeah, kinda figured. Mostly posted just to let it be known that there are folks who really treasure the first book, and would be absolutely delighted with a second...

As for the disc not opening, I assume this is a CD or DVD-ROM? If so, I know sort of what is going on. Apparantly one has to perform some sort of special write process in order to allow other machines to read the disc. Stupid, but it is what one comes to expect from the computer industry in these times. You'll probably have to consult a FAQ for your particular disc burning software (Nero, etc.) to figure out how to do it.

One last question regarding the first book: is the picture quality better on the hardback version than the softbound? I ask because if it is, I'll likely upgrade my copy to the hardback (I would have bought the HB in the first place, but Amazon did a poor job of advertising its existence back when I bought it).

[mykeal]

mec - I just successfully ordered the other 'available' copy.

During the checkout process it said '1 available - in stock', so we'll see what happens.

This is a hoot. I can't wait to see how it compares with the proofed copy.

BTW your two 'reviews' are still there.

[mec]

Dont know Charles. Mykeal made the pdf disc on his computer and it worked fine on mine. bates couldn't get it to open. I can just see sending a bunch of these out and having people squall that it doesn't work.

Interesting: It said 2 available when I ordered it. I still have doubts that they actually printed it. I googled it and several of those satelite companies that are probably really Amazon list it. Its not on Barnes and noble or on the iUniverse site. with all the corrections you made and the various spellings I applied to the starr revolver, I would kind of hate to see the original version in print.

[MikeG]

Mykeal made the pdf disc on his computer and it worked fine on mine. bates couldn't get it to open.

Different versions of Adobe Acrobat?

[Gaucho Gringo]

I would just like to buy the pdf copy of the book directly from MEC and have all the money go to him and not to the middleman leeches. If there is a way to do it I wish he would PM me. Thanks.

[mec]

Different versions

I thought of that. I have (I think) the newest version. Not sure what he has.

[mykeal]

The .pdf file was made with a conversion program, not Adobe Acrobat. It opens on both of my computers. I'll pass it around the local Sportsman's club this week and see if any others have a problem.

It might be the .pdf file OR the CD itself. Can Bates' computer find the file on the disk and identify it as a .pdf file with Windows Explorer? If so, it's the .pdf file format and not the CD.

[mec]

bates could read off the size of the file but just couldn't get it open. The cd was one I burned. It would open on my computer.

[scrat]

i still want a book

[mykeal]

'Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice.

So, it's not the CD. Could be insufficient RAM or an older version of Acrobat Reader.

Could also be a damaged CD - the file size is located on the CD's root sector, while the file contents are elsewhere. Two things: what edition of Adobe Reader does he have, and does the file still open on your computer?

[mykeal]

i still want a book
Patience. You may yet get one. This isn't as easy as it should be.

[DrLaw]

I've got the book, Percussion Pistols and Revolvers, History, Perfomance and Practical Use, by Bates and yourself.

The complaint is that the pictures are generally too small. Tis as if they thought the ink for the pictures would scuttle the budget and therefore, did not expend the cost for a larger picture.

Now the photos that I have seen you post here in the past are great. If they could do that with your book, it would be a smash!

The Doc is out now. :cool:

PS, you can make me happy by sending 8 x 10 matte photos of everything in the book. :D

[Bryan James]

can he copy the pdf off the cd to the hard drive and then try opening,

just a thought

[mec]

The complaint is that the pictures are generally too small

the pictures in the second book were much larger but still in black and white. This circumstance makes many purchasers think that they have been fundamentally screwed. If a large and money making publishing house were interested in such material, a coffee table book with color plates would probably cost about $60. Except for my lack of editing skills, I could probably do such a project through the Texian Press. It would probably cost me well into the five figures to have a couple of hundred printed and the price would probably guarantee that I would get to keep most of them for myself.
From what I have heard in the last year or so, the people who have written several gun books are now having trouble finding interested publishers. I posed the idea to Krauss before doing the vanity press thing and they didn't bother answering. Just as welll I don't believe an industry oriented publisher would be interested in some of the things I said about products and quality control.

[DrLaw]

It would probably cost me well into the five figures to have a couple of hundred printed and the price would probably guarantee that I would get to keep most of them for myself.

Yes, it would be well worth it for me for you to do that! :D:evil::neener:

The Doc is out now. :cool:

[mtngunr]

Yep, Mike, courtiers aren't standing in line to tell the emperor he hasn't any clothes....sorry to find this thread regarding problems with the latest book....was just using your first book twice this weekend for reference or to answer questions from other folk...a GREAT book...
Lance

[mec]

See
bobus book surprise topic for an update. the book I ordered came so there are at least a few available through amazon

[JACK STEELE]

mec, I purchased the second book along with the first a few month ago from amazon. I'm sorry to say i havent yet delved between the covers yet as im still reading the fist book.the first is truly a great book,thanks to scrat for reccomending it.

[mec]

theyve been selling them for a few months then. the second one has some repitition but when you think you've read a whole passiage in the first book, it will change on you.

[Charles G.]

Got my copy, as well. Read it over a single day. Excellent! Very valuable book, just like the first one.

My only minor criticism has to do with the "Precursors and Peers" chapter, which while fine struck me as off topic for the theme of this book. Not that it was bad information or anything, but it probably would have been a better fit for the first book. Not to mention that it seemed sort of randomly placed in the middle of the book.

Otherwise, great information, and improved pictures over the 1st book. Worth every penny, and a bargain at twice the price. I hope you get a better publisher to re-release this valuable tome!

[DixieTexian]

The real question is, did Adam and Eve have belly buttons?

[mec]

Again, I do not recommend the book- especially to the discerning bibliophile

[Steve499]

Again, I do not recommend the book- especially to the discerning bibliophile

Smile when you call me that, pilgrim!

[Charles G.]

Ummmmm....

Talk about snatching an insult from the jaws of a compliment...

My exceedingly mild "criticism" was purely intended constructively, not as a bad reflexion on either the work or its author.

Did anybody, anybody at all bother to read the part where I said, and I quote, "Worth every penny, and a bargain at twice the price. I hope you get a better publisher to re-release this valuable tome!" which just about any other sentient being in this quadrant of the galaxy would successfully interpret it in the vein it was intended, namely "high praise"?

Obviously my English must be very poor - is there some other language I can attempt to convey my praise in where it won't be utterly and completely mis-interpreted? Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, Swahili, Klingon....? Preferences?

Incredibly frustrating when people go literally thousands of parsecs out of their way to come up with an interpretation that not only is out of this world, but out of this universe in terms of being utterly and completely the opposite of my intent...:banghead:

*** sigh ***

[DixieTexian]

Sorry, I was self medicating from a pulled muscle in my ribs. I don't even remember posting that. I will edit it.

[mec]

I had not intent to cast asparigus on your post. It is highly complementary given the limitations of the work in question. ( which I tried my best to croak in the nest}

In regard to language. I kind of like German particularly in the light of something I heard recently,
A german american farmer near fredricksburg texas came ouf of his house and saw a guy scooping water one handed out of his cow tank. In a helpful sense, he announced,
" Trinken sie vasser niche! Das koben haben dahn gessheisen!" *

The water drinker responded, " Uh. Ahm down heah from Noo Yahk. You'll have to speak English to me!"
" Oh, I said, use both hands, you'll get more."
* Dont drink the water. the cows just defecated in it."

[scrat]

hahahah i got the book a few days ago. I just got back in town a few hours ago going to be looking it over tonight

[Fleetwood_Captain]

Proof Reading can be a long and tedious process.

Myself, I was heavily involved in a professional proof reading project. I was in a team of three people that proof-read about 1,400 pages of student SAT study guides that had been converted into HTML. There were multiple revisions and when all was said and done, I must have proof-read over a thousand pages.

Needless to say, I'm still lining my birdcages with the leftover printouts :P