Bogus Book Warning

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mec

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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.
 
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?
 
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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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
The book would have been 212 pages. I know I'm not going to do anything with it in for the forseeable future.
 
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.
 
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.
 
(I bet that it is better than you think that it is.)
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
status of my order

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.
 
Amazon now says " Not currently available. we don't know when or if the item will be back in stock."
 
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.
 
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... :)
 
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.
 
Amazon still lists this book and even claims that 2 are available
Click to expand...

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.
 
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