Getting History right! An Editorial

[NW Mailing List]

I'm with Jimmy Lisle on getting it right. I do understand the perhaps an
errata sheet would be the way to go. That said I'm also with Jim Stapleton.
The errata sheet should be with the book.

On a different note, I want to mention something I have noticed in a
recently published book. 'Bluestone Norfolk & Western Branchline' the first
of the Branch line series. Simply put the History in it is wonderful and
the book is a good read. *BUT* IMHO the lack of proof reading (or
appearance of the lack of it) is just sad to me. I have found numerous
grammatical and typographical errors, in the book. Several of the errors
are bad enough that it gives the impression that there was never a proof
reading. That said, say a non-member buys the book to read it, and they
find all these errors. It would not make our society very appealing to
them, and that is not good! Now I'm off my high horse, and leaving an open
offer to help proof read future publishings.

-Nate

-- 
Nathan Simmons
trainman51 at gmail.com
http://www.t-51.org
KI4MSK

On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 11:06 PM, NW Mailing List
<nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>wrote:


> **

> Barney

>

> The reason to include it with THE BOOK is that many people [the society

> hopes] who are NOT members, will buy the book.  They will NOT go wandering

> around the Internet looking for corrections/updates.  One should not have

> to be a society member or subscribe to an email list to find out that there

> are addition or corrections to a printed publication.   Many people [in

> this day and age] forget that there are still MANY people who have NO

> ACCESS to the Internet, and even if they do, are not skilled in its use.

> I for one would want to have the information with my printed copy of the

> book.  I should not have to find it somewhere else on my own and then print

> a copy.

>

> If this is the attitude and direction the group wants to take... then I

> suggest we quit publishing ANYTHING in hard copy and go to eBook formats.

> Can't use a computer or get to a wireless connection to download content.

> TOO BAD.

>

> Sorry, but you pressed a big red button for me.  I think we should make

> the effort to provide our information to the widest audience possible even

> if it requires some effort and expense.

>

> Jim Stapleton

> Purcellville  VA

> =====================

>

> On 1/2/2013 8:16 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:

>

> There is no reason that an errata sheet (or more than one if necessary)

> cannot appear here on the list!

>

> Barney Barnier

> Winston Salem, NC

>

>

> IMHO

>

> a]  Jimmy is right that the society has a responsibility to correct errors

> in subsequent printings of Society publications

> b]  Frank is right that we have to watch expenditures at the project level.

> c]  and Alex got here first with what I was going to propose ... THE

> ERRATA SHEET

>

> I can tell you that I have purchased NEW books from PRRH&TS that had

> errata sheets with initial distribution of a book, so there is plenty of

> precedent for this solution.  It is cost effective but meets the intent of

> "fixing errors and omissions".

>

> d]  If the society does not choose to do an errata sheet, then I am much

> more in Jimmy's camp.

>

> Jim Stapleton

> ====================

> On 1/2/2013 6:15 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:

>

>  While I am not the one who replied to your question I might offer a

> little insight.

>

>

>

> First, we don’t have the original proofs to correct. The reprint is being

> done by scanning the original. The goal is to get the book back into print

> for those members who ask about it

>

>

>

> Second, If there are errors that you think need to be corrected please

> provide them and it may be possible to include an errata sheet with the

> reprint after we review your suggested correction with the author.

>

>

>

> Third, it is not about changing a few letters once a book is printed and

> with hardbacks the fixed cost before you print the first book are 2 to 3

> thousand dollars. The fixed cost of scanning a book for reprinting runs

> into the hundreds of dollars. The question becomes do you nothing or do you

> attempt to offer your members something at a low cost.

>

>

>

> Fourth, the NWHS doesn’t stuff very much money into its pockets.  What it

> does is concentrate on keeping costs low and not raising membership dues.

> Generally we have about a 2% profit each year (about $4,000)  that goes to

> keeping the archives functioning.

>

>

>

> You may send your suggested corrections to aschust2 at comcast.net and I

> will let you know the outcome of your suggestions.

>

>

>

> Alex Schust

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:**On Behalf Of *NW Mailing List

> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 02, 2013 4:56 PM

> *To:* NW Mailing List

> *Subject:* Getting History right! An Editorial

>

>

>

>     I must say that the reply to my question about not making corrections

> to the Shenandoah Di.v book struck a nerve in me. Why, some of you may ask?

> I guess in my naive mind it is because I thought we were FIRST a Historical

> Society! I thought we were a non-profit organization. I guess I was hoping

> that getting history right, or at least trying to, took precedence over

> stuffing money in our pockets. The flippant reply to my question, by who

> knows who, appears to have proved me wrong on all counts.

>     Did anyone even ask if any changes needed to be made? That begs a

> question for the bean counters, just how much extra would it cost to change

> a few letters? Would it cost as much as say a "Hardback" edition?

>     I am very disappointed in the direction the N&WHS has taken in this

> matter.

>

> Jimmy Lisle

>

> *On 1/2/2013 3:03 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:*

>

>  *Due to the small printing with high costs, correction are not possible.

> This will be a direct reprint with the exception of having a soft cover.

> However corrections are welcome to be posted to this list.*

>

> * *

>

> *NWHS Commissary*

>

> * *

>

> * *

>

> *In a message dated 1/2/2013 12:10:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org writes:*

>

> *Is it too late to correct some errors in book before it goes

> back into print?*

>

>

>

>

>

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