Moronic book "contributors"

[Mark C. Yerger]

Any who think writers such as myself get rich at what we do are sadly mistaken.

These days many Eurpoean authors don't even credit contributors.

My contributors get credit with their material, and listed in the acknowledgements, and I send them a copy of the book.

Several days I found a group of paper/photo materials and asked the ("professional") seller if he'd allow them to be used in one of the upcoming volumes of my SS/Police German Cross holder series.

I'm allowed to use them as long as I buy the obvious thousands of dollars grouping.

Sorry, not how it works and anyone with minimal with common sense knows what contributing to a book is. I write books. I don't collect militaria. Having done more than a dozen books, not one of them gave me a royalty gross of $5,000, that aside from taxes and what it COSTS to write a book. The time needed and costs expended for what I do you better have a motivation aide from money before you start.

Add a new capital "M" to the term narrowed minded moronic dealers. This hobby is starting to be overrun by scum and eventually that will become normal.

Good thing no single contributor or item "makes or breaks" writers or there would be no books written.

[Gene]

Exactly whom are you addressing? I don't recall anyone complaining that authors are "getting rich" off of writing reference books.

[Mark C. Yerger]

The individual I'm referring to.

I'd explained I wanted to use the material in a book, common sense reads that as a writer and not collector. To expect a writer to spend 9K for using a couple photos obviously shows an income opinion. I am obviously a writer and not a collector, my name is reasonably known in SS circles. Obviously I'm not interested in spending thousands of dollars for 2 photos, I've published thousands already. But all this is assuming common sense.

Next reply was a phone number in Europe to buy, obviously not grasping what I said.

Just got another PM to call NOW since I didn't instantly reply by phone and asking "are you a Jew". Sorry I didn't jump at buying. While I'm not Jewish, I wonder if I was if the item price would be different.

There are some idiots, and obvious racists, in this hobby but that's nothing new. I wouldn't use the material now if given for free.

[Ilse]

book

Mark, It is unfortunate that for some greed means more than contributing to help you or other authors to continue to write books. I realize that most people expect something in return nowadays, a free book and credit seems alright. Especially when you only ask for scans and not the originals.

[Mark C. Yerger]

Mark, It is unfortunate that for some greed means more than contributing to help you or other authors to continue to write books. I realize that most people expect something in return nowadays, a free book and credit seems alright. Especially when you only ask for scans and not the originals.

I obviously agree. I wonder how many people wrote militaria books who actually bought every item illustrated in their book so they could photograph it.

You have to wonder about people sometimes.............

Maybe medicine will advance to the point where a head transplant is possible for those in dire need.

[juoneen]

The truth about publishing is: that more and more top writers are going to self publishing.

I know a publisher that only makes you buy 1 book at publishing prices for actual cost, advertises them on amazon for you, and allows you to price the book at your price over book cost. then they deposit the difference of the retail when they are sold, and wholesale costs into your bank account , printing all orders all on demand. You can also sell them yourself. There is no up-front 5 to 10 Gs layout, as most require .

The only person making out is the publishers, like shiffer, heukemes, etc. I have the name of the publisher ..who send you online free software to set it up yourself, and when done can have your book out in several days turn around. If anyone else is interested in trying this publisher just ask, but i wont publically post the name , as i dont advertise for free for anybody.

I know roger bender, and he only takes books he thinks are desireable, of interest that will sell, and so even wittman has gone to self publishing out of common sense. Its the future of publishing , and the quality has become top shelf by the right publisher. they keep working , you are the cash cow for your hard work.(really unfair)

I do know if i allowed an author to use some items of extreme rarity, that id want a book for free, but never try and sell items as a ransom for their use. You have possibly been dealing with dr frankenfurter it sounds like... who is under a misconception.

My impression of you , is... you do it out of love , not for profit, and enjoy the challenge, and have met some great people along the way you would have never met otherwise..(many now deceased, that enjoyed your writing about them also. So thats what you get in return. Great memories, and adoring readers who appreciatye your hard work only certain people can put together like you do so well.

I have one of your books, and suggest maybe you try this other route instead of making the publisher rich, even if you dont use the services i know about, and...you might make something the next time.

I do agree with your pa. attitude. Although ...i wouldnt turn down an offer for the free use, if it ever transpired from the jerk, wich it most likely wont. Its the german in you thats talking id say, and rightly so, but the guy being a foreigner sheister , obviously doesnt understand the larger picture as you do as an author of notariety.(by the way i really like the book i got you wrote)

When something is needed for a good book, and its important to that book, you must always be flexible if the jerk makes an about face to allow the items use for free, and maybe tell the guy youll send him a book for the courtesy, but thats all. its his choice, and you must remain neutral, and stoic , and not let the guy get your goat as this guy obviously has done to p you off.

Just a thought, but you do as you please. (i sense you have a temper at times when having to deal with such android mutants.)

You cant transplant a brain where thers only a stem. They are called stem people. Hope you can use the thread for therapy, and successfully recover from this rediculous persons misconception.

[Mark C. Yerger]

The truth about publishing is: that more and more top writers are going to self publishing.

I know a publisher that only makes you buy 1 book at publishing prices for actual cost, advertises them on amazon for you, and allows you to price the book at your price over book cost. then they deposit the difference of the retail when they are sold, and wholesale costs into your bank account , printing all orders all on demand. You can also sell them yourself. There is no up-front 5 to 10 Gs layout, as most require .

The only person making out is the publishers, like shiffer, heukemes, etc. I have the name of the publisher ..who send you online free software to set it up yourself, and when done can have your book out in several days turn around. If anyone else is interested in trying this publisher just ask, but i wont publically post the name , as i dont advertise for free for anybody.

I know roger bender, and he only takes books he thinks are desireable, of interest that will sell, and so even wittman has gone to self publishing out of common sense. Its the future of publishing , and the quality has become top shelf by the right publisher. they keep working , you are the cash cow for your hard work.(really unfair)

I do know if i allowed an author to use some items of extreme rarity, that id want a book for free, but never try and sell items as a ransom for their use. You have possibly been dealing with dr frankenfurter it sounds like... who is under a misconception.

My impression of you , is... you do it out of love , not for profit, and enjoy the challenge, and have met some great people along the way you would have never met otherwise..(many now deceased, that enjoyed your writing about them also. So thats what you get in return. Great memories, and adoring readers who appreciatye your hard work only certain people can put together like you do so well.

I have one of your books, and suggest maybe you try this other route instead of making the publisher rich, even if you dont use the services i know about, and...you might make something the next time.

I do agree with your pa. attitude. Although ...i wouldnt turn down an offer for the free use, if it ever transpired from the jerk, wich it most likely wont. Its the german in you thats talking id say, and rightly so, but the guy being a foreigner sheister , obviously doesnt understand the larger picture as you do as an author of notariety.(by the way i really like the book i got you wrote)

When something is needed for a good book, and its important to that book, you must always be flexible if the jerk makes an about face to allow the items use for free, and maybe tell the guy youll send him a book for the courtesy, but thats all. its his choice, and you must remain neutral, and stoic , and not let the guy get your goat as this guy obviously has done to p you off.

Just a thought, but you do as you please. (i sense you have a temper at times when having to deal with such android mutants.)

You cant transplant a brain where thers only a stem. They are called stem people. Hope you can use the thread for therapy, and successfully recover from this rediculous persons misconception.

Thanks for your understanding, its appreciated. Yes, the "pay" is who I have met, known, been close with, and have learned. That and leaving something behind or "taeching" after I'm gone are the motivation. A "no" is acceptable if you make a request and I'm fine with that. But to throw racial comments into a "you must buy for thousands to use" mentality is to far out of the norm conduct for me. I have no time for racists and others of similar group judgement, it's a sign of low IQ.

Nevertheless, the book continues. I do appreciate your comments regards newer publishing techniques for future use. As Bender/Taylor wrote the 1st SS book I read and their quality and desire for perfection is high, a goal is reached with the series being done by them. I'd appreciate if you could PM the information for use should he retire.

Glad you enjoyed the book.

Best
Mark

[Robin Lumsden]

I think the main reason why some TR militaria authors are having to go in for self-publishing is because the field they are writing about is too narrow to appeal to mainstream publishers.

The big publishers would not be interested in books dealing solely with all the variations of one particular medal, for example, despite the appeal that that sort of book has for collectors.

Bender and Schiffer are exceptions, but they are very much 'niche' publishers and when the time comes that these enterprises shut up shop, getting a TR militaria book published will be all the more difficult for new authors.

Especially as TR stuff is now more 'non-PC' than ever.

Self publishing carries large financial risks. Personally, I'd never go that route.

[WARLORD]

I THINK ROBIN IS QUITE CORRECT IN HIS SUMATION. I have given photos to a number of "New Authours", they have not even replied that the book has been published. They also have not had the curtasy to send a copy with the material in. This is the lest that one could expect. Should we name and shame?

[Simon O.]

I think so. It comes down to good manners, common courtesy and honourable behaviour. By 'naming and shaming' it might prompt the culprits to take stock of themselves and warn others should they be asked for help. I understand that authors can't always offer free copies to everyone that contributed but credit and thanks should at least be given.

[Mark C. Yerger]

I think so. It comes down to good manners, common courtesy and honourable behaviour. By 'naming and shaming' it might prompt the culprits to take stock of themselves and warn others should they be asked for help. I understand that authors can't always offer free copies to everyone that contributed but credit and thanks should at least be given.

I assume different people offer different credit, etc. Credit with item and a the name listed with those one thanks is common sense courtesy. If you forget or miss a name, go to lengths to thank them in the next book and post the fact on any review/comment thread you see on the Internet, not a difficult task. Considering the pay, I'm sure a few who do a small book with a large number of contributors have a problem giving them away. Most publishers give 5-10 free copies to the author. The rest and any postage is author cost. For my recent volume 4 of SS/Police German Cross holders I kept 1 copy for myself and had an additional 10 to buy, and the costs for copies/postage to send 19 where they go (contributors, archives, etc). That came to about $475. Not small change despite the weak dollar as I live on the weak dollar. But to not even TELL a contributor a book is done/released is MAJOR rude. I had no current address for 1 contributor and had to start a thread on WAF to find him and the new address. Most who get my copies have helped for years and I stay in constant contact, with an additional 1-5 who were new to assist with a particular volume.

The actions (or lack of) by 1 author shouldn't "close the door" to others. Obviously some do it the right way and those with any intention of doing more than 1 book would be stupid to forget contributors after the project is completed. As far as receiving credit, name with material, etc, I've honestly had more problems with that NOT being done outside the USA than with authors in my own country.

[WARLORD]

As a profectional arhievewe have a cost struccture of £35.00 for the normal picture to be reproduced in one publication, to £100.00 for the rarer type of picture. The cost of purchasing material is an ever increasing cost burden. I do try to give photos to new authours, the condition is they provide a copy of the book that the image is ussed in. With publishers, this is a normal practice.

[TJ Suter]

I disagree with the, "I should get a free book," group.

I've always felt that the benefit of providing items for a book is that the item will be easier to sell in the future. People also seem willing to pay around 20% more for an item if it has been published in a book. So, the benefit is that your item, having been published, is now easier to sell and worth more money.

I do agree that authors should credit contributors in the photo captions.

[PZIV]

I've helped with numerous publications and the simple addition of my name is really all I need. If I get a free book I will not complain, but I would gladly share my photos with others. I guess that is simply because I research/write myself, but either way...

Mr.Yerger, if you need any specific photos or documents let me know via PM. I'd be more than happy to assist you. Best, Mansal

[torstenbel]

Hi Mark, if ever you see anything in my listings that is of interest to you then please just let me know ... all I would want is a little mention as a contributor in your book ... I have done this with a couple of authors and websites already and am very proud to have done so .... would certainly never charge anyone for this .... however, I have also had 1 or 2 rather well known authors who insisted on buying the items and who insisted on me deleting any traces and pics of the items immediately, so that the item would be a great revelation that is only to be found in their book and nowhere else and that is also fine.

Anyhow, being mentioned as a contributor in one of your books (if ever I can help you with anything) would be a great honour to me and would be all I need .... Cheers, Torsten.