Getting History right! An Editorial

[NW Mailing List]

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 

> <mailto: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 <mailto: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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