Learning Experience

Taking the computer into the shop tomorrow for a little "data recovery." Specifically, a file with all the spider images for Eight-Legged Marvels, which just up and disappeared on me. Since I'm not a computer guy, I'm not certain what the problem is, though I could have saved myself a lot of hassle if I had bothered to back up the pics. Anyway, it may be bad sectors, from what I've dug up on the problem, and hopefully will get back on track by Tuesday. Have a lot of scanning to do, but can't add anything to the hard drive until the problem's solved.

Other news: looks like LSI has better black-white photo capabilities now, assuming the pdfs are prepared properly. I'm going to test that out soon, hopefully.

Meeting with a local naturalist this week who has a book on Pennsylvania's freshwater mussels and the like. As it is apparently mostly done, could be something of interest.

What's New?

Currently, am editing Gary & Dwight's Atlantic sea serpent manuscript, which is about 90% complete. This may take a few weeks to finish for editing, then will need final additions.

Picked up a number of "lost race / living dinosaur or some other strange creature" type classic novels for scanning.

Still trying to finish up my spider book, Eight-Legged Marvels; got stuck on the final chapter, and need to pick up a few specific spider images yet.

Need to figure out a way to subsidize putting out more manuscripts...

February has been a good sales month so far, would like to keep that up.

Upgraded (SEO-wise) CoachwhipBooks.com and StrangeArk.com. Might be a while before I have time to work on Herper.com.

Evaluated a submitted summary and sample chapters by a potential author on Bigfoot, but decided the book wasn't a good match for my publishing goals.

Naturalist Bob Chance should be getting his manuscript to me (a compilation of his Maryland newspaper columns) within a short time.

LSI News

Well, I didn't get anything on my Lightning Source wishlist this year, but LSI has just made a couple of new changes. First, they've added some new color book trim sizes. Frankly, I'd call that irrelevant until they decrease the price of color pages. I think they're trying to get publishers to put out more color books by offering a wider range of sizes, but until the books are economically feasible, it's not going to happen on the scale they're looking for. Second, they've flattened the publication fee. Now, regardless of b/w or color, and no matter how many pages, it is $75 to set up a new title (US pricing). This makes it a little cheaper to set up books with high page counts, but makes it more expensive for shorter books. This will offer some minor savings, but I wouldn't say it's a big deal.

On a different subject, the NY Times has an article discussing why it takes so long for a traditionally published book to come to market. The answer? Mostly, marketing. I'll stick to POD.