New Book Status

[NW Modeling List]

Ken, the only print on demand book I’ve purchased (that I know of, anyway) is Lance Mindheim’s “Model Railroading as Art”. I would generally agree that the quality of the images are not what I’m used to seeing in the hardbound books in the Goodman library - but they aren’t bad. Glossy on a non-glossy page. 

The glossy cover of this softbound book, on the other hand, is very good. The layout and formatting of the book isn’t fantastic, but that’s I different issue (I think.).

Matt Goodman

> On Feb 16, 2021, at 9:37 AM, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Rob
> 
> The short answer is yes, we have considered it. If we had a product that was oriented towards that, it would be fine. But to my experience, the print on demand (POD) books are very poor on photo quality and overall quality. From the feedback I hear about the Arrow, nobody seems to want lesser quality paper, black and white, and poorer quality material.
> 
> There are other POD books that can be done to improve the quality, but the cost per page is much higher. My opinion is this book will need some photos and maps to enhance the story, and make it appealing to someone who picks up a copy and flips through. Seeing an all-text book is not what seems to be selling now.
> 
> I’d be glad to be convinced otherwise.
> 
> Best
> Ken Miller 
> 
>> On Feb 16, 2021, at 9:22 AM, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Has the Society considered doing books as Kindle e-books and / or Amazon print-on-demand? According to their website, Amazon charges 1.2 cents per page to print a 300 page black ink paperback. 
>> 
>> https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US
>> 
>> Rob Doorack 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org> On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
>> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2021 2:29 PM
>> To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
>> Cc: N&W Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
>> Subject: Re: New Book Status
>> 
>> Roger:
>> 
>> I’m afraid you won’t be seeing the book during this winter season but perhaps next. There is some discussion of this in the upcoming Arrow, which is in the mail.
>> 
>> Since this is the second inquiry I’ve gotten today, here is what I responded first:
>> 
>> It is pretty simple, we need more orders for the book to fully justify production of it.
>> 
>> Over the past number of years, the Society has published a variety of books. Several hardcover editions including a volume on the Pocahontas Division. That book was initially printed ten years ago. Yet, we still have three full pallets of them, over 1200 copies, sitting in our warehouse section. This and diminished sales on some other books has made us somewhat cautious on printing books with low demand. 
>> 
>> The investment on printing a hardcover book is high, even on only 1,000 copies. Railbooks, over the past decade have seen a decline in sales. The board, on my recommendation, agreed to require a minimum number of pre-orders on this book before proceeding. Basically, those pre-orders will cover a reasonable portion of the investment in printing, but not the investment in design and production. That number is roughly 250 copies, as of today, we are, at this moment, officially have a total of 35 pre-orders. To guarantee a firm commitment, we have been requiring a deposit on those, which may have cut down on the pre-orders.
>> 
>> Since we do things like this to help cover the costs of our operations, archives and preservation ventures, we simply cannot afford to do more projects like this at a loss.
>> 
>> The plan is still to do Ed’s book, but I am not planning on layout until we are at least at 150 pre-orders. I’d like to think that by fall we will have gotten enough pre-orders to make it a success. I’d hope that we can get the book out by fall this year.
>> 
>> Best
>> Ken Miller
>> 
>> 
>>> On Feb 14, 2021, at 7:33 PM, NW Modeling List via NW-Modeling-List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi! Not trying to pester anyone but just wondering what the current word is on the new book offered by the commissary. Memoirs of an Appalachian Railroad Man?
>>> 
>>> Just anxious to read something interesting during these long snowy nights here in the mountains!
>>> 
>>> Thanks,
>>> 
>>> Roger Huber
>>> Deer Creek Locomotive Works
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