some bad news

Originally posted by not2sharp
beoram,

Why should it be free? John should be compensated for his work, and he is entitled to retain his material.

Frankly, I hope he makes a bundle.

n2s
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I do too. But I was thinking that John's main goal was not to lose money on it. The difficulty is that artists, scholars, etc. are almost always undercompensated (when they're compensated at all) for their work.

But some other ideas below.
 
Originally posted by munk
I doubt he makes a 'bundle', but a modest return, and think about lectures, maybe even TV spots based upon the scholarship of the Book.

I appreciate what Beoram is saying. I like Sharp's idea of presenting the manuscript through Paladin or Wolfe. (sic) My fear of the internet as Beoram presents is it may place the book in a holding pattern; as N2Sharp suggests, if much is available through free download where is the impetus to publish?
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A valid point.

I'll buy a copy. I think we could get a hundred presold.

Is there, or is there not through modern reproduction the ability to print as needed without the expensive type setting and production costs of the past?
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I believe that though modern technology allows for somewhat cheaper reproduction (i.e. one doesn't need to reset blocks of type), that there's still a somewhat fixed cost for a print run. That is, a print run of 500 probably is almost as expensive as one of 5000.
 
Originally posted by not2sharp
A modest return on the first print run (figure 4,000 copies @$40 with a personal net of ~$20K), plus a bit more for subsequent printings, perhaps some upside if he issues an updated edition (more content, more photos, some corrections), and then there is always the window for an additional follow-on volumes, and magazine articles.

It is not a salary, but it might certainly worth putting it in print.

n2s
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I think a 50% profit margin is probably rather optimistic. As I said, often books of this sort lose their author money rather than the opposite. But even assuming this scenario, one would have to find someone/some publishing company willing to invest $20,000 to start to produce 4000 copies.

Here's another idea:

Instead of having the complete book online and a downloadable/printable version, JP could have 'teasers', a chapter or two from the book available online and then an order form for the book itself. I don't know how much colour copying is these days, but in theory he could have a copy-shop turn out copies on demand (thus removing the difficulty of investment 'seed' money). If he could sell these for $40/ea, then a 50% profit margin is more probable.
 
My friends,
Please stop spending so much time on me and the project. I have investigated the many ways possible to get the first real kukri information out to those interested.

The most important thing is to have as many pictures as possible so the collector/enthusiast see exactly what I'm talking about. That is one of the biggest expenses even doing it digitally.

I just cannot at this time finish the massive work that still has to be done.

I'll be back on my feet someday. I don't know when or how, but again thanks to everyone for your kind support.
 
4000x$40=$160,000

$20,000/$160,000= 12.5% net personal income.

That would leave $140K to cover the production, distribution, advertizing, and the profit margins for the publisher and distribution channel.

n2s
 
Originally posted by not2sharp
4000x$40=$160,000

$20,000/$160,000= 12.5% net personal income.

That would leave $140K to cover the production, distribution, advertizing, and the profit margins for the publisher and distribution channel.

n2s
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Sorry N2S - bad maths on my part! :o
 
Originally posted by John Powell
My friends,
Please stop spending so much time on me and the project. I have investigated the many ways possible to get the first real kukri information out to those interested.

The most important thing is to have as many pictures as possible so the collector/enthusiast see exactly what I'm talking about. That is one of the biggest expenses even doing it digitally.

I just cannot at this time finish the massive work that still has to be done.

I'll be back on my feet someday. I don't know when or how, but again thanks to everyone for your kind support.
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John,

I'm happy to help however I can, whenever you are able.

Take care of yourself until then.

--Ben
 
Puting the book on cd and selling it through H.I.
You won't be make $30/copy but I'm sure you and Uncle Bill can come up with a suitable price arrangement.
 
The book can wait, John. You just hang in there, and we will hang in with you, too.
 
Good luck JP. I have not been online much this last week. Now I'm trying to play catchup and saw this. Prayers sent.
 
Whenever the time comes, you could also consider publishing it on CD or DVD. This would allow you (especially on DVD) the ability to have a huge collection of large format photos available, a niffty presentation format, and relatively cheap production costs (compared to a printed version)... AND if you so desired, you could include short video clips (interviews, demos, etc (but that's just adding more work).

All of us here have computers... by the time you are able to publish, I bet most will have DVD players (either stand alone version or the ability to view them on a computer)...

ONE great benefit to this format is there isn't a huge amount of labor involved (manpower etc...). It'll be some work, but nothing impossible.

Just a though... it is a slow morning :D
 
BTW...

The above idea would include Beo's idea of using PDF files (great little beasties) for printable pages/photos.

But heck, the possibilities that you could include on a DVD are stunning :D

Alan
 
I am happy to report that Mr. Adrian Ko and Mr. Mark McMorrow set up sticky threads to help our living treasure Mr. John Powell. I would like to thank these gentlemen and Uncle Bill and Rusty and all of you for proving that these places are "a place of honor". That we do not only collect swords and knives and practice swordmanship and knife fighting, but live up to the very principle of a fighting body and corp "Leave no man behind". Thank you gentlemen.

Dear John, I still remember the article you have sent me and I read it couple of times, the words of an honorable man.

My dear friend,I remember all your support when I started to share my memories with forumites on SFI. Thank you for all those mails.

My brother I remember the countless mails we have exchanged, your feelings, your concern and it is time for me to prove to my American brother, that I, We will Never Ever "Leave you behind".

Your friend

Manoucher
 
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