JG 2 - Volume Three

[Lagarto]

All I’m saying is that Mr Mombeeck should be able to market his books at $40, not twice as much, sell not 300 copies, but twice as many, and make everybody happy, himself included. I’m afraid his present approach will lead him nowhere, which is a pity, because I, too, would love to have a good, multi-volume JG 2 book (in English) at an affordable price.
By the way, I’m not picking on him personally. I’ve been looking forward to “Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in the Battle for Sicily” by Morten Jessen – until I saw the price. Isn’t it another case of a small publisher, who can’t afford to sell his books any cheaper?

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Lagarto

I, too, would love to have a good, multi-volume JG 2 book (in English) at an affordable price.

Wouldn't we all, have you ever considered writing one? For all kinds of reasons, most of us would never take on the work or the financial risk of actually researching and publishing a book ourselves. I know the amount of time, money and effort I put into documenting just six weeks in the life of a single Gruppe of JG 2, so I can only admire anyone who tackles a whole Geschwader's history over six years.

[Lagarto]

I think I've given examples of authors who put just as much time and effort in their work, and still their books are not even nearly as expensive. Perhaps their publishing arrangements are better?
Anyway, I consider the argument "if you don't like the price, write the book yourself" rather cheap. Are you missing the point? I too admire anyone who tackles a whole Geschwader's history over six years, but only 300 copies sold says something, doesn't it? Especially, when it means no plans for another volume in English.
It's so easy to say, 'this book is worth its price'. Sure, in terms of time, money and effort invested, it's probably worth $100, $500 or more. So what? How many people are willing to pay that much?

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Lagarto

Anyway, I consider the argument "if you don't like the price, write the book yourself" rather cheap. Are you missing the point?

No, it's an entirely pertinent argument and on reflection I hope you'll accept it's not a "cheap" one. If you haven't written the work you would like to see then I am sure you have your reasons, although you haven't given them. If you have reasons, you might consider whether those could likewise explain why nobody else has written such a book either.

As I understand it, neither of the examples you gave of less expensive books (Chris Shores and Don Caldwell) is self-published, they come from Grub Street and Frontline respectively. You also noted that Arthy and Jessen's Fw 190/Sicily book was more expensive than either — this again is self-published (to a very high standard); Jan Horn's self-published "Das Flurschaden-Geschwader" had a run of 500 copies and costs €88.

Working with a publisher necessarily entails the author surrendering a degree of control (it's their money you're risking, not your own) and some "battles" along the way are all but inevitable. Self-publishing gives the author far greater control at the price of greater financial risk and (I imagine) fewer economies of scale. Result: you get the book the author wanted to present but at a higher price.

[Lagarto]

There must be dozens of books that I'd like to see and I couldn't possibly write them all by myself, that's nonsense - I'd like to buy such books but it doesn't mean that I'm willing to accept every price thrown at me. Hope it sounds like a good reason.
I can only be grateful to those authors who did agree to surrender a degree of control over their work, so that hundreds of readers could buy their books at a decent price, a truly selfless act. As a translator I work with publishers on daily basis, and have to do my own battles with editors, but with a bit of mutual respect and good will it's not that painful. Even if Grub Street editors interfere with their authors' work, the end result is still top notch, so maybe that's the way to go. Otherwise everyone gets frustrated: the author because of only 300 copies sold, and readers because of high price.