What's the future of WW2 historical writing?

[Franek Grabowski]

I think rather poor as people are not reading as much as they did and other media do not care about quality at all.

[Boandlgramer]

because you mention the napoleonic wars .
even 190 years áfter the battle of waterloo( one of my all time favorite battles)
many historians are still in twist with each other about this battle.
was it a british victory, a german victory , a dutch or simple a allied victory, there is enough controversy between the historians.

but maybe in few 100 years, when "we" are all citizen of the world and there is no national proud left , maybe then it is possible to talk about history in a reasonable wise. ( but of course ,in 100 years without us )

[Richard T. Eger]

I think Franek has hit upon a key point: People aren't reading as much of these types of books as they used to. At least two authors have made this comment to me.

So, it is a bit ironic and sad, now that more and more records are becoming available and researchers are showing even greater diligence, that the market for their end product is shrinking.

I know that when I go to the bookstores, the shelf space devoted to WW II aviation is not near what it was a few years ago. Of course, I'm in the middle of an aviation history drought region - southern Delaware - but I still know that my forays to the more populated areas are yielding less results. Even a visit to the bookstore within the NASM last fall was quite disappointing versus my earlier visits.

And, the more we know, the more some of us want to focus even more narrowly. One has to ask the question as to whether a book like Günter Sengfelder's German aircraft landing gear books would really have a sufficient market today to sell, let alone actually make a profit for the author.

Thus, an Me 262 nuts and bolts book considered a year ago might not really have an adequate market. Oh, there will be the die hards who would buy it, but likely their number is diminishing yearly. Face it, WW II ended 60 years ago.

And, it may not be just WW II aviation, but aviation in general. Zenith books used to put out "THE CATALOG", chock full of offerings. Now their catalog is a mere shell of its former self, with very little new to be seen.

Tell me I'm wrong. I'd love to hear it.

Oh, I'll keep researching on my favorite topic, the Me 262. And, certainly, there is enough call upon me for help to keep me quite busy. But, whether a really detailed book would still possibly be of interest, I have my doubts.

Matter of fact, I just had an interesting phone conversation with a former well-known retired NASM curator. He works for one of the aviation history magazines - works or volunteers, I don't quite recall which. He said that authors really aren't paid to put their works in his magazine, that they do it for the pleasure of seeing their efforts in print and I guess the name recognition. So, guys, one can still publish, but it will be, in the main, a labor of love and not one of profit. On a brighter note, he did say that this and other magazines from this group are profitable. Heck, at the prices they are going for these days, they better be!!

Regards,
Richard

[Ruy Horta]

Interesting, when I visit my local aviation book store (I'm lucky since one of Europe's biggest stores is basically around the corner - Luchtvaart Hobby Shop), I really get the feeling that there are more and more and more publications, too many to read, let alone buy!

[Tony Williams]

Originally Posted by Richard T. Eger

Matter of fact, I just had an interesting phone conversation with a former well-known retired NASM curator. He works for one of the aviation history magazines - works or volunteers, I don't quite recall which. He said that authors really aren't paid to put their works in his magazine, that they do it for the pleasure of seeing their efforts in print and I guess the name recognition. So, guys, one can still publish, but it will be, in the main, a labor of love and not one of profit.

Yep - I can vouch for the fact that writing magazine articles and books is not financially rewarding. If I divided the amount I earn from these sources by the number of hours I spent on them, I would end up earning less than the legal minimum wage...however, the satisfaction of seeing new information in print is worthwhile.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion forum

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by Richard T. Eger

So, it is a bit ironic and sad, now that more and more records are becoming available and researchers are showing even greater diligence, that the market for their end product is shrinking.

Don't worry, Richard, there's still new stuff coming out. And from sources you, and others, would not believe...

[edwest]

Dear Richard and fellow researchers,


I have been in the book publishing business for 25 years and have heard "there's no money in it" from many different sources and for many different genres and types of books, including fiction. Lately, my answer has been: "Then get out and start making the money you want."

Who finances those archaeologists who are digging for millenia old bones? There's is a glamorous and profitable vocation, eh?

Now we have the internet. Anyone care to use it? Much information is being published and distributed on these boards, daily! That's right: published and distributed---- free!

Earlier on, I suggested that someone write their book, advertise here, and in exchange for some money, provide a password to the purchaser so he could access and download the file. No physical printing or inventory.

And this is for everyone: if you are sitting on documented, verifiable information and photos, and none of it has seen the light of day, why not? I certainly hope you are not waiting for that mythical book publishing deal that will net you a lot of money. Clearly, such things do not happen

In any case, do what you want. Me, I would complete my book, go to a print on demand publisher, have a nice cover printed separately for them to bind on, and get 500 copies.

Gentlemen, stop vacilating. Make a choice. Frustration and indecision go hand in hand.




Regards,
Ed

[Tony Williams]

Ed, I did exactly what you suggest for my first novel, 'The Foresight War' - an alternative WW2 story.

My usual publisher (Crowood) doesn't handle fiction so after various fruitless efforts to interest fiction publishers and agents I located a publisher who, for a fee, designed, edited and produced my book as a good-quality Print on Demand paperback (no need to buy a stock of them), put it on Amazon.com and also sells it as an e-book for downloading. I went for the deluxe service which will take around 500-550 copies sold to break even; it is possible to do it more cheaply. Once past that point I will collect a much higher percentage of the sale price than with conventional publishing. And all I have to do is market it, which reminds me: details are on my website, and you can read the first chapter for free!

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion forum

[edwest]

Thank you, Tony. So, it can be done. Encouraging experiences like this need to be brought up. In publishing, as in much of life, there are no guarantees. However, I am mindful and respectful of those who look at the costs (time and money) and elect not to publish.


Regards,
Ed

[jpatrickham]

I am new to this forum, and I am glad to be here. I am a refuge from the History
Channels forum on "Dogfights". The television program was a wonderful new and
exciting way of showing Air Combat.
Unfortunately the program has been canceled. And it seems the History Channel has become just another Reality based Channel, like so many other
cable channels before them.
My point , as is the theme of this post is that we are moving away from History.
Not just WWII, but all Historical venue`s.
There is no medium any more to get Children interested in the Past, and create
an interest in finding out about that History.
I think if History is treated like Archeology and there is no interest in reading
about it then we may be doomed to repeat it.