A new JG 26 Chronicle?

[Larry Hickey]

Erik,

I am one of your very few native English speakers who bought Vol. I of your JG2 book in French (during a visit to De Krieger in Belgium). I would ALSO buy it if you release it in English, which I strongly encourage. However, financial reasons are less of a consideration for me than probably most of your readers. Like it or not, English has pretty much become the language for educated people around the world, and I think your general market will be far better in the long run publishing in English. This applies to Vol. I of your JG26 book as well.

Regards

[Nick Beale]

I can manage French, the issue for me is shelf space (it's a small house) and that makes me careful about buying multi-volume histories. I tend to stick to my main period of interest, 1944-45, as a result.

[Peter Kassak]

Eric and others ...

Did you consider somewhat called Print on demand?
the cost is maybe a bot higher...but as I read translation is not a bog problem...if there is one languare version, layouting the other languages text with photos may not be such a problem...and if someone wants the book, asks the publisher and the book is printed....you may set your profit from each piece of book sold...without having stock problems, delivery problems etc...you just offer web page where this book may be ordered...

What do you think? I tried lulu.com....it was just a paperback, but turned out very nice for what I needed...

regards

[leonventer]

Hi Erik,

Originally Posted by Erik Mombeeck

The question could be : “Who would purchase a copy of JG 2 vol. 1 in English?"

I would, in a heartbeat.

You can put me down for a copy of everything you ever do in English or German. (I'm willing to buy your works in French if there is no chance of them ever appearing in English, but then reading them becomes a chore instead of a pleasure.)

Thanks and keep up the great work!
Leon Venter

[stefaan]

Hi Eric.
I would like my penny's worth, from S Africa.
We have a similar problem in deciding to publish in Afrikaaans, a major language in our aviation fanatics.
Some guys have tried and came short, even had to close down.
I agree, English is THE international language.
If you put all your money into English publications the investment into the books has got a far better return.
There are very few people in SA that can speak French, but a large Luftwaffe following in SA.To date they won't buy many French books.
French is almost never taught in our schools.
Regarding other ways of publishing??
A book in the hand is best but if you have to sell an electronic version that one can load on one of those new e readers thingies, it is acceptable.
It is then still available as reference.
Good luck with your books.
Stefaan

[FalkeEins]

Originally Posted by Erik Mombeeck

I’ll take my decision in April and let you know. In all cases, the vol. 1 is already translated by Neil.
Best regards
Erik

As are both volumes of the JG 4 history. As an interested party forgive me for butting in - I'm biased but managing with a dictionary is all very well for extracting the data but it's not quite as 'memorable' as reading a good first hand account. And there are loads of those in these volumes...

Extract from Vol II JG 4 (apologies if you've already seen this..)
http://members.aol.com/kaczmarek190/scheufele.html

I think there is a 'problem' with big 'multi-lingual' unit histories - we've seen that with the unfinished JG 3 series. I haven't discussed this with Erik ..but should he decide not to proceed with an English language edition in his usual format then perhaps he might consider another - I wouldn't be unhappy if it/they appeared in pdf format - at least then purchasers of the French/German editions don't lose out. Surely it should be possible to produce them in some form or another...(eg Don's JG 26 appeared as a 'mass-market' paperback in its later incarnations)

[Franek Grabowski]

Gents
The quality of digital print moved so far that there is no difference with traditional methods. It is slightly more expensive, but still affordable and much more economical with small printing runs. If a translation can be obtained, then any language version could be easily published, and shipping costs reduced as well.
Concerning Pdf file, it is not very practical, as the one must print it out anyway - it is quite hard to read a book on PC - I know I have tried. Also, illegal copies will be appearing around, and if it is a commercial project, then the one must have it in mind.
I will not buy the French version, ideal for me would be English with an appendix with accounts in original, unedited German version.

[Jim P.]

Not to mention that the author(s) still probably have to pay for a professional translator at some point unless they themselves are fluent in that 'other' language.

[Erik Mombeeck]

Hi,

Many thanks for these helpful and numerous reactions.

Just in order to have an idea of a figure, may I ask to all of yours who plan to purchase the volume 1 of the JG 2 chronicle to send me a short notice at : erik.mombeeck/a/telenet.be (replace /a/ with @)... telling where you are and in which titles (JG 2, JG 4, JG 26) you would be interested.
I would keep you informed in April of the decision or not to start the English versions of the JG 2 and JG 4 (very detailed) chronicles, and eventually contact you personally in due time (next late summer ?) to explain how to acquire the book(s).

Thanks in advance and also for your replies.

Erik

[Horst Kube]

[quote=Erik Mombeeck;63117]Hi,

I would keep you informed in April of the decision or not to start the English versions of the JG 2 and JG 4 (very detailed) chronicles, and eventually contact you personally in due time (next late summer ?) to explain how to acquire the book(s).

Dear Eric,

I would be very interested to listen to your statement, if - and if yes, when and in which language your postponed JG 5 Vol. III will be on the market.

Cheers, Horst