The World and Wikipedia - Andrew Dalby Options Rating

[sappho]

Did anyone read this book yet?

[Somey]

Now, c'mon guys, it hardly seems necessary to cast aspersions on Mr. Dalby's means of publishing this particular tome - he's already established authorial credibility (he's published books before), and for all we know he's getting a better deal this way. Besides, it's a niche market - it's not like he's writing a spy thriller or a historical novel about sex-crazed teenage vampires.

Let's just be happy that The Cult of the Amateur got the support it did, and not worry so much about it. Self-publishing and small-imprint direct bookselling are probably the waves of the future, but that's not necessarily bad as long as people get paid once in a while. And like I was saying before, it isn't the publishing companies we should be concerned about, it's the editorial staffs those companies have assembled.

[GlassBeadGame]

Now, c'mon guys, it hardly seems necessary to cast aspersions on Mr. Dalby's means of publishing this particular tome - he's already established authorial credibility (he's published books before), and for all we know he's getting a better deal this way. Besides, it's a niche market - it's not like he's writing a spy thriller or a historical novel about sex-crazed teenage vampires.

Let's just be happy that The Cult of the Amateur got the support it did, and not worry so much about it. Self-publishing and small-imprint direct bookselling are probably the waves of the future, but that's not necessarily bad as long as people get paid once in a while. And like I was saying before, it isn't the publishing companies we should be concerned about, it's the editorial staffs those companies have assembled.

My concerns are not with open self publication. They are with creating the impression that something is vetted by someone with independent editorial judgment when that was not the case. This matters even if the editorial decision is commercial and not academic. I'm not certain that this is what has happened here but I would like Dalby to respond. If it is a legitimate publishing business, let him say so. If it was self publication and was never meant to fool anyone, let him say so. If it was an attempt to deceive I think he has something to answer for.

[Andrew Dalby]

If it is a legitimate publishing business, let him say so. If it was self publication and was never meant to fool anyone, let him say so. If it was an attempt to deceive I think he has something to answer for.

I'm surprised by the unfriendly tone of this question ... but I don't mind answering. During the last ten years I've made a living by writing. It hasn't made me rich, but it has made me happier.

When it came to this book, my impression was that publishers in Britain -- with whom I normally work -- weren't ready to see the importance and potential threat of Wikipedia and therefore wouldn't give it the priority I thought it deserved. I happened to discuss this with a couple of friends who (I didn't know this in advance) were intending to develop a publishing business. They decided they were prepared to make this their first book.

[GlassBeadGame]

If it is a legitimate publishing business, let him say so. If it was self publication and was never meant to fool anyone, let him say so. If it was an attempt to deceive I think he has something to answer for.

I'm surprised by the unfriendly tone of this question ... but I don't mind answering. During the last ten years I've made a living by writing. It hasn't made me rich, but it has made me happier.

When it came to this book, my impression was that publishers in Britain -- with whom I normally work -- weren't ready to see the importance and potential threat of Wikipedia and therefore wouldn't give it the priority I thought it deserved. I happened to discuss this with a couple of friends who (I didn't know this in advance) were intending to develop a publishing business. They decided they were prepared to make this their first book.

Except that her email has posted elsewhere on the internet in promoting your book. In at least one such post she also included a phone number. That phone number belongs to someone who I assume is related to you. So these are not some friends who unbeknownst to you had an interest in publishing who saw the merit in your book. I gave you a chance to correct the record but you prevaricated further. I believe that Siduri was created solely to promote your book. Real publishers are not interested in your book because it is rubbish.

Moderator note: Personal details removed as per request