# My Book is Coming out in Paperback! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 6, 2007, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937 "2007-06-06T02:31:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/21 "2007-06-06T18:35:47Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] Yeah, but I don’t want to lose my privilege to post bad puns, wild-eyed guesses, and blatantly incorrect “facts” on this Board. [/QUOTE] Y bid wtlm ptp bp we gab if otb What kind of a title is that? I’m just going to look for all the books by Cal Meacham on [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com)… ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/22 "2007-06-06T18:40:54Z")
[QUOTE=kidchameleon] Y bid wtlm ptp bp we gab if otb What kind of a title is that? [/QUOTE] I think it’s Welsh. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/23 "2007-06-06T20:11:14Z")
If I recall my high school Metalunan correctly, “Ybid Wtlmptp Bpwe gab Ifotb” translates loosely to “Interocitor Assembly for Dummies.” Congratulations, Dr. Meacham. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/24 "2007-06-06T20:53:34Z")
> [@Registration Agreement](#): > > Do not post spam, including but not limited to advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, solicitations, offers to trade or barter, charitable appeals, or other messages primarily intended to promote a cause, venture, organization, event (except Straight Dope-related events), website, or other entity or activity, whether or not money is involved. We allow exceptions for worthy causes (in our sole opinion) if you obtain prior permission from a moderator or administrator. We’re always happy to support the arts and artistic/literary endeavors on the part of our members… ain’t that a worthy cause? Congrats, **Cal** , and I hereby give you prior permission (cough, cough) to announce it. I’ll go further and say that you may, indeed, post in this thread, the name and information about how to get copies. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/25 "2007-06-06T21:10:05Z")
Congratulations, indeed! It sounds pretty interesting (he already told me all about it…I am one of the Chosen!). I hope you keep us updated on how it does! ---
**Author:** ![Lisa\_Ann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lisa\_Ann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa_Ann)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/26 "2007-06-06T21:14:41Z")
Spill it! I love a good read. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/27 "2007-06-06T21:17:50Z")
Here’s the Oxford University Press page: [http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/ClassicalStudies/ClassicalMythology/?view=usa&ci=9780195124316](http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/ClassicalStudies/ClassicalMythology/?view=usa&ci=9780195124316) Here’s the Amazon Page, which lets you have a look at the guts: > **[Amazon.com: Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon: 9780195124316: Wilk,...](https://www.amazon.com/Medusa-Solving-Stephen-R-Wilk/dp/0195124316)** > > Amazon.com: Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon: 9780195124316: Wilk, Stephen R.: Books ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/28 "2007-06-06T21:21:40Z")
Don’t you get a bigger payoff if someone buys the hardback? I just put that sucker on my wishlist for Christmas. Maybe I can get someone to sign it someday… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/29 "2007-06-06T21:27:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Don’t you get a bigger payoff if someone buys the hardback? I’m pretty sure I get the same thing, no matter the format. And what I’m actually getting is a reduction of the red side of the ledger. I got an advance that I foolishly blew on illustrations and permissions, instead of a week in the Bahamas. If I sell enough copies, I’ll break even. I’ve interviewed for an editor’s job. I turned it down, partly because there was no way I could live on the salary. I am, now, an (unpaid) Contributing Editor. And now I are an author. Somebody, somewhere is making money from publishing books, but it ain’t me. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa\_Ann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lisa\_Ann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa_Ann)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/30 "2007-06-06T21:38:46Z")
[QUOTE=Trion] Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon by Stephen R. Wilk. This gets me a free book, right? [/QUOTE] :smack: How did I miss this?! Does Trion get a free copy? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/31 "2007-06-06T21:42:41Z")
49.95? I would have bought, but 45 is my limit! 🙂 Congratulations. It looks pretty interesting and is in my purchase queue. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/32 "2007-06-06T21:53:59Z")
Your alma mater has a copy. Along with the no doubt scintillating “A KC1:O laser.” Unfortunately the public library doesn’t. That’s the sad fate of most university press books. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/33 "2007-06-06T22:10:24Z")
I wishlisted it. I will probably buy it soon - no way I can resist Classical scholarship by a Doper! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/34 "2007-06-06T22:58:34Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] Here’s the Amazon Page, which lets you have a look at the guts: > **[Amazon.com: Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon: 9780195124316: Wilk,...](https://www.amazon.com/Medusa-Solving-Stephen-R-Wilk/dp/0195124316)** > > Amazon.com: Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon: 9780195124316: Wilk, Stephen R.: Books [/QUOTE] Per the reviews, ramonaleona is a bit of a bitch, isn’t she? I have no problems with well-thought out negative reviews, but sometimes people just post 1 star reviews to be a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2007, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/35 "2007-06-06T23:40:59Z")
The book looks fascinating. I doubt that the hardback would sell in my bookstore(1), but I’d like to bring in the paperback for stock. For that matter, I’d like to read it myself. Mythology fascinates me. I also love the fact that the _Journal of the History of Astronomy_ reviewed a book on classical mythology. Congratulations again! [QUOTE=CalMeacham] I’m pretty sure I get the same thing, no matter the format. And what I’m actually getting is a reduction of the red side of the ledger. I got an advance that I foolishly blew on illustrations and permissions, instead of a week in the Bahamas. If I sell enough copies, I’ll break even. [/QUOTE] Check that contract again. The author royalty is usually higher per copy on hardbacks, because royalties tend to be based on a percentage of the sale price. The idea is that more people will buy the paperback, thus even with a lower per copy royalty you should make more money on it. (1) Especially since the major national distributor my store buys from (Ingram Books) shows the wholesale price as $49.95, which happens to also be the retail price. I can’t make money selling at cost, and my little store doesn’t do enough volume with Oxford Press to meet their minimums buying direct. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/36 "2007-06-07T00:27:47Z")
[QUOTE=Lisa Ann] Does Trion get a free copy? [/QUOTE] Oh, I’m sure I only get a free copy if someone actually notices me. So much for that lucrative and rewarding career in literary promotions. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/37 "2007-06-07T00:38:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Your alma mater has a copy. Along with the no doubt scintillating “A KC1:O laser.” > > Unfortunately the public library doesn’t. That’s the sad fate of most university press books. All my Almae Matera have copies, I’m happy to report. And quite a few Public Libraries do. I’ve looked it up in Find It In A Library, and quite a few have copies. But the copy the Boston Public Library had got ripped off (I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing – My book was stolen! But, on the other hand, somebody liked it enough to steal it.) My home town in New Jersey has it, and so does my library here in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, my library here in Masachusetts is CLOSED because our town is broke, and the idiot citizens won’t pass a Prop 2 1/2 Override. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/38 "2007-06-07T00:45:27Z")
Well, congratulations!!! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/39 "2007-06-07T01:02:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Along with the no doubt scintillating “A KC1:O laser.” It’s really “A KCl:O[sub]2[/sub][sup]-[/sup] Laser”, but the fault probably lies with the people entering the title. A Potassium Chloride: SuperOxide Laser It’s scintillating enough (literally, even). It’s a brand new laser, and, unlike others of its general class, you can store it at room temperature and in ordinary daylight, instead of having to keep it at liquid nitrogen temperature (or lower) and/or in the dark. Unfortunately, nobody will ever use it, in all likelihood. You can achieve the same things with dye lasers and OPOs. I tried to put the same active species in soft glass hosts, without success. But that’s Okay – it’s _Mine_. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937/40 "2007-06-07T01:18:10Z")
Wow, on the page Amazon excerpts, you managed to work in the word ‘apocolocyntosis.’ That’s some heavy classical chops. Interestingly, none of the online dictionaries I looked at had the word. Once I found it in the encyclopedia at [reference.com](http://reference.com), I realized I’d heard it before, but it’s just not something I carry around for regular use. That’s why I’m not a classical scholar. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-book-is-coming-out-in-paperback/406937.md?page=3)