>[ Kevin, your reply, "Buy the book," is rather cavalier.  It would
>[ be nicer if you would give Tammy the information she requested,
>[ and so generate book sales by offering a carrot, not a stick.  ;-)

I received these two messages from long-time MMD readers expressing
supporting and opposing views about my admonishment to Kevin McElhone
in 031230 MMDigest:

#1. "I am reluctant to write this, but I sort of thought you crossed a
line today in commenting that Kevin McElhone should not have suggested
purchase of Todd Augsburger's book for the woman to get the info she
wanted.  Extremely narrow-focus, 'enthusiast' books like these will not
continue to be published if no one buys them.  If she has a unique item
like this, she should want the book anyway."

#2. "I feel somewhat let down that a request for information is met by
yet another advert of 'buy my book'. ... Would these books be what they
are without the freely given information of MMDers and others?"

I invite thoughtful opinions from other readers on how new books about
our hobby are created and sold.

Robbie Rhodes