I have been following the thread about the Organette book with some
interest.  As a published author of three books, all on local history,
I can see both sides of the coin.  There is no possible way to describe
the amount of work involved publishing a book, however, those of you
who have done it, self-published or not, know what I am talking about.

Since all of my books were historical in nature, I have been called
upon to speak before neighborhood organizations, historical societies,
and other interested groups.  There was always a question and answer
period afterward.  Maybe not quite the same situation as that described
in the MMD, but close enough.  I held back nothing and after the
question and answer period, I had an opportunity to sell my books.
Again, not the same situation exactly, but just because I answered
questions put to me that were already answered in the book, it did
not seem to diminish the sales one bit.

I frequently get questions about historical facts which I answer as
best I can.  In no case have I ever told people to go out and buy one
of my books.  All of them are out of print anyway, so what would be the
use.  As an example, go to Amazon.com and do a search of my name.  What
comes up is one of my most popular books -- long out of print.  Note
the price tag!  The book was US$15.00 when new, and Amazon wants
US$190.00 for a used copy.

Because of the costs involved in publication, I have never turned
a profit on any of the books I have published.

Just a trivial bit of information that many of you may not know:
approximately 80% of the cost of publishing a book is taken up by the
cost of the paper.  The other 20% is the actual pre-press costs
incurred.

If all Kevin McElhone received for his efforts was a free copy of the
book, and all the proceeds, if any, go to the organization, then I think
that he would be justified in asking the interested party to buy the
book.  No questions are _that_ simple.

As a matter of note, I purchased "The Organette Book" and it is a
masterpiece both from the historical point of view and the design and
printing as well.  I recommend it highly.

Ed Gaida - Still 18 blocks north of the Alamo, where it was 74 degrees
today.