New Naturalists / General Questions / General questions and discussion / Print on Demand Books / Latest Posts

RE: Print on Demand Books

Jackbus — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:54:34 GMT

I just received my first POD order, a brisk 10 days after I ordered it. It was 'Freshwater Fishes'. - chosen partly because it is a book that (in original form) I have never seen with an unfaded spine. I have to say I am absolutely delighted with it. It looks great, and I love the fact that Collins have made it clear on both the book and the inside of the cover that it is the POD version. For me, I think it has much greater authenticity than a lot of the re-bound paperbacks which seem to be everywhere now. It looks great on the shelf alongside the originals. My guess is that Collins are doing a brisk trade in them but I have no way of knowing. - And I think they will likely be a success.

It is interesting to think though that if for some reason Collins stop the service or change the format in the future, then these first PODs (with their distinct markings) will begin to attract huge collectable value. Of course if I was able to afford an original in lovely condition in the future, then I would be tempted to upgrade, but for me the POD really does sate the appetite for those missing golden 13 editions. And I didn't think they would.

RE: Print on Demand Books

Hengus — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:09:02 GMT

[quote][b]Brendan (10/19/2009)[/b][hr]Given that I've just received my second POD order, and it's still taking them about three weeks to turn them around rather than the week they're aiming for, it seems like they're still doing reasonably brisk trade in PODs.[/quote]

I think we could deduce from this thread that you're a "glass full" and I'm a "glass empty" sort of person :-)

RE: Print on Demand Books

Brendan — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:10:53 GMT

Given that I've just received my second POD order, and it's still taking them about three weeks to turn them around rather than the week they're aiming for, it seems like they're still doing reasonably brisk trade in PODs.

RE: Print on Demand Books

Hengus — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:34:10 GMT

The fact that there are no competitors (when actually there are - there's a pretty healthy second hand market you might have encountered) doesn't mean you want your commercial information in the public domain, does it? I know of no other business which apart from in very general terms would voluntarily publish it's sales figures (publishing print runs is a very different thing from publishing sales figures - and, as far as I know, these have only ever been published quite some time after the event) in the way some of you seem to be expecting Collins to do. What on earth would be the purpose (for them, not for you!)? When one gets an electrician in, you don't expect to see his sales figures for the previous year, do you? Well, I certainly don't. I think I'd be expecting a quick slap if I asked, as well!

I suspect (but have no evidence to back it up apart from the almost total lack of interest in this forum) the PODs may not be selling as well as initially hoped. But, like all of us outside Collins, what on earth do I know?

RE: Print on Demand Books

Bill — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:11:04 GMT

I am deliberately not quoting any earlier comments, but in my opinion, there is no need for anyone to take an aggressive or offensive tone in this Forum with other members. Perhaps those concerned have not taken offence, but we have few enough contributors to this Forum - let's not drive some away through fear of being harangued on this site.

Hoping that we can soon return to discussion of the NN Series itself.

BTW, has anyone yet received their signed copy of "Dartmoor"?

Bill

RE: Print on Demand Books

Jackbus — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:43:13 GMT

[quote][b]Jackbus (10/17/2009)[/b][hr][quote][b]Hengus (10/17/2009)[/b][hr][quote][b]Jackbus (10/16/2009)[/b][hr][quote][b]Hengus (10/14/2009)[/b][hr][quote][b]DavidGarnett (10/14/2009)[/b][hr]WhilstI am not too sure about the future collectability of low volume PODs: it would be interesting to collectors if HarperCollins were to publish (say annually) the statistics on numbers ordered for each title. Any chance of this happening: or even a league table on popularity?[/quote]

Why on earth would a company allow such commercially sensitive material to enter the public domain? Not a snowballs chance in hell, I imagine![/quote]

Commercially sensitive? For what reason?![/quote]

You are joking aren't you? You're obviously not a businessman yourself then![/quote][/quote]

No, I'm not joking. Collins have regulararly given us print runs of their NN titles. I see even less reason why they should be sensitive about the POD demand. Can you please explain what you mean. And what possible competition they face in POD NNs??

RE: Print on Demand Books

DavidGarnett — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:05:05 GMT

But no-one has explained yet what is commercially sensitive about this information? Are businessmen just paranoid?

RE: Print on Demand Books

Hengus — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:53:03 GMT

[quote][b]Jackbus (10/16/2009)[/b][hr][quote][b]Hengus (10/14/2009)[/b][hr][quote][b]DavidGarnett (10/14/2009)[/b][hr]WhilstI am not too sure about the future collectability of low volume PODs: it would be interesting to collectors if HarperCollins were to publish (say annually) the statistics on numbers ordered for each title. Any chance of this happening: or even a league table on popularity?[/quote]

Why on earth would a company allow such commercially sensitive material to enter the public domain? Not a snowballs chance in hell, I imagine![/quote]

Commercially sensitive? For what reason?![/quote]

You are joking aren't you? You're obviously not a businessman yourself then!

RE: Print on Demand Books

Jackbus — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:48:35 GMT

[quote][b]Hengus (10/14/2009)[/b][hr][quote][b]DavidGarnett (10/14/2009)[/b][hr]WhilstI am not too sure about the future collectability of low volume PODs: it would be interesting to collectors if HarperCollins were to publish (say annually) the statistics on numbers ordered for each title. Any chance of this happening: or even a league table on popularity?[/quote]

Why on earth would a company allow such commercially sensitive material to enter the public domain? Not a snowballs chance in hell, I imagine![/quote]

Commercially sensitive? For what reason?!

RE: Print on Demand Books

DavidGarnett — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:49:12 GMT

Not sure what is so commercially sensitive: we have figures on the volumes of books printed by HC. So another publisher learns that HC serviced 287 Ladybird PODs: what are they going to make of that?

Seems to be similar to the Health and Safety industry: dont do or allow anything just in case!

RE: Print on Demand Books

Hengus — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:38:07 GMT

[quote][b]DavidGarnett (10/14/2009)[/b][hr]WhilstI am not too sure about the future collectability of low volume PODs: it would be interesting to collectors if HarperCollins were to publish (say annually) the statistics on numbers ordered for each title. Any chance of this happening: or even a league table on popularity?[/quote]

Why on earth would a company allow such commercially sensitive material to enter the public domain? Not a snowballs chance in hell, I imagine!

RE: Print on Demand Books

DavidGarnett — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:07:06 GMT

Whilst I am not too sure about the future collectability of low volume PODs: it would be interesting to collectors if HarperCollins were to publish (say annually) the statistics on numbers ordered for each title. Any chance of this happening: or even a league table on popularity?

RE: Print on Demand Books

Jackbus — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:55:11 GMT

Can you imagine if Collins do decide to start printing the titles on the spine for POD in the future. Then the price of these prototype unmarked ones would skyrocket!! I'm sure most of the orders so far have been for POD copies of the Golden 13 or maybe Dragonflies 41 not far behind., but think about it, in the future there may turn out to be only one unmarked POD copy of "Man and the Land" for example. Peter Marren will have a whole chapter in in his updated 82 v3 about the mythical 2009 early PODs, the unmarked rarities!

RE: Print on Demand Books

Brendan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:47:27 GMT

The lack of a spine title doesn't seem like a big deal to me - given that the dustjackets are part of the appeal of the series, are there many people who display them on their bookshelves "naked" as it were? Furthermore, although I haven't seen my copies yet, if the dustjackets have the laminate coating on the outside for POD editions as has been suggested, there wouldn't even be the need to take the jacket off to avoid fingerprints while reading.

RE: Print on Demand Books

IanBricknell — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:15:54 GMT

I don't think the lack of a spine title matters, at least not to me. I love the idea of PODs and have some on order (I live in the USA so mine won't be in my hands as fast as UK residents), they are not to fill gaps in my collection, but I shall use them as living breathing copies that I can read and use and even recommend as text books to my students.

OK my main collection is safe in it's vault and doesn't get read anymore. I think my POD freshwater fish will have a tough life, but that's what it's there for and when it's worn out and falling to bits I'll buy another POD to replace it.

RE: Print on Demand Books

Lee3764 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:09:15 GMT

I agree. Surely if you look at the book edge on sitting on your bookshelf then it needs to show the title of the book on the spine of the book?! Surely not too much to ask? Could Collins post a photo of the spine of a POD version? POD is a great & affordable idea but I would have thought the books title on the spine would have been obvious? What are other forum members thoughts on this?....Lee.

RE: Print on Demand Books

Willrow — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:17:00 GMT

Thank you for responding Alex. I along with the vast majority of New Naturalist collectors/readers believe it's an absolutely superb initiative by Collins to provide the PoD service and it most certainly is something to be celebrated. I also accept most of the reasons you state regarding keeping the costs down, however I stand by my concerns about the lack of spine titling, even the cheapest produced hardbacks have spine titles...it's disappointing that Collins did'nt manage to go that extra mile with the PoD books.

RE: Print on Demand Books

Collins — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:32:38 GMT

Dear Wilrow, I appreciate you instinctively feel the print on demand editions should be identical to the originals, but as discussed these are not facsimiles but digital prints, produced differently to the first editions, and to the editions we continue to print in a conventional manner. (We are clear on the points of difference in our article describing how the books are made).

Although with the New Naturalists Collins have pioneered the first print on demand service ever to offer produce hardback colour books - something to be celebrated - there are limits to the technology I'm afraid. The cost implication of printing a book on demand with the title on the spine - which would involve a further supplier in the production chain - would compromise the main drive of this initiative, which is to bring the content of the books to a wider audience by publishing out of print titles at an affordable price.

I hope you can now understand we would love to accommodate, but don't want to raise the price any higher than £50.

Alex
Collins

Print on Demand Books

Willrow — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:04:33 GMT

It was nice to actually see and handle a POD title in the New Nats series at the Bird Fair at Rutland Water over the weekend. The general quality was very good, the dust wrappers to a standard only to be expected for this wonderful series. The spine binding lies flat in comparison to the usual rounded spines of all other editions in the series, will this unduly affect the general uniformity on the bookshelf I ask. However, I have one major concern that I mentioned to Alex at Collins stand; the total lack of any printed titles on the spines - including the iconic NN logo!!! My concern was readily accepted by Alex and he stated he would discuss this with Collins. I firmly believe that ommitting the titles (primarily on the grounds of printing cost's?) from the spines compromises the integrity of the books.

It would be interesting to have other views on this subject.