Mark Lisac's Blog
December 17, 2024
The Red Car
Something reminded me today of the 1954 Don Stanford novel titled The Red Car. I read it probably when I was somewhere between 10 and 13 years old. As happened with other boys of that era — you can see the evidence in reviews on Goodreads and Amazon — it influenced my life forever. The book tells the story of a 16-year-old who restores a somewhat wrecked 1948 MG TC. He has help from a foreign-trained mechanic (and mysterious former nobleman) going by the nickname of Frenchy. Frenchy also explains the capacities and wonders of a real sports car. The story reaches a climax with the car entering a race. Frenchy drives because of insurance rules, according to a summary on the internet. I can't remember the details at all but I do remember the impact of the book. From the day I finished it to this day, the only car that I really thought of as true and exciting has been an MG TC from that era, preferably red.
The book also introduced me to some the basic intricacies of engine performance and suspension systems. Stanford apparently wrote much of the story based on his own experiences, including in a race in Colorado in 1951. I never owned an MG TC. They must be quite rare now. A replicar version would no doubt be more reliable and far cheaper to maintain, but how satisfying is a simulation? The closest I got for a few years was a red 2003 Volvo S40 with a stick shift; that was adequate for daydreaming purposes. A check of the internet today showed the book has also become rare, despite a hardcover edition having been published in 2000. Amazon lists a hardcover for $266 and a paperback for $182 plus change. A couple of copies are listed in "fair" condition on Abe Books for less than $10. Some internet sources also apparently offer free reading of e-copies. I don't know if I'll try to read it again. The magic would likely be gone, replaced by mere nostalgic curiosity. A number of books listed on Amazon have "Red" and "Car" in their titles. There's also a recent one called "The Red Car." The description suggests it's a modern touchy-feely thing. I guess that shows how cultures can change. I'll stick to the original Red Car, even if only in memory. A book can have enormous power over a reader's store of information and dreams.
The book also introduced me to some the basic intricacies of engine performance and suspension systems. Stanford apparently wrote much of the story based on his own experiences, including in a race in Colorado in 1951. I never owned an MG TC. They must be quite rare now. A replicar version would no doubt be more reliable and far cheaper to maintain, but how satisfying is a simulation? The closest I got for a few years was a red 2003 Volvo S40 with a stick shift; that was adequate for daydreaming purposes. A check of the internet today showed the book has also become rare, despite a hardcover edition having been published in 2000. Amazon lists a hardcover for $266 and a paperback for $182 plus change. A couple of copies are listed in "fair" condition on Abe Books for less than $10. Some internet sources also apparently offer free reading of e-copies. I don't know if I'll try to read it again. The magic would likely be gone, replaced by mere nostalgic curiosity. A number of books listed on Amazon have "Red" and "Car" in their titles. There's also a recent one called "The Red Car." The description suggests it's a modern touchy-feely thing. I guess that shows how cultures can change. I'll stick to the original Red Car, even if only in memory. A book can have enormous power over a reader's store of information and dreams.
July 24, 2024
Reading choices
I've known for some time that e-books have become popular and that audiobooks have been gaining rapidly in popularity. It wasn't until I happened to check the availability of Fredrik Backman titles at the Edmonton Public Library this week that the magnitude of the change in how people "read" really sank in.
As of today (July 24), all five print copies of his 2018 novel Us Against You are out on loan. However, they are due back starting in two days. Despite that, people still prefer to wait weeks or even months for the same book in other formats. There are 40 holds on five e-book copies, and 44 holds on seven audiobook copies.
Five hardcover copies of A Man Called Ove are available. But 255 people would rather wait, presumably for months, for access to the library's 12 audiobook copies.
How about Beartown, published in 2017? One print copy is available and 19 other print copies are out on loan but due back within days. Nonetheless, hundreds of people would rather wait for other formats. There are 124 holds on 10 audiobook copies and 140 holds on nine e-book copies.
It's the same story for Backman's 2020 novel, Anxious People. Seven hardcover copies are available right now. But there are 115 holds on nine e-book copies and 112 holds on 10 audiobook copies.
Reading, for many people, is no longer reading. I'm sure there are good reasons for many people to make that choice. It does leave me wondering how they are processing the non-print versions of books. Are details slipping by owing to momentary distractions? Are memories of the books the same as the memories would be after reading a print edition? Can writing be appreciated and enjoyed in the same way?
What prompted my look at the library stats for Backman was a video (less than five minutes long) that a friend sent me of his hilarious talk at the Simon & Schuster centennial celebration this spring. If you haven't seen it it's worth a look. Funny, and guaranteed to make you forget the cares of daily commentary on politics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSuSy...
As of today (July 24), all five print copies of his 2018 novel Us Against You are out on loan. However, they are due back starting in two days. Despite that, people still prefer to wait weeks or even months for the same book in other formats. There are 40 holds on five e-book copies, and 44 holds on seven audiobook copies.
Five hardcover copies of A Man Called Ove are available. But 255 people would rather wait, presumably for months, for access to the library's 12 audiobook copies.
How about Beartown, published in 2017? One print copy is available and 19 other print copies are out on loan but due back within days. Nonetheless, hundreds of people would rather wait for other formats. There are 124 holds on 10 audiobook copies and 140 holds on nine e-book copies.
It's the same story for Backman's 2020 novel, Anxious People. Seven hardcover copies are available right now. But there are 115 holds on nine e-book copies and 112 holds on 10 audiobook copies.
Reading, for many people, is no longer reading. I'm sure there are good reasons for many people to make that choice. It does leave me wondering how they are processing the non-print versions of books. Are details slipping by owing to momentary distractions? Are memories of the books the same as the memories would be after reading a print edition? Can writing be appreciated and enjoyed in the same way?
What prompted my look at the library stats for Backman was a video (less than five minutes long) that a friend sent me of his hilarious talk at the Simon & Schuster centennial celebration this spring. If you haven't seen it it's worth a look. Funny, and guaranteed to make you forget the cares of daily commentary on politics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSuSy...
May 7, 2023
Self-publishing
There are, of course, pros and cons to self-publishing. I would have preferred to submit my latest novel, Dream Home, to NeWest Press, which has published four others of my books. But I finished it in late April and decided the content was far too time-sensitive to hold it back for long. The book can be read as a standalone story; but many will read it seeing satirical references to current events in Alberta. Therefore, best to get it out to readers while those events remain current. Going to a publisher would likely have meant a delay of two years.
Self-publishing can be expensive. It can also take months if you're going the full route involving distribution to bookstores. The practical alternative is Amazon KDP. Choosing Amazon limits publicity options and means no physical presence in bookstores. On the other hand, I finished the last proofreading of Dream Home in the third week of April and had it available for sale on Amazon and through other online e-book retailers by May 5. The process was speeded along by the fast provision of a cover design and interior layout by The Killion Group Inc., which does good work and has people who are easy to get along with.
But aside from the practicalities, there's an added attraction to self-publishing. Going with a "real" publisher gives you a feeling of being a "real" author of a "real" book. Being an independent author and publisher offers a different feeling of accomplishment. It's similar to what I felt publishing an independent newsletter on Alberta politics for eight years, after working for large news organizations the previous 32 years. The sense of independence and self-reliance (while acknowledging the reliance on Killion Group and on Amazon) has proved as fulfilling as running a small business for eight years. I'd like to go back to a publishing firm, but for the reasons noted above, it's good to have a different path available to an "indie author."
Self-publishing can be expensive. It can also take months if you're going the full route involving distribution to bookstores. The practical alternative is Amazon KDP. Choosing Amazon limits publicity options and means no physical presence in bookstores. On the other hand, I finished the last proofreading of Dream Home in the third week of April and had it available for sale on Amazon and through other online e-book retailers by May 5. The process was speeded along by the fast provision of a cover design and interior layout by The Killion Group Inc., which does good work and has people who are easy to get along with.
But aside from the practicalities, there's an added attraction to self-publishing. Going with a "real" publisher gives you a feeling of being a "real" author of a "real" book. Being an independent author and publisher offers a different feeling of accomplishment. It's similar to what I felt publishing an independent newsletter on Alberta politics for eight years, after working for large news organizations the previous 32 years. The sense of independence and self-reliance (while acknowledging the reliance on Killion Group and on Amazon) has proved as fulfilling as running a small business for eight years. I'd like to go back to a publishing firm, but for the reasons noted above, it's good to have a different path available to an "indie author."
November 5, 2021
Experiments
I've just started Goodreads Giveaways for my new novel, Red Hill Creek — print copies offered in Canada and Kindle in the U.S., per Goodreads requirements.
This is an experiment on top of an experiment. Red Hill Creek is also my first crack at self-publishing (or indie publishing, as some word it).
Three people who know the business warned me that self-publishing is not generally a well rewarded enterprise. Well, how could a person not respond to a challenge like that? What's life without a calculated risk now and then?
I've learned a lot about the current state of the publishing industry in the last several weeks. For one thing, it has taken on a shape largely invisible to the public.
On the one hand are tens or even hundreds of thousands of authors and would-be authors, most of whom will remain largely unknown. On the other hand are voracious readers who tend to need an endless supply of new books, especially e-books discounted down to 99 cents, even if most of what they read follows the same formula over and over.
In the middle are some very large distribution businesses and a cadre of professional editors who know how to connect the need to write with the need to read. I suspect that's where the real money accumulates.
Nevertheless, I'm happy that the system gives me a chance to put the new novel out to the public. The Goodreads Giveaway program looks like an effective way to let a few thousand people know that the book exists.
As for the self-publishing system run by Amazon and a few other large businesses, I'm happy that it gives me a chance to offer a book to whatever size of audience may eventually read it.
The story is about some general themes anyone can appreciate. It's also about the city of Hamilton, and is to some extent my way of saying thank you to the city for having been a great place to grow up.
This is an experiment on top of an experiment. Red Hill Creek is also my first crack at self-publishing (or indie publishing, as some word it).
Three people who know the business warned me that self-publishing is not generally a well rewarded enterprise. Well, how could a person not respond to a challenge like that? What's life without a calculated risk now and then?
I've learned a lot about the current state of the publishing industry in the last several weeks. For one thing, it has taken on a shape largely invisible to the public.
On the one hand are tens or even hundreds of thousands of authors and would-be authors, most of whom will remain largely unknown. On the other hand are voracious readers who tend to need an endless supply of new books, especially e-books discounted down to 99 cents, even if most of what they read follows the same formula over and over.
In the middle are some very large distribution businesses and a cadre of professional editors who know how to connect the need to write with the need to read. I suspect that's where the real money accumulates.
Nevertheless, I'm happy that the system gives me a chance to put the new novel out to the public. The Goodreads Giveaway program looks like an effective way to let a few thousand people know that the book exists.
As for the self-publishing system run by Amazon and a few other large businesses, I'm happy that it gives me a chance to offer a book to whatever size of audience may eventually read it.
The story is about some general themes anyone can appreciate. It's also about the city of Hamilton, and is to some extent my way of saying thank you to the city for having been a great place to grow up.
