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27 March 2015 at 13:56 #56779
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Having tired of actually building model ships a few months ago, I began a writing project to put it all in book form. The projected book will be about 140 pages, A4. To date, I have completed 105 pages, 178 images, colour photographs, plans etc. with the current total of 30,513 words. Most afternoons are spent writing, leaving the mornings for normal life. It is making a very pleasant change. I am not dependent on the whims of a publisher, because I will be publishing it myself and paying a printer to print it exactly as I want it to be. This method of publication is frowned on by publishers and referred to as "vanity publishing." It works for me though, as my last three books have done very well and the St. Helena book is on its 7th print run now. With only 35 pages to go, the end is now in sight!

Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 27/03/2015 13:57:47
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27 March 2015 at 13:56 #8066
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
27 March 2015 at 17:48 #56787
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Sign me up Bob!

Colin
27 March 2015 at 18:55 #56790
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Thanks Colin,

I did a few more pages this afternoon, so I am not expecting it to take too long. Neither am I really expecting any great success, but I do feel that it will break even at the worst. I am covering both sail and steam/motor with the different rigs of sail, plus tramps, cargo ships, passenger liners, tankers, cargo liners, ferries and the odd trawler etc. I have already raised the funding for the book by building and selling the barquentine Mary Isabel.

Bob
1 April 2015 at 11:05 #56964
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
I am now in the final stages of writing this book. I have currently completed 117 pages and so far, it has 195 illustrations, mainly colour photographs, with a number of ship plans.

The word count to date is 34,260 words.

The demand for this type of book (miniature scratchbuilding of merchant ships), would not appear to be very great, as the majority of ship modellers prefer large and expensive kits.

By necessity, the first print run will probably be about 30 copies, but reprinting, if the demand requires it, is a simple process taking only 14 working days.

Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 01/04/2015 11:06:37
1 April 2015 at 11:28 #56965
Mark Jarvis 2
Participant
@markjarvis2
HI Bob

Sign me up for a copy

Mark
4 April 2015 at 19:20 #57031
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Still beavering away.

**LINK**

Now reached 129 pages 38,810 words and 214 images.

Bob
10 April 2015 at 07:23 #57152
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
The actual writing of the book is now complete. 158 pages, including the index, 46,408 words and 285 images. It is now down to reading, correcting, and cover design. This should not take more than a week. After that, about two weeks to publication. The response has been underwhelming to say the least, with ten showing interest. It will go ahead though, as it is something that I really wanted to do, but will probably be the last full-length book that I do on the subject of miniature shipmodelling. The first print run will be limited to 30 copies, that will probably go eventually, and maybe break even on the costs. It has been a long, hard slog!

Bob
10 April 2015 at 08:07 #57153
Andy C
Participant
@andyc56856
Hi Bob, I would also be interested in a copy. Would be nice to see a book from the current crop of boat builders. The ones I have seen, seem to be more from the early days of the hobby.

Cheers, and happy writing. Andy
10 April 2015 at 09:02 #57154
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Thanks Andy. Although it is a new book, it is more in keeping with the old style of model shipbuilding that has now gone out of fashion. If you click on my Forum Photos here, you will see what sort of ship it is all about building. There is a complete chapter, plus plans for building the motorship Tuscan Star and the four-masted barque Pass of Brander, plus a number of other chapters on both construction, and other aspects of the hobby such as making it self-financing, understanding plans, and also a lot of historical notes to show that merchant ships were equally (if not more) interesting than warships.

Bob
20 April 2015 at 15:43 #57352
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
I e-mailed the manuscript to the printers this morning and they acknowledged its safe arrival. Proof should be out in 3 to 4 days, and publication 14 working days after that. Final statistics: 158 pages 285 images. 46,424.words. Only 36 have been ordered. 6 will be taken by the British Legal Deposit Library, leaving 29 available. (We will keep one!). 15 people have shown interest on the Internet, and 5 at the local ship model club (North West Model Shipwrights). More of a "Labour of Love" thing than anything, but I do hope to be able to break even, but am not anticipating any great rush for them!

Bob
20 April 2015 at 17:56 #57355
Mike Prentice
Participant
@mikeprentice83334
Hi Bob. I would like a copy as well. Mike.
20 April 2015 at 18:51 #57358
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Hi Mike, OK, you are on the list. Thanks

Bob
24 April 2015 at 07:35 #57422
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
I have now approved of the proofs, and have been advised that the estimated dispatch of the books to me will be May 7th, to arrive May 8th.

Bob
9 May 2015 at 14:24 #57651
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
9th May, 2105

The books all arrived on the 7th! They are of excellent technical quality, printed on 115gsm silk paper with 300gsm glossy card backs. I am very pleased with them.

Nearly got knocked over in the rush, and there are now only six left! (Not counting the ones mentioned below – 36 printed).

The five ordered here are being held awaiting payment, but three have not responded yet!

Bob
9 May 2015 at 14:45 #57652
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Hi Bob,

You should have got my PM hopefully. We have been away but cheque will be posted Monday!

Colin
9 May 2015 at 15:25 #57653
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Hi Colin,

Yes, I got it OK thanks – it is all ready.

Bob
14 May 2015 at 10:28 #57722
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Thursday, 14th May, 2015.

Four are reserved, awaiting payment. One remains available, the rest are sold.

Thank you for the great response.

Bob
14 May 2015 at 13:34 #57724
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Received mine this morning, not read it yet but the presentation and quality of the images are excellent.

Colin
14 May 2015 at 14:02 #57726
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Glad it arrived OK Colin. The printers have recently installed a new system, and it produces very good quality books. For anyone with a book to write, I would recommend self-publishing, as you can write it how you want and make your own layout and covers. It amazes me that it can all be done via the internet and even the manuscript was sent online.

Bob
16 May 2015 at 15:50 #57781
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Saturday, 16th May. Three reserved awaiting payment, but all the rest sold out!

More on order – estimated arrival – end of this month.

Bob
16 May 2015 at 16:54 #57782
Mike Prentice
Participant
@mikeprentice83334
Received mine today. Very well printed with lots of very good pictures.

Thanks Mike.
16 May 2015 at 17:57 #57783
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Mike,

Thanks, glad it arrived OK. With the last one going, maybe I can get back to modelling again!

Been quite busy since the 7th.

Bob
21 May 2015 at 10:50 #57892
Banjoman
Participant
@banjoman
My copy, having slightly further to travel, arrived here in Belgium on Monday, and I, too, wish to join the choir of happy owners in singing the praise of this excellent work! A really well-produced book, chock full of interesting and useful informatiion and of course also a very inspiring read! Thank you very much indeed, Bob!

/Mattias
21 May 2015 at 13:12 #57895
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
Thanks for your kind comments. Glad they arrived OK. Just one awaiting payment now, and then they are sold out. The next lot will arrive on the 29th of this month.

Bob
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