P3D NSA '99 workshop: publishing 3D works

["Stuart Stiles" <sstiles@xxxxxxx>]

In Green Bay, at NSA í99, a publishing workshop has been proposed. Every
published author, who anticipates attending the convention, is invited to
contact, sstiles@xxxxxxx, relative to participation. The workshop is
intended to give "those who are thinking about creating a 3D publication" an
opportunity to meet "some who have published 3D works." We will have a time
for book signing at the workshop.

At NSA í98, in Richmond, several authors shared their experiences and
insights in a similar publishing workshop that was conducted by (me) Prof.
Stuart Stiles of Orange County (NY) Community College, self-publisher of
Stereoscopic Saratoga Springs.

Russell Norton, Stereoviews Illustrated, and Paul Wing, STEREOSCOPES The
First Hundred Years, prepared written suggestions that were distributed at
the workshop. Both had published books at their own expense. Both were
concerned that images contained in the books should be easily viewed. It is
not a simple matter to get stereo views reproduced in a book in such a way
that they can be seen easily.

John Waldsmith emphasized the value of finding a publisher, even if it means
that the book has to be modified to make it marketable. John had been
invited by his publisher to produce his book as, Stereo Views an Illustrated
History and Price Guide, a most unusual circumstance for an author. Others
face the challenge and expense of working with an agent, or risking the fate
of the "slush pile" treatment given to unsolicited works. When a publisher
works with the author, there are few controls over the appearance of the
book left to the author. John emphasized the importance of careful galley
editing by the author.

Bob Zeller had pursued a topic of personal interest, as he worked on The
Civil War in Depth. Any author who would like a career in writing is wise to
start with subject matter that is familiar. Stereo books have appeal to 3-D
enthusiasts, but Bob found another niche for his book, the readers of
history, and Civil war "buffs." Bob commented that, when balancing the
factors of print quality against cost, it is always a production challenge
to get the best results without over-investing.

Issues of pre-press production, the control of copy, and the making of
revisions were discussed as features of setting a book into its finished
printed form. For all of their limitations, printed, bound books were seen
to be more viable, at present, than the use of CDís, although that situation
is rapidly changing, as is demonstrated by Dan Shelleyís 3DCD productions.

Our kind of book is one that is highly visual. Sufficient resources must be
acquired in order to provide high quality images that tell the story of the
book.

Stereoscopic Saratoga Springs first appeared in the context of a free,
public, Victorian parlor stereoscope entertainment held in the lobby of the
Adelphi Hotel on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, New York. The Adelphi is a
showplace of Victorian design. The opening was called a "premier," rather
than a book signing. Each of the subsequent appearances of the book is also
in the context of a stereoscope demonstration show. Promotion of stereo
books involves more than the careful selection of titles and cover designs.

The very fact that early stereo views and stereoscopes are unknown to so
many people gives us an opportunity to arouse their curiosity, and to have a
lot of fun watching them discover for themselves why we have such enthusiasm
for our hobby.

Stuart



------------------------------