Call for naval authors -- Nimble Books

[wfzimmerman]

Nimble Books is a micropublishing company est. 2004 that has been
having some success with 32-48 page books on specialized naval and
military topics. See http://www.nimblebooks.com/wordpress/store/ for
examples. We like a strong point of view and strong b&w or color
pictures.

We have recently published:

Battleship Yamato: Why She Matters Today
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... -groups-20

BB-67 Montana, U.S. Navy Battleship: Why She Matters Today
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... -groups-20

Iowa Class Battleships and Alaska Class Large Cruisers Conversion
Projects 1942-1964: An Illustrated Technical Reference by Wayne
Scarpaci
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... -groups-20

and coming soon:

Task Force 34's Moment of Glory by J. Lanham Pearson

We are looking for authors! In particular, I would like to find authors on BISMARCK, TIRPITZ, HOOD, and PRINCE OF WALES.

See http://www.nimblebooks.com/wordpress/publish-with-us-2/ for
details. It's perfectly okay to start with an essay or web page that
you have already built. If you have an idea for a book, please write
to w...@nimblebooks.com.

Cordially, Fred Zimmerman

[RF]

This is very basic information from the above link - more info is needed if it is to appeal to people like me.

[wfzimmerman]

What else do you want to know?

[Antonio Bonomi]

Hello Fred,

I have just sent you an e-mail to reply your one.

Let me know.

Bye Antonio

[RF]

What else do you want to know?

The information that would be needed are the details that would go into any contract for writing these books, in order to ascertain (if it were me) where I stand financially and legally, which would involve third party professional advisors. One factor in particular which would be of concern to me are the royalty and double taxation arrangements, particulary given the weakness of the US dollar and the strength of the Euro.

In other words I would see it as a commercial venture rather than just a hobby and being paid for it.

[Tiornu]

Did you read point Number 2, "The Nimble Books Standard Contract "?

[RF]

Yes.

There are a number of issues therein I would not be happy with.

[Tiornu]

You can send him a PM about it. Or of course, you can just walk away.

[RF]

Most likely the latter because the business aspect of this seems always be the problem, and if it isn't worthwhile for the writer then in my view it isn't worth it. Sorry.

[wfzimmerman]

Most likely the latter because the business aspect of this seems always be the problem, and if it isn't worthwhile for the writer then in my view it isn't worth it. Sorry.

YMMV. Your mileage may vary.

I would be the first to say this is not a way to get rich. I do feel confident, though, that this is a fun and modestly profitable way to get interesting ideas about WWII naval history into print. The resulting books are pretty handsome and they are available via online booksellers in US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, and Japan. Not perfect distribution, but not bad either.

By all means, if you or anyone else has questions about the business side, feel free to PM me or email to wfz@nimblebooks.com.

[wfzimmerman]

Most likely the latter because the business aspect of this seems always be the problem, and if it isn't worthwhile for the writer then in my view it isn't worth it. Sorry.

Although I've been a publisher for 20 years and a naval history enthusiast for pushing 40 (i'm 47, and for my ninth birthday I asked for a copy of Jane's Fighting Ships 1970...), this is the first time I've taken a look at the market for naval history publishing. It appears to me that although the market is very dedicated and enthusiastic, it isn't all that gigantic or all that lucrative, so the business aspect is always going to be the problem

How many people write naval history for a living? (aside from academic posts where they also have to teach, etc.) I can think of maybe three off the top of my head -- Friedman, Polmar, WIllmott --who else? if I remember correctly, Samuel Loring Morison got in trouble (arguably, committed treason) in 1984 because he wanted to move up from his $5,000/year job as a contributing editor for Jane's. I know there are some good naval periodicals and people who write for them, so that's another angle, but it still seems to me that the number of ft naval historians is pretty small.

Not trying to start a flame war, just new to the subject and genuinely interested in learning if my instinctive take is wrong.

Cheers,

Fred