Corrections and Revisions.—In practically every instance our books are printed from electrotype plates. Consequently the first printings are rarely large, because we are able to produce further copies, from our electrotype plates, as needed.
Before a book is reprinted the author is given an opportunity to send in corrections of typographical and other errors which have escaped notice in the earlier printing or printings. Such reprints, however, are not called new editions nor is the title page date of the book changed. We follow strictly the policy of designating as new editions only books which have been more or less thoroughly revised, and the title page date of one of our books is an indication of the date of the text—not of the reprint.
When, in the author's opinion or our own, the text requires revision, we discuss the details with the author and arrange for as complete a revision as the condition of the text calls for. Since the printings of our books are rarely large, we are able to arrange for the production of a new edition in normal cases as soon as the author feels that it is required and can complete his portion of the work.
Translations.—We arrange, where possible, for translations of books into foreign languages, dividing the proceeds with the author. The underlying theory of this division is that, with the publication of a translation, both the author and the publisher suffer from the loss of sales of the edition in English.
The foreign publisher generally has to pay to his translator about the royalties usually paid to an author, and accordingly the amount which can be charged to a foreign publisher for rights of translation is, except in rare cases, small. Translations must be regarded as a by-product.
Our attempts to market books in foreign languages from New York, or from one of our foreign agencies, have not been encouraging. Accordingly, the first question, when we are endeavoring to arrange for a translation, is for us to find a publisher in the country selected who will undertake the work of securing a translator and publishing the book. When a translator offers his services, we find it necessary to ask him first to interest a publisher in his own country in the venture.
Prompt Publication.—From the standpoint of both the author and the publisher it is desirable that a book should be put on the market as soon as possible after the manuscript is completed.
From the moment the publisher undertakes to manufacture a book he has an investment which grows rapidly and yields nothing until the sales of the book begin.
The production of technical books is delayed, generally, by one of the following causes: