From: GW

To: Publisher

Date: 14 Jul 2004

 

Question: I have tried both Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and neither of them have Chris' RELATIONAL DATABASE WRITINGS 1994-1997 available. I even checked Addison-Wesley and they don't list it. Has the book been withdrawn, or would you know where a copy can be found?

 

They seem to have the other earlier volumes in the RELATIONAL DATABASE WRITINGS series, so I'm a little baffled...

 

Here's some further info on my search: I ordered it from Addison Wesley online, but  the order was subsequently cancelled. I wrote them for clarification as to why the book was unavailable (out-of-print, squabble with author, etc.), and received the following reply:

 

Response (Tomasz Motyka) - 07/22/2004 11:16 AM

Dear GW,

 

I apologize for your inconvenience.  Unfortunately we do not sell this particular title in the US.  You can however contact our UK subsidiary and see if they can help you with this particular inquiry.  Their

contact information is:

 

The whole thing is a bit mysterious to me, since I have never come across a publisher who didn't want to sell me a book they advertise on their website! Anyway, just thought you would like to know...

 

 

From: Fabian Pascal

To: GW

 

Having worked with them on my last book, can't say I am surprised. Publishers are no longer what they used to be.

 

Once upon a time there were quite a few of them who were really specialized in tech publishing and professional about it and did a small number of books per year. They did everything in house, cared about each and every book and its quality, promoted it, etc.

 

Then corporate conglomerates took over and acquired all of them and destroyed them. There is no longer specialization or professionalism. Everything is contracted out and they do so many books that no individual book matters. They publish tons of crap and priority is to keep costs low; they would not know quality if it kicked them in the ass. AWL is now part of Pearson, one of the worst and least competent. Here's my experience, and that's not the half of it: No Forest from Trees

 

That's why I self-publish now.

 

 

Posted 09/03/04