Chomu Press

[brendanconnell]

Hi Ray,I am sorry if my conversation with Mark Valentine came off as a swipe at Tartarus. It wasn't meant to be. I think when discussing which authors or books are better or worse it is difficult. But I do think some things are better than others. James Joyce was a better writer than Stephen King. King might for some be a more enjoyable read, but I think Joyce is a more nurturing figure--his prose gives much more back for the effort.A book that you published that I think is one of the best books published in the last 10 years is your Jean Lorrain book. For me this volume, though a translation of old material, truly did grasp the "sharp edges". A real masterpiece. I also know you were taking a risk by publishing it, as these old fellows are not as popular as they once were. But I am truly grateful that you took this risk.

[Nemonymous]

I wouldn't say James Joyce is a better or worse writer than Stephen King.

My favourite Quincunx is the Avignon one by Lawrence Durrell.

[G. S. Carnivals]

A recent argument within this thread is the use of POD vs. more traditional means of publication. Out of fairness, each publication should be judged upon its own merits, POD or not. For example, Lulu did an exceptional job of producing the only issue of The Ashen Eye. And I say this despite appearing within the pages of said magazine. Some 9-5 publishing houses have churned out questionable products, after all.

[Nemonymous]

Quote Originally Posted by G. S. Carnivals

For example, Lulu did an exceptional job

I have had some direct hands-on experience with Lulu in publishing my real-time reviews in print from the internet. It was not only relatively cheap for the initial production of two copies, but I was astonished at the very satisfactory physical quality of the books.

[Corman]

Quote Originally Posted by Sand

Two, suppose I'm a driver who likes Supreme gas because it smells of lavender and my car runs sleekly.

I enjoy Supreme gas too, but at the moment I can barely buy gas itself. So because I can't afford Supreme gas, should I not be able to drive at all?

[Nemonymous]

It seems to me there are three things here:

traditional publishing
POD publishing
ebooks

The arguments overlap and are more complex than any analogy can convey, I feel.

The first two however are more related and seem to be gradually blending their octanes. I'm not sure about ebooks but many people are firing up about their kindles.

[Nemonymous]

Quote Originally Posted by Sand

But we ought to be free to illustrate the choices.

I don't think anyone has said you can't illustrate the choices. As far as I can see, Corman, whom you are addressing, Sand, was not restricting your right to illustrate the choices.

[Robin Davies]

Quote Originally Posted by Sand

G.S. Carnivals remarked: "Out of fairness, each publication should be judged upon its own merits, POD or not." May I suggest to you three simple reasons why your observation may not hold true, even though superficially it sounds so reasonable? One, suppose every time I have bought POD gas for my car it has smelt awful and the car has stalled. Would I "out of fairness" buy it again? Two, suppose I'm a driver who likes Supreme gas because it smells of lavender and my car runs sleekly. If i can't have Supreme gas I'd rather not drive. "Out of fairness" I guess you'd agree I'm entitled to say I prefer Supreme even while many say POD gas is beginning to get better and the smell has improved to boiled cabbage. Three, suppose POD gas is taking over the market place such that it looks likely to drive good old fashioned Supreme gas into oblivion. Might not I "out of fairness" decline to buy POD gas and continue to support Supreme?

How many POD books have you seen?
Do you find most of them significantly poorer in quality than other books?

[Sand]

Robin Davies asked: How many POD books have you seen?
Do you find most of them significantly poorer in quality than other books?

I don't keep an exact tally, but probably about 30-40, and yes, I do find them significantly poorer in quality: for example, very variable print density, inadequate paper quality, crackable spines, seeping glue etc. There is also something harder to define about the feel of a POD book - its form, balance and weight - that to me isn't pleasing. To be fair, however, you will have read that others on this thread think this press has found a form of POD that doesn't have these defects.

[Derek]

The relative merits and demerits of POD versus old-skool is something that has vexed me a lot recently, but I must say that in terms of outfits like Lightning Source it seems to be a case of garbage-in/garbage-out.

I have had some recent unfortunate POD purchases that resembled little more than office photocopies with poorly reproduced cover art. But qcrisp's 'RYAOB' from Chomu really changed my view of what can be achieved within the limitations of the process. Here was a volume that had clearly had many man-hours of professional design input, with a judicious choice of typeface, layout and margins.

This was a book that I would be quite happy to give someone as a gift and not just use myself as a reading copy (my rather inexact touchstone for quality).