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From: Richard Kerper <Richard.Kerper>
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 18:37:01 -0500
The Orbis Pictus Committee that I co-chaired this year also selected BLACK POTATOES as the most distinguished contribution to nonfiction for children in 2001. This book is a personal favorite and has been since I read the galleys. In a personal communication, Susan responsed to the issue raised by Jonathan and responded to by Nina. She asked me to share her response with you.
Rick
I agonized for days over which form the bibliography should take! I agree that superscripted numbers don't necessarily make informational books less accessible, but most trade book publishers don't agree. They tend to think superscripted numbers make a trade book appear more like an institutional text book. So the use of endnotes is often determined--nay, dictated--by the publisher's house style. Often, there is little an author can do to change house style.
I like to see the bibliographic form grow out of the book's nature and the author's inclinations. In determining the best possible form, I weighed three concerns:
1. My desire to provide sources for researchers who follow me or for general
readers who seek additonal information.
2. My desire to explain the contents, relevance, and value of specific bodies of information.
3. My desire to share my enthusiasm about my research, decisions, and discoveries.
As noted, publishers are concerned about the length of the back matter. On one hand, I admired Marc Aronson's bibliography. On the other hand, I was so
excited about my sources that I wanted to discuss them and the decisions and
discoveries I had made (i.e. my use of the Irish Folklore Commission manuscripts). I also wanted to tell people how to find some of the more difficult sources (i.e. my use of the LDS Family History Library). After weighing all considerations, a discursive bibliographic essay seemed the best possible form to accomplish these goals. I hope that my essay is helpful to researchers and interested readers.
My best wishes, Susan
Received on Thu 14 Mar 2002 05:37:01 PM CST
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 18:37:01 -0500
The Orbis Pictus Committee that I co-chaired this year also selected BLACK POTATOES as the most distinguished contribution to nonfiction for children in 2001. This book is a personal favorite and has been since I read the galleys. In a personal communication, Susan responsed to the issue raised by Jonathan and responded to by Nina. She asked me to share her response with you.
Rick
I agonized for days over which form the bibliography should take! I agree that superscripted numbers don't necessarily make informational books less accessible, but most trade book publishers don't agree. They tend to think superscripted numbers make a trade book appear more like an institutional text book. So the use of endnotes is often determined--nay, dictated--by the publisher's house style. Often, there is little an author can do to change house style.
I like to see the bibliographic form grow out of the book's nature and the author's inclinations. In determining the best possible form, I weighed three concerns:
1. My desire to provide sources for researchers who follow me or for general
readers who seek additonal information.
2. My desire to explain the contents, relevance, and value of specific bodies of information.
3. My desire to share my enthusiasm about my research, decisions, and discoveries.
As noted, publishers are concerned about the length of the back matter. On one hand, I admired Marc Aronson's bibliography. On the other hand, I was so
excited about my sources that I wanted to discuss them and the decisions and
discoveries I had made (i.e. my use of the Irish Folklore Commission manuscripts). I also wanted to tell people how to find some of the more difficult sources (i.e. my use of the LDS Family History Library). After weighing all considerations, a discursive bibliographic essay seemed the best possible form to accomplish these goals. I hope that my essay is helpful to researchers and interested readers.
My best wishes, Susan
Received on Thu 14 Mar 2002 05:37:01 PM CST
