The Olympic Class Ships Olympic Titanic & Britannic

[Mark Chirnside]

Hi,

In keeping with my old promise, I thought it was time I posted the latest news on the above work in the event that anyone might still be interested. The publishing world works two to three years behind anything else. Since signing the contract in summer 2002, the original intention was for a publication date of July 2003. This has been put back a few months, so early 2004 should be pencilled in. (Apparently that time of year is better from the sales viewpoint.) It is important to thank publicly here the many whose kindness made the work possible.

The work will appear in the autumn 2003 catalogue of Tempus Publishing.

Best regards,

Mark.

 

[Michael Tennaro]

oh, we're still interested Mark, more like waiting on the edge of our seats. lol. is The Olympic Class going to be the title of the book? if not, has the final title been decided upon?

all the best, Michael (TheManInBlack) T

 

[Steven Hall]

I look forward to reading the book Mark.
A little bird tells me there are a few good books coming out in the next twelve months.
Good research material needs to get published and what I have seen of your work here and on the TRMA the book should be a, Must-Have for us Olympic enthusiasts.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Delays delays...but par for the course I guess. I finally got my copy of The World's Worst Warships by Anthony Preston just a fortnight ago. Pretty good book and worth the wait...which is a good thing since I've been waiting for it since last September!

Mark, I hope that this new date is on track as I really want this work of yours. The catalogue wouldn't be available on line would it?

 

[Mark Chirnside]

Hi Michael, Steve, Michael!

This e-mail notification feature is very handy. Thanks for the enthusiasm! Yes, the thread name is the working title: although The ‘Olympic’ Class Ships has also been mooted. I will see a cover soon and samples; there will be hundreds of rare photos and plans, although since I’m not providing them I can only claim credit for the text (which might be brave considering the knowledgeable critique it will hopefully be subjected to!) It is not intended as a comprehensive narrative of each vessel’s career, but rather tell the story of the three ships as a class: and hopefully it will provide some new angles and interesting little-known insights on the two lesser known of these ships. All I can say truthfully is that I put my heart into it, so I do think that it deserves a fair trial in the future. I should also make an announcement on the second work, contracted this month, which is running about a year behind the first; with the focus on one key vessel, and my original narrative quadrupled for that focus.

I agree with you Steve in the good selection of titles that are on the way. I’ve been lucky to help with, and see some samples of, a few of them, and I know you have done some excellent research and writing.

In answer to your question Michael, I understand this date is pretty much final and I really can't conceive that it will be put back again. I don't think the catalogue's out yet, but it should be soon -- although you could try the website.

Best regards,

Mark.

 

[Nigel Bryant]

I can't wait for your book. All the best for it Mark. I know the information within will be top-notch. Make sure they send one to New Zealand ;-)

Cheers,

Nigel.

 

[Randy Bryan Bigham]

Mark,

Just want to say that I'm glad to hear the news of your pending book. I look forward to reading it and I wish you much luck in your future projects. Thanks also for the help on Edith Russell you've given me in the past.

Randy

 

[Michael Tennaro]

Mark, if you have any say-so with the publishers concerning the title (and knowing publishers, I'm betting you don't have much!), I would definitely push for The Olympic Class Ships as the title. without the "ships" in the title, it sounds like a book about the Olympics sporting events held every four years.

an even better title, as much as it has been overused the last decade would be The Olympic Class Ships: Olympic, Titanic & Britannic. yes, every book from here to sunday has Titanic in the title these days, including at least 14 books that include it in the title and actually have nothing whatsoever to do with the ship or the disaster!

the reason it is so, is that those seven magic letters - t i t a n i c - in a title, sells books. many people who will potentially be very interested in your book will never find it because of the search engine limitations on most sites. I think that most people who are interested in Titanic would also be interested in a book about T and her sisters, but unless Titanic is actually in the title, people are not going to find it.

for example, a search for "Olympic" on Amazon.com returned over 1,000 results, the large majority of which have nothing to do with the ship. the search results for "Titanic" however only returns about half that many results, and most of them are indeed about the ship.

as I said, you probably don't have a lot of say in what the title will be, but you might want to pass this concept onto Tempus anyway. as someone who has been in the book biz for 15 years, I know how critical the right title is to making or breaking a book's success.

all the best, Michael (TheManInBlack) T

 

[Trent Pheifer]

Mark,
I looking forward to getting my hands on this books! I love to learn about the two sister ships of Titanic, I have never known too much about them. With all your knowledge, it looks like it will be a great read. Soo many Titanic books, so little time.I await with anticipation.

-Trent

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Mark, I hope you'll be in on the loop when the photos and plans are included in the text. I'd hate to see what's sure to be a fine work ruined by inaccurate captioning and sloppy editing.

 

[Mark Chirnside]

Goodness! I never expected so much interest!

Thanks Nigel, Randy, Trent, for your kind comments and well wishes. I hope the book does not dissapoint. I've certainly put my heart into it and I think there are a few 'fireworks' in it, shall we say. I was pleased to help with your research, Randy, and likewise I wish you success with your works.

Perhaps I should clarify, Michael. My original title was The 'Olympic' Class, subtitle: Olympic, Titanic & Britannic. However, the first part has been selected as a 'possible' with the Ship description. You're so right about the word 'Titanic' -- pure *magic* in the eyes of publicists. That word's highly likely to be in the publisher's title selection for the second book, although in that Titanic is little more than a 'marginal' as I say in my wierd shorthand.

I hope I can put to rest your worries about editing, Mike. My editor himself has a great interest in the 'Olympic' Class and a vast collection of rare memorabilia. I'm sure that with his eyes and mine on the material mistakes should be kept to a minimum -- fingers crossed, anyway!

Best regards,

Mark.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Good to hear that Mark. Perhaps you could invite your editor to join us on this board. Rumour has it there's a person or two hereabouts who also have an interest in the Olympic class as a whole. Can't for the life of me imagine who they are, but I have it on very good authority that they're about.

 

[Mark Chirnside]

Hi Mike!

It certainly seems so!

Best regards,

Mark.

 

[Remco Hillen]

quote:

I hope the book does not dissapoint

Now how can a book which you wrote dissapoint?

You always seem to come up with new interesting info, the book will be great!
Can't wait to get my hands on it.

Regards,
Remco​

 

[Bob Godfrey]

Mark, I see that the UK Amazon site is now taking pre-orders for 'The Olympic Class Ships: Olympic, Titanic & Britannica' (sic). Does that mean we'll be getting encyclopaedic coverage?