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welder
Provost
Posts:95
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| 01/03/2007 12:45 PM |
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In light of this thread on WMA book topics, I would be interested in who you think is qualified to publish, on what subject, and why you think so. Does the question itself smack of "elitism"? Is this bad? Are there multiple audiences for WMA books? If so, what do you think they are and how well are they served at the moment?
-William Elder
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Arffuidsson
Free Scholar
Posts:71
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| 01/03/2007 6:27 PM |
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Greetings,
Unfortunately anyone with the desire can publish. Some will be fluff, and some will be very insightful. And no I do not feel that it elitism is involved. Some people will gravitate towards one author, and some will stay away from them as much as possible.
Currently there are a couple of audiences. First would be the practitioners of said art; then there would be the people who are interested but don’t feel that they can devote themselves to it; next would be the collectors of knowledge; and finally, there just might be those who practice the Eastern Martial Arts who are curious about the similarities and differences. Over all, no, there is not a wide market for these books, not even in the Martial Arts community. But, every book that spreads the knowledge counts!
In Service to the West,
Staffan Arffuidsson
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warwick
Provost
Posts:125
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| 01/03/2007 10:01 PM |
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Qualified? Well, that's a qualitative judgement, isn't it? Personally, I prefer not to think too much on this fellow's qualification or that person's coaching certificates or what have you. Let any and all publish I say - as consumers we are pretty well informed on the subject we all love and will judge with our pocket books.
W
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RuaidhriMacCuileann
Free Scholar
Posts:59
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| 01/04/2007 8:15 AM |
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Yes, the question is elitist. In this case, elitism is a good thing. If I'm a consumer, I want any book I buy to contain good information. Otherwise, I won't buy it. If I'm a publisher, I want a book that I can sell. Otherwise, I won't make any money on it. If a book contains good information and is well-written, its odds of success are good.
So I'd say there are definite qualifications for being a writer. First you have to have a clue. Preferably, you should have several clues, along with a fair amount of experience researching, practicing, or teaching those clues. Second, you should have a thesis. You should be able to say not only "here's what I know" but also "here's what it means" or "here's how you can apply it." Third, you should know how to write in an engaging manner. At the very least, you should be able to write lucidly. If your writing is boring or incomprehensible, nobody's going to read (or publish) your book. Fourth (and this is the gravy), you should seriously consider getting some peer review on your work before you publish. At a minimum, you should have a fair idea of the state of the "industry." Let's say that you support an idea that was chewed up and spat out by the WMA community a few years back. If you know the old arguments and can address them, you're OK. You may not be popular, but you're OK. If you're ignorant of the old arguments, or if you don't address them, it'll be embarassing at best.
Yes, there is a right to free speech, and there are many opportunities to publish or even vanity publish. Anyone can say or print whatever they want. I'm cool with that, because I retain the right to buy it or not buy it and to tell everyone I know what I think of it. 
Regards,
W. Scott Simmons
aka Ruaidhri Mac Cuileann dal gCais
Cadet to Don Tyrus of Misty Haven
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jgreywolf
Hai Gioco?
Posts:685
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| 01/07/2007 6:41 AM |
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I am not sure that this specific question can really be answered, William. Ironically enough, it seems to be both too ambiguous and too specific, all at the same time. Personally, I dont know everyone in the world that might write on such a topic, let alone have any perception (valid or not) into their "qualifications" on the same.
Even if you ignore the broad spectrum that the question implies, and just look at the small world you do know, it is going to come down to your personal perceptions. Perceptions which are based on what you think you know of the author, or potential author.
Now that I have re-read the question a couple of times - perhaps my response is mis-interpreting what William means to imply. Instead of the broad question of who is qualified to publish on what, maybe this should be read as "who do you think SHOULD write a book, about what subject..."
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Justin Greywolf (SCA: Ramon Diaz de la Vega)
Director
Old World Martial Arts - Teaching Historical Italian Swordplay in the Pacific Northwest |
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jgreywolf
Hai Gioco?
Posts:685
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| 01/07/2007 10:03 AM |
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Discussed this a bit with Devon this morning, as we drove to the train station, and a related question came up that I found very interesting.
Whether they are currently "qualified" to do so or not, who would you like to encourage to write a WMA book?
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Justin Greywolf (SCA: Ramon Diaz de la Vega)
Director
Old World Martial Arts - Teaching Historical Italian Swordplay in the Pacific Northwest |
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Arffuidsson
Free Scholar
Posts:71
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| 01/07/2007 12:47 PM |
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Thats easy,
Bob Charron (http://www.stmartinsacademy.com/). I'd like him to complete his project on Fior di Bataglia.
Staffan Arffuidsson |
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welder
Provost
Posts:95
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| 01/07/2007 9:16 PM |
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Sorry if the original question was too broad or vague. I think any reasonable variation, like those from Justin, would be just as informative.
So how do you judge whether or not an author is smoking crack? Do you expect them to have presented some part of their material beforehand? To have a reputation in the community? Be a semiactive instructor? Clearly, this would depend on the work to some extent. Would you hold the author of a straightforward translation* to the same standards as someone setting forth a new interpretation?
Arffuidsson, I feel your pain. I've had Bob's book on preorder since that near-mythical time when you could still fly with toenail clippers in your carry-on. No doubt you have seen this SFI thread; the message I read between the lines is not one of hope.
*...as much as any translation is ever really "straightforward".
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jgreywolf
Hai Gioco?
Posts:685
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| 01/11/2007 10:33 AM |
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Hard to say William, regarding your last question(s).
Since it fits in with this topic, There are a couple of "books" that I am curently "working" on myself. I am not sure how well I am known in the lager community, or what my "reputation" might even be. However, I do consider myself lucky to count some of the most recognized (and respected) names in said community amongst my friends, not to mention having been able to bounce certain ideas and concepts that I am working on with them.
But even with that, lets say I were to publish one of these books officially - what will be the perception/reception from the larger community that may not have a clue who I am? Will the wok stand (or fail) on it's own merits, or will it depend upon that "brand name" recognition. I think that has been one of the bigger influences for the titles available right now (knowledge of the author). Of course, on the flipside I do know of many people just entering the community who have picked up some of these books - so that fore-knowledge of the author did not come into play.
Counter questions:
Where would someone "present" a portion of their material beforehand? And Why? I only ask why, because I do not consider myself to be part of the academic mindset that requires all material to go through a "peer" review.
What about reputation? Suggestions on how one gets one of these? In general - not for me. (FYI - I really see SFI as a limited representation of the WMA community)
As to your last question :
[Quote]
Would you hold the author of a straightforward translation* to the same standards as someone setting forth a new interpretation?
[/Quote]
I would actually think that "less" standards would be applied to the interpretation, rather than the translation. In my eyes, the interpretation does not need to "vlaidate" their choice of wording as much as the translation would. |
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Justin Greywolf (SCA: Ramon Diaz de la Vega)
Director
Old World Martial Arts - Teaching Historical Italian Swordplay in the Pacific Northwest |
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Arffuidsson
Free Scholar
Posts:71
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| 01/12/2007 11:41 PM |
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Greetings,
William, no I hadn’t read SFI in a long time, thank you for the link!
Justin (et al), my suggestion is that you write as much of it as possible.
During that time, like Bob Charron and his St. Martin’s Academy, test what you have translated with some fellow students who are willing to help you figure out the techniques that you’ve translated.
As for peer review, believe it or not, this is up to you and you alone. The prevailing mind-set is that you should have several “trusted” people in the WMA community review it.
The benefits to this are the helpful comments from fellow in the relatively new community that is the Western Martial Arts, and you would get you name out into the mix.
The problem with the peer review is that there is a possibility that their comments might change the interpretation too much. After all, their knowledge is based off of their studies. You just might find something revolutionary within the manual you are studying and, without intending to, their comments might conflict.
Now, the reason I emphasized the word trusted a couple paragraphs ago is not intended to ruffle feathers. It is because there are too many variances within the community, both the participants and subject matter.
Also there are two reputations that you should think of. First is your own, and the second is your publishers.
For your own reputation, there are several ways to go about it, and all of them include teaching. The slowest is word of mouth within your own region. Another way is to travel on the wide WMA seminar circuit. There are other ways to be sure, but those are the two main ones.
The publisher’s reputation is also an important issue. For, if you are able to land a deal with one which focuses on WMA you would do extremely well. Unfortunately, this reputation can depend greatly upon your personal reputation.
As for reception of the final material, that would all depend on the individual who picks the book up. I’ve known several who say “Another WMA book. Sweet,” and others who wouldn’t touch it if has not been worked on by someone in their click.
The translation can also be an issue. Do you translate each word, or the concept and philosophy, as closely as possible? Sometimes this is the same, and others it is most decidedly not. Once again, you’ll get people purchasing (or not) if it meets their tastes.
I know, my comments are a lot to digest, and some might be difficult to swallow. I am hoping others will pipe up with their own comments, so we can help each other better understand our chosen martial art.
In Service to the West,
Staffan Arffuidsson
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jgreywolf
Hai Gioco?
Posts:685
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| 01/13/2007 9:20 AM |
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| Staffan - as an aside I have been doing as you suggest for the past three years - I was merely posing the questions in general |
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Justin Greywolf (SCA: Ramon Diaz de la Vega)
Director
Old World Martial Arts - Teaching Historical Italian Swordplay in the Pacific Northwest |
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