User talk:Stonecreek/Archive4

From ISFDB
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Science Fiction Story Reader 6

Hello Christian (& happy new year), can you verify the ISBN of this pub, it's the same as the one given for that pub. Thanks. Hauck 11:28, 1 January 2016 (UTC)

Yes, it seems to be a doublette on behalf of the publisher: if you link to Deutsche Nationalbibliothek via the left toolbar, both publications are shown. Chrstian Stonecreek 05:12, 5 January 2016 (UTC)

Translators of Clement - Schwerkraft & Jefremow - Andromedanebel

Hello, I am a German SF reader and have just started to contribute to the database. I own the two books listed in the headline. Wondering about some translation information I sent a query to Heyne Verlag (resp. Randomhouse) by email. They responded and confirmed that the books contain wrong information about the translators:

1. Hal Clement - Schwerkraft (Omnibus): Translator of 'Unternehmen Schwerkraft' stated as 'Wolf H. Bergner'. Correction: Peter Pape

2. Iwan Jefremow - Andromedanebel: Translator stated as 'Anneliese Kienspann'. Correction: Annemarie Kienpointner

This should be corrected. If required I can forward the replies to your email address. Thank you! Boskar 21:08, 5 January 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Boskar! Many thanks for taking the work of asking Heyne. I have adapted (merged and redated) the titles accordingly. Stonecreek 05:37, 6 January 2016 (UTC)

Michael Peters = Michael Peter?

Perhaps the subject of this interview is Michael Peter, artist of multiple covers of Perry Rhodan? Otherwise, we have no titles in the database for Michael Peters. Thanks for checking. Mhhutchins|talk 05:41, 13 January 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, Michael, but Peters is a fan, who only published some essays, whereas Peter is an artist. Stonecreek 08:04, 13 January 2016 (UTC)
There's now a title for Peters, but it'll take a long time, I guess, before there'll be anything more relevant. Christian Stonecreek 08:21, 15 January 2016 (UTC)
Well, there were no titles by Peters when I posted the comment. Otherwise I would've seen they're not the same person. In fact, I only questioned because it's unusual for a person being interviewed to have no publications. And the only connection was Perry Rhodan. Thanks. Mhhutchins|talk 08:20, 15 January 2016 (UTC)

Der Prozeß

This record appears on a clean-up report because of the ISBN-10. Can you confirm that there is no ISBN-13 present on the publication? Thanks for checking. Mhhutchins|talk 08:15, 15 January 2016 (UTC)

Ach weh, my old problem with cloning pops up again. Thanks for spotting this one. Christian Stonecreek 08:23, 15 January 2016 (UTC)

Duplicate ISBN

Can you confirm the ISBNs give in this record and this one? If the number is duplicated in both editions, it would be a good idea to note that. Thanks. Mhhutchins|talk 00:24, 29 January 2016 (UTC)

It is in the note on one of them: "The ISBN is stated falsely as 4-453-30380-6 on the copyright page" Uzume 00:41, 29 January 2016 (UTC)

Swiss Price

Hi Christian, I just verified this pub James Tiptree Jr.: Das Doppelleben der Alice B. Sheldon ? and I wonder what is your source of the swiss price ? Rudolf Rudam 10:11, 31 January 2016 (UTC)

Hrmph, I can't remember; it may have been a paste and copy error. I'll delete it from the notes. Christian Stonecreek 11:33, 31 January 2016 (UTC)

Missing title added to Das Science Fiction Jahr 2015

Hi Christian, I added this missing title to "Das Science Fiction Jahr 2015". Though the article in the book is actually a combined REVIEW of all volumes of "GRRM: Eine Retrospektive" and "Traumlieder" (and doesn't do a volume-by-volume review) I thought it'd be best to make it one ESSAY record instead of five different REVIEW records. Jens Hitspacebar 08:58, 6 February 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Jens! I'll add the Heyne volumes later this month and see if there's any way to install a review (without references to all volumes). Christian Stonecreek 10:15, 6 February 2016 (UTC)

Männer gegen Raum und Zeit

Hi Christian, I have added Price and Month to this title. Sources are Deutsche Nationalbibliothek and sf-leihbuch.de. John JLochhas 11:45, 14 February 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, John! Stonecreek 12:48, 14 February 2016 (UTC)

Simmons - Helix

Hi, obviously the German titles are missing in Simmons' Helix being a reissue of Welten und Zeit genug. Boskar 00:00, 24 February 2016 (UTC)

Oh, yes. That one is from a time far away when we had no different languages. Thanks for the find! Stonecreek 04:37, 24 February 2016 (UTC)

Titles with "ß" and "ss"

Can you answer a new editor's concerns about the use of "ß" and "ss"? I can't give a definitive answer because frankly I don't understand it (as seen in an earlier failed attempt!) Here's the discussion on my talk page. Thanks for contributing to the discussion. Mhhutchins|talk 00:49, 24 February 2016 (UTC)

As I understand it, the problem is already solved. It is somewhat inconvenient but it seems that "ß" is seen as a special letter that deviates from "ss". Christian Stonecreek 04:35, 24 February 2016 (UTC)

Magic Ballerina chapbooks

WARNING. This is a copy of from User:Rtrace#Magic Ballerina chapbooks so it refers explicitly to the new CHAPBOOK The Magic Spell T1978860 (#2) that I submitted and Rtrace approved about one-half hour before I submitted and you approved the new CHAPBOOK The Magic Ballet Shoes T1978884 (#1). -Pwendt

Hi [User:Rtrace], Early this hour you approved my submission of a new CHAPBOOK The Magic Spell [1]. Another one The Magic Ballet Shoes is still in the queue [2] as I write (and maybe depart for the day).

These two publications are the US editions of the first two books in the Magic Ballerina series by Darcy Bussell A129837, all of whose first editions are in the database. (The first editions #1 #2, British, do not yet identify the artist or artists, so the COVERART and INTERIORART titles that I created are entirely new to the database whereas the SHORTFICTION that I created is only the original text.)

Now reading some more instructions I think I learned that the first editions were entered as NOVELs despite their short length because that is the only way to make them a series. Whereas I entered the first US #1 #2 as CHAPBOOK/SHORTFICTION because of their length.

There is some work to do regarding the illustrator Katie May whose name has changed to Katie May Green. But I guess the other issue needs to be handled first. Do you know what is the best way to proceed?

--Pwendt|talk 21:02, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

end verbatim copy --Pwendt|talk 21:10, 6 March 2016 (UTC)
I responded on my talk page. Feel free to add any comments. Thanks. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 23:40, 6 March 2016 (UTC)
Christian (as you sign elsewhere),
Mhhutchins disagrees with the process that a non-moderator should follow. --disagrees with Ron, i think; certainly disagrees with what i tried. See User talk:Pwendt#Converting NOVEL to CHAPBOOK where he directs to the manual page of that name --especially section 4.2, about multiple publications.
(Thanks for your time, Ron if reading here. I learned something more about the nature of these different types of records.) --Pwendt|talk 23:22, 7 March 2016 (UTC)
The way as described in the Help is the recommended one, but I've got the impression that you usually complete a task. To avoid further complications (also the ones connected with dangling title/pub. connections, which may surface if a session is interrupted) I also recommend to follow the Help text. Christian Stonecreek 07:38, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

Thanks. Only recently, in fact, I created a subpage to track my "later" notes in the Note to Moderator field --that is, to log the outstanding ones, presently back to 2016-03-04 only! User:Pwendt/later --Pwendt|talk 22:19, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

Bad links

Please check the links in the note fields of this record and this one. Thanks for looking. Mhhutchins|talk 01:35, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

Repaired. Thanks for spotting them, Michael. Christian Stonecreek 07:32, 8 March 2016 (UTC)
There's also a bad link in the title record. Mhhutchins|talk 06:39, 12 March 2016 (UTC)
Thanks! This one also should lead you now to the intended place. Stonecreek 07:18, 12 March 2016 (UTC)

Heyne publication dates

Hi Christian, I've seen that you changed the publication date of Der Zweihundertjährige from 2016-03-08 to 2016-04-00. I wonder what the reason for this is because 2016-03-08 is the release date stated at Heyne's website. Why would we want less exact data in the database? Just curious... Jens Hitspacebar 17:10, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

It's because we document the official publication date (which in the case of Heyne is an official month of publication, at least for the paperbacks - it seems also the case for most german paperback publishers that they still stick to monthly programs). Christian Stonecreek 17:54, 9 March 2016 (UTC)
Hm, ok, they group their program by months, but I still can't get my head around why a more exact date like 2016-03-08, stated by the publisher itself on the publisher's website, should not be the offical publication date. I've seen the last paragraph of the help about the 'year' field, but it's about discrepancies between the availability of a book in stores and its publication date. Maybe the help is outdated or not clear enough and should be updated (meaning that I should probably move this topic to the Help Desk). Hitspacebar 19:20, 9 March 2016 (UTC)
Yes, the days stated at amazon and by the publishers are exactly that: the dates when the books are available for the first time (German: 'Erstverkaufstag'), the official dates (months) of publication are the ones most often stated in the copyright sections, for example "Originalausgabe 07/2015", like here, or "Überarbeitete Neuausgabe 2/2015", like here. That's also the reason why we stick to that source: to avoid discrepancies between what is documented and what we state as publication date. Stonecreek 19:33, 9 March 2016 (UTC)
I see. So in a case when an information like "Überarbeitete Neuausgabe 2/2015" is not documented in the pub (it's for example missing on the copyright page of the "PDF-Leseprobe" for "Der Zweihundertjährige") you're deducing the publication date from your experience with other pubs by the same publisher. Jens Hitspacebar 19:54, 9 March 2016 (UTC)
Right (because Heyne still has the idea of monthly programs for its paperbacks), which may be changed sometime in the future (so I change the day to the following month when there's evidence that the publisher still sticks to this schedule). Christian Stonecreek 04:53, 10 March 2016 (UTC)
Ok. Thanks a lot for the explanation. Jens Hitspacebar 17:24, 10 March 2016 (UTC)

Der programmierte Attentäter

Hi Christian, I have just cross-checked the first 1997 edition with the 2016 ebook reprint. My ebook starts off with Das Imperium zerfällt from Hoschpians unautorisierte Chronik... whereas the 1997 original does not. Would you add it to the Zaubermond tp edition as I don't have the corrent page numbers? Thanks. John. JLochhas 14:44, 12 March 2016 (UTC)

Will do! Thanks, John. Christian Stonecreek 03:16, 13 March 2016 (UTC)

Kopernikus 15

Hi Christian, I've addded the month of publication to this book. JLochhas 07:32, 26 March 2016 (UTC)

Reise ohne Ende

Hi Christian, I've addded the cover artist for this book using this link. JLochhas 17:40, 26 March 2016 (UTC)

Der Schattenmann

Hi Christian, I've addded the cover artist for this book. It's a F&SF cover, I'll create the link later today. JLochhas 05:57, 5 April 2016 (UTC)

Thanks a lot, John (also for all the other work you're doing). Stonecreek 08:06, 5 April 2016 (UTC)

Perry Rhodan #2336

Can you confirm that the piece by Michael Thiesen in this publication is typed correctly as a SERIAL? If so, it should be varianted to a parent record. Thanks. Mhhutchins|talk 07:53, 6 April 2016 (UTC)

You are right, but I still have to dig out if the parent record would qualify as a NOVEL or a SHORTFICTION, and there still remains some research to be done, as the previous parts were published in the 1990s. Stonecreek 07:58, 6 April 2016 (UTC)
According to Perrypedia it's an article which became part of Das große Buch der SOL. It was split into 7 parts in 1998 for serialization in nonconsecutive issues #1944 - 1968. The ISFDB definition of SERIAL is fiction only. Serialized nonfiction works are entered as ESSAY and disambiguated by the number of the part, but not varianted to a parent record. But maybe it's a nonfact article and could be considered "in-universe" which some editors enter as fiction. Mhhutchins|talk 17:25, 6 April 2016 (UTC)
Well, perrypedia errs when it characterizes it as an article (or series of them). It is a history of the spaceship SOL, but it has fictional persons in it and is told from their perspective and seems to leave at no point the fictional universe. Stonecreek 03:45, 7 April 2016 (UTC)
If it's 3-4 pages long in 7 parts, it's obviously SHORTFICTION, so it should be easy to create a parent record and variant it. Mhhutchins|talk 05:02, 7 April 2016 (UTC)
That may seem likely (and I'll create an according variant), but it may have been substantially expanded for the book publication. As we can't determine it right now, this title may have to be changed its type when we know the exact length. Stonecreek 06:31, 7 April 2016 (UTC)

Der Vampy by Theodor Hildebrand

Project Gutenberg has added the following two German titles:

As Vampyr caught my eye, I did a search on the title came up with a reference that Hildebrand wrote the first vampire novel in German. It seems like something we should have in the database, but not being able to read German, I'd like someone to double check it. If you can take a glance at the texts and determine if they belong, I'd appreciate it. I can enter the original (based on the Gutenberg transcription) and the Gutenberg versions (though I'll probably ask for confirmation I parsed the title pages correctly). Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 22:57, 8 April 2016 (UTC)

Yes, they belong: Lodoiska seems to be a female vampire, and some occurrences that could have been only performed with superhuman strength are described (such as the ripping of a gun into dozens of parts). This book and its author are new to me and seem rather unknown as my available reference works don't mention it/him. Nice find! Stonecreek 07:07, 9 April 2016 (UTC)
Thanks. I entered the 1828 editions, the Project Gutenberg editions, and a 2013 edition I found on amazon.de. If you wouldn't mind taking a quick review, I'd appreciate it. -- JLaTondre (talk) 12:56, 9 April 2016 (UTC)
All looks fine, except that I don't know if the 2013 OMNIBUS should really be considered as such: The initial publication seems to have been split up into two parts (with a cliffhanger ending at the end of the first part), and the new edition would only seem to be the first(?) one-volume publication of the NOVEL. Stonecreek 13:02, 9 April 2016 (UTC)
Okay. I changed it to a novel and added notes that it is a single publication of the original split novel. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 14:06, 9 April 2016 (UTC)

Possible Typos 10-Apr

Here are some possible typos:

Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 20:07, 10 April 2016 (UTC)

Well, the first was an obvious typo, the second is presented as stated. Stonecreek 03:54, 13 April 2016 (UTC)
Notes added for the second case. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 22:33, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

Geschlechterkampf auf Darkover(?) by Heide/Heidi Staschen

Can you determine whether the titles and author credits given in this record and this one are correct, and whether the titles should be merged or varianted? I'll ask Jlochhas to join the discussion. Thanks. Mhhutchins|talk 22:41, 18 April 2016 (UTC)

It's very likely that both titles are identical and need to be merged. I have no hard evidence, though, to prove it. The source of my information is this site. Possibly there's a typo. Need to postpone my decision until I have a Chance to get my Hands on the physical book. JLochhas 04:29, 19 April 2016 (UTC)
Okay, let's wait. Which of the two books in question do you have in mind (I suppose the 1988 one)? Christian Stonecreek 06:05, 19 April 2016 (UTC)

Unter dem Mondstern

Cover artist of this is Jose Antonio Domingo, it's the same cover art as on this publication. Thanks. Horzel 20:20, 23 April 2016 (UTC)

Herrin der Stürme

Cover artist of this is also Jose Antonio Domingo, his signature (jad, looking like three vertical scratches) is to the left of the dragon rider's leg. Horzel 20:24, 23 April 2016 (UTC)

Many thanks for both findings! Stonecreek 05:29, 24 April 2016 (UTC)
I had always suspected that he might be the artist, but was never able to prove it. Thanks Horzel! Rudam 08:08, 24 April 2016 (UTC)

Der Feuerzyklus

Artist found for this pub. Hauck 18:03, 1 May 2016 (UTC)

Great find! I wouldn't have thought of Hay in my wildest dreams. Christian Stonecreek 18:48, 1 May 2016 (UTC)
So wouldn't I, it's was just a by-product of my reflexions on the problem of uncredited cover art. Hauck 07:48, 2 May 2016 (UTC)

Artist found

Hello, artist found for your verified. Hauck 16:22, 6 May 2016 (UTC)

Some ATom art in Starship

Hi Christian, in Starship, November 1982 there are two ATom entries on pages 24 and 47 that have identical titles – do they need disambiguating? Also, I wonder if "Random Factors: Letters" in Starship Fall 1980 and Spring 1981 are duplicates and could be merged, or if they are different pieces of header artwork. Thanks for checking. PeteYoung 00:12, 7 May 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Pete, for finding those. I have all of them disambiguated as they are all different. Christian Stonecreek 15:52, 8 May 2016 (UTC)

Font normalization in Romanian

Hello Christian. As some Romanian characters are being normalized in this db (Ş / ş / Ţ / ţ becoming official Ș / ș / Ț / ț, as per this exchange), this will affect a few names and titles your verified. Thanks ! Linguist 15:53, 16 May 2016 (UTC).

Sign of the Unicorn

I'm modifying the cover artist of Sign of the Unicorn from Fox to Nick Fox, the art is shown and credited on page 58 of The Fantastic Planet.

That's fine with me, dear unknown stranger. Stonecreek 16:29, 29 May 2016 (UTC)

BryanTalbot

Your verified Interzone, #169 July 2001 has four artworks credited to BryanTalbot (no space). I assume the missing space is a typo? Even if not, I'd recommend normalizing to Bryan Talbot without the creation of a pseudonym. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 16:10, 30 May 2016 (UTC)

You're absolutely right: I changed the artist accordingly. Thanks for the find! Stonecreek 04:16, 1 June 2016 (UTC)

Das befremdliche Los des Eiwuusi Wessahqqan

Hello Christian! I've just verified this pub Saat aus dem Grabe and in this pub the title of the Story in the Headline is Das befremdliche Los des Ejwuusl Wessahqqan. Could you please check in your verified pub Saat aus dem Grabe the title of the story ? Perhaps we've to unmerge the two titles. Thanks Rudolf Rudam 19:54, 31 May 2016 (UTC)

No unmerging needed, it was just my fault (now corrected)! Thanks for finding the double typo! Christian Stonecreek 07:09, 1 June 2016 (UTC)

Pallas oder die Heimsuchung

Hello Christian! I've just verified this pub Pallas oder die Heimsuchung The Name of the author on the title page is Edward de Capoulet-Junac. Your verified Pub Pallas oder die Heimsuchung named the author Edward Georges de Capoulet-Junac. Could you please check your pub, if we should unmerge this two titles? Thanks! Rudolf Rudam 19:42, 1 June 2016 (UTC)

Hi, Hervé has done the varianting. I have to do some more digging for the book until I can say definitely what's up, but I seem to remember that the reported name was correct. Christian Stonecreek 03:24, 3 June 2016 (UTC)
Ha! I finally found my copy and guess what? You were right. I changed the entry. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 04:20, 8 July 2016 (UTC)

Der Jahrtausendschläfer

Hello Christian, can you confirm the ISBN of this pub, it's the same as the three first publications of this title. Thanks. Hauck 12:48, 8 June 2016 (UTC)

Heyne seems to have some problems to limit their ISBNs to particular editions, which was likely caused by the disconnection of catalogue no. & ISBN until the 21st century. I'll add notes to the respective publications. Thanks, Hervé! Stonecreek 18:44, 8 June 2016 (UTC)

James White: Der globale Eingriff

Hi Christian, I've added the cover artist as Oliviero Berni as well as the reference. Cheers. JLochhas 11:41, 11 June 2016 (UTC)

Thanks very much, John! Berni was one of the more likely candidates, but I wasn't sure about it. Stonecreek 11:46, 11 June 2016 (UTC)

Time*Out

Hi,

I don't know how you did the cover scan for http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?382194, but my book looks like http://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Image:TMTHPSHZTJ2012.jpg. If your's too, please change the links. --Stoecker 13:57, 11 June 2016 (UTC)

I rejected the replacement as it obviously had a poorer quality. Stonecreek 15:19, 11 June 2016 (UTC)
What you rejected is the image for Black*Out and this rejection is unverified. It's not of poorer quality, but a real image, whereas the Amazon image is a pre-release image, which does not match the real book. E.g. it misses the star in the lower reflection part and also the metallic effects which make the photo so hard to do. It took my probably 10 attempts to get a photo which nearly matches what a human eye sees. That's a reason why Amazon images look always better for more complex covers, as these are pure computer designed pre-release cover deliveries and sometimes small effects are different for the real books.

Here I talked about Time*Out. And the image you have simply can't be true. It's missing the metallic effect and the text "THRILLER" is at the wrong position. --Stoecker 18:30, 11 June 2016 (UTC)

Gregor Sucharowski - Gregor Sacharowski

Hello Christian, can you verify the artist of this work, it may be this one? Thanks. Hauck 09:48, 18 June 2016 (UTC)

I'll take a look into the matter, maybe the printed addresses will give a hint. Thanks for finding the likely identity. Christian Stonecreek 12:50, 18 June 2016 (UTC)

Just So Stories (for Little Children)

Christian, I replied in place concerning separate copyright vs. publication dates for the stories.

User talk:Pwendt#Copyright dates for some of Kipling's Just So Stories, where I continue the narrow matter hours later. --Pwendt|talk 21:06, 28 June 2016 (UTC)

I made several mistakes, partly because I didn't notice the variant title. But it appears that I have been too tired or anxious for such delicate work :--)

Hours ago, or perhaps yesterday, I should have created the 1st US ed. P577353 by clone with the Contents list intact. Maybe I should start over on that.

Help:Screen:ExportContent explains what I should do instead. --Pwendt|talk 21:06, 28 June 2016 (UTC)

Now I must depart, having submitted only a couple of the necessary corrections. --Pwendt|talk 19:31, 28 June 2016 (UTC)

Der Zeitmausoleum

I added a note that the Emsh cover of Der Zeitmausoleum is taken from the 1964 Ace World of Null-A. MOHearn 22:58, 2 July 2016 (UTC)

Thanks very much for the find and the added note! Stonecreek 07:59, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

Image:DGLSFLLBKK1962.jpg

You deleted Image:DGLSFLLBKK1962.jpg with the comment of 'Duplicated file'. However, that image is still linked in this pub which causes it to show up as a broken image. As I'm not sure what the duplicate is, would you please fix? Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 19:47, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, I just forgot to add the link to the already existing file; it's now fixed. Stonecreek 10:41, 4 July 2016 (UTC)

Variant of Kōtei in Science Fiction Story Reader 16

Does this magazine happen to give any further information about this title? Does it show any Japanese on the copyright page, or list the magazine it appeared in originally? I'm trying to figure out the Japanese for this title so we can update the Kōtei entry, but there are too many possibilities for this one. Any information will help. Thanks. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 05:56, 4 July 2016 (UTC)

No, there's only the transliteration of the 'original' title. I thought that this title was more or less exactly translated as Der Schulhof, which would be The School Yard in English. If it will help, I'll read it once more and provide a short synopsis (I'll add this to the title). Stonecreek 10:47, 4 July 2016 (UTC)
That helps. I have submitted an update to the title, and also a new chapbook for the original short story. I can't find anything which states where the story was originally published. Thanks! ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 00:05, 7 July 2016 (UTC)
Sorry, but I had to delete the CHAPBOOK as there's no indication that this story ever was published in that form. You may change the Japanese title to 'unpublished' or 'unknown' if that's more to your liking or just leave it as a 1973 title without a publication until we know some details. With a CHAPBOOK we would imply that there was in fact a publication in that form. Stonecreek 08:26, 7 July 2016 (UTC)
It's a short story, so the only way to enter it without including it in some sort of anthology or magazine or omnibus is to enter it as a chapbook. This is the way I was told to enter ALL such works. Now you're saying it's not supposed to be done that way. I find it very unlikely that a Japanese author who only writes in Japanese would write a Japanese story and then never have it published in Japanese, only translated into German. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 15:48, 7 July 2016 (UTC)
Sorry, but I can't imagine that a thing like that was proposed to you: we already had the title in the database (though transliterated), so there wasn't the need to add it a second time. You may add a note that the place and time of the original publication is still unknown, though the copyright date of 1973 gives indication toward that year, but we simply can't put up fantasy publications, though we are site devoted to that type of fiction :-) . We do have titles that seem to be unpublished in their original language, by the way, see here for an example. Stonecreek 17:57, 7 July 2016 (UTC)

Rock'n'Roll Tripper II

Found an URL for this pub. At Amazon https://www.amazon.de/RocknRoll-Tripper-II-Stories-Bilder/dp/3890645046?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0 the publisher is stated as Ulisses Medien und Spiel Distribution GmbH. In fact Fantasy Productions is on the cover. --Zapp 18:16, 12 July 2016 (UTC)

Thanks a lot. I think Ulisses just has stocked the remaining copies of the book and keeps selling it. Stonecreek 05:01, 17 August 2016 (UTC)

Please comment about Yoshio Kobayshi

Please comment over here. Thanks! ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 21:13, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Sorry for being late after my vacation; all seems to be in order now. Stonecreek 05:01, 17 August 2016 (UTC)

Null-ABC

I added a note with the origin of the Schoenherr cover to Null-ABC--Brain Twister from Pyramid. MOHearn 13:58, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks a lot! Stonecreek 05:01, 17 August 2016 (UTC)

Cover

Hello Christian, I've uploaded the cover from this pub and this pub--Wolfram.winkler 08:42, 22 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Wolfram! Stonecreek 15:13, 22 August 2016 (UTC)
Do you read Perry Rhodan yet? I gave up at No. 800--Wolfram.winkler 08:09, 24 August 2016 (UTC)
In most issues I only read the magazine columns (letter section, Report, Journal, etc.) and the beginning and the end of the novella. There are a few novellas I devour entirely, though. I left the series somewhen in the beginning of the 1200s, but the guest author Andreas Eschbach rekindled my interest to a certain degree. Stonecreek 14:06, 24 August 2016 (UTC)
My last attempt was 2764, it was no highlight, but Eschbach, Thurner, Corvus are interesting authors.--Wolfram.winkler 07:36, 25 August 2016 (UTC)

"Goldmann Fantasy Foliant" series

Hi Christian. You're the PV of Goldmann Fantasy Foliant II. I have just entered #1 und #3 (data from external sources). Could you have a look at the "The Athron Quest" discussion on my talk page? The question there is if some titles in the Goldmann Fantasy Foliant series are excerpts or real stories. Is there probably some background information about that in your copy of #2, or do you probably own #1 or #3? Jens Hitspacebar 22:02, 23 August 2016 (UTC)

I should own the other no.s: I'll dig them out and pass the information over at your talk page. Christian Stonecreek 06:43, 24 August 2016 (UTC)

Die Flüchtlinge

Hello Christian, I'm just reading Die Flüchtlinge and noticed that there are some missing pages in my book. After p. 160 follows p. 193. I'm not sure if only I have a misprint or if the complete edition is faulty. So please could you check your pub? Hubert Peregrin 23:04, 4 September 2016 (UTC)

Oh, that's bad: to be reading a novel and to realize right in the middle that you won't be able to read it completely. I had a milder experience with an anthology once, where pages 33-48 were doubled and the surplus pages replaced some later other ones - but at least I could read most of the story contents. I guess it was a sloppy person who did the binding, since my copy is okay. Do you know where to get a replacement quite fast, if interested in it? Christian Stonecreek 07:39, 5 September 2016 (UTC)
Thanks, I'm interested in it. I'm thinking about a replacement purchase if the novel is worth it. Hubert Peregrin 18:10, 5 September 2016 (UTC)
I thought you had a hint for me? Hubert Peregrin 21:25, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
Sorry, Hubert, I misunderstood! I think the novel is worth it, though it's a long time since I read it. A place where you could get it is sammlerecke.de (I looked and they have a copy). You'd have to order items of at least €20 to avoid the high postage of €4.95 (with more than €80 you'd be postage free). Also, I could take a look at a local second hand bookshop. Christian Stonecreek 03:29, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
Thanks, Christian, I didn't found a copy in sammlerecke.de so I ordered it at booklooker.de. Hubert Peregrin 10:40, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Dracula Dracula

Is there a problem with making "Dracula Dracula" a variant title? It was first published as a chapbook/illustrated book by Rainer Verlag in 1966 under the title "Drakula, Drakula: Ein transsylvanisches Abenteuer" (since then it seems to be more commonly referred to as "Dracula, Dracula" with a comma and without the subtitle)--Vasha77 06:34, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Aldiss's Barefoot in the Head

Added overseas cover prices to our verified pub. PeteYoung 07:11, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Pete! Stonecreek 07:13, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Query: Zwischen Erde und Mond

Do you have an answer to this query (since you have access to so many German anthologies)? Thanks --Vasha77 09:01, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

Another collection to check

Please verify Das Spukhaus if you can. The sources I used when adding it were somewhat unclear about things like names of translators and dates of first publication.

Also, for reference, the anthologies & collections I added recently (other than ones you already verified) were Die Ermordung des Drachen (Insel); Die Ermordung des Drachen (Suhrkamp); Die Ratte im Labyrinth; Viktorianische Gespenstergeschichten; Weltuntergänge en detail; Das Abstellgleis; Der Fall des Hauses Ascher

--Vasha77 02:37, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, though I have some of these I don't have all of them. But I'll take a look and see if I can help somewhere. Thanks! Stonecreek 03:33, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
Thanks for the verification and corrections --Vasha77 14:48, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Thomas Ziegler's Die Stimmen der Nacht

Hi Christian, I just entered Phantastische Literatur 83 from 1983 which contains a version of Thomas Ziegler's Die Stimmen der Nacht, which he got the Kurd Laßwitz Preis for in 1984 (as "Beste Erzählung", not "Bester Roman") . Do you happen to know if this is really a SHORTFICTION predecessor of the novel from 1984? Or was it the same as the novel from 1984 already? Jens Hitspacebar 17:58, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Well, the story was expanded into the novel, but if it was made into an exact, unchanged part, I don't know. Stonecreek 02:50, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

title reference

There's some sort of problem with this pub http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?69554 - it has no title reference, but the correct title http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2058081 does list it as a publication. How is that possible? (Also for some reason the title of the collection is showing in the list of contents along with the stories). I hope you can clarify what I did wrong. I think I unmerged it from a novel that it was merged with, then changed its type to Collection, then imported contents. Were those steps in the wrong order? --Vasha77 12:13, 20 September 2016 (UTC)

Ah, I think I found it. Unmerging created a new title record, and I changed the type on that but not the publication. Let's see what changing that does. --Vasha77 12:17, 20 September 2016 (UTC)
That's it, when changing a TYPE, there are (usually) two changes to do, one at title level and the other at publication level. It's always best to start by the title level. Hauck 12:20, 20 September 2016 (UTC)

Stowaway to Mars

Hi, What is the problem with Les forçats de l'Antarctique? It has a French name and is already a variant of 'Stowaway to Mars', that's why you see it appear in the merge.--Dirk P Broer 12:38, 20 September 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, Dirk! There was no problem, I only saw one. I think I repaired the idea you had afterwards. Sorry for the hassle. Stonecreek 15:15, 20 September 2016 (UTC)

Navigators of Dune

How does a more specific date (2016-09-13) not get used? Your comment that "we go with the stated at in a publication, if there’s one: here 'September 2016'" makes no sense. In 99.99% of books, the copyright page only states either just the year or just the year and month. If Amazon (or some other source) has a more specific date (year, month, and day), then I have never had anyone reject a correction to that more specific date (until now). Your comment would make sense if I was trying to change it to a month different than what is on the copyright page, but since that isn't the case, it make no sense at all. Please explain why this one was rejected. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 15:20, 23 September 2016 (UTC)

It's because we try to be in accordance with the statement in a given publication. The statement by a publisher overrules any statement by a retailer: after all, the date stated at amazon is the date that this specific retailer first had the publication ready for shipment (other, independent sources of information like 'Locus' are also a possible source). The publisher may have shipped it on any other day in September 2016. We try to mirror the statements by authors and publishers, and it's a genreral error to place statements by reatailers higher. This should only be the last resort if we have no other information available! Stonecreek 15:36, 23 September 2016 (UTC)
Again, I don't see how including the actual date of release (which is correct on Amazon, according to my personal conversations with one of the authors and the publisher) is a bad thing. Amazon generally doesn't release books prior to when the publisher wants them to, so their more specific dates are fairly accurate, especially for works in the last 5-10 years. I have never had such an edit rejected until now. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 16:16, 23 September 2016 (UTC)
'Fairly' accurate isn't enough if we have other, more reliable sources. Again, it is sloppy work on your side to trust a retailer in the first place, whose aim is to sell, not to supply accurate bibliographical data. That is why we prefer to rely on the statements made by a publisher if there's one. Also, in this case the PV1 seems to have been in the same state of mind as me, and you should have discussed it beforehand with him! Stonecreek 04:26, 24 September 2016 (UTC)
Please notice that I also stated I had conversations directly with one of the authors (Anderson) and the publisher, who both confirmed that as the official release date. That Amazon also had the date is secondary to that. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 06:08, 24 September 2016 (UTC)
I have noticed that. But as in your discussion with Bill (Bluesman) turned out, even that was not reliable. The month stated in a publication is the one date we should rely on, if we have it, as your example clearly showed - because it is the official date of publication (for which we go). Stonecreek 15:02, 24 September 2016 (UTC)

Der endlose Planet

Hi, I've identified the cover artist for Der endlose Planet. It is Chris Moore, who is also credited with the cover art for Star Bridge, which looks to me like the exact same artwork.--Dirk P Broer 22:14, 25 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks very much, Dirk! Much appreciated! Christian Stonecreek 03:37, 26 September 2016 (UTC)

Der Halleysche Komet

FYI, I have updated the Note field in this record and changed the title date. It would appear that the author's son and the editors of the magazine "Земля и вселенная" were unaware of the 1913 publication. Ahasuerus 16:24, 27 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks! Stonecreek 03:41, 28 September 2016 (UTC)

Made several small changes in "Houston, Houston!" record

Hi Christian, I made serveral small changes in the record of our PV Houston, Houston!. In the Note: editon/printing not stated, prices not printed, add more infos to the "Individual copyrights..." line. Also changed Pages to fit the current standard. Jens Hitspacebar 17:42, 29 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Jens! Christian Stonecreek 03:47, 30 September 2016 (UTC)

Typo in Die Invasoren vom Ganymed

Hello,

"vom" should be "von" in your verified publication title and in the COVERART name inside of it. Anniemod 21:50, 30 September 2016 (UTC)

You're absolutely right! Thanks for finding that one! Stonecreek 08:25, 1 October 2016 (UTC)

Drachen! Drachen! publication date

Hi Christian, I just saw that you made a submission which changed the publication date of Drachen! Drachen! and all contained titles to 2002. However, DNB, chpr.at and amazon all state it's from 2012. Seeing the record's ISBN-10, which should be ISBN-13, I think it was probably me who entered it wrongly as being from 2002 when I added the pub the other day. So, question is: do you have a data source for a 2002 pub date, or did your submission just remove the month and day from the already wrongly entered date? Jens Hitspacebar 07:49, 1 October 2016 (UTC)

No, it was in fact dated to 2002-01-01 and I only changed it to 2002-00-00 without further checking (as amazon has a tendency to report the 1st of January, when this is in fact a date where no printed book can have been published). Stonecreek 08:24, 1 October 2016 (UTC)
Ok, thanks. I'll make a submission to correct it. Jens Hitspacebar 09:46, 1 October 2016 (UTC)

Riffprimaten Lenins Zahn und Stalins Tränen

Hello, please verify page number of artwork Theoretisch in Riffprimaten. I think p. 119 is correct, or there are different prints? The title of the story Teddykäfer und der heisse Schneeball is not correct, in the toc are capital letters, the right name is Teddykäfer und der heiße Schneeball. OK? Regards Henna 20:29, 5 October 2016 (UTC)

No, there aren't different printings (as far as I know), I'll correct the entry.
For Teddykäfer ... I'm sorry, though, as the title of the story is also in capitals at the beginning of the story. So, there doesn't exist a version featuring an 'ß'. But thanks for the input, anyway! Stonecreek 04:52, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
Hallo, the title is not correct. HEISS ↔ heiß, there is no capital letter ß in german alphabet. In capital letters or small caps ß substitute with SS. Regards Henna 10:31, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
Well, it wasn't forbidden to write heiß/heiss instead of with an 'ß' with an 'ss', it's only unusual. After all, transliterated an 'ß' would be written as 'ss'. And I repeat: as there actually is no version of the title with an 'ß' we are bound to follow what is stated in the book. Stonecreek 10:49, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
We would also record a grammatically incorrect title like (for example) Teddykäfer und der heise Schneeball, and here we don't have such a case, only an alternate spelling. Per the help pages, we'd enter a title exactly as stated on its title page. Stonecreek 12:21, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

Die Götter von Pegana

I suspect that Die Götter von Pegana can‘t be the same thing as the English-language story it is currently varianted to, because the German is more than 20 pages, the English only one page. Is the German story a selection of short pieces from the collection The Gods of Pegāna, perhaps? The English short story (referred to in some editions as the Introduction to the collection) begins "Before there stood gods upon Olympus, or ever Allah was Allah, had wrought and rested MĀNA-YOOD-SUSHĀĪ"; it ends, "And the gods and the worlds shall depart, and there shall be only MĀNA-YOOD-SUSHĀĪ." --Vasha77 01:28, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

Uh... actually, looking at the book again, I believe the short piece I just described is not titled "The Gods of Pegāna" but rather has no title. Nonetheless, it will be necessary to sort out what exactly all those SHORTFICTION titled TGOP really are. They may be different selections or even the whole thing. --Vasha77 02:29, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
Mmmh. As there are numerous titled chapters, I guess those really are short stories that only were subsumed under a common heading. I'll see if I can sort them out on my own. Thanks for finding this! Stonecreek 04:57, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
Almost done; only Der Aufstand der Erdgötter has no obvious parent: maybe you can help to determine the original title? It's beginning is concerned with three rivers, originating at three different mountains: Eimes, Zanes & Segástrion. The rivers decide to play the game of the gods and flood the land... Stonecreek 13:00, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
That is "The Revolt of the Home Gods" --Vasha77 18:24, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
Thanks a lot! Stonecreek 21:30, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

Perry Rhodan Jupiter

Hi Christian, my second printing of the Jupiter paperback has all three authors on the title page and not Hartmut Kasper as stated. Is it the same for the first printing too? And why did you chose to capture the book differently? - John. JLochhas 12:14, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, to sort that one out will have to wait until after my vacation, I fear. Please submit any changes that you think are necessary. I do think that Kasper only was credited on the copyright page. Christian Stonecreek 12:25, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
No worries, I'm off too this evening so there'll be no more changes from my end for now. John. JLochhas 12:41, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
The reason I credited Kasper in the first place is that all three authors are mentioned on the title page but only for the assumed 'novel', which, in fact, is an anthology, that wasn't edited by all of them. I'll set the editor to uncredited and variant it. Stonecreek 04:08, 27 October 2016 (UTC)

Request for comment: The Gods of Pegāna

Please look at the Community Portal where I explained (at possibly exhausting length) why there's a serious problem with all the editions of The Gods of Pegāna and proposed possible solutions. I'd appreciate some input... --Vasha77 00:09, 8 October 2016 (UTC)

Die Glastropfenmaschine

Danke for the corrections you've made on Die Glastropfenmaschine. I realized the "Verlag" blip myself but having had trouble verifying my e-mail address I couldn't do it myself at the time - nor thank you before. HolgerBurghardt 12:50, 9 October 2016 (UTC)

Science Fiction Story Reader 15

Hello, I have add some translators in the notes. Ok? The artwork have the original title of the stories, is this correct? Regards Henna 15:11, 10 October 2016 (UTC)

Yes, you're right. I'll change this accordingly. Stonecreek 04:00, 23 October 2016 (UTC)

Sternbilder

Hello, I want verify this pup, but what is the first entry Fremde Sterne • (1979) • collection by Erik Simon? Regards Henna 17:31, 10 October 2016 (UTC)

In pup Mondmysterien is also the first entry Mondphantome, Erdbesucher • (1987) • collection by Erik Simon. Henna 17:56, 10 October 2016 (UTC)

Well, those collections were based on the earlier ones, but I now think it's better to transfer that information to the notes. Stonecreek 03:50, 23 October 2016 (UTC)

The Mammoth Book of SF Stories by Women

The Mammoth Book of SF Stories by Women: Expanded notes & added cover scan. -- JLaTondre (talk) 13:11, 23 October 2016 (UTC)

Thanks! Stonecreek 17:00, 23 October 2016 (UTC)

Your verified Science Fiction Story Reader 19

Hello, can you pull Science Fiction Story Reader 19 and see if you can find any information about the original title of "Kreis der Zeit - novelette by Vladimir Jakovlev" in it or anything else besides a name? Vladimir Jakovlev is an unknown author in any Russian source I am looking at but there is a pair of writers that collaborate a lot (Vladimir Torin and Oleg Jakovlev (Владимир Торин/Олег Яковлев) and it won't be the first time when such cases get attributed funny. Any help will be appreciated while I am trying to connect the dots:)Thanks! Anniemod 20:47, 25 October 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, but it took a moment to find the book. Now I have it hand, I found that there is no original title as the story is a german original. I have reverted Jakovlev's language to german. There seems to be no further information available on this author. Stonecreek 04:04, 27 October 2016 (UTC)

Publication date of Das Science Fiction Jahr 2016

Hi Christian. I just saw that you've started entering Das Science Fiction Jahr 2016. Thanks for that! Regarding the publication date: I got my copy on 2016-09-28, and the book had already been available on 2016-09-22 in a Berlin book shop. Therefore you might want to change the date to 2016-09-00 (which also fits the month mentioned on Golkonda's website) or to 2016-09-15 (from buchhandel.de). Jens Hitspacebar 17:06, 1 November 2016 (UTC)

Okay, will do! I had pre-ordered my copy and only got it in the middle of October! Stonecreek 07:13, 6 November 2016 (UTC)

1960s Heyne Paperbacks

Hi Christian, while digging through the old Terra Digests I have found hard evidence for the month of publication of the first Heyne SF books. Changes are made and the resp. comments added: Die Triffids and Donovans Gehirn. - John. JLochhas 20:22, 1 November 2016 (UTC)

Great work, John! It's what I hoped it could be found. Christian Stonecreek 04:36, 2 November 2016 (UTC)
And Heyne #90... JLochhas 19:16, 5 November 2016 (UTC)

Perry Rhodan #5

Hi Christian, #5 has been completed, more to follow... John. JLochhas 18:13, 8 November 2016 (UTC)

Hey, thanks John! Stonecreek 04:55, 9 November 2016 (UTC)

Saschka

Hello, I add the translator to the notes. Is this also the correct translator for the story in "SF international I"? Thanks Henna 18:25, 10 November 2016 (UTC)

Well, it could be. It is credited to Gisela Kuhnert, who with some likelihood is the same person as the translation is used by courtesy of Das Neue Berlin. Do you think that is sufficient or shall we compare some sentences? Stonecreek 18:40, 10 November 2016 (UTC)
Hello, yes it is sufficient to me. Christian Pree have a translators list there she is the same person. Thanks Henna 19:16, 10 November 2016 (UTC)

Perry Rhodan #4

Hi Christian, both the second and the third edition have the same (new) interior artwork. None of the three pictures from the first Edition were reused. How would you want to capture them? Thanks. John JLochhas 19:46, 11 November 2016 (UTC)

Shocking! Bruck really redid the interior art? Do you have any knowledge if that was done regularly?
To enter them, there are two possibilities: 1) to enter the titles regularly as Götterdämmerung, Götterdämmerung [2] etc. and then to add a note that these are in fact new pieces of art, or 2) to continue the numeration as Götterdämmerung [4] etc. I'd prefer the latter as the titles wouldn't show up on the list of duplicate titles. Stonecreek 15:54, 12 November 2016 (UTC)

Die Flucht

I would like to clear the translator of this story. I take a picture page 1 page 2. Is this the same translation? Thanks Henna 20:05, 17 November 2016 (UTC)

Yes, it's the same. The copyright is also assigned to 'Das Neue Berlin'. I've set the year to 1982 for the anthology as DNB lists the first publication for that year. Stonecreek 09:29, 18 November 2016 (UTC)

translators

I've added the translator in Spinnenmusik to the first seven stories. I'd like to add the translator to all Jeschke stories in the notes, that's ok for you? Maybe I have many questions :) Henna 20:36, 18 November 2016 (UTC)

Yes, go on please. Stonecreek 06:28, 19 November 2016 (UTC)
Hello, just the first question: Is this story translated by Birgit Reß-Bohusch in the pub Die Sechziger Jahre II?
It's better to create a new section for every question or put it all together here? Thanks Henna 20:47, 19 November 2016 (UTC)
Please add them to this section. And yes, the translation was done by her. I'll add a note to the title. Stonecreek 09:25, 21 November 2016 (UTC)
Is this story translated by Birgit Reß-Bohusch in the pub Heyne Science Fiction Jahresband 2000? Thanks Henna 11:05, 21 November 2016 (UTC)
Right on target. I'll amend the title record. Stonecreek 11:10, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Author to disambiguate

I just added some author info for David Orr; but that is only for the author of the poem "Daniel" -- the person who wrote the article must be someone else, since this poet was only 10 when the article appeared. Please disambiguate, thanks! --Vasha 10:31, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Done. Thanks for finding the difference! Stonecreek 10:45, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Die demographische Implosion

Hello, my problem is difficult to explain. There are two titles Die demographische Implosion by Stanisław Lem [3] [4]. The translator is almost the same and the text is the same. The original story of this text is Opowieść drugiego Odmrożeńca, this is a substory of Edukacja Cyfrania. I scanned the sources.

I don't now what to do. Can you help me? Thanks Henna 10:31, 22 November 2016 (UTC)

These two are really the same texts? (Because the note for 'Edukacja Cyfrania' says there are two 'substories': Opowieść pierwszego Odmrożeńca only being the first part). Anyway, I think it'd be correct to make 'Edukacja Cyfrania' the parent text? Stonecreek 11:25, 22 November 2016 (UTC)
Yes, these stories are the same texts and the text is only the second substory. I've added another book (not finished) with the complete story by an other translator. The Story Ziffranios Erziehung have two substories:
  • Die Geschichte des Ersten Entfrosteten
  • Die Geschichte des Zweiten Entfrosteten (same content, other text)
I'm sure Die demographische Implosion is only the second substory. Regards Henna
I have varianted Die demographische Implosion and added a note to both variant titles. Please take a look if it's sufficient. Stonecreek 12:15, 22 November 2016 (UTC)
Great, thank you very much. Henna 14:01, 22 November 2016 (UTC)

Perry Rhodan, #2883: Der Mechanische Orden

Corrected a HTML error in the notes of Perry Rhodan, #2883: Der Mechanische Orden. -- JLaTondre (talk) 14:49, 24 November 2016 (UTC)

Thanks! But what was wrong? Stonecreek 15:52, 24 November 2016 (UTC)
It had <a href= <a href="http://www.perrypedia.proc.org/wiki/Quelle:PR2883">perrypedia</a>. -- JLaTondre (talk) 16:48, 24 November 2016 (UTC)
Ah, I see. I'll undertake it that something like that is not repeated. Thanks for finding it! Stonecreek 20:04, 24 November 2016 (UTC)

Perry Rhodan, #1779: Tréogen

Perry Rhodan, #1779: Tréogen has the editor as "Florian Marzin", but the title record is by "Ernst Vlcek and Robert Feldhoff and Florian F. Marzin". These two need to agree so can you please fix as appropriate (create a variant, unmerge, etc.)? Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 13:19, 26 November 2016 (UTC)

This is a problem that permeates the whole magazine series: the credits aren't to those who are the real editors: mostly they are to a subset, but sometimes downright fakes. As long as we stick to the fill-all-issues-of-one-year into one title record, those records per definition fall out with the single issues. This holds for the title, so why shouldn't it for the editors, as an extra varianting only leads to an unnecessary additional layer of complexity. If the project of unmerging the single issues (well under way, I think) comes to fruition we may have to rethink this. Stonecreek 13:31, 26 November 2016 (UTC)
The way the software works, the title record author credit and the publication record author credit are supposed to match. In a magazine series, we only combine a whole year if the editor is continuous. If the editor is not continuous, we only combine the ones that are (ex: 1982 of Asimov's Science Fiction). -- JLaTondre (talk) 14:42, 26 November 2016 (UTC)
That's what the title entries reflect: a change of editorship. However, the credits in the single issues do vary, though the general editors do not (see also the year 1964, especially around issue #150). Stonecreek 13:09, 27 November 2016 (UTC)

Ein schwer zu beschreibendes Buch

Es geht um ein illustriertes Buch, das zwei Erzählungen von Jorge Luis Borges enthält; ich weiß nicht wie es hier beschrieben sein sollte. Würdest Du es bitte eintragen? Hier der DNB-Datensatz; hier (N. 57) eine Beschreibung und ein Foto. Die zwei Erzählungen sind La biblioteca de Babel (Die Bibliothek von Babel) und El inmortal (Der Unsterbliche). Übersetzer(in) nicht genannt, ist aber wahrscheinlich Karl August Horst (möglicherweise nachbearbeitet von Gisbert Haefs) -- Horsts Übersetzung ist die einzige, die ich kenne.

Danke, --Vasha 23:51, 1 December 2016 (UTC)

Oh, that's really difficult: from the looks it is entirely or in great parts a graphical adaptation. So, I'm not sure if there's a handle to include it easily into our database. There's also no hint for the translators, the artists may (or may not) have put their own version into the book.
And, hey, I didn't know that you were able to write in german so fluently! (How's come to that?). Stonecreek 04:52, 2 December 2016 (UTC)
Having spent a second thought, if you still like to add the book I suppose adding the contents as separate entries would be the best way for now (without the book at hand): the Borges content may considerably diminished, expanded or altered by the artistic works (that'd mean not to variant it to 'La biblioteca de Babel' and 'El inmortal', respectively. Stonecreek 07:19, 2 December 2016 (UTC)
Yeah, you're right, it's better to skip this one. In the very unlikely event that someone has a copy or wants to go to the DNB in Leipzig to look at it, they can add it.
(As to how it is that I speak German, I have family over there & have spent time in the country.) --Vasha 15:01, 2 December 2016 (UTC)

Die Herren des Krieges

Cover artist Cesare Reggiani found for this pub. --Zapp 00:17, 3 December 2016 (UTC)

Great find! Thank you very much! Christian Stonecreek 05:23, 3 December 2016 (UTC)

Mir gehört die Welt

Hi, Mir gehört die Welt is indeed a shortened version. According to Bibliographie deutschsprachiger SF-Stories und Bücher translated by Klaus Fecher and only having three stories: translations of The World is Mine (1943), Ex Machina (1948) and Time Locker (1943), stories that all appeared in the collection Robots have no tails II (1952).--Dirk P Broer 12:52, 8 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Dirk! I'll add this to the notes (as there are no story titles stated). Christian Stonecreek 16:10, 8 December 2016 (UTC)

Changing formats

In accordance with the R&S discussion, I'm going back and changing some of the books I added as "pb" (mostly German Taschenbücher) to "tp" and adding a note that they are of intermediate (19-20 cm size); I'm letting you know because you verified some of them. --Vasha 02:31, 13 December 2016 (UTC)

Sfan

Hello Christian, I would like to clear the translator of this story. Is there a link to Das Neue Berlin or the copyright date of the translation 1981? Thanks Henna 19:03, 14 December 2016 (UTC)

No, there's no credit, it really is an assumption as he translated or even wrote some texts in German, see here. Christian Stonecreek 19:14, 14 December 2016 (UTC)
I take a picture of the first two pages, please compare the text [5][6]. Is this the same text? Thanks Henna 20:27, 14 December 2016 (UTC)
No, it's different (completely rephrased), beginning with the name of the protagonist: Barry Bauer in HSFM 7. Stonecreek 20:34, 14 December 2016 (UTC)
Ferrie Farmer vs. Barry Bauer! It's funny. Thanks for your help! Regards Henna 20:53, 14 December 2016 (UTC)
Glad to be of some use! Stonecreek 20:57, 14 December 2016 (UTC)

Alexanders langes Leben ...

I've replaced the Amazon cover with a own scan. Should I replace the cover in the first print too? Regards Henna 14:46, 15 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for the upload! I did the replacement. Stonecreek 18:27, 15 December 2016 (UTC)
Is it requested to replace the Amazon covers? I did it for this pub too: Unendliche Grenzen. Regards Henna 10:22, 16 December 2016 (UTC)
No, I think amazon is in the question of stability quite dependable (while it's not as much dependable in the question of data quality). So, it's really up to one's own liking if a cover scan should be uploaded to our site. But thanks for the other upload (and you needn't to inform me upon such an upload / replacement). Christian Stonecreek 13:28, 16 December 2016 (UTC)

Taschenbuch/pb

Hi -- I've been submitting a lot of edits to change the format of 19-cm-tall Taschenbücher from pb to tp, but you seem to be changing them back to pb. There was just a big R&S discussion that concluded those books should definitely be tp -- did you see that? --Vasha 20:16, 15 December 2016 (UTC)

Well, these books definitely are no tps. This is also to avoid inconsistencies within one and the same pub. series / publishers: we'd end up having books of the same size as tps and as pbs. (I'd also think that they are only rounded up to 19cm). Stonecreek 20:25, 15 December 2016 (UTC)
That is a problem, yes, but you should argue about it on that discussion, not with me... Anyhow, the maximum height for pb is 18.4 cm so that wouldn't round up. --Vasha 20:55, 15 December 2016 (UTC)
The discussion as I read it ended up to assign a yet unspecified format for books of 18.4cm - 20cm, and I think this task (or any other) could only be adressed in an automated way (else we would end up with the inconsistencies as described above). Sorry that this didn't came to my mind when you asked about changing the formats, but I was occupied in other ways. Stonecreek 21:01, 15 December 2016 (UTC)
I don't think anyone's sure yet if there should be a new format! While I've been working on making the books I previously added consistent, I myself have been getting less and less sure that it's a good idea. But we ought to stick to the current standards for now. There already is inconsistency, and the Taschenbücher I personally added aren't the only problem. What I've been doing is making them tp (to fit the current standard) and adding a note (so that they can be easily found and converted to a new standard).
You probably added lots and lots of such books as pb, so I totally understand that you're not about to try and change them by hand! I just have few enough that I can do it. But for German publishers, at least, it should be possible to figure out which pub series are what size and change them as a batch. --Vasha 21:11, 15 December 2016 (UTC)
Well, it's really more complex than that: Heyne for example published hardcovers within its usually pb-formatted pub. series and other publishers only gradually enlarged their formats in the course of time. Stonecreek 13:33, 16 December 2016 (UTC)
Yeah, what a Kuddelmuddel. Things are already messy and I don't think adding a new category will help. But the format/size of paperbacks is one of the less important pieces of information I think.
By the way, do you have access to a copy of either this or this? I couldn't find out what the contents were for those two collections. --Vasha 18:13, 16 December 2016 (UTC)
No, sorry. But as there are some antiquarians situated in the vicinity, I'll do my best to dig some copies up in the near future; alas, I fear that this will not come to fruition in 2016. Stonecreek 18:17, 16 December 2016 (UTC)
Thanks! --Vasha 19:25, 16 December 2016 (UTC)

Der Zweihundertjährige

Hi Christian! I've just verified this pub Der Zweihundertjährige. I removed the title Im besten Mannesalter (afterword) because it's technically a continuation of Einleitung (Der Zweihundertjährige). Rudolf Rudam 21:13, 23 December 2016 (UTC)

You're absolutely right, Rudolf: I deleted the title completely. Thanks for finding this! Christian Stonecreek 10:56, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

Der Schwarm cover art

Hi Christian. Regarding the cover art of Frank Schätzing's Der Schwarm:

  • Frank Schätzing didn't only win best novel but also got nominated as cover artist for the Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis in 2005, but the pub record only lists Getty Images as cover artist. Could you have a look at your copy and check if Schätzing should also be mentioned as cover artist in the pub record? If that's not the case I'll create an untitled award record for this nomination.
  • The pub record's DRSCHWRMXG2004.jpg cover image is missing from the database. Probably deleted or renamed...?

Jens Hitspacebar 16:41, 25 December 2016 (UTC)

The photo is only credited to Getty Images. How Schätzing get credited reamains a mystery to me (as does the whereabouts of the image: I replaced it with the amazon link). Christian Stonecreek 10:16, 26 December 2016 (UTC)

Cornelius Ibs von Seth

Hi Christian. Could you please check if the interior art credit for Cornelius Ibs von Seth is really spelt that way in Rhodan, #2441: Die letzten vierzig (note the swapped "t" and "h" in "Seth")? It looks like there's probably a typo because we already have another author record Cornelius ibs-von-Seht in the database. Thanks, Jens Hitspacebar 13:30, 28 December 2016 (UTC)

Will do! Stonecreek 05:30, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Invasion der Friedensbringer

Hi Christian, I am turning thís chapterbook into a collection as the three parts that it consists of have beeen published separately as well. I have compared the respective publications and I am certain that the Terra Astra edition is no fix-up either. Cheers, John. JLochhas 09:46, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, John. I didn't found the time yet to make such an in-depth study. As some sources credit this as a COLLECTION and some as publication of a NOVELLA it's fine that the decision finally could be made. Stonecreek 10:03, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Possible Typos 30-Dec

The following are possible typos in your verified pubs:

Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 03:36, 31 December 2016 (UTC)

Diogenes Sonderba(e)nd(e)

Hi, you and Stoecker each entered a Diogenes book 1 2, one with the publication series Diogenes Sonderband and the other the pub series Diogenes Sonderbände. Which series would the two of you like to use? --Vasha 19:58, 3 January 2017 (UTC)

Answered on Stoecker's talk page. Stonecreek 16:51, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Ivu Petagne vs Joe Petagno

Hi, in your verified copy of Heyne Science Fiction Magazin, #5 there is an interior artwork, The Martian Chronicles by Ivu Petagne. Could you please compare it with The Silver Locusts by Joe Petagno?.--Dirk P Broer 00:18, 4 January 2017 (UTC)

Great find, Dirk! The 1982 publication only has slightly variant colours and is mirrored. Where did you get that idea of identity from? Stonecreek 16:50, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Suche Traum, biete mich content

Hello, can you look at your verified Suche Traum, biete mich and either replace all the English stories with their German counterparts or scan/copy the German names so I can do the variants and replacements:) Thanks! Annie 00:16, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

With time also this task will come to its accomplishment. Stonecreek 16:40, 5 January 2017 (UTC)
Any chance to get your book and get the titles fixed so I do not need to google them? :) Thanks! Annie 17:28, 15 February 2017 (UTC)
It's still on my to-do-list and not forgotten, but I'm planning to do some work on Vonnegut, which will include this book. It might get March before the other things on my list are done, though. Stonecreek 20:10, 15 February 2017 (UTC)
It is blocking my quest to get languages sorted out for all titles and allowing automatic assignment on all English titles. I'll pull the variants with English names and language set to German so you can replace names when you have a chance then. Or do you prefer me to handle this in a different way?Annie 20:24, 15 February 2017 (UTC)
No, fine for me! I'd do it right now, but the workroom is already a bit crowded with publications, and so the boxes with the next workload have to stay in place for a while until they get substituted. Christian Stonecreek 20:33, 15 February 2017 (UTC)
Totally understand - I am in the middle of unpacking so I cannot find a book if my life depends on it and what is on shelves already stays there no matter what (or all will end up again all over the place :) I was not sure if you had not forgotten - that's all :) Annie 21:13, 15 February 2017 (UTC)

The Wine-Ghosts of Bremen

Christian, I submitted The Wine-Ghosts of Bremen (White and Allen, 1889) with Notes on the publisher (you approved last hour) and the novella Title (in the queue). Perhaps the German original should be in the database immediately with this a variant? Is that right? The first edition is Phantasien im Bremer Rathskeller; ein Herbstgeschenk für Freunde des Weines (Stuttgart, bei Gebrüder Franckh, 1827) --from title page at HathiTrust.

Just now I will try "Make Variant" for the SHORTFICTION only, no publication. --Pwendt|talk 18:13, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Seems very good to my eye! Stonecreek 04:58, 6 January 2017 (UTC)

The Orbit Science Fiction Yearbook Three (minor edit)

I lowercased "and" and "of the" in this publication. --Vasha 17:55, 7 January 2017 (UTC)

Thanks, but you really don't need to inform me on such minor edits. Stonecreek 12:51, 8 January 2017 (UTC)


Perry Rhodan Jubiläumsband #6

Hi Christian, I've changed the ISBN to the value in the Copyright section on page 4. The back cover has the same ISBN as William Voltz Gedächtnisband. Cheers, John. JLochhas 19:44, 8 January 2017 (UTC)

Thanks, John! Stonecreek 04:38, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

1984

Hello Christian, is the publication date an typing error? In the later printing April 1984 is stated. Please take a look to my talk page. Thanks Henna 20:10, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

I have looked it up and the copyright page states in fact 'Mai 1984'. Two scenarios seem possible: the book got dragged to a publication slot one month in advance, or the editor for the later printing confused the month of distribution (April) with the official month of publication. I guess we let it better stay as it is. Stonecreek 12:33, 10 January 2017 (UTC)
Thanks for looking up. Henna 10:56, 16 January 2017 (UTC)

The Race

Why did you merge the revised 2016 edition of The Race with the 2014 one? Usually, when there is a change as significant as adding a whole new one-fifth and revising the rest, there will be separate records for the two editions. --Vasha 08:41, 10 January 2017 (UTC)

Well, none of the entries is verified, so it's unclear how substantial the revision is: as long as nobody of us has verified a complete rewrite and/or a change of meaning by adding the additional part, the standard procedure is to file the different versions under the same title and add a note on the known change (which is what I did). A similar case would be a collection with an additional item (but issued under the same title). Stonecreek 12:31, 10 January 2017 (UTC)
OK, no problem! I was just going by a review. --Vasha 13:44, 10 January 2017 (UTC)
They are substantially different - the last part did not exist either in the original NewCon publication, or in the original Kindle edition (both of which I have). They should be varianted, not merged (the same way we variant collections with a new story). Annie 16:00, 10 January 2017 (UTC)
Well, we don't variant expanded or revised novels just for the joy of it. If the addendum is just a 'bonus' that'd be not enough to variant it; else we'd end up varianting texts that are only different by one sentence or one word. If someone can put the substantial difference into words I'd be happy to make the differentiation. And since both texts have the same title we wouldn't variant it but put up separate records. Stonecreek 18:44, 10 January 2017 (UTC)
Let me look into something tonight - it may be rendering the new edition an Omnibus and not a Novel if I am right (something is bugging me at the back of my head). Will post back here as soon as I figure out if this is a legitimate chapter or an additional text that came from somewhere else. Annie 20:18, 10 January 2017 (UTC)
It is a novel again. The size of the novel in kindle positions without that last part is 4487 positions. With it, it is 5344. So ~1/4 more added. It is a new chapter that basically spells out the things that people had to "guess" in the old story (one more point of view more or less added to the original 4). If you want a write up "the revised version of the novel contains a 5th chapter as an addition to the original 4". Keeping these merged will be the same as keeping a novella and a novel expanding it together. Annie 00:27, 12 January 2017 (UTC)
Sorry, but that ain't so: novellas and novels are different in that they are separated by their title type. As SFE3 does no more than note the new edition as expanded, IMHO we should stay with that view. Stonecreek 07:13, 13 January 2017 (UTC)
If we are splitting into separate variants different translations, abridgements and whatsnot, this one should also be a variant... I will start a discussion in Rules and Standards :) Annie 18:25, 13 January 2017 (UTC)

Das Science Fiction Jahr 2008

Hi, in your verified Das Science Fiction Jahr 2008, you have a note that Disch's essay is translated but no German title is specified. Can you look up the German title for the essay so we can replace it in the publication with a properly named and languaged variant? Thanks! Annie 18:46, 11 January 2017 (UTC)

Done! (replaced / varianted). Thanks for finding this one, sometimes things that need to be done fall back into the dust. Stonecreek 19:19, 11 January 2017 (UTC)
Thanks. The multi-language report found it, I just figured out what needs to happen exactly :) More of those to follow I think... Annie 19:23, 11 January 2017 (UTC)
Can you confirm that Das Science Fiction Jahr 2000 starts with English essays? Thanks! Annie 22:45, 11 January 2017 (UTC)
And can you check the last two poems here: Raumfahrer und Sternzigeuner . Thanks! Annie 22:48, 11 January 2017 (UTC)
And one more - Sternbilder - are the poems on pages 217 and 221 in English? Thanks! Annie 21:01, 12 January 2017 (UTC)
Same for the poem on page 160 in Orwells Jahr - Ist die Zukunft von gestern die Gegenwart von heute? Annie 21:29, 12 January 2017 (UTC)
Only the essays in Das Science Fiction Jahr 2000 don't start with English essays; I'll come back to this a little later. Stonecreek 07:11, 13 January 2017 (UTC)

Please let me know when you edit my submissions

Thanks for telling why I shouldn't capitalize the titles of those anthologies. I have no problem with the reason! But they'd previously been edited from capitalized to not, by another moderator, without explaining why (or even telling me that they'd been changed), which is what confused me. You, also, have sometimes edited my submissions. If it's more than a mere technical error or typo, could you leave me a message when you do? I would appreciate it very much... --Vasha 03:54, 12 January 2017 (UTC)

I'll try but due to the amount of submissions there'll maybe not always be enough time for that. Stonecreek 06:58, 12 January 2017 (UTC)

Käfig der Zeit

Hello Christian, this title is not varianted to an original one. Can you have a look at it? Thanks. Hauck 12:42, 12 January 2017 (UTC)

Sure. Stonecreek 14:09, 12 January 2017 (UTC)
Thx. Hauck 17:13, 12 January 2017 (UTC)

Genius Loci

Good Morning! Could you take a moment to approve Genius Loci in my pendings? There's a number of things in it I need to correct -- when I entered it I used what turns out to be a preliminary version of the table of contents. --Vasha 05:20, 17 January 2017 (UTC)

Sorry, it took a moment, there's some data cluttering in the pipeline and I was (am) at work on the submissions of a new editor. Stonecreek 07:42, 17 January 2017 (UTC)

Magazines check

Hello again,

Can you check the following magazines to verify that the listed content is indeed in English (just making sure before we ignore them as valid multilingual works):

Thanks! Annie 20:08, 18 January 2017 (UTC)

Yeah, all in English. All data verified by me after 2012 should be safe in that regard. Stonecreek 04:05, 19 January 2017 (UTC)
Thanks for checking :) Mistakes happen and it is always possible that things got updated by mistake - thus me checking. Annie 17:42, 20 January 2017 (UTC)
PS: So the "Letter (Perry Rhodan #779)" in "Perry Rhodan, #545: Der Maskenträger" is not a mistake and is really there? Annie 17:44, 20 January 2017 (UTC)
Yes, both issues were published simultaneously and the editors put the same content on the letter column page(s). Stonecreek 14:51, 30 January 2017 (UTC)
Why should it be easy when it can be complicated... Thanks for checking! Annie 23:00, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Omnibus

Hello Christian, please take a look to this topic. Thanks Henna 13:24, 20 January 2017 (UTC)

Rose-Marie vs. Rosemarie Liebenfels

As you have verified the publications containing the stories by both Rose-Marie Liebenfels and Rosemarie Liebenfels, would you mind double checking the hyphen and, if the presence/absence is correct, figuring out which one to make the canonical and which one the pseudonym? Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 15:30, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

Done. Thanks for the reminder. Stonecreek 07:23, 22 January 2017 (UTC)

Magic & Mayhem

Hi, just explaing why I had two submissions for this: I created records for both the print & ebook while I had the info in front of me, intending to later merge titles & import contents, instead of cloning which would have meant I had to look up the info for the 2nd edition. No problem though, it'll take me 30 seconds to recreate that submission. --Vasha 14:41, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Well, to avoid such confusion on the moderator's side, it'd be better to use the note to the moderator. It happens from time to time that one (or the system) submits an unintendend entry. Stonecreek 14:49, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Another source for c't story data at heise.de

Hi Christian. I just came across another page at heise.de where you can get information about the c't stories. It's available in their online shop. Example story: https://shop.heise.de/katalog/techne. There's no publication date of the issues there, but they have the page numbers and it looks like it's a lot more exhaustive than the magazine's search function at https://www.heise.de/ct/ctmagazin. A starting point is https://shop.heise.de/zeitschriften/ct/artikel-archiv (click on "c't Artikel-Archiv" on the left to navigate to the year and issue). Alas, there doesn't seem to be a filter for "story", therefore you already have to either know its title or have to browse an issue's articles to find it. Jens Hitspacebar 15:01, 4 February 2017 (UTC)

Oh, fine! That'll be of additional use. Thanks for that! Christian Stonecreek 15:33, 4 February 2017 (UTC)
Got yet another data source! I wrote to the editor at Heise and got a list with all stories beginning from #11/1987. It contains author, title, issue #/year and page number. He also told me that, except for two cases, all stories were in turns illustrated by either Susanne Wustmann or Michael Thiele. If you're interested in the list I could upload it here or send it to you via the e-mail form (it's a plain text file, 48k size). Jens Hitspacebar 20:59, 6 February 2017 (UTC)
Sure I'm interested! The way you choose to transmit is free to you. Great work! Stonecreek 05:02, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
Sent it through the email form. Did you receive it? I'm not sure if the email form actually works, never used it before... Jens Hitspacebar 17:49, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
Got it! Thanks very much for it! I'll gradually work through the list, which will take some time. So, if you wanna do some of it, you are welcome! Stonecreek 18:44, 8 February 2017 (UTC)

Thomcomstock‎

Hello Christian, I'm afraid that if there are two voices speaking to this contributor (even if they're saying the same thing) there may be some communication problem. Do you want to take charge of him? Hauck 08:33, 6 February 2017 (UTC)

No, I just thought that his random post on Willem's talk page might get lost. Stonecreek 09:40, 6 February 2017 (UTC)
I was envisionning the same action but you beat me to it! Hauck 10:01, 6 February 2017 (UTC)

Cover of Le bord du monde

Hello Christian, I don't understand why you changed the date of the french variant to the first publication date. Is there a new rule that say that in case of covers the first publication date should be used for all variants? Hauck 07:54, 8 February 2017 (UTC)

Well, as there is no translation involved, it is essentially the same piece of art (similar to a variant title of a text). So, the date of first publication of it should be correct. Stonecreek 08:00, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
IMHO such unilateral decision should be put forward to the community as you're reverting our present usage (which I'm in favor of) as can be seen here for most of the titles that you didn't change. For the time being, please avoid to do this for my PVed publications. Thanks. Hauck 08:07, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
But this ain't an unilateral decision. It is on the contrary standard practice for variant titles that are essentially the same! I also can't see how it does affect a pv'ed publication, as the date of the cover isn't shown in a publication entry.
Maybe I haven't got it right, but there doesn't seem to be another way to handle this. How do you come to a different conclusion? Christian Stonecreek 09:37, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
Just because there is now a written agreement about the date used for variant titles here that, in such cases (when the cover are variants) should apply. If you do not agree with this decision, please put the matter forward at R&S (again). Hauck 13:54, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
Ah, well, but according to the source this relies to translations, so it's not appliable for those cases where no translation is involved. Stonecreek 13:58, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
This applies to all variants be they existing because of translation or because of another reason (this point is clearly spelled in full here). Note that it seems that there are some "regularizations" like this one that have nothing to do with translations.Hauck 14:01, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
I can't believe this: as a consequence, this would mean, for example, that all English variants of "—And He Built a Crooked House" (and all similar cases, i. e, thousand of entries), would have to be redated. Stonecreek 14:12, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
Exactly, even if in the case of Heinlein's text I believe that all the "typographic" variants (" vs. ' for example) are largely overkill. Hauck 14:18, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
Sorry, but I think this leads to some comical consequences: I'll indeed open a request on the moderator's board. Thanks for the input, Christian Stonecreek 14:24, 8 February 2017 (UTC)

Das Science Fiction Jahr

Hi Christian! It seems that you would like to complete the series Das Science Fiction Jahr yourself. No problem, do it. Cheers Rudolf! Rudam 12:17, 9 February 2017 (UTC)

In fact, I only wanted to avoid the task to change the dates for the single entries: I have experienced from some magazine entries that this is somewhat tedious. But as the remaining years are either without available data (middle of Ninety-Nineties) or stated in the respective copyright sections, you're welcome to enter missing volumes. The 1999 volume was the last of the bunch I planned to enter right now: I'll try to add some more data (and some more of the reviewed books) in the coming weeks. Christian Stonecreek 12:22, 9 February 2017 (UTC)

The Twilight Zone

Hi. On my recent submittal of "Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone" you rejected it for the reasons you gave. I submitted it on advice from Linguist here. Looks like a variance of opinion on the Tuck/price issue. Any input? Thanks, Doug /Vornoff 17:55, 10 February 2017 (UTC)

Morgenrötes Krieger question

In Morgenrötes Krieger is the "An Explanatory Afterword on Ler Names" essay in English or in German? Thanks! Annie 02:00, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Likely in German, but I'll try to dig my copy up today. Christian Stonecreek 04:58, 21 February 2017 (UTC)
Thanks for looking it up. Annie 05:39, 21 February 2017 (UTC)
Corrected. Thnaks for finding this relic. Stonecreek 07:47, 21 February 2017 (UTC)
Cleanup projects tend to unearth relics :) Thanks for fixing it. I might be back in the next few days if I find some more like it. Annie 08:10, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Über den Himmel hinaus

Hello,

I know that it is not yours but any chance you can find the German titles of this Über den Himmel hinaus? The PV is missing and I cannot find it online (or I would have updated them) Thanks! Annie 18:09, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

As with the other german nonfiction by Clarke there's no source that lists the german content titles. I'll put it onto my to-do list like this one. It will take some time, though, as I have to find a supplier. Stonecreek 18:19, 21 February 2017 (UTC)
No worries, thanks for looking into it :) I think it is the last of the German non-fictions that do not have its titles set properly - if I find any others, I will let you know. Annie 18:27, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Kinder des Wassermanns

Hi Christian,

In Kinder des Wassermanns is that essay in the middle in English? Annie 22:47, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Corrected. Stonecreek 20:56, 22 February 2017 (UTC)
I suspect it is then also missing from this one? Or should we just leave it there? Annie 21:02, 22 February 2017 (UTC)
I've also removed it for the time, as it is not exactly titled. Stonecreek 21:05, 22 February 2017 (UTC)
Thanks! Annie 21:15, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

Herrmann Ibendorf

Hello Christian, I took the liberty to correct two "Herrmann Ibendorf" to the existing pseudonym "Hermann Ibendorf" in some issues of phantastisch as they showed up in our cleanup reports and I supposed a typo. Hope that I was right. Hauck 13:07, 23 February 2017 (UTC)

Thanks for the information. I'll take a look into the magazines. Christian Stonecreek 14:01, 23 February 2017 (UTC)

Perry Rhodan Wiki pages

Hello Christian,

As part of the big Wiki project, the connection between wiki pages and the DB will be removed. So for pages that are often updated and/or contain a lot of information, we just link them as we link to external pages. So here is my current plan for the Perry Rhodan pages (As you are updating them, I am discussing before doing anything):

I am less sure what we want to do with the following:

Do you see any problem with either of these actions? If so, what would you prefer to happen? Another option of course may be to consolidate ALL of the information in 1 page and link all the series and subseries to it.

Thanks! Annie 00:51, 1 March 2017 (UTC)

No problem with any of these actions. The old discussion page really seems obsolete now.
It would be probably a good idea to link all non-original (Dutch, US, English) pages to the main page. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 04:34, 1 March 2017 (UTC)
Yep, I will make sure all the different pages are connected via the main one after I add links all over the place. Thanks! Annie 04:46, 1 March 2017 (UTC)

Language check: Das Science Fiction Jahr Ausgabe 1990

Hello again, Can you check your verified Das Science Fiction Jahr Ausgabe 1990 and verify that "On Books: Cyberpunk Revisited" (page 190) is in English. If by any chance it is not, can you unmerge and variant or get me the German name so I can do it? Thanks! Annie 03:51, 2 March 2017 (UTC)

Same for "When You Wish Upon a Star — Science Fiction as a Religion" (page 533) in Da s Science Fiction Jahr 2001? Annie 03:52, 2 March 2017 (UTC)
I'll look it up today. Christian Stonecreek 04:08, 2 March 2017 (UTC)
And one more: Letter (Perry Rhodan Report Nr. 259) • essay by Neil Armstrong [as by Neil A. Armstrong] on page v in Perry Rhodan, #1788: Testcenter. Thanks! Annie 04:17, 2 March 2017 (UTC)
That one is in English. Stonecreek 04:32, 2 March 2017 (UTC)
Wonderful. Can you ignore it from here. If you would rather me ask in in the Moderator's Noticeboard, let me know. :) Annie 04:43, 2 March 2017 (UTC)

Bill Botten

Did you, by any chance, put the note [website address] for the artist in [this] publication? I can't get the site to come up, and the style of the cover exactly matches three Philip Jose Farmer covers [all from 1970] so it would be nice to source those. Thanks! --~ Bill, Bluesman 22:30, 6 March 2017 (UTC)

As far as I remember: yes, I did put the artist in, but, alas, I don't remember under which circumstances I ran across the reference source. Christian Stonecreek 04:41, 7 March 2017 (UTC)

Der Fotograf des Unsichtbaren

Hello Christian, you removed some editors from this pub, they are exactly so stated in the book [7]. What was wrong? Regards Henna 19:35, 9 March 2017 (UTC)

Sorry, but I didn't remove any of the editors! What did you lead to this assumption? Christian Stonecreek 20:04, 9 March 2017 (UTC)
I did because of a difference between title (one editor) and publication (five) that showed up on our cleanup report and I choose to align the lot on title data. At the time no PV was given. Hauck 20:09, 9 March 2017 (UTC)
Ah, well. Henna, for editing title and associated publication(s), you don't have to wait for one to submit the other: it's best to submit both with only a minor time gap, so that clear-ups like this don't happen. Stonecreek 20:15, 9 March 2017 (UTC)
Sorry for misunderstanding and thanks for explanation Henna 16:56, 10 March 2017 (UTC)

Der UN-Mensch

Hello again, the translation is stated as 'Otto Kuhn' © Ullstein 1972. Is this the same pseudonym or misspelled? Thanks Henna 19:56, 9 March 2017 (UTC)

It's the same translation! Stonecreek 20:04, 9 March 2017 (UTC)

Gottes Maschinen

Hello Christian, can you have look at this publication in german that I've entered to see if everything is correct? I was wondering about the correct publication series as it says "Bastei-Lubbe-Taschenbuch Band 24 208" on copyright page. Thanks. Hauck 11:25, 12 March 2017 (UTC)

It looks nice! The 'Science Fiction' series in the mid- to end-Nineties should be possible to derive from a statement on the back and the fact that all publications from bastei Lübbe with no.s in the 2xxxx range belong either to a science fiction or a fantasy series. Stonecreek 18:55, 12 March 2017 (UTC)
Thanks. Hauck 19:03, 12 March 2017 (UTC)

Perry-Rhodan-Lexikon Folge 376

In your verified Perry Rhodan, #667: Wächter des Ewigen, Perry-Rhodan-Lexikon Folge 376 is listed as a short fiction, but it is varianted to a title that is listed as an essay. Would you please take a look and fix it to the correct one? Also, more generally, looking at H. Scheer, these seem to be listed as a mix of short fiction and essays, is that correct? -- JLaTondre (talk) 14:28, 14 March 2017 (UTC)

No, I'm in the process of fixing these, though generally the early instalments can be considered essays, whereas the later ones are all in-universe and thus shortfictions. Stonecreek 14:50, 14 March 2017 (UTC)

Mittag, 22. Jahrhundert

Hello Christian, at the moment we have everything in duplicate, the collection and also the stories. Is there something to do by me? I wanted merge the stories Ночь в пустыне and Ночь на Марсе. Thanks and regards Henna 20:24, 14 March 2017 (UTC)

No, that's just our design, as we have in fact separate the authors Strugazki and Strugatzki. You'll probably have seen that I added the shortfiction contents for the omnibus edition.
Thanks for explanation, I didn't saw the missing or extra t in the name. Thanks also for correcting my entry.
BTW in this omnibus are two collections, I'm unhappy with this solution, because I can't find this publication, when I look for a story they are included. Should I enter all stories in the omnibus or is there an other way to find a story in an omnibused collection? Thanks again and regards Henna 20:10, 15 March 2017 (UTC)
If I may disturb the discussion for a short info about "Mittag, 22. Jahrhundert" (for both of you): I made a submission which adds a remark about the selected stories from the "Mittag" collection to our PV Werkausgabe #5 (see the bullet point which mentions "page 818" there). Jens Hitspacebar 20:46, 15 March 2017 (UTC)
Thanks for that, Jens!
Henna, you could use the import function to import the stories from here and here (these publications have to be corrected somewhat, but the shortfictions seem to be okay; just be sure to untick the import of the ART titles). Christian Stonecreek 04:20, 16 March 2017 (UTC)
Thanks for your explanation, but the question is should I do this? At the moment the omnibus is correct, two collections and two novels. Should I replace the collections with the stories? Thanks Henna 19:30, 16 March 2017 (UTC)
Well, it's not quite perfect. An OMNIBUS can also encompass COLLECTIONs, like here. As in this example the stories should be imported into the OMNIBUS as well. Stonecreek 19:39, 16 March 2017 (UTC)
A template, thanks a lot. Henna 20:13, 16 March 2017 (UTC)


Erich Loydl vs Erich Loidl

Hi, are you -with your Perry Rhodan knowledge- able to find out if Erich Loydl and Erich Loidl are two names for the same person, or two different persons?--Dirk P Broer 23:11, 16 March 2017 (UTC)

Thanks, Dirk, for finding that one: they are the same, just typed wrongly by the editors with Pabel-Moewig one time. Christian Stonecreek 04:49, 17 March 2017 (UTC)

Translators of "Brüchige Siege"

Hi Christian. Could you please check if a "Klaus Fritsche" is mentioned in your PV'd copy of Brüchige Siege as translator, or maybe in any other role? I'm asking because the KLP nominated him, in addition to Marianne and Hendrik P. Linckens, for the translation, but I couldn't find any other data source so far which also mention him as translator. Jens Hitspacebar 19:14, 19 March 2017 (UTC)

Hi, Jens! Yes, he's mentioned, but not as one of the translators, only for his advice on idioms and background of baseball (so he contributed to the authenticity of the translation, but it's somewhat curious that he was part of the Nomination). I'll add a note, though. Christian Stonecreek 09:27, 20 March 2017 (UTC)
Thanks Christian. It looks like the KLP people were aware of a difference between the nominees' contribution to the translation because they are crediting them as "Paul H. und Marianne Linckens sowie Klaus Fritsche". Jens Hitspacebar 17:36, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

Moomins book 4 in queue

Christian, You approved some English-language Moomin title and publication updates (the titles reviewed by Kirkus are those I submitted) and stopped short of what seem to be two versions of book 4, five submissions that now comprise my queue.

I don't read Swedish and expect you can do better, but the starred biography at Swedish Wikipedia seems clear enough for English readers on this point, sv:Tove Jansson. Point of entry to my queue is TitleUpdate submission 3375557.

P.S.

DE.wiki and FI.wiki do not show translations of 1950 and revised 1966 versions.
They should. --Pwendt|talk 22:59, 24 March 2017 (UTC)
When I return I'll add sources LCCN 52-67563, 67-111, 93-50954. Probably the latter is the source for OCLC 29914657, which adds credibility.

(I take a break now.) --Pwendt|talk 19:30, 23 March 2017 (UTC) --Pwendt|talk 19:39, 23 March 2017 (UTC)

Hauck approved. --Pwendt|talk 21:41, 23 March 2017 (UTC)

Cover artist for "Welt der Ewigkeit"

Hi Christian, you might want to chime in again on Rudolf's talk page about his topic because I got new infos about it from the KLP folks. Jens Hitspacebar 19:40, 25 March 2017 (UTC)

DJ Tyrer

Hi, since you are around right now, can you change D. J. Tyrer to DJ Tyrer? I checked all of his publications (they're almost all online or available in Amazon preview) and found only one where the name is printed with periods (made a note on that). --Vasha 18:18, 26 March 2017 (UTC)

Done! Stonecreek 18:30, 26 March 2017 (UTC)

Thanks for approving the Lehr submission, should have sent to you as well.Collectible Science Fiction 03:43, 28 March 2017 (UTC)

No problem! Stonecreek 03:46, 28 March 2017 (UTC)

Cover artist PR NEO

Hi Christian! I've slightly modified your suggestion: Perry Rhodan NEO, #1 What do you say? Rudolf Rudam 18:43, 28 March 2017 (UTC)

Yes! Let's start: I've done so beginning from the end, i. e. 2017. Christian Stonecreek 03:41, 29 March 2017 (UTC)

Change to verified pub: phantastisch

I am in the process of changing Jack Campbell's canonical name, so I changed the name in the interview with him in phantastisch! #54. --Vasha 17:34, 31 March 2017 (UTC)

Okay for me. Stonecreek 17:37, 31 March 2017 (UTC)

Added information about translator of Blade Runner

Hi Christian. The translator of Blade Runner is (at least currently) stated as Norbert Wölfl on the publication's website at Fischer, so it seems your assumption that Michael Nagula was erroneously stated as translator in the book seems to be correct. I added this information to the pub's note. Jens Hitspacebar 09:42, 14 April 2017 (UTC)

Thanks for that! Christian Stonecreek

CSI Diogenes number line

Hello Christian, I have an suspicion to solve the Diogenes number line.

  • Egon Friedell: Die Rückkehr der Zeitmaschine: 40/00/36/9 stated as 9th printing, bought after 1998
  • Ray Bradbury: Das Böse kommt auf leisen Sohlen 40/84/36/4
  • my second hand pub Ray Bradbury: Das Böse kommt auf leisen Sohlen: 40/91/36/7

I think 40 and 36 are not interesting. The second number is the publication year and the last number is the count of the printing. What do you think? Regards Henna 21:45, 21 April 2017 (UTC)

Your assumption is correct. It is already documented on Diogenes' wiki page :). Jens Hitspacebar 08:00, 22 April 2017 (UTC)
Hello Jens, next time I take a look in the wiki pages :) I love riddles Henna 19:40, 23 April 2017 (UTC)

I Live with You

Is the price in [this record] a typo? The copy I just picked up has $14.95 [$20.95 CDN] on the back cover, but still has the full number line. --~ Bill, Bluesman 00:04, 23 April 2017 (UTC)

It seems I haven't checked the price upon verifying. I'll change it. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 09:08, 23 April 2017 (UTC)

Kelter Gemini Science Fiction

Hi Christian, I have now found proper evidence that Gemini #1 started on 5-Jan-1976. Monstrula #35 has an ad explicitly stating the date - and for other Kelter publications the publication date is printed on either p2 or the back cover. I have also noticed that Gemini must have skipped 2 weeks sometime after #10. Perhaps you have a chance to determine when...? Cheers, John JLochhas 21:10, 24 April 2017 (UTC)

Great finding, John! Alas, as far as I have come there was no evidence of skipping publication slots. What would be the evidence for skipping those two weeks? Christian Stonecreek 03:40, 25 April 2017 (UTC)

Ein dreifach Hoch auf die Milchstrasse

Hi Christian. Shouldn't it be "2. Auflage September 2010" instead of "1. Auflage" in Ein dreifach Hoch auf die Milchstrasse? Jens Hitspacebar 19:12, 28 April 2017 (UTC)

Sure! I changed it. Thanks, Jens! Christian Stonecreek 09:38, 29 April 2017 (UTC)

Mir gehört die Welt

Hi, I expanded the notes for Mir gehört die Welt (it keeps creeping up in the report 'Primary-Verified Anthologies and Collections without Contents Titles').--Dirk P Broer 12:15, 3 May 2017 (UTC)

"A Game of Murder"

There's a translated story I haven't been able to find the German original title for -- do you know it? It's "A Game of Murder" by Gerd Gaiser. In it, guests at a party are playing that game where one impersonates a murderer and the others guess who; a guest dies mystifyingly and another one confesses to murder equally mystifyingly. The English starts "Presumably you all know the game, which may well acquire a ticklish, somewhat dubious character when adults take it up..." --Vasha 01:52, 27 May 2017 (UTC)

The title is Das Mörderspiel and it is first published in the magazine Akzente, August 1955. Rudolf Rudam 06:05, 27 May 2017 (UTC)
Thanks! --Vasha 06:25, 27 May 2017 (UTC)

Die seltene Gabe

Cover artist found for this pub. --Zapp 20:22, 3 June 2017 (UTC)

Good find! Thank you very much! Christian Stonecreek 12:56, 4 June 2017 (UTC)

Farmer Giles of Ham

You welcomed me to ISFDB last year when I joined & offered help if I needed it. I do. I submitted a full cover scan (front & back) of the 1999 edition of this book in early June, but no moderator posted it & it appears to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Is there any way I can get this posted? Thanks. Hifrommike65 13:55, 13 June 2017 (UTC)

I've found it. Please just go ahead and add the link to the pub. record for future uploads (I've done that for this file): there really is a high likelihood that it might get lost otherwise. To do that, just click on the blue link below the wiki image page and copy that URL into the Image URL field of the respective publication. Stonecreek 04:00, 14 June 2017 (UTC)

Modem Times 2.0

I added a note about Modem Times 2.0 to User talk:Rtrace/Changes to Verified Pubs. --Marc Kupper|talk 18:45, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

New Taboos plus ...

I updated a pub-note in New Taboos plus ... :

< All essays are listed with apostrophs ("") in the table of contents (p. ix) but appear without them on their respective beginning pages; the title giving essay is shortened to "New Taboos".
> All essays are listed as "title" with double quotes around each title in the table of contents (p. ix) but appear without the double quotes on their respective beginning pages; the title giving essay is shortened to "New Taboos".

I don't have a copy of the pub and the Look Inside did not help. As a casual viewer of the record I'm confused by

  • the title giving essay is shortened to "New Taboos". Can you break that out to a separate pub-note and explain it better? I don't know what "the title giving essay" means for example. The title of the publication which is "New Taboos plus ..." shortened version of "New Taboos". Maybe you meant to have something like:
The essay New Taboos and Other Unauthorized Suggestions on page 63 is listed as "New Taboos" (with the double quotes) in the Contents on page ix.
  • I noticed the front cover has "New Taboos Plus ..." while ISFDB has "New Taboos plus ..." with a lower-case p on "plus". The Look Inside does not include the title page and so I could not see if we should have "Plus" or "plus" on ISFDB. If the title page uses "New Taboos plus ..." then I'd add a pub-note so that people don't think an error was made when recording this to ISFDB.
A case could be made that we should use "New Taboos: Plus ..." on ISFDB. 1) There's a font change between "New Taboos" and "Plus ..." that indicates it's a sub-title. I assume the title page has the same font change. 2) The publication copyright is for "New Taboos", 3) Template:PublicationFields:Title has "If the title has a subtitle, enter it, with a colon and a space used to separate the title from the subtitle."

--Marc Kupper|talk 20:24, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

Thanks for the additions, Marc. I hope I have clarified the note on the 'title giving essay'. Christian Stonecreek 15:26, 18 June 2017 (UTC)

Name check Franz Schacherbauer/Frank Schacherbauer

Hello Christian,

Can you check your verified Perry Rhodan, #1499: Das Mondgehirn erwacht and Perry Rhodan, #1491: Transit nach Terra for the authors of the cartoon on page 5 of 1499 and the comic on page 5 of 1491. Are these indeed from different authors with the same last name and a very similar first name? Annie 14:41, 20 June 2017 (EDT)

No, they are from the same one, I just had no information to decide which is the legal (= canonical) name and hope for a further item by him in issues still to add. Christian Stonecreek 23:45, 20 June 2017 (EDT)
Ah, okey. Will leave the pair alone for now then. Annie 00:14, 21 June 2017 (EDT)

Cloning Backwards in time

Hello Christian, you approved the cloning of the 2016 publication of this title with a 2014 date. In such cases, our contributors (here MLB usually forget to adjust the 2016 dates in the record, leading to a lot of cleaning up afterward. It's usually better to change all the dates in the existing publication in one go before accepting the cloning. I've left a message on his talk page. Hauck 02:18, 21 June 2017 (EDT)

Thanks, Hervé! I'll remember it and do so in the future. Christian Stonecreek 04:24, 21 June 2017 (EDT)

CreateSpace

I may be telling you something you already know... but according to discussions here and here, CreateSpace isn't a publisher, but rather a printing and production service (a subsidiary of Amazon, which is probably why they insist on naming it in the "publisher" space on their pages). So we don't list it as a publisher here, instead leaving a blank space (currently -- even though the help says to put the author name; I believe that the help will be updated, but -- as with every other discussion! -- the discussion is still ongoing.) Therefore, I'd like to change all of your verified publications that list CreateSpace -- Das Amt für versäumte Ausgaben und weitere Kurzgeschichten, and maybe others I haven't found yet. Thanks! --Vasha 18:06, 23 June 2017 (EDT)

Sorry, but there doesn't seem to have been a common conclusion on that case. I think it is not correct to leave the publisher field blank, when there is a known entity that does some parts of a publisher's business: in fact, I think it leaves only the editorial part out. So, pleae let my verified publications as they are. Christian Stonecreek 02:33, 24 June 2017 (EDT)
You're right, and I've changed my mind. Sorry not to write a longer message but I sprained my wrist today and can't type. Vasha 12:10, 24 June 2017 (EDT)
Sorry to read that! Give a short break and take some relaxation. The wrist will hopefully get better! Christian Stonecreek 02:04, 25 June 2017 (EDT)

Orwell

Thanks for catching that one - apparently I managed to click "Approve" this morning when I was planning to skip it and come to it later if noone else does (and then did not realize that's what happened). Annie 17:00, 5 July 2017 (EDT)

No problem at all! Everybody has this occasional slip of hasty fingers, including me! Christian Stonecreek 23:38, 5 July 2017 (EDT)

Der Herrscher von Manila

Cover image found for this pub. --Zapp 09:39, 6 July 2017 (EDT)--Zapp 09:39, 6 July 2017 (EDT)

Great! Thank you very much! Christian Stonecreek 11:26, 6 July 2017 (EDT)

Die Siedler von Vulgata

I added some notes from DNB to this pub. --Zapp 08:12, 19 July 2017 (EDT)

You also created a new publication series, I've put the submission on hold pending Christian's approval. For such changes, please contact the PV (even transient) first.Hauck 08:27, 19 July 2017 (EDT)
Seems okay to me: DNB also mentions this series. Stonecreek 00:23, 24 August 2017 (EDT)

Nihonjoe's nomination

I know that you are on vacation, but just in case you happen to have internet access and check the Wiki occasionally:

When you have a moment, could you please review this discussion? As I wrote earlier today:

It's been 5 days since the nomination. Normally (and as per the standard process), it would be enough to determine if we have consensus. However, only 4 votes have been cast so far: 3 in favor and 1 against. I worked with Nihonjoe last year, when he was learning the ropes, but I have processed only 14 of his submissions in 2017, so I hesitate to cast a vote.
I have compiled a list of moderators who have approved more than 50 of Nihonjoe's submissions in 2017 and who haven't voted. I will ask them to chime in based on their experience.

Since you have approved 238 of Nihonjoe's submissions this year, you are on the hit list :-) TIA! Ahasuerus 11:08, 22 July 2017 (EDT)

Bill Botten [2]

Found [this] today, while the Farmer covers noted above aren't mentioned, a lot of others are. Have updated the link in records I could find, but not done yet. --~ Bill, Bluesman 16:24, 31 July 2017 (EDT)

Received a reply from Bill Botten this morning and the Sphere Farmer covers are NOT his. Unfortunately he can't remember who did them [47 years ago ...]. He was the art director at Sphere at the time. Maybe that's where that vanished source came up with the credit?? I'll remove him from the Farmer records, the link is dead anyway so needs to be excised as well. Cheers! --~ Bill, Bluesman 10:52, 2 August 2017 (EDT)
There was a time when The Gates of Creation was included in his checklist, see archive.org. Horzel 17:56, 31 August 2017 (EDT)

Livesendung

Hello Christian, I added some notes to this pub. Regards Henna 03:28, 13 August 2017 (EDT)

Hello Christian, I added also Herbert W. Franke as editor and a note to Angoulême in this pubs [8] [9]. Nice holiday Henna 15:58, 18 August 2017 (EDT)
Hello Christian, the cover scan of Der Letzte seiner Art isn't complete. I try a own scan but the silver letters are red [10]. BTW your easter link on your user page is broken. This sheet, created by me, calculates all easter days, no warranty. Regards Henna 13:10, 22 August 2017 (EDT)
I used the image that you supplied: many thanks for that! Christian Stonecreek 15:15, 24 August 2017 (EDT)
Hello Christian, in this pubthe page count doesn't fit. In my book the page count ends after the making of on p. 268. I also added some notes. Regards Henna 15:52, 22 August 2017 (EDT)
I'll take another look into the publication. Stonecreek 15:15, 24 August 2017 (EDT)

Die zweite Stufe der Einsamkeit

Hello Christian, your suspicion that Carl Lundgren is the cover artist was right. I found the variant cover. Hubert Peregrin 05:41, 16 August 2017 (EDT)

Thanks, Hubert! Stonecreek 00:25, 24 August 2017 (EDT)

A quick glance, please.

Hello Christian, as I managed to lay my greedy hands on a few german digests, I've entered them to the best of my abilities. When you'll be back from holidays, can you have a look at this pub for example to see if everything is correct? Thanks.Hauck 04:08, 18 August 2017 (EDT)

I'm also worried about this publication that is perhaps not to our usual standards for german digests. Thanks. Hauck 06:47, 20 August 2017 (EDT)
The first seems to be alright, the Ren Dhark may have been better listed as a magazine: but I'm not that accustomed with the publications of the series, it is analogous to Perry Rhodan and may have magazinical contents in later or other volumes. Christian Stonecreek 00:29, 24 August 2017 (EDT)
Thanks. Hauck 02:36, 24 August 2017 (EDT)

Homo Divisus

Hello Christian, I changed the author name in this pub to Konrad Fiałkowski. Regards Henna 14:57, 24 August 2017 (EDT)

Thanks for that! It seems I missed that spelling on entering. Christian Stonecreek 15:07, 24 August 2017 (EDT)

Sternentanz

Hello Christian, the date in my book (sure first printing) is stated as "Printed in Germany 10/03", just a typo or a later printing? Thanks Henna 12:30, 25 August 2017 (EDT)

No, it's just the date of the printing, not the official month of publication (usually two months after printing). Christian Stonecreek 04:26, 26 August 2017 (EDT)
Hello Christian, I think the three motti are on p. 6. Regards Henna 14:31, 28 August 2017 (EDT)
You're absolutely right; cjanged it. Stonecreek 00:46, 1 September 2017 (EDT)

Heyne Science Fiction Jahresband 1989

Hi, the cover artist of this is not Alan Craddock, but Jim Burns, and the art was used previously on There Is No Darkness. Thanks. Horzel 17:20, 31 August 2017 (EDT)

Thanks for finding this! Christian Stonecreek 00:47, 1 September 2017 (EDT)

Schule für Übermenschen

Hello Christian, I added unabridged to the notes. Can you confirm that, you have the first edition too, or is it an marketing gag? Regards Henna 15:28, 2 September 2017 (EDT)

Well, I don't think that this means the first unabridged, just that the editors of Dtv didn't cut anything from the original text. But I didn't do a page to page account. Christian Stonecreek 02:51, 3 September 2017 (EDT)
I don't know about Germany, but in the US, it used to simply be automatic for (some) publishers of mass market paperbacks to note on the copyright page that their edition was unabridged & the same as the hardcover. --Vasha 01:32, 5 September 2017 (EDT)
Thanks for your answers Henna 12:42, 5 September 2017 (EDT)

Das Geheimnis des Dschungel-Planeten

Hello Christian! I've just added a new publication to the title Das Geheimnis des Dschungel-Planeten. It seems that your publication is a later printing. The price of my copy is DM 2.80 and is stated as usual on the backcover. Rudolf Rudam 13:26, 4 September 2017 (EDT)

Hi, Rudolf! Thanks for finding out about this edition. I swapped the publication dates and adjusted the notes. Christian Stonecreek 13:36, 4 September 2017 (EDT)

E. Saxey

Do you object to my changing Esther Saxey's canonical name to E. Saxey? If so, you should say so on my post on the moderator notice board, where I asked for comment two days ago. Having heard no objections, I proceeded to make the change. --Vasha 00:21, 5 September 2017 (EDT)

The Player of Games

Hi, I found these covers merged but not all exactly the same. Three are slightly varianted. Is this worth to change? --Zapp 06:49, 5 September 2017 (EDT)

Yes, why not? There may actually exist variant covers for each printing, but this is just a guess. Christian Stonecreek 09:03, 5 September 2017 (EDT)

Das enträtselte Atlantis

When you have a free moment, do you think you could create a German publication record for this title? It looks like someone must have pasted a DNB record into the title note field. TIA! Ahasuerus 17:05, 5 September 2017 (EDT)

Yes, I'll try my best! Stonecreek 13:10, 6 September 2017 (EDT)
Looks great, thanks! Ahasuerus 13:39, 6 September 2017 (EDT)

Die Kinder des Saturn

Hello Christian! I've just added this pub Die Kinder des Saturn. On the the title page is stated Roman (novel) and DNB calls it as well Roman. We should change the Heyne pub Die Kinder des Saturn likewise into a novel. What do you think? Rudolf Rudam

I thought so in the first place but a word count estimate did put the text well below the threshold of 40,000 words, which would qualify it as a novel. Other publishers do call published fiction 'novels' as well though they don't have the length requested. Would it be possible for you to do a similar estimate for the Luchterhand edition? Christian Stonecreek 02:35, 9 September 2017 (EDT)
I've tried to do a word counting and it seems to be under the threshold. Actually I tend to use the official naming of a text than an estimated word count. The length of many American magazine stories are chosen this way. At the end of the Luchterhand edition is an advertisement of another Jens Rehn book. It has 144 pages and is stated Erzählung (novella). Rudolf Rudam 11:33, 9 September 2017 (EDT)
But then we'd really have to mark all titles that are far below the threshold as 'novels' which would also include all Perry Rhodan novellas or texts in similar publications (Terra, Utopia, Gemini). Also, a reprint of the text in an anthology or collection would also be a novella. I have merged the titles and added a note. Stonecreek 00:22, 10 September 2017 (EDT)

Sterntagebücher, Thomas Franke

Hello Christian, please take a look at my talk page to the topic Sterntagebücher again.

Done.

I added exodus 29, can you help me to find the right parents of the Thomas Franke artwork? Thanks Henna 15:16, 8 September 2017 (EDT)

Sure, we may try. Christian Stonecreek 02:42, 9 September 2017 (EDT)
I just verified the magazine. I'll try to find out about and submit variants within the next days. Stonecreek 10:18, 9 September 2017 (EDT)
Done. Stonecreek 09:29, 11 September 2017 (EDT)
Thank you very much. I added the cover art as p. 1 in exodus 27, is this correct? Henna 12:41, 12 September 2017 (EDT)
Sorry, but no. As the cover counts as page 1 for magazines, it should not be included a second time as a content. Christian Stonecreek 13:27, 12 September 2017 (EDT)
Hello Christian, how can I add the title of this image, only in the notes? Thanks Henna 13:40, 12 September 2017 (EDT)
Yes, I am afraid so (though it would be possible to variant it to a new parent title; this only would need a previous discussion on the community portal, I fear). Stonecreek 13:46, 12 September 2017 (EDT)
No problem, I will delete this title and add a note. Thanks Henna 14:40, 12 September 2017 (EDT)

Die Riten der Minne

Hello Christian, in the notes this line is wrong An uncredited frontispiece appears on p. 1; the table of contents is on p. 5f., maybe an copy and paste error? Henna 14:38, 12 September 2017 (EDT)

What's wrong with it? Stonecreek 14:42, 12 September 2017 (EDT)
The cover artist is credited on the copyright page to Rowena Morrill and there is no toc. Henna 15:39, 12 September 2017 (EDT)
Okay, thanks, I'll change it. Stonecreek 23:46, 12 September 2017 (EDT)
Hello Christian, An uncredited frontispiece appears on p. 1, the cover art is credited! Regards Henna 15:14, 23 September 2017 (EDT)

Please read before you reject..

Hi Christian, I explained why I was changing those DJ Tyrer records on the moderator noticeboard. Don't you think you could have replied to that post, before simply rejecting all that work I did? You could have held my submissions instead of rejecting them. I feel like I've been simply ignored. --Vasha 03:52, 22 September 2017 (EDT)

Sorry for your unnecessary workload. But it's really better and more efficient to wait for a positive answer (there was none), instead of submitting loads of changes. I know that it's tempting to 'flow' into a task, but if this task turns out to be out of our standards or is questionable, the merit of proposing only one change is obvious, I think. Christian Stonecreek 06:31, 22 September 2017 (EDT)

Exodus, #34

Hello Christian, I modify the notes: the copyright section is on p. 107 and I added the cover title. I also changed the title from Passage Neo Toky 6 to Passage Neo Tokyo 6. Regards Henna 14:52, 23 September 2017 (EDT)

Thanks! Christian Stonecreek 04:06, 24 September 2017 (EDT)

Exodus, #35

Hello Christian, I added the editorial, the cover title in the notes and changed the title type on p. 29 Abgespeichert to poem. Regards Henna 07:21, 24 September 2017 (EDT)

Exodus 35, I disambiguate two artworks and added the cover title in the notes. Regards Henna 10:53, 24 September 2017 (EDT)

Report to the Men's Club and Other Stories

Hello, I've changed to title of your PVed collection to simply Report to the Men's Club as per title page. Hauck 11:53, 24 September 2017 (EDT)

Thanks, Hervé! I guess I didn't check the title page, assuming it'd be most likely correct. Christian Stonecreek 12:00, 24 September 2017 (EDT)

Die Neuromancer-Trilogie

Hello Christian, this omnibus is a variant of an Dutch title, is this correct? Thanks Henna 13:16, 24 September 2017 (EDT)

I'd say yes, since the Dutch edition is seemingly the first that was published. Stonecreek 13:25, 24 September 2017 (EDT)
But it is not translated from Dutch, I don't understand the logic. Regards Henna 14:25, 24 September 2017 (EDT)
There is no English title stated for the OMNIBUS (and we can't just make up one). Stonecreek 23:39, 24 September 2017 (EDT)

Die Srewfly Solution

Hello Christian, I corrected the typo. Regards Henna 07:48, 25 September 2017 (EDT)

Hello Christian, I have corrected a typo, too: german->German.--Wolfram.winkler 08:17, 9 November 2017 (EST)

Phantastische Literatur 83

Hello Christian, thanks for finish my work, please delete the last line in the notes. Regards Henna 13:28, 26 September 2017 (EDT)

Well, there are still a few reviews to be entered. Christian Stonecreek 13:31, 26 September 2017 (EDT)

Orbit Science Fiction Yearbook Two

Cover artist of Yearbook Two is Brian Waugh, according to Sztuka Science Fiction Art. Horzel 08:13, 28 September 2017 (EDT)

Thanks for that! I'll change the entry. Stonecreek 08:22, 28 September 2017 (EDT)

Transmitterraum der BASIS (2. Teil)

Transmitterraum der BASIS (2. Teil) from one of your verified pubs is listed as SHORTFICTION, but its parent is listed as ESSAY. Mind taking a look and fixing the incorrect one? Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 09:10, 30 September 2017 (EDT)

Thanks for finding that one! Sometimes one forgets to remind oneself of the need to change variants also. Christian Stonecreek 09:15, 30 September 2017 (EDT)

Twice told-tales

You rejected my edit to Twice-Told Tales because I hadn't discussed with the verifier--actually, that verifier is me! I am submitting the edit again. --Vasha 10:24, 4 October 2017 (EDT)

I didn't mean that you are the verifier but to discuss if the stories should be omitted, i.e. if the autor is above-the-threshold or not. I've put the new submission(s) on hold. Christian Stonecreek 10:53, 4 October 2017 (EDT)
Right... we discussed this at the Help Desk last month, and unfortunately the answers were not at all clear. It hinges on two things: Is the author above-the-theshold (I think yes) and is it a genre anthology/collection (I'm not sure). Certainly it does no ham to leave the stories where they are for the present. The more I think about it, the more it seems to me that Twice-Told Tales is genre (half speculative, and many of the others quite gothic). So I shall cancel that edit. The wider issue, though, remains unaddressed. The discussion didn't answer the question of what I should do if the collection is not genre. --Vasha 11:09, 4 October 2017 (EDT)

Hawthorne's non-genre stories

I see that you have my submissions of Hawthorne's collections on hold because of the puzzling issue of whether to include all the non-speculative stories or not. Unlike Twice-Told Tales, which is indisputably a genre collection, these are "general" collections. I really am not certain what to do. Yesterday I once again asked for guidance on the help desk, and once again got no answer. What is your opinion? (If the complete contents of these collections should be indexed, then we need to go back and add complete contents to all the Hawthone collections that currently have partial contents.) --Vasha 00:58, 6 October 2017 (EDT)

The ask for guidance wasn't concerned with the status of Hawthorne as 'above the threshold', but with the canonical titles (a problem I, alas, have no time for right now). For the former it seems to me that he is in, based on his entries here and here. Zondergeld even characterizes Hawthorne as the most eminent (US-)American author of fantasy ('Phantastik') in the Nineteenth Century alongside E. A. Poe.
Based on this the nongenre items also should be included, it seems. I think it'd be best to work through your submissions one by one. Christian Stonecreek 02:28, 6 October 2017 (EDT)
The question is not whether Hawthorne is above-the-threshold (he most definitely is), but what to do about non-genre collections that contain non-genre stories by above-the-threshold authors. That is, the rules of acquisition say to include all the contents of genre collections, but to only do partial contents of non-genre collections. So what are the rules for what to include in those partial contents? That's what no one can explain. Do you include only genre fiction, or also non-genre stories but only if they're by above-the threshold authors?
Question 2: Do you think that any collection of Hawthorne's work is a genre collection because of his above-the-threshold status? --Vasha 02:43, 6 October 2017 (EDT)
I've always had the impression that we include all the contents, all the more since we have the not-so-long-ago established function to mark them as non-genre. This way it's quite easy for every user to decide if the collection / anthology is worth a reading.
No, similar to Kurt Vonnegut, jr., the status depends on the percentage. Stonecreek 02:52, 6 October 2017 (EDT)
Well, I think I agree with you. I was kind of compromising between those who want everything in, and those who don't want too many non-genre titles in the database, by putting those stories in the notes instead of in the content titles. But it does seem like a good idea to put in the complete contents in the specific case of Hawthorne. Maybe other volumes (if they contain less than half speculative fiction) can have the n-g items in the notes, but we don't need to decide that right now. Thanks. --Vasha 03:05, 6 October 2017 (EDT)
I have all the bibliogaphic information ready to ceate new titles for the stories in Tales and Sketches, so could you appove it and I'll add all the additional contents? --Vasha 03:35, 6 October 2017 (EDT)
Done. It's correct that we don't too many non-genre titles in the database, but the ones by authors above-the-threshold are wanted in, so that there really is no meaning in leaving them out of the one collection when they are listed in another (and you never know what the future will bring in different selections). The only meaningful 'out publications' would be anthologies or magazines that offer no genre content (but if there's another genre shortfiction in, I see no reason to leave the nongenre shortfictions by above-the-threshold authors out). Stonecreek 05:57, 6 October 2017 (EDT)

PRIMAT DER VERNUNFT

Would you mind taking a look at PRIMAT DER VERNUNFT? The parent is listed as an essay and the variant as fiction. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 21:57, 9 October 2017 (EDT)

I've done it. Thanks! Stonecreek 23:29, 9 October 2017 (EDT)

Hand in Glove

Hi, did you change my note to "Hand in Glove"? I have the text of the story in front of me, and it is not speculative. The plot is: a detective visits all the suspects to the murder of a blackmailer. Conversing with one of them, he says, we should be able to identify the murderer because he left a bloody handprint, and it was unusual. The suspect says, OK, you found me, and shows his hand, which has six fingers. --Vasha 14:41, 10 October 2017 (EDT)

Yeah, you did find the speculative element! Stonecreek 14:43, 10 October 2017 (EDT)
Six fingers is very possible in real life. Not very rare, even. --Vasha 14:56, 10 October 2017 (EDT)
May be. I still rate it as speculative. Please note that it's mandatory to contact active verifiers upon such change before submitting. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 15:06, 10 October 2017 (EDT)
I am sorry about not notifying you. But it is certainly not speculative: see the Wikpedia article on polydactyly. --Vasha 15:10, 10 October 2017 (EDT)
Okay, I reread the story and acknowledged its nongenreness. Thanks for the hint! Christian Stonecreek 02:33, 11 October 2017 (EDT)

Heyne Science Fiction Jahresband 1995

Hello Christian, in this pub Élisabeth Vonarburg is written Elisabeth Vonarburg. Do you think it is necessary to create an pseudonym? Thanks Henna 15:41, 12 October 2017 (EDT)

If I remember it right it's not possible to create a pseudonym as the software doesn't differentiate between E and É (the author was entered as Elisabeth Vonarburg). Christian Stonecreek 23:25, 12 October 2017 (EDT)
Right, I just entered Heyne Science Fiction Jahresband 1997 with another shortfiction by her and the same ocurred. Stonecreek 05:07, 13 October 2017 (EDT)
Many thanks. I remember, I had the same problem with Gyula Hernádi. Thanks again Henna 12:58, 13 October 2017 (EDT)

Introduction (Just So Stories)

Christian, You approved my update of this ESSAY Title T2012520 and probably recognized it as one of your records. Only as afterthought now, I add it to series Just So Stories. At HathiTrust i found that it is not included in early 249-page eds. of the collection; so noted before I depart.

You also approved one update of St. Nicholas, December 1897. As I leave it, that MAGAZINE publication P579081 shows the "Introduction" and the first story as two contents that begin on page 89. There they are actually published as a single item, the first instalment (part 1 of 3) of 'The "Just-So" Stories' under that heading alone, page 89. The story title is from the the bound volume Contents, page VI, and the essay title "Introduction" may date from your 2016 anthology. --Pwendt|talk 20:02, 19 October 2017 (EDT)

Thank you very much for the research! Upon entering, I really wondered where the introduction may stem from. Thanks again, Christian Stonecreek 23:41, 19 October 2017 (EDT)

Das Science Fiction Jahr 2016

Hi Christian, I added some missing reviews and essays to Das Science Fiction Jahr 2016. There are still a few non-fiction reviews missing which I'd add soon if you are not about to add them yourself. Once it's done I'd remove the hint "More contents to be added in the near future". Jens Hitspacebar 16:42, 21 October 2017 (EDT)

Thanks, Jens! Stonecreek 01:29, 22 October 2017 (EDT)

Science-Fiction-Stories 52

re Science-Fiction-Stories 52: The publication editor is listed as Walter Spiegl, but the container title record is uncredited (and then varianted to Walter Spiegl). Is the magazine credited (in which case the container should be parent and the variant deleted) or uncredited (in which case the publication should show uncredited)? Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 20:08, 22 October 2017 (EDT)

The copyright statement gives the hint: this is basically a german edition of one of the 'World's Best SF' anthologies, but supplemented with one shortfiction from Pohl's 192 'Best SF'. So, Spiegl is not credited as publication editor per se, but as series editor of Ullstein 2000. Stonecreek 23:23, 22 October 2017 (EDT)
Oh, I just saw that I forget to change the publication's editor to 'uncredited'. Thanks for the hint! Stonecreek 00:16, 23 October 2017 (EDT)

Alpträume

Hello Christian, you seemingly made substantial modifications (here and there) to this PVed publication without any notifications that I saw (on PV's talk pages) or any explanations (in the "Note to moderator" field for example). I'm quite thrilled by the high level of politeness and communication that we're now attaining in such cases and I'm happy to see such huge progress in simplification (why bother notifying others or explaining things?) now that such impolite and premature moderators as me are out of the equation. All this would be funny (one of the heralds of politeness and communication savagely updating PVed records) but is just plain saddening. Hauck 03:08, 6 November 2017 (EST)

Hi Hervé! No, I didn't make any substantial changes (sorry that it appeared that way to you). It was just the case that it was easier to add the story titles (for the differentiation of Alptraum / Albtraum, following this discussiojn item) and to change the dates of first publication directly in the publication than to edit them individually (would have the same effect but take much more edits). The record as such stayed the same, else I would have notified you. I do concede that it would have been better if you would have taken over in this case.
But a different thing: My third printing with the same art has a credit to Atelier Heinrich for the cover. What do you think of adding the 'artist', who has done much covers for Heyne in 1965 and surrounding years and whose style of art does fit this cover (I'll ask also Rudolf)? Sorry for the inconvenience, Christian Stonecreek 06:48, 6 November 2017 (EST)

German vs. german

Hi Christian, this is just a very minor thing, but as it just showed up in the recent edit for our PV'd Zu einem Preis submitted by Wolfram, which you reverted back: Wolfram is correct, it's "German", not "german". Language names are one of the rare case which are written capitalized, even if used as an adjective (see this or this explanation). Jens Hitspacebar 04:31, 10 November 2017 (EST)

Okay, will take it to heart. Christian Stonecreek 04:39, 10 November 2017 (EST)

Tales of Wonder No. 3 Cover Artist

Could you check if there is a credit for the cover of Tales of Wonder No. 3 which appears on page 203 of Science Fiction: An Illustrated History? Given the note, I suspect it isn't credited and that the cover artist is probably actually "W. J. Roberts" The erroneous "L. J." comes from this source. I'm proceeding with updating the parent title, but if your book has not credit, it would be easier to correct the author on the title record and then fix the one outlier. I'll ask the other active verifiers as well. Thanks for checking. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 09:41, 11 November 2017 (EST)

Question already answered by Hauck. Thanks. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 10:23, 11 November 2017 (EST)

Moderator

Hi Christian! Your response to Hitspacebar has been sent to Dirk P. Broer! Rudolf Rudam 11:24, 11 November 2017 (EST)

Really? Gosh wow! Didn't know I was capable of such chaos. Thanks for the hint! Christian Stonecreek 11:31, 11 November 2017 (EST)

Meyrink & Der heimliche Kaiser

Sorry for all the confusion with the title "Der heimliche Kaiser" / "Der heimliche Kaiser: Fragment" I should not have requested the titles to be un-merged in the first place. I got confused with all the different appearances in the different works that have similar names and the repective sources I have. I will do a bit more research before requesting such changes the next time, as I will probably have to merge them again... But as I said, I'll make sure to get it right this time. -- Kurst 01:04, 20 November 2017 (EST)

Hey, who said it would be easy to find ones way through a somewhat complex db like this one? There's no problem with not getting all things right from the start. Christian Stonecreek 02:06, 20 November 2017 (EST)

A note by an editor

Hi Christian,

What do you think about the note by Welo here (regarding the secondary references, not the format question)? Is it worth looking into this as a possible secondary verification source for German books? Annie 17:51, 21 November 2017 (EST)

Sorry, but there are more problems with that than meets the eye. I will answer it on Welo's talk page. Stonecreek 00:02, 22 November 2017 (EST)
Which is why I left you a note - I had never seen the publication and it did sound like something that is not very well defined :) Thanks! Annie 01:50, 22 November 2017 (EST)
And I did appreciate it very much. I'll think I'll give it a try and add some instalments, though they'll necessary be fragmentary. Stonecreek 02:06, 22 November 2017 (EST)

Die letzte Siedlerin

Hi Christian, you changed the pub series of Die letzte Siedlerin from "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction Special" to "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction". Why's that? chpr.at and sf-hefte.de state that the series is "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction Special". Jens Hitspacebar 06:50, 26 November 2017 (EST)

Oh, as far as I know they are incorrect. Bastei Lübbe just dropped all the appendices (like 'Abenteuer', 'Bestseller' & 'Special') somewhen in the middle of the 1990s. And that's why this can happen. This per old numbering would belong to Bastei Lübbe Fantasy, but is quite obviously not. It can be confusing.
There's certainly no such statement in the volumes I PVed (for example by Andreas Eschbach). Christian Stonecreek 07:01, 26 November 2017 (EST)
I see, thanks. I wasn't aware of that and thought that Deutsche Nationalbibliothek just forgot to state the "Special" for this pub. But I just checked my sole copy of a 'Abenteuer'/'Bestseller'/'Special' pub Rebellin des Glücks to see what the record at Deutsche Nationalbibliothek looks like, and they do state "Special" there. Searching for "Bastei-Lübbe-Taschenbuch Science fiction special" there results in the latest publication in the "Special" series being from 1996. Which means the data from Deutsche Nationalbibliothek seems to be more correct regarding this series than at sf-hefte or chpr.at. I'll try to compile some information about these series' final year and add them to the publisher's and serie's note. Jens Hitspacebar 08:11, 26 November 2017 (EST)
Information compiled and added to Bastei Lübbe's page. Jens Hitspacebar 09:50, 26 November 2017 (EST)
There's also the case of Miéville's Andere Himmel, that is right now stated as part of "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction Special" (#24361), but has "Fantasy" on its back. Maybe it'd be better to rename "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction" into "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction & Fantasy", analogous to "Heyne Science Fiction & Fantasy" and "Ullstein Science Fiction & Fantasy", to avoid any such numbering and labeling confusion. Christian Stonecreek 10:56, 26 November 2017 (EST)
Generally I like it if data like these publication series are as granular as they are now. However, considering the rather unclear lifespan of several series and a few obviously inconsistent uses of the series names and number ranges by the publisher, it seems to be better to merge the series into one. It would make things easier. If we decide to do so we should add this info to the publisher note to avoid that one the series gets entered again later. Let's see what Rudolf thinks about it. Jens Hitspacebar 16:00, 28 November 2017 (EST)
Hello and sorry, but I had unfortunately lost sight of the discussion. The assignment of the various genres to the respective publication series was from the beginning an incredible mess at Bastei Lübbe and so it has remained. If I understand it correctly, the numberings 23xxx and 24xxx should be combined to Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction & Fantasy. But then the 20xxx numbering (Bastei Lübbe Fantasy) should also be included, as there were published science fiction novels as well. Although it isn't exactly meaningful, it would ease the chaos a little bit. The new system would at least be more helpful and explicit for future submissions and new contributors. Cheers Rudolf Rudam 12:37, 3 December 2017 (EST)
Right you are on the inclusion of Bastei Lübbe Fantasy (there are also titles that are obviously science fiction). I'll proceed but can only hope to catch'em all. If not, please do some more cleaning up. Christian Stonecreek 14:21, 3 December 2017 (EST)
To make things even more complicated: it seems a distinct possibility that Bastei Lübbe Fantasy existed for some time longer, possibly up until the mid-2000s (maybe between 2002 - 2004), but that has to be verified. Christian Stonecreek 03:37, 4 December 2017 (EST)
On the copyright page of my book Thomas der Barde from 1993 states only Bastei Lübbe Taschenbuch and on the back cover above the barcode states Fantasy. Rudolf Rudam 07:21, 4 December 2017 (EST)
I'm not sure what the outcome of this discussion is: do we merge all "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction XYZ" series and also the "Bastei Lübbe Fantasy" series into "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction & Fantasy", or just some of them? Jens Hitspacebar 09:54, 10 December 2017 (EST)
Well, my best guess is that "Bastei Lübbe Fantasy" still existed for titles (or was 'identical' to pub. no.s with 20XXX) from the mid-1990 until ca. 2002/2003. So, it'd make sense to differentiate between "Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction" & "Bastei Lübbe Fantasy" for that time period. But maybe we should accumulate some more data, i.e. verify some publications for those years. But I have to admit that there are only a few of them (especially Fantasy) that I have. I'll promise to take it into the list of things to look up with my next rounds at some second hand bookstores. Or do you have a different idea / knowledge? Christian Stonecreek 10:09, 10 December 2017 (EST)
No, I don't have other ideas. My knowledge about these series is very limited and every idea from me would be mostly based on guessing from other internet sources (and the handful of Bastei-Lübbe books I own). Great that you want to check at some book stores. Let's see what you find out. Once we've got better definitions of these series I can help out changing the affected records. I keep the topic on my to-remember-list. Jens Hitspacebar 10:42, 10 December 2017 (EST)

Die Stadt der Klage / Morphogenesis

Hello Christian, I've added the novel Die Stadt der Klage and discovered that there are substantial divergences to "Morphogenesis". Therefore I've unmerged them and added a note. Rudolf Rudam 13:18, 4 December 2017 (EST)

Good! I just didn't know how substantial the rewrite was. Christian Stonecreek 13:46, 4 December 2017 (EST)

Covers

Hello Christian, can you help me to repair this cover?

  • Image Data: Artist Unknown; Source Amazon.de
  • File history: Artist=Unknown; Source=Scanned by User:Henna
  • click edit: |Artist1=Ute Osterwalder |Artist2=Hans Ulrich Osterwalder |Source=Amazon.de

I think you have linked the wrong cover to this pub. Thanks Henna 14:06, 4 December 2017 (EST)

The Poe cover should be restored. For the Lem cover I remember to have linked the right cover. Most likely, amazon replaced the image with the one for the actual printing: most interesting and potentially highly confusing. I'll scan the image and do an upload. Many thanks: I didn't expect something like this but with amazon the surprises are many. Christian Stonecreek 14:27, 4 December 2017 (EST)
Thanks for your help. I don't trust Amazon by old stuff. Henna 15:19, 5 December 2017 (EST)


Vor dem Ende der Welt

Hi Christian, the cover for Uwe Anton's novel isn't by Eddie Jones. It could be by Kanellakis, at least the style of the space ship is similar, or maybe by Bettag (?). I would be removing the credit. Okay? Thanks. John - JLochhas 01:31, 11 December 2017 (EST)

I'd say it is by EJ, there's near nothing that speaks against it, or is there? The space ship is in his style, only the giant planet is a bit unusual for him. Christian Stonecreek 04:33, 11 December 2017 (EST)
I guess it's just different points of view. The giant planet isn't really Eddie's style, but that alone doesn't decide it for me. It is the space ship that (for me) is very different from a classic EJ space ship. It's so "smooth"... and then again... it still could be an EJ cover. We'll probably never find out the truth. John JLochhas 16:32, 11 December 2017 (EST)

Signale auf Kanal acht

Image URL found for this pub. --Zapp 14:03, 13 December 2017 (EST)

Thanks, but I wanted to do an upload anyway. Christian Stonecreek 15:20, 13 December 2017 (EST)

1984

Hello Christian, this book have a wrong ISBN, please take a look. Regards Henna 07:57, 16 December 2017 (EST)

Thanks, Henna! I guess this was a case of sloppy cloning. Christian Stonecreek 08:01, 16 December 2017 (EST)

Untitled Stories

Hello Christian! I've just noticed that you have added the titleless stories in this book Ich, der Robot by using the first sentence in brackets as a kind of title substitution. Have we already established standards for such cases in our policy? I would find it more smarter if it was handled in the same way as here Als es noch Menschen gab. What do you think of this? Rudolf Rudam 08:44, 18 December 2017 (EST)

Hello, Rudolf! Well, I've used the standard that was established for some untitled poems. The other way would be indeed the one you proposed, and I think it's at least equally good. So, if you like, go ahead and change the titles accordingly. Thanks for the idea, Christian Stonecreek 08:54, 18 December 2017 (EST)
Hello Christian! This present policy is indeed appropriate for untitled poems. For stories, it would be preferred to use the book title plus the chapter number in brackets. I will change it accordingly and will treat similar cases exactly the same in the future. Regards Rudolf! Rudam 11:42, 18 December 2017 (EST)
Yes, please! The more I think about it, the better I like it. Christian Stonecreek 11:47, 18 December 2017 (EST)

Page numbering of the early Perry Rhodan Paperbacks

Hi Christian, I have just arrived at #120 and (only) amended the notes in the sense that up until then the cover was not included into the page count. Cheers, John JLochhas 16:22, 18 December 2017 (EST)

Okay, thanks! Christian Stonecreek 23:57, 18 December 2017 (EST)

page count

Hello Christian, when I touch a veryfied publication of you, it's requested to change the page count to the new style? Regards Henna 07:23, 22 December 2017 (EST)

Yes, please! And there's no need to notify me of those changes. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 08:28, 22 December 2017 (EST)

Es stirbt in mir

Hello Christian, in the notes is written A note of thanks appears on p. 399, there is no p. 399 and also no acknowledgement. Please take a look. Regards Henna 13:46, 23 December 2017 (EST)

Thanks for the hint, don't know exactly how that crept in (though it's likely a paste-&-copy error). Christian Stonecreek 13:59, 23 December 2017 (EST)
Hello Christian, no need to an explanation, we are human and make errors. Marry Christmas Henna 15:36, 23 December 2017 (EST)
Merry Christmas to you too! Stonecreek 00:44, 25 December 2017 (EST)


Cover artist for Rückkehr der Sternenkinder

Hi Christian, the cover was done by Franz-Josef Bettag. The upper part of his signature is visible in my copy in the lower left corner. Cheers, John. JLochhas 05:12, 28 December 2017 (EST)

Great find! I have overlooked the signature. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 07:42, 28 December 2017 (EST)

Add-ons to Terra Astra

Hi Christian, I have amended the page count and the content for Der Verräter von Tarkus. Cheers, John JLochhas 05:48, 28 December 2017 (EST)

And here also a big thank you! Christian Stonecreek 07:42, 28 December 2017 (EST)
That's not worth mentioning...
One more: The cover for Roboter im Warnstreik is by Kanellakis. JLochhas 10:48, 28 December 2017 (EST)
And added the reviews included in Welt ohne Sterne. JLochhas 10:59, 28 December 2017 (EST)

Bios

Hello Christian, I removed the line A glossary for selected terms is on pp. 413-426 in the notes and added a better cover scan. Regards Henna 16:41, 28 December 2017 (EST)

Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 06:22, 29 December 2017 (EST)

Der Luftpirat und sein lenkbares Luftschiff

Project Gutenberg recently published six transcriptions of "Der Luftpirat und sein lenkbares Luftschiff" ( #1, #40, #42, #56, #63, #66). Based on the SFE3 entry, I have entered the original magazines & the Project Gutenberg chapbooks. Not speaking German, I'd appreciate it if you had time to double check the entries and whether are not there are any German language resources that could fill in the details (like the magazine dates). The magazine series can be found here and the short fiction series here. For the Project Gutenberg ebooks, while they index them as by Anonymous in their catalog, they don't show an author on the title page so I used 'uncredited' per our standards (also avoids having to variant the novelettes from Anonymous to uncredited). Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 12:10, 29 December 2017 (EST)

The first impression is that it looks good! There may be some additional information available in German non-fiction. I'll see what there is to find in the copies that I own. Christian Stonecreek 14:02, 29 December 2017 (EST)

http://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/User_talk:Stonecreek/Archive4

Publication Type for German digest series

Hello Christian! could you please look at this discussion Schiff des Satans Thanks Rudolf Rudam 15:52, 1 January 2018 (EST)

Why the Sea is Salt

I had in my note that this story was translated for Andrew Lang's Blue Fairy Book and was originally in Norway. Lang was the editor & not the author of the Fairy Books & noted this in his prefaces. I'm just correcting the record & will go back later to add that Mrs. Hunt translated it for Lang.Loviatar 03:45, 10 January 2018 (EST)

Hello, Loviatar! This may be the case, but Lang is not a variant name of the original author(s) and thus works attributed to him shouldn't be made into variants of supposed originals by distinct other authors. If it is in fact a translation, there has to be a different way: either the credit is for the original author(s), or Lang is credited in error, so the title's author entry for ISFDB should reflect that, for example by attributing Andrew Lang (I) or Andrew Lang (in error). For the same reason I removed the variant for his 'The Wonderful Sheep'. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 05:10, 10 January 2018 (EST)

Guten tag Stonestreet! I've been trying to get the authors/translators/editor stuff straightened out for Lang's fairy books with different results from different moderators. I'll just keep trying. I tried to correct Peter Asbjornsen's name to have it the same as wikipedia, it doesn't have am umlaut(?) over the O but a slash thru it. Maybe an umlaut is the German way? I have to keep switching languages on my tablet to do those kind of marks so it takes time. I just submitted a collection of his fairy tales & will try to get the original Norwegian titles-just hope they don't have too may slashed o's, umlauts or a's with the tiny circle above(I don't know the names for most accent marks). Btw-I saw Perry Rhodan mentioned on your talk page, is it still being published? I think if they made that a TV series they have material to run longer than Gunsmoke & Doctor Who together! Loviatar 08:20, 15 January 2018 (EST)

Hello, Loviatar! With this author (as with all others) it is the case that the directory entry should correspond to the surname of the canonical name (if it's a real person and not only a one-word-name). Your submission was rejected for that reason. To change the canonical name is not so easy, and should be handled with maximum care.
And, yes: Perry Rhodan is still being published, and nears now issue #3,000 (one more year to go). I have to admit that I'm not reading all of the issues cover-to-cover, only the ones containing fiction by certain authors (and I read all of the editorial stuff enclosed, like essays, letters & background information). Stonecreek 10:47, 15 January 2018 (EST)

Die Duellmaschine

Cover artist Tony Roberts found for this pub here. --Zapp 15:39, 13 January 2018 (EST)

Great find! Thanks! Christian Stonecreek 04:04, 14 January 2018 (EST)

Ischer

Hello Christian, I added the foreword, the afterword and the essay. The cover history is missing. Regards Henna 15:29, 24 January 2018 (EST)

Author initials

In a R&S discussion, Ahasuerus has explained what he thinks the current policy is about author intials without periods. Seems a bit different from what you told me. Do you have any comments? --Vasha 10:57, 28 January 2018 (EST)

No, I think there is not much of a difference. I sticked pretty much to the definition. Plus, that your habit of not informing primary verifiers about the change of author spellings has also caused some rejections. Christian Stonecreek 13:26, 28 January 2018 (EST)

Publication data

Hello Christian! Look at the info, I'v got here: Perry_Rhodan_Planetenromane Rudolf Rudam 16:36, 28 January 2018 (EST)

John F. Watt / Watts

Hi Christian, can you see if the author of Some Memories of Schooldays with Brian Aldiss is by "John F. Watts". or more likely the prolific writer John F. Watt. It's either a typo or a variant is required. Thanks for checking! PeteYoung 07:09, 7 February 2018 (EST)

I'd say it's not the prolific writer, as Watt is from Scotland, and the book includes also some private memories. But I'll take a thorough look this evening. Christian Stonecreek 08:45, 7 February 2018 (EST)
Hmm, the credit is for John F. Watts, and he is characterized only as 'Schoolfriend'. In his essay, he says that BWA is one year older, so his year of birth likely is 1926. So, by age, he could possibly the ominous author, but there is absolutely no other hint for that in the essay, and considering the different origins of Watt and Aldiss, I'd still say he is some other person. Christian Stonecreek 11:58, 7 February 2018 (EST)

Degrees of Separation

You rejected my edit for this pub because I put (Adventures in the Liaden Univere #27) in the title. Please note that that 4 other Sharon Lee & Steve Miller chapbooks are similarly labeled. These are the chapbooks that have single novellas as contents, so cannot be listed with the other collections under "Adventures in the Liaden Universe". Somehow, the novella in this chapbook got listed under "Adventures in the Liadan Universe" instead of under "Liaden Universe Short Fiction", an error. The addition to the title of the chapbook is to indicate that they are part of the series; they are labeled that way on the cover and title page of the pub. If you have some other way to handle this problem, I would like to know what it is. Thanks. Bob 10:06, 7 February 2018 (EST)

I'm afraid that there doesn't seem to be another way of handling this (and I'd take side with opening CHAPBOOKs for listings in title series; at one time I proposed to perhaps sort them under specially installed subseries). But with titles it is the case that we record them as stated on the title page. If they are in fact stated so on the title series, I'm sorry. Please do a re-submit. Christian Stonecreek 11:51, 7 February 2018 (EST)
I'm sorry but we do not enter the title series in the title even if it's on the title page. Just taking the topmost books on just one stack, I found this one that has Book Seven in The Wheel of Time on title page, or that one that has A Prefect Dreyfus Emergency on title page, or that one that has Prelude to Dune on title page, or to stay with numebred items, that one that has Perry Rhodan 19 on title page (note that we're talking about CHAPBOOKS, not MAGAZINES). I've corrected the lot and transferred the rank at the title note level. Hauck 03:18, 9 February 2018 (EST)
Thanks, Hervé! My initial feeling was the same. Christian Stonecreek 03:56, 9 February 2018 (EST)
No problem. To be honest our Help Page (the Subtitles part) is not very clear and is in fact seems contrary to our present usage (as I percieve it), which is not that original. I'm going to try to change the template (if I remember how to do this). Hauck 04:32, 9 February 2018 (EST)

Der Heimliche Rebell cover art

Spotted your request re this book.

Did a little Google searching amc came up with this ebay listing:

Dick

According to the blurb in the listing: DER HEIMLICHE REBELL [THE MAN WHO JAPED - in German] - Moewig, Munchen, 1981. Cover art by Utoprop. Included is a three-page afterword by Hans Joachim Alpers. Fine unread condition. As New.

Hope that helps --Mavmaramis 14:51, 8 February 2018 (EST)

Many, many thanks for the effort, but Utoprop is just an agency that was owned by Hans Joachim Alpers. At some time it was quite common in German publishing to state just the agency, not the actual artist. Christian Stonecreek 14:56, 8 February 2018 (EST)
Drat and double drat (as Dick Dastardly would say). I'm guessing you've tried the obvious route of contacting the agency/Mr. Alpers. The trouble with these unidentified cover artists is that someone MUST know - after all they sourced the art from somewhere, found out who the copyright holder was and paid them (or agent or whoever) a fee for it's use - the only thing is we (the people who buy the books) might never find out. --Mavmaramis 06:48, 9 February 2018 (EST)

Sgnale der Vollendung

Hello Christian, I buy an i :). Regards Henna 14:26, 9 February 2018 (EST)

Oops! Thanks for spending the money (and the time)! Christian Stonecreek 01:44, 10 February 2018 (EST)

Alexanders langes Leben, Stalins früher Tod — und andere abwegige Geschichten

Hello Christian, I changed some details in our verified publications. Please take a look. Regards Henna 14:45, 14 February 2018 (EST)

To Be or Not To Be

Go Out, Go In, Go As You Are (capitalization may be correct thruout)

Christian, You advocate "to" rather than "To" in this title Canceled/Rejected Title Update Submission but I think "To" is correct for this infinitive(?) (verb "To Be") rather than preposition(?) ("Go to the Door"). --Pwendt|talk 11:39, 21 February 2018 (EST)

Well, it's not me who advocates it. I think it's our standard practice for this word (except if it's in the beginning of a title, of course. Christian Stonecreek 12:18, 21 February 2018 (EST)
Hi Pwendt, it is indeed correct to put the "to" of infinitives in lowercase. Firstly (which is not relevant to ISFDB), this is standard in style guides such as Chicago Manual of Style; secondly, which IS relevant to ISFDB, it's on the list of lowercase words. --Vasha 02:56, 23 February 2018 (EST)

"Adventure and Suspense"

Hi -- The reason I would like to remove the excerpt from First on the Moon from this volume is the following note on First on the Moon: "Included in the ISFDB for the long factual and speculative essay by Arthur C. Clarke on the future of spaceflight and man's presence in space." Being as the Adventure and Suspense excerpt isn't from Clarke's essay, it doesn't belong, right?

Everything else I wanted to remove is non-genre ("House of Flying Objects" is supposedly-true paranormal phenomena, excluded per ROA) except that I have no idea what Jennifer Blatchley's "Alligators" is about. Now, usually when I add a mixed-genre anthology I am conservative and only index items I know are speculative. But if you would prefer to do it the other way around, and only not index items known to be not speculative, that would be OK. --Vasha 02:19, 23 February 2018 (EST)

Okay, sorry for that. On the occasion it occurred to me that we had the book on its own merits, and so we would have excerpts from it. Christian Stonecreek 03:22, 23 February 2018 (EST)

Départ pour l'avenir

Hello Christian, you changed the publication date of this PVed pub to 1980-02, why? (as there is indeed 1980-11-20 on the book). Thanks. Hauck 02:38, 23 February 2018 (EST)

Sorry for that Hervé: it seems I lost my senses due to overdue sleep. Christian Stonecreek 03:19, 23 February 2018 (EST)

Duplicate?

Hello Christian, can you have a look at this publication that shows on our cleanup report because of a duplicate title. Thanks. Hauck 04:44, 23 February 2018 (EST)

Shouldn't have shown up, since there were different authors involved, but I 'ignored' it. Christian Stonecreek 04:57, 23 February 2018 (EST)

Letters from Atlantis

Found the pub, reply to your question on my talk page. Sorry for the delay. Bob 12:06, 23 February 2018 (EST)

Zweiland

Hi Christian, I was just wondering why you changed the [url=http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?3725282]release date[/url] from 208-00-00 to 0000-00-00. The copyright in the book clearly states that it cannot have been released before 2008. Further, the current edition printed by BoD (not Lulu.com as the edition in question) was release on 2008-12-22 - so the Lulu.com-edition must have been released somewhere in 2008. Also, you changed the release date of the cover image to 2008-12-22 which cannot be true since this is the release date of the current BoD-edition. The Lulu.com-edition clearly existed since at least 2006 with the same cover. Anyway, thanks for caring! Naut 02:15, 28 February 2018 (EST)

Hello, the first thing I wanted to do in my second session for today was to inform you about this change.
It seems to me that the BoD edition was the first, since it's the one stated at DNB (and it's right now not available with amazon): it was published in 2008 which goes with the copyright statement.
In addition, the publication that you verified is a stated fourth printing, and was published with a high likelihood later than 2008. It's quite common to stay with the initial statement of copyright. If we don't know about the year of publication of a printing we set the date to 'unknown' (0000-00-00).
The cover image was dated to 2008 with your submission, what's your source for an earlier (first) publication?
Thanks for your work and for asking. Christian Stonecreek 04:32, 28 February 2018 (EST)
Ah, I see. That might be an explanation. Now that you mention it, it may well be that the BoD edition was earlier. I think I will better ask Uwe for clarification. Naut 05:41, 28 February 2018 (EST)
Okay, I now have a statement from the author. The publication history of the book is rather convoluted, but I'll try to make it short:
  • The first edition was at Lulu.com in 2006-12-00
  • The 4th printing was at Lulu.com in 2008-02-00
  • It was the first edition with the brown "cup of tea" cover image
  • The BoD-edition is dated on 2008-12-22, the first one with ISBN 978-3-8370-6796-5
  • The current edition has a different title: "Untot, Intrige und viel Tee", it is dated 2015-01-00 and appeared at Bookrix, ISBN 978-3-7368-7227-1

Quite simple ;) Naut 07:32, 28 February 2018 (EST)

Thank you for the investigation! I have updated pub.s and titles accordingly. Christian Stonecreek 08:50, 28 February 2018 (EST)
Well done, thank you, too! Sometimes it's good if one can ask a primary source. Naut 08:52, 28 February 2018 (EST)

"Lo desconocido"

What did you mean by saying that varianting "Lo disconocido" (by Elizabeth Berkeley and Lewis Theobald, Jr.) to "The Unknown" by H. P. Lovecraft "doesn't fit"? I quote from The Lovecraft Encyclopedia: "That issue [of Conservative] contained 'The Unknown,' as by 'Elizabeth Berkeley'; the poem is actually by HPL. He later stated that this poem and another ("The Peace Advocate," Tryout, July 1917) had appeared under [Winifred Virginia] Jackson's pseudonym 'in an effort to mystify the [amateur] public by having widely dissimilar work from the same nominal hand.'" The Lovecraft Encyclopedia states that Lovecraft and Jackson published two co-written stories, "The Crawling Chaos" and "The Green Meadow", both published as by "Elizabeth Berkeley and Lewis Theobald, Jr.," which is probably why the Spanish magazine chose to use this dual pseudonym for the poem. I have added notes to the record and resubmitted the variant relationship. --Vasha 00:40, 9 March 2018 (EST)

That's what notes to moderators are made for, so please use them. Stonecreek 03:52, 9 March 2018 (EST)


Resurrected: Publication dates for Perry Rhodan and Terra

Hi Christian, before I go into any changes I wanted to run this by you. The background is that I am still looking for evidence that the "additional" Rhodan digest was published in the 1960s and not in 1972. I have had no luck so far, I must admit, but it has got me relooking at my early captures of the Terra and Terra Extra series.
Basically, the one-week gap that I put between #300 & #301 is in reality between #264 & 265. Back cover adds and a better understanding of Moewig's wording of advertisements / announcements makes this clear. The upside is that Terra Extra is also more regular and sticks to its fortnightly schedule.
So at least up until Perry Rhodan #121 which is the last number copyrighted 1963 all appears to be clean, only with some of the Terra dates to be readjusted by one week. As my search progresses I'll be successively adding material here. Cheers, John. JLochhas 11:52, 14 March 2018 (EDT)

Thanks for the update, John. As for the Perry Rhodan dates: I don't know if you know about this item. The argumentation there as well as other facts very strongly suggest the month of publication for the "additional" Rhodan issue in the time span of at most three months (May - July 1972), with June of that year the most likely. Christian Stonecreek 14:47, 14 March 2018 (EDT)
Yes, I am aware of that thread and the thinking behind it - after all, as Zapp wrote, I pointed him in that direction... And then: PRTB #1 (and PR #158) were supposed to be published "Anfang September". 11 September isn't really "early September" as opposed to 4 September. Let's see whether I can find any conclusive evidence. John JLochhas 14:57, 14 March 2018 (EDT)
As for the paperbacks: Well, September 11th, definitely isn't the end of that month. We have hard evidence for later publications in that series that allow backwards calculation leading to that date. Christian Stonecreek 15:00, 14 March 2018 (EDT)
I'd be interested in the above mentioned hard evidence. JLochhas 11:53, 18 March 2018 (EDT)
Please take a look into the note for #1 ("Planet der Mock") and some of the later publications in the series.
Addendum: Nowhere was "early September" mentioned (which would in fact suggest the first week), it's the beginning ('Anfang') of that month that was stated, and that might as well mean the first half. Stonecreek 03:59, 19 March 2018 (EDT)
Thanks for your recent edits of the magazine: I have added some contents to your recent verified issues. Christian Stonecreek 00:31, 15 March 2018 (EDT)
Thank you. JLochhas 11:53, 18 March 2018 (EDT)

Am Kreuzweg der Welten

Hi Christian, I have submitted an author change for this novel as well as its Terra Extra reprint. Dick isn't the author and adding him as a pseudonym doesn't make any sense so I've taken the standard "(in error)" postfix. JLochhas 11:55, 18 March 2018 (EDT)

Just chiming in but I'm sorry to say that the "(in error)" postfix is in NO way our standard. There are only three such names all entered by John (IIRC) and they concern a mere dozen of titles. Our real standard is 1) to enter the name as on the book, 2) add data in the notes, 3) not to make as pseudonymistic link and 4) ignore the resulting alert in our cleanup reports, as is done here for example. Hauck 12:08, 18 March 2018 (EDT)
Our standard is to catalogue pseudonyms used by the authors. Philip K. Dick never was used by Norton, so it's a different author than 'our' PKD (introduced through the error of the publisher). We do differentiate same-named authors by entering a suffix. Christian Stonecreek 15:08, 18 March 2018 (EDT)
No, this suffix thing is just a recently invented idea. Our actual solution works perfectly. In the case of Scheer, works that are wrongly credited to him do not appear on his summary page, they appear correctly on the "real" author's page with the mention "[as by K.-H. Scheer]" which is bibliographically correct and there is no misleading pseudonymistic link between them. This whole (in error) business is stricly marginal and should be stopped. Hauck 15:16, 18 March 2018 (EDT)

Zeitkorrektur unmöglich

Hello Christian, you may be interested in this submission that I've put on hold and want to decide to make a variant or not. Hauck 03:41, 22 March 2018 (EDT)

Thanks for the info, Hervé! It's okay with me to accept the submission and variant it to the original. Christian Stonecreek 05:16, 22 March 2018 (EDT)

Illustrations in PR 175

Hi Christian, would you mind checking your copy of PR 175: My copy has no interior art on p. 33 making it a total of six illustrations and not seven. Thanks. JLochhas 05:15, 24 March 2018 (EDT)

You are right, John. Thanks for double-checking. I have changed the entry. Chtistian Stonecreek 00:44, 3 April 2018 (EDT)

Review of Prestige: die Meister der Magie

Hi, I'd need some advice before causing even more confusion... I added this pub without having noticed that it is already available on ISFDB. Because it seemed to be the easy way I deleted the older (not verified) pub record. Then I wanted to delete the related title record. But this title record is assigned to this review. How to change the review assignment to the new title record? Furthermore, when the review title is different from the book title? Can you help? I am sorry for any inconveniences! Boskar 07:39, 25 March 2018 (EDT)

Somebody seems to have taken care of the issue. All seems to be in order now. Christian Stonecreek 00:47, 3 April 2018 (EDT)

Software enhancements for German "Taschenbuch" and "Paperback"

Hi Christian, the software is about to get its own publication format entries for German "Taschenbuch" and "Paperback". We still have to devise the best possible name for them. See Rules_and_standards_discussions#Format_pb_vs._tp__-_interim_solution_for_German_publications for the discussion. Jens Hitspacebar 11:35, 25 March 2018 (EDT)

Rituale der Unendlichkeit

Hi Christian,

This novel had been missing a parent since you verified it so I decided to reunite it with its English record :) Annie 18:40, 9 April 2018 (EDT)

Thanks very much, Annie! Somehow I forgot on that one. Christian Stonecreek 23:35, 9 April 2018 (EDT)

Punctuation change to a Kafka story title

I have a copy of Kafka's Erzählungen und kleine Prosa and in it, the story "Die erste lange Eisenbahnfahrt (Prag-Zürich)" is printed with an em dash (Prag—Zürich). If this punctuation is correct in your two editions [11] [12] please change the record; otherwise, I'll create a variant title. Thanks in advance. (Also, should the introductory essays for "Richard and Samuel" (this and [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1846397 this) be marked nongenre like the story is?) --Vasha 17:08, 13 April 2018 (EDT)

No, please create a variant. I'll change the title types. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 00:21, 14 April 2018 (EDT)

Price format

I think you have one space too many in the price of Das Unsterblichkeitsprogramm :). Would you like a notification for this kind of things (price missing/having too many spaces) or should I just go ahead and fix it (and it will popup on on your changed Primary verifications with the note explaining what was changed)? Annie 17:25, 13 April 2018 (EDT)

That's from a time long, long ago (like two or three years) when price formats were not commonly solved, and there will be more of that: so, yes, please, just go ahead and correct them! Christian Stonecreek 00:19, 14 April 2018 (EDT)

Publication date 'Osten Ard (map)'

You changed the title publication date of the map which itself says "Tad Williams '87" to pub date of the dutch translation. I'm a bit confused. Can you clarify the rule applied here? MagicUnk 16:04, 23 April 2018 (EDT)

Well, since maps - unlike most other art - do involve a part of translation (ususally the names of places etc), the rule of handling them as such seems meaningful. I hope that answers your question. Stonecreek 23:31, 23 April 2018 (EDT)
Aha! Makes sense. Thank you. MagicUnk 01:14, 24 April 2018 (EDT)

Unmerge/remerge interiorart title by accident?

Hello, I requested an unmerge of this INTERIORART title, as I want to change the map title in my pub record to the actual map title from the book, which is Zuid Aldheorte. It looks like you've approved the unmerge, but then merged both again before I could make the change. Was this an oversight on your part, or did I miss something else? MagicUnk 11:04, 24 April 2018 (EDT)

Sorry if a thing like that happened (though I can't exactly remember the first edit). I'll unmerge the title again. Stonecreek 12:12, 24 April 2018 (EDT)
But taking a sharper look, the other publication is not PVed. It seems most likely that they share the same titles. Maybe it'd be better to change the title in one step? Stonecreek 12:15, 24 April 2018 (EDT)
Actually, no. If you compare both pubs, you'll notice the first one has the map on page 6, whereas the one verified by me has the map with same name on page 32, so in reality two different maps altogether which accidentally got the same name. Better option I think would be to also update the first pub to be in line with the copy I'm having - that is, Osten Ard (map) on page 6, and Zuid Aldheorte (map) on page 32. Only thing is, don't know how to do that other than first unmerge titles, then do the proposed changes. Whaddyasay? MagicUnk 14:24, 24 April 2018 (EDT)
Taking an even more sharp look, both publications seem to be the same. I recommend to delete the one superfluous (your turn) and adapt accordingly. One question remains: that the pages are not numbered doesn't mean they are not part of the overall page count; only extra pages like colour plates or ones that are appended at the end should be denominated with '[]'. Stonecreek 14:55, 24 April 2018 (EDT)
My preference is to keep both pub records, the first one is then to serve as the first printing-a note could be added to clarify. And in this particular case it can be inferred from my copy that there have been actually at least three printings in the same year (1994), so eventually we will (may) end up with three records.
Concerning the correct usage of '[]', you're right. I started using these as an indication that the page number is, in fact, not actually printed. This is not what square brackets are intended for, so I'll go back over my earlier edits and remove them where incorrectly used. Notwithstanding I think the idea is neat and could be officialized perhaps? MagicUnk 16:10, 24 April 2018 (EDT)
If the first one is a different printing, it's still most likely that they are identical in the editorial content, including art pieces. I changed the pages accordingly and also set the date to 'unknown' for the third printing ('© 1994' doesn't in no way mean that this was published in 1994, only that the copyright for the translation was established in that year). Stonecreek 23:24, 24 April 2018 (EDT)
thank you for the help and discussion MagicUnk 01:56, 25 April 2018 (EDT)

Die verbotene Turm

Cover artist of this is Oliviero Berni, he's credited on p33 of Great Masters of Fantasy Art. Horzel 09:27, 28 April 2018 (EDT)

Great find! Thank you very much! Stonecreek 16:04, 28 April 2018 (EDT)

Die Truppenaushebung (Kafka)

Hi -- since you've verified a lot of collections of Kafka stories, perhaps you know the answer to this. What's the reason that Die Truppenaushebung is in the series "Beim Bau der chinesischen Mauer"? The various fragments of "Beim Bau ..." date from 1917, "Die Truppenaushebung" from 1920, and I can't (from web searching) find a reason for supposing that the author grouped them together. Wikipedia says "[Die Truppenaushebung] ist in Zusammenhang mit den Stücken Eine kaiserliche Botschaft, Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer und Die Abweisung zu sehen" (no source of authority given), which only means that they are thematically related. Thoughts? --Vasha 20:25, 4 May 2018 (EDT)

The Wikipedia statement has to stem from the critical edition supervised by Malcolm Pasley. I'd have to do a lot of searching to find the exact statement again, but it is supposed by the editors to take place in the same 'universe'. Stonecreek 00:09, 5 May 2018 (EDT)
OK, thanks, that makes sense. --Vasha 12:45, 5 May 2018 (EDT)

Drei / drei

Hello Christian! I've just verified Simulacron-Drei. Both DNB and Worldcat denote this book as Simulacron - drei. I'll change the title to this proposal. Objections? Rudolf Rudam 05:36, 7 May 2018 (EDT)

author name correcion

Please correct Carlos Daniel Joaquin Vazquez to Carlos Daniel Joaquín Vázquez... Thanks --Vasha 00:47, 8 May 2018 (EDT)

Done. Christian Stonecreek 03:47, 8 May 2018 (EDT)
Actually, there should be an accent over the I in Joaquín also. Those are so hard to see! --Vasha 10:20, 8 May 2018 (EDT)
Oh, yes! I just missed it. I'll correct it. Stonecreek 10:25, 8 May 2018 (EDT)

Fernando Angel Moreno should be Fernando Ángel Moreno. (And I added a note to his English-language publication asking verifiers to check how the name is printed there). Thanks. --Vasha 23:16, 8 May 2018 (EDT)

Also changed. Stonecreek 23:43, 8 May 2018 (EDT)

O lado real do abstrato

Hello Stonecreek! The title and synopsis from "O Lado Real do Abstrato" exist only in Portuguese (Brazil) and is published standalone. ErickSoares3 05:28 (BRT)

It should be translated into English (but it is not mandatory to have one). We are an English based database, that's our overall language that we need to communicate. Stonecreek 23:38, 8 May 2018 (EDT)

2001: Uma Odisseia no Espaço

This another publication from the Clarke's book is the 1993 release. The new version that you put in hold is the 2013 release and it have (beyond the original history) some new content and two short fictions. It is in a physical format and the novel is translated by Fábio Fernandes. The short stories are translated by Carlos Angelo.

About the covers: if you accept the submissions, I can try to contact both publishers and ask to they give to ISFDB permission to use the covers. Thanks Erick ErickSoares3 05:28 (BRT)

Thanks for the information. However, you also mentioned a SERIAL, what's that about? Also, we don't credit texts to the publisher or other non-persons. In these cases it should be uncredited (or not indexed at all). Stonecreek 23:41, 8 May 2018 (EDT)
I also take it that "Encontro no Alvorecer" is the translation of "Encounter in the Dawn"? Stonecreek 10:25, 9 May 2018 (EDT)
The "serial" is the parts (Part 1, 2 and 3). I thought that was best submit in this way than send every single chapter. If the rest is necessary to remove, ok! I only inserted it to isfdb have all the data. (ErickSoares3 10:51, 10 May 2018 (EDT))
Yes! The short histories in the book are: "The Sentinel" and "Encounter in the Dawn". Both translated by Carlos Angelo. (ErickSoares3 10:51, 10 May 2018 (EDT))

Perry Rhodan #365: Das strahlende Netz

Hi Christian, please have a look at the "Leserkontaktseite" in this magazine: It mentions that the radio station "Deutschlandfunk" would be broadcasting an interview with Hans Kneifel on Saturday, 24 August, and that the editor of this section was happy to be able to make this information available just in time. As per the current schedule, PR #365 made it to the stores on 30 August... JLochhas 02:26, 12 May 2018 (EDT)

Yeah, it seems they missed on this point for that issue. Stonecreek 08:40, 13 May 2018 (EDT)

Gänsehaut series

Hi, I've got a question. Since the German pubs of the Gänsehaut series are variant to English originals, I put the information "Volume 5 of the Gänsehaut series" onto the title notes as You approved here. That was after Dirk P Broer rejected the same submission there and wrote "The note field is not the right place for series information". I found it not earlier as today. Now I wonder, what is the correct field to put the information? Would the Pub Series and # field fit better? --Zapp 15:48, 17 May 2018 (EDT)

Hi, and no! The best place would be the notes field of the German title. Christian Stonecreek 15:53, 17 May 2018 (EDT)
I thought the same. Thank You. --Zapp 16:21, 17 May 2018 (EDT)

Die Achtzig-Minuten-Stunde

Cover artist of this is George Alvara, see Time Untamed. Three Lions is just an agency. Horzel 18:12, 25 May 2018 (EDT)

Many thanks for that! Stonecreek 23:14, 27 May 2018 (EDT)

Review of Qual

Hi, same issue like here. This time I added this pub and removed the pub with author name "Stephen King" where a review has been assigned to (didn't noticed that). I tried several things ending up in having 2 title records now: this one (OK) and this one (not OK) the latter still having the review assigned. How to get rid of this second title record without harming the review assigned to the Pandora magazine? Sorry, it seems I am not able to handle this without causing confusion! Thank you very much! Boskar 06:39, 26 May 2018 (EDT)

Hi. As there was no publication doublette involved, it was possible to just merge the two titles by Richard Bachman (I just did that). The system did the assignment of the review for us. Christian Stonecreek 23:22, 27 May 2018 (EDT)
Thank you very much! Boskar 02:45, 31 May 2018 (EDT)

Der Staubozean

Hello Christian, I changed the title date to the pub date. Is it correct? Regards Henna 08:22, 30 May 2018 (EDT)

Alas, no! The tranlation doesn't seem to be revised from its first publication.
Hello Christian, I understand, thank you for your explanation. The title date should be 1980-09-00? Thanks Henna 14:57, 7 June 2018 (EDT)
You are obviously right, I mixed up with the preceding line of the 1980-01-00 English publication. Stonecreek 15:54, 10 June 2018 (EDT)
Thanks Henna 16:55, 10 June 2018 (EDT)

I'm confused, you write in the notes this is the first German edition but this is a reprint of the Droemer Knaur edition in 1980. Please take a look. Thanks Henna 08:32, 30 May 2018 (EDT)

Should have read as 'First German edition under this title' or somethin similar, I'll correct it. Thanks for finding this! Stonecreek 11:27, 4 June 2018 (EDT)
It is clearer now. Thanks again Henna 14:57, 7 June 2018 (EDT)

Wandelsterne

Hello Christian, according this DNB entry (toc) the novelette Wandelsterne is not part of this collection. Thanks Henna 07:20, 4 June 2018 (EDT)

Well, who would have thought of that? It seems you're right. Stonecreek 11:25, 4 June 2018 (EDT)
Hello Christian, yes it is curious, maybe they renamed a story from the collection. Regards Henna 15:01, 7 June 2018 (EDT)

author suffixes

A few days ago (see here) you rejected a change standardizing the suffix Jr. I have asked about it on Rules & Standards. The discussion is here & so far standardization is supported. --Vasha 17:00, 5 June 2018 (EDT)

Yes, but I understand that this is an English / American regulation that doesn't necessarily apply for other language authors (though this is not made clear in the help). So it seems that James Tiptree jr. (as published with many titles) is regularized because we want to avoid unnecessary pseudonyms, but other authors should not be, especially when there's no English involved. Christian Stonecreek 03:05, 6 June 2018 (EDT)
I am copying this comment to R&S. --Vasha 12:22, 6 June 2018 (EDT)

Author correction

Please correct Oscar Sanmartín Vargas to "Óscar Sanmartín Vargas." Thanks! --Vasha 00:15, 8 June 2018 (EDT)

Der verliebte Roboter

Hello Christian, maybe this is the same story like this: Der indiskrete Roboter

Der Altlotse war auf der Suche nach Fredy gewesen. Als er in die Station trat, sah ihn Sara, die den Routinedienst besorgte, fragend an.

Gustav hob die Schultern. »Nichts zu machen, wie vom Erdboden verschwunden!«

»Da kommt Boris«, sagte Sara, »vielleicht hat er Fredy gesehen.« …

Alas, it's not. This is one of the hoaxes told in the novel "Vom Himmel hoch" (1974). Stonecreek 23:28, 10 June 2018 (EDT)
Thanks, I changed the pub type of "Vom Himmel hoch" from novel to collection. Thanks again Henna 08:20, 11 June 2018 (EDT)

Please take a look to the topic Staubozeane. Thanks Henna 15:35, 10 June 2018 (EDT)

Covers of ebooks

Hi, I've got a question about covers of ebooks. Sometimes there is a cover shown by Amazon which is to see by "Look inside", too. But sometimes there is another one (mostly without artwork) inside than on the Amazon platform. For example here. Which one should be the right one to supply ISFDB? I guess the inside one because the other one is only for advertising. --Zapp 13:29, 11 June 2018 (EDT)

No, if there's a cover for an ebook it is the one displayed at first glance (but it's not always ensured that it actually exists for an ebook, it may be used only to have something to show). Amazon most often uses only one interior scan and connects it to the various available formats (hc, tp, pb, ebook), at least that's what I found. I hope that this may help, Christian Stonecreek 14:01, 11 June 2018 (EDT)
So I'll use the URL that's to see outside. Thank's! --Zapp 14:28, 11 June 2018 (EDT)

Prolog

Hello Christian, is this story or introduction the same as in Der astronomische Dieb Prolog?

Als Fränki, damals noch keine fünf Jahre alt, einen Hampelmann geschenkt bekam, hing er ihn mit der Hinterseite nach vorn auf, denn er wollte sehen, auf welche Weise Arme und Beine bewegt wurden, wenn man an der Schnur zog.

Thanks for looking it up Henna 16:44, 12 June 2018 (EDT)

It's the same. I'll merge them. Christian Stonecreek 08:23, 13 June 2018 (EDT)
Thanks Henna 09:25, 13 June 2018 (EDT)

Marion Zimmer Bradley / Die blutige Sonne

Hi Christian, I have just compared Terra Nova 171 with Pabel TB 238 and they are significantly different translations. I'll be unmerging them... Best, John. JLochhas 00:41, 18 June 2018 (EDT)

Fine! Christian Stonecreek 03:52, 18 June 2018 (EDT)

Christoph Meckel

Do you think one of the German editors would like to take on the project of finding the original publication data for Christoph Meckel's English translations? You probably don't have time yourself, but if you can suggest who else might be interested and available, I'd be glad to hear it. --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 09:18, 25 June 2018 (EDT)

Sorry, but I have no proposal and right now don't have the time. Looking at his German wikipedia site I also get the feeling that some of the titles may very well be nongenre and/or non-shortfiction, as he wrote many poems and essays (which may be counted as 'prose'). Stonecreek 13:09, 25 June 2018 (EDT)
Here is the title in the Aufbau edition is the toc. Maybe it helps. Henna 14:03, 26 June 2018 (EDT)

Neunzig Milliarden Kilometer von der Sonne entfernt

Hello Christian, in the sources of Galaxisspatzen the translator is Reinhard Fischer. Please take a look.

Der Gigantomat was first published in Das Molekular-Café in 1969 translated by Johannes Jankowiak, the kap edition is translated by Christa Jankowiak and the Wurdack edition is translated by both Jankowiaks. Can you help me to clear this chaos? Many thanks! Henna 13:59, 26 June 2018 (EDT)

I have tweaked (and merged) the title records in question. Thanks for pointing those out! Christian Stonecreek 14:23, 26 June 2018 (EDT)
Hello Christian, thanks looks good but the kap edition was published in 1971. Thanks again Henna 14:35, 26 June 2018 (EDT)

Die Kuppel der Hoffnung

Hello Christian,

The first edition of the novel in Russian had been published with a 1 page preface by the author. I will be willing to add the book to the DB to provide a parent for the essay here but would you mind reading that preface in the German edition to see if it is not specifically written for the German market or it is indeed the same Russian essay? Thanks! Annie 19:24, 26 June 2018 (EDT)

It's the same! Thanks for willing to add the original, Annie. Christian
Not a problem at all - it is much easier to enter these if one can read the language so I am always ready to help. I even found the original for the interior art (see here for the scans from the Russian edition if you want to compare but Makarov has a single set of illustrations for this novel. I'll break the connection if they are different of course... :) The first book edition is added, I will add the serialization and the later editions tomorrow or later today. Annie 00:47, 27 June 2018 (EDT)

Perry Rhodan Planetenromane

Hi Christian, I will need to unmerge the second edition of Planet der Dschungelbestien as the titlepage does have the author's misprinted name "J. J. Frey". And... I think that we should be fully aligning the first edition with the magazine series. Wanting to say: the "extra week" in June 1972 should also apply to the paperbacks. Then #103 would have appeard on 30 June 1972 and the corresponding changes nicely line up into the 1980s. - I'm holding back any amendments, waiting for your feedback. John. JLochhas 06:27, 15 July 2018 (EDT)

Hi, John, I seem to remember that the notes and the title page indication for the author were correct. I'll do a look-up after the holidays. You may proceed with the dating, though. Stonecreek 10:39, 5 August 2018 (EDT)
Hi Christian, I am going through the second edition of the paperbacks, starting at #96/97 that both from August 1977. It all works nicely down to nos 35/36, both located in December 1972. What doesn't compute are the lower numbers: #1 although announced in Perry Rhodan #452 has the same date as Perry Rhodan #446. However, a start of the reprints on the same day as the publication of PR #452 perfectly fits into the later schedule. To add to the foggyness... on p. 159/60 #1 lists the PR paperbacks up to #75 - and in #2 it is up to #74. So far, Pabel and Moewig have been very consistent in applying theit publication schedules making a gap of six weeks somewhere between #1 and #35 very unlikely. JLochhas 04:49, 12 August 2018 (EDT)
Well, based on that evidence, it seems better to apply the ongoing four-weekly schedule, slotting in with #452 of PR 1 Auflage. Christian Stonecreek 17:23, 16 August 2018 (EDT)

Die Götter von Pegana

Hello Christian, I wonder if this short story isn't the same like this short fiction by Lord Dunsany. In the introduction to the short story is mentioned that it is taken from this pub. According to the notes in the last pub "The Pegana stories between pages 219 and 238 are listed in the table of contents as one long story, 'The Gods of Pegana', but have individual titles in the text. The list of "Sources" on page 259 explains that this is a selection of stories from the 1905 collection The Gods of Pegana". In the 2005 pub there is no single short story named "The Gods of Pegana". It starts with a 'preface' and an 'introduction' then continues with the story 'The Gods of Pegana'. See also the table of content here but see the notes to preface and the download version. I think the short story in the beginning should be completed with 'preface' and 'introduction'. Hubert Peregrin 07:41, 29 July 2018 (EDT)

It does seem that 'The Gods of Pegana' and 'Preface (The Gods of Pegana)' may very well be variants of each other, so that the varinating should be done on the English level. Stonecreek 10:37, 5 August 2018 (EDT)

Letters

Should this, this, & this be essays instead of shortfiction? If not, it would be good to add a title note to avoid future confusion. -- JLaTondre (talk) 18:42, 29 August 2018 (EDT)

No, those should have been entered as essays, thanks for pointing them out! Christian Stonecreek 23:39, 29 August 2018 (EDT)

Interpretation of DNB record

Christian, This concerns a novel now dated 1927, which we have in 1930/31 English-language translations only. Here is the 1st edition record at DNB: 580681955. I understand 1928 publication, winner of a 1927 prize for presumably manuscript or unpublished work. Right?

The prize is not covered at DE.wikipedia. Does its name imply a youth/children's story or a young storyteller? --Pwendt|talk 17:01, 31 August 2018 (EDT)

You are right in the mentioned aspects: the novel is a winner of a 1927 competition for juvenile literature ('Jugendpreis'), first published in 1928. There is a price mentioned at DNB (b 4.90), but I don't know what to make of the 'b.'. Hope that helps. Christian Stonecreek 05:27, 1 September 2018 (EDT)

Hi Stonecreek. In response to the Weirdbook #39 pub date, there is not indication in the physical book regarding a specific date. However, weirdbook's website lists it as the May 2018 issue. Cheers

That would be great if you could change the date for Weirdbook #39 for me. Much appreciated. Eidolon74 09:53, 4 September 2018 (EDT)

Ullstein Science-Fiction-Stories

Hi, my re-numbering of the somewhat artificially created Science-Fiction-Stories original anthologies series was caused by having two #30's When I made the highest of those #31 and thought to be able to merge it with the existing #31 it appeared to be that one was #66 and the other #68. Unfortunately my quest to bring the complete publisher series together was twarthed by the "missing numbers" being varianted to existing anthologies. From the publisher's view -and the original numbering- the series was never meant to be Science-Fiction-Stories original anthologies, but our software can't handle the reality it seems..--Dirk P Broer 07:25, 6 September 2018 (EDT)

Hmm, I now think it would be better to drop the numbering for good, as the volumes were published chronologically in the first place (only that for some of them the month of publication still has to be determined) and many people are set off by the sheer oddity. What do you (and others) think? Stonecreek 08:29, 6 September 2018 (EDT)
The numbering is already in the title, and the complete Ullstein series can not be combined in one series anyway.--Dirk P Broer 09:34, 6 September 2018 (EDT)
I already have begun to drop the numbering. I'll proceed and leave some notes along the way. The series was started by an editor who thought that all the volumes would finally belong to it (and it seems too tempting for others to avoid). Thanks, Dirk! Christian Stonecreek 09:56, 6 September 2018 (EDT)

Translator of Gheorghe Săsărman's works in Nova #24

Hi Christian, the last paragraph of the editorial in Nova #25 contains information about the translator of Gheorghe Săsărman's works in Nova #24, which the editors had forgotten to credit there. I added the translator to all the titles and also added a note about what happened to your PV'd Nova #24 pub record. Jens Hitspacebar 18:37, 15 September 2018 (EDT)

Many thanks for that, Jens! Stonecreek 13:58, 16 September 2018 (EDT)

Recetario para combustiones espontáneas

Hi, Christian. Sorry for not having stated the format for this book, but it's not yet published so I coudln't say. It's definitely not hardcover, and the publisher in their page states it is "Rústica", which means paperback but I can't be sure if it will be mass market or trade. Judging by its size, I'd say is mass market, so if I had to pick one right now that's what I'd say. Thanks for your assistance. Jcteso 10:22, 16 September 2018 (EDT)

Okay, thanks. I'll approve of the submission and add the likely format. Stonecreek 13:52, 16 September 2018 (EDT)

Voices

Voices - Please double check the author on the title page. I suspect it's Ursula Le Guin, not Ursula K. Le Guin. --Marc Kupper 03:33, 11 October 2018 (EDT)

Thanks for spotting that error, I'll correct it. Christian Stonecreek 08:55, 11 October 2018 (EDT)

Canonical Name for Sebastian Boada

Hi Christian, you are one of the few verifiers of a book with a Boada cover... As I have a stack of publications with a simple "Boada" credit I am intending to shorten the canonical name to "Boada". Cheers, John. JLochhas 04:26, 14 October 2018 (EDT)

Weltuntergänge en gros

Hello Christian, are you sure this is the right title? The DNB, kurd-lasswitz-preis and Amazon have the title Ablaufdatum 31.12.2000. Thanks for looking it up Henna 03:23, 15 October 2018 (EDT)

Well, this is one part of a short series of two anthologies, one titled Weltuntergänge en gros, the other Weltuntergänge en detail. Hope that clears things. DNB quite often mixes up series & publication titles, especially with anthologies and digest publications. Christian Stonecreek 17:27, 26 October 2018 (EDT)

Lightship

Replaced Amazon cover of this with one scanned from my own copy --Mavmaramis 10:18, 28 October 2018 (EDT)

Many thanks! Stonecreek 11:26, 28 October 2018 (EDT)

Die Abtrünnigen von Kregen

The image for Die Abtrünnigen von Kregen is missing as you deleted the image earlier this year based on it being a "Duplicated file". I'm not seeing a duplicate image anywhere though. It looks like this is the only version of this pub & image. I know it's long shot since it was February, but do you recall this one? Otherwise, I'll just restore the image. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 18:51, 29 October 2018 (EDT)

The image that was deleted was in fact the one of a later printing / edition (I don't know exactly which one, but likely after 1985), the cover design doesn't fit with other Heyne pub.s of 1979. That's one of the hazards Amazon or other unreliable sorces offer. Why I had chosen "Duplicated file" I don't remember, sorry! Stonecreek 00:21, 30 October 2018 (EDT)
I found and added an image that fits with 1979. Stonecreek 00:25, 30 October 2018 (EDT)

Kurt E, Seelmann

Would you please take a look at Kurt E, Seelmann? All three essays by this alternate name are in your verified pubs. Is the comma (vs. period) a database typo? If not, I'll add a note to the author record to avoid future confusion. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 19:04, 31 October 2018 (EDT)

It was a typo, now corrected. Thanks! Stonecreek 03:05, 1 November 2018 (EDT)

Slava

Hi, can you check notes of 691023? Doesn't seem to be French. Copy error perhaps? MagicUnk 02:11, 6 November 2018 (EST)

Of course you're right. It really pays to have ones eyes wide open (which I hadn't). Stonecreek 03:03, 6 November 2018 (EST)

Christoph Ehbers

Hello Christian, I think the name of the cover artist is Christoph Ehbets. Can you help me to verify and correct the name? Thanks Henna 06:19, 7 November 2018 (EST)

It seems you are right, at least for Atomvulkan Golkonda: what I had read as an 'r' seems really to be a somewhat crooked 't'. You do think the same (or something similar) holds for Der Südpol schmilzt? Stonecreek 10:09, 7 November 2018 (EST)
In Der Südpol schmilzt his name has an very low 't', a little bit higher than the letters beside. So we should change his name. Thanks for checking Henna 10:24, 7 November 2018 (EST)
Done. Many thanks for finding additional & correct information on this interesting artist! Stonecreek 10:33, 7 November 2018 (EST)

Rejected translations

Hi, can you explain why you rejected Dutch translations of this, this, and this pub? Is it because they might have been collections iso Chapbooks? If so, it might have been easier/better to accept, and then update to the proper type, I'd think? Thanks! MagicUnk 10:04, 11 November 2018 (EST)

Sorry, but it is definitely not easier to accept and then to follow through the adaptations / corrections. It is way to often that we end up with some loose ends. Stonecreek 10:10, 11 November 2018 (EST)
Do you want me to add them again? I guess COLLECTION is then the way to go, as it is a retelling by Mary Hoffman ? - so not an ANTHOLOGY. And don't worry about loose ends. I tend to check and re-check to ensure everything's in order... MagicUnk 10:27, 11 November 2018 (EST)
Well, it's up to you if you'd like to add them! It seems even a far possibility that some of them are anthologies (though they don't look like it: they seem to contain genuine retellings of myths). Stonecreek 10:38, 11 November 2018 (EST)
OK, I'll re-add them as COLLECTIONS, and variant them to the original then. Cheers! MagicUnk 12:38, 11 November 2018 (EST)

Hindenburgs Einmarsch in London

Hi, Christian. Just now I submitted TitleUpdate 4045132 with note to hold it for you. I corrected the previous title and Note with reference to the linked title page image. Translation mine.

Does the title leaf (two pages) make clear whether this is the first edition, first printing; or first edition; or not? Anyway, is the copyright statement usual: closing with English-language statement in type that will be readable in the USA?

SFE listing, for reference [13].
--Pwendt|talk 17:51, 13 November 2018 (EST)

Sorry, but as per DNB, the title was correct in the previous version, see the title link I added. I would trust DNB in this regard. Christian Stonecreek 00:00, 14 November 2018 (EST)
Sorry,
I provided a title page link (in the submitted NOVEL Title record, not the 1st ed. publication record, which I didn't even open). It shows "Hindenburgs" and "Von einem deutschen Dichter".
Returning to my second paragraph, does the title leaf (verso, at HathiTrust) make clear to you whether this is a copy of the 1st edition? Or do you mean, follow DNB on the 1st edition, and interpret the HathiTrust source copy as a later edition? --Pwendt|talk 13:37, 14 November 2018 (EST)
Well, I obviously don't know, but I'd think that the HathiTrust source copy shows only the copyright year 1915, which doens't necessarily mean that it's a copy from the first printing of the first edition. I'd think that DNB would have that in their stock with a higher probability, and DNB is a reliable source. Stonecreek 13:42, 14 November 2018 (EST)

Les gardes-frontière

Is this correct way to talk ? "Les gardes-frontière" is given two times on page 89 http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?496263. Titi 11:18, 15 November 2018 (EST) In book the text is authored "H. R. Wakefield".Titi 11:20, 15 November 2018 (EST)


Yes, talk here or at the help desk, in the case no moderator is available. I didn't see this doublette while looking at the entry, sorry for that. Would you like to try removing it? Just use the 'Remove Titles From This Pub' on the left tool bar. Stonecreek 11:23, 15 November 2018 (EST)

Tried this. Thanks.Titi 11:26, 15 November 2018 (EST)

Espaces insécables

Sorry for bothering. I have problems with "Espaces insécables" http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?692421. Dates for texts are wrong (have to be early) and texts appears two times here http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?166815. They are also not written similarly : "Définissez: Priorités" and "Définissez : Priorités". Can you help ? Thanks. Titi 11:31, 15 November 2018 (EST)

No problem. I have merged the two titles: it's also possible via the 'Show All Titles' (while on the author's page) or the Advanced Search. The doublettes with earlier publications can again be merged with either of the possibilities. If you know of an earlier publication we don't have in the db then just go to the title and edit it (best to add a note where this previous publication was, or from where the information stems).
I also have added the lengths of the shortfictions to the collection, as we differ short stories (up to 7,500 words), novelettes (7,500 - 17,500 words), and novellas (17,500 - 40,000 words). I didn't do this for the Préface, which might be in fact no SHORTFICTION, but an ESSAY. Stonecreek 13:09, 15 November 2018 (EST)
Tried to clear this. About lenghts, Anniemod talk to me, we do not use this categories here and the number of words is never given for texts.Titi 13:23, 15 November 2018 (EST)
Pardon me, but Annie stated to you that we do so in this db! On determining the length: the best way is to make a good guess by counting the words for one page and then extrapolating for the whole text. Or, if you want to go more rough: usually, in a paperback a SHORTFICTION below 28 pages is a short story, and above 60 pages is a NOVELLA (but that's only my experience with most German paperbacks); the whole thing becomes more tricky with other forms of publications, though. As most publishers stick to their layout (at least for a while) it's possible to come around with a frame after a while. Stonecreek 13:40, 15 November 2018 (EST)
Yes, yes, she talked to me the same to what you say. My english will "unrust" with time. Titi 14:04, 15 November 2018 (EST)

Dates of magazines

Hi-- Yesterday you rejected a submission where I'd changed the date of a magazine with the cover date "Summer 2014" from 2014-07-00 to 2014-00-00. It's true that there's an ongoing R&S discussion about how to handle dates, which might eventually result in policy being changed to do it the way you want, but at the moment Help:Screen:NewPub#Date still says "For magazine cover dates which cannot be assigned to a specific month, use the year only." Maybe it would be a good idea for you to add another post to that R&S thread to try to prod people into making a decision (I'd be happy to go along with whatever is decided). Until that happens, I am going to resubmit my edit (using the existing rules) in a few days after seeing if the verifier replies to my message. --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 17:11, 24 November 2018 (EST)

Please refrain from resubmitting that or similar ones. There are numerous reasons: 1) This is a PVed record. 2) The date (month) of publication might be as well stated in the publication. 3) As explained in the above mentioned discussion we have numerous examples for magazine issues without any cover date (and 'Summer' is a sort of cover date), yet they are dated to specific months or even days for good reason. 4) The other reasons mentioned in the discussion. 5) The discussion has lead to no conclusion. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 02:22, 25 November 2018 (EST)

Erdsee

A quick note about this 1986 publication. It contains multiple copies of the following map titles as can be seen in the Removal Editor: "Das Kargad-Reich / Der Ostbereich (map)", "Das Innenmeer (map)", "Die neunzig Inseln / Das Innenmeer (map)".

As you know, ordinarily the software strips duplicates during the import process, but it looks like something went wrong in this case. A title merge, perhaps? Also, as Annie pointed out, the 1986 edition doesn't have this problem, so perhaps it had something to do with cloning.

I will review submission history to see if I can find what happened, but I thought I'd let you know first since you are the verifier. Ahasuerus 18:09, 26 November 2018 (EST)

Yes, I think it has to do with merging the titles: some (I think even all) of the maps were reprinted in one or both of the original German editions of part 2 & 3 of the initial trilogy, and so they were in this OMNIBUS, which reprinted all the contents of the initial three German volumes (published in 1979). Thanks for taking a look! Stonecreek 23:26, 26 November 2018 (EST)

Titanic, April 2015

Hello Christian,

You have the same story added twice here on page 19 (separate records, same story name). Was one of them supposed to be Interior Art by any chance (considering that you have [2] as well, I suspect so but wanted to make sure before I change it)? Thanks! Annie 19:44, 27 November 2018 (EST)

Sure thing. Thanks for catching that one, Annie! I've changed the entry. Stonecreek 23:52, 27 November 2018 (EST)

. . . And Baby Makes Three

I see that you are still holding the verification of the change of this piece. I contacted one of the verifiers, (me), and we both agreed over several bottles of beer, and a sudden urge to take a nap, that we should direct you to There Will Be War's product page on Amazon and its Look Inside feature. There you will see that it is listed in the acknowledgement page that it is listed as an essay. I hope that this helps. MLB 03:24, 28 November 2018 (EST)

Sorry, but as we have a quite active primary verifier for this title, I'll still wait for his word. We have many examples where a title is listed as an ESSAY at various sources, but ISFDB still would recognize it as a SHORTFICTION, in most cases because it is in-universe. Thanks, Stonecreek 03:32, 28 November 2018 (EST)

Gullivers letztes Abenteuer

Hi. You verified Heyne Science Fiction & Fantasy #4991 which is our only publication of this Gulliver story. I submit move of the parent Czech-language Title from series Gulliver's Travels to series Gulliver's Travels Universe.

The change is minor but I notify you because I am not certain of the fact of the matter: this work is one of the Sequels by Other Hands --rather than any adaptation or retelling from the four travels of Gulliver by Jonathan Swift. Right? --Pwendt|talk 17:44, 29 November 2018 (EST)

Thanks for notifying me. I'll take a look into the novella to see how true it stays to the original texts and to Gulliver. Christian Stonecreek 23:40, 29 November 2018 (EST)

Mir gehört die Welt

Hi, I've entered the content of Mir gehört die Welt in a more convenient way, instead of mentioning it twice in the notes.--Dirk P Broer 06:28, 4 December 2018 (EST)

Thanks, Dirk! Christian Stonecreek 06:31, 4 December 2018 (EST)

Cursed Child

Hello, as a PVer, could you check the title page of your copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One & Two and confirm whether it has an '&' or not in its subtitle? Thanks! MagicUnk 11:14, 5 December 2018 (EST)

Thanks for pointing that mistake out: it is in fact 'and'. Stonecreek 14:29, 5 December 2018 (EST)

on Zauberkreis' publication dates

Hi Christian, Zauberkreis was not very clear on when the desp. digests were published, but what I have been able to clarify so far is this:

  • At least in the 1970s the day of publication was every Monday; there are a variety of ads for the Western and Science Fiction series stating Monday.
  • Throughout the 1970s, until #179, Science Fiction was published on every first Monday of a month. From #179 publication switched to a 4-weekly schedule.
  • The date of publication can be deduced by the back catalogue usually listed on p. 62 / 63. The bottom of those pages have the calender weeks printed in which these ads are meant to appear.
  • For instance, ZSF #162 has "28-30-75" at the bottom of p. 63, placing that digest in calender week 28 of 1975 (or later), i.e. 7 July 1975 or later. Based on Silber Grusel-Krimi nos 95-98 and their resp. p. 63, 7 July 1975 is the only plausible date for ZSF #162.

But maybe I am missing something...? - JLochhas 11:52, 9 December 2018 (EST)

There seems to be a mistake for the assumption that it was every first monday of a month up to #179: this would mean 12 volumes per year, whereas there seem to be 13 of them even before that, implying a four-weekly schedule not a monthly one. Christian Stonecreek 13:08, 9 December 2018 (EST)
The above information was gathered from the first incarnation of Lexikon der Science Fiction Literaur Band 2. A little further investigation (at DNB) seems that you are right after all: it has only 12 volumes of the pub. series for those years. Christian Stonecreek 14:51, 9 December 2018 (EST)

Factor Four Magazine

Answered your question, for what it's worth. MLB 18:24, 13 December 2018 (EST)

Author correction 12/17

Please correct Charlotte Mcmanus to "Charlotte McManus" (capitalization in the publication confirmed by the PV). Thanks --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 11:31, 17 December 2018 (EST)

Will do! Christian Stonecreek 11:32, 17 December 2018 (EST)

more on Zauberkreis' publication dates

Hi Christian, I fear I will need to amend some of the publication dates of ZSF #131 and following. ZSF #131 was published together with "Unger Western" #1 in February 1973. An ad in ZSF #131 states UW #1 being published in the first week of February. And the back catalogue in ZSF #133 places #131 into February (only Unger nos 1+2 are available) - and #132 is not available. And this makes #133 an April publication. Cheers, John. JLochhas 16:39, 17 December 2018 (EST)

Okay, John, please do it! Christian Stonecreek 23:24, 17 December 2018 (EST)

Songs of the Dying Earth - Lixal or Lival?

Hello, could you check your copy of Songs of the Dying Earth and confirm the title of the story (and its afterword) read Lixal? (in the Dutch version it is spelled Lival). Thanks! MagicUnk 04:08, 20 December 2018 (EST)

Will do! Stonecreek 04:46, 20 December 2018 (EST)
And yes, it is in fact the title of the English shortfiction as stated. Stonecreek 09:11, 20 December 2018 (EST)
OK. Thanks for the confirmation! MagicUnk 17:43, 20 December 2018 (EST)

Northanger Abbey

I have a general question about "Date", on example of this pub. I thought the publication date of Novel/Essay/Coverart should be as credited in the publication as a Variant Title, and the original first publication date is enlisted at the main title. Am I wrong? --Zapp 09:24, 21 December 2018 (EST)

I don't think that this is valid for art since the title we display is not really the title of the artwork, but the one we assign to it (in most cases because we don't have any other at hand). Plus: in this case it is especially stated that the work was created in 1934, so any onlooker must be puzzled if there's a year of 2004 stated for a piece by Picasso. Christian Stonecreek 11:02, 21 December 2018 (EST)
So the Cover art is of 1934 but the varianted pub cover of 2004. --Zapp 13:13, 21 December 2018 (EST)
Why that? That is the same piece art of we're talking about. Stonecreek 13:37, 21 December 2018 (EST)

Kafka stories

Hi -- I guess you didn't understand what I was trying to do by unmerging the stories from Shorter Works, Volume I. I am trying to separate the translations: these ones will be in a title record labeled "Translated by Malcolm Pasley," and earlier ones will be in a record labeled "Translated by Tania and James Stern" (or whatever). I wish whoever entered the Pasley-translated collection hadn't merged everything together; it's a big mess. I basically have to figure out what translation all publications belong to, unmerge, remerge, and revariant. How can I do this in a way that's understandable to moderators who have to approve all the many steps involved? --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 21:16, 21 December 2018 (EST)

Sorry, but I don't understand what you're aiming at; I think I have approved of the unmergings. Christian Stonecreek 00:47, 22 December 2018 (EST)
Ask Annie for full explanations, she's the expert on translations. But the point is that even if the title and author are the same, if the translator is different, they should be in separate title records. (Sorry if that's not what you're asking). So since someone merged all the Kafka records that have different translators, I'm trying to separate them out again. My next steps are going to be 1. Make sure all the titles translated by Malcolm Pasley have the correct date and translator credit. 2. Make sure they're all varianted to their original title. 3. Find additional publications that use the Pasley translation, remove wrong titles from them, and import the Pasley titles into them. Then I have to check all the other publications to make sure that they have the titles for the correct translators. I just did that six months ago--someone re-merged them since then (grr). --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 01:06, 22 December 2018 (EST)
That's bad. I fully understand and support the need to have diverse records for diverse translations. I also did a few of them for Kafka trannslations but gave up at one point: there were so many without available information on the translators. Christian Stonecreek 01:37, 22 December 2018 (EST)

Rejected edits

I wonder why You rejected my submissions #4127010 and #4127018? --Zapp 02:56, 29 December 2018 (EST)

Sorry for that! But they ought to be CHAPBOOKs, don't they (but you're right that they could have been approved alright). If you submit again, they shall be approved. Stonecreek 10:57, 29 December 2018 (EST)
Thanks --Zapp 15:27, 30 December 2018 (EST)
I try to get a book of that series to count the words and see if NOVEL is wrong. --Zapp 15:28, 30 December 2018 (EST)

more on Zauberkreis...

Hi Christian, this is only to fill you in on the Zauberkreis conundrum. It appears fairly certain that Science Fiction #77 and Silber Krimi #747 were published simultaneously. I still require access to SK #747 to finally confirm this assumption but SK #748 and ZSF #77 appear to confirm this. If that is true then ZSF #77 was published 5 August 1968. From here things start to get fuzzy. I just received Silber Krimi #656, presumably published 91 weeks earlier, and its back cover advertises Science Fiction nos 1 - 5 as available from that week onwards. Hmmmm. If there was no gap in publication then SK #656 was published 7 November 1966 which, in a way, makes sense as all internet sources state that ZSF initially started with 5 numbers being published at the beginning of the month before it switched to weekly (fortnightly?) publication. I am searching for more evidence on what might have occurred... perhaps you find something corresponding...? Cheers, John. JLochhas 14:29, 30 December 2018 (EST)

Many thanks for the fill-in, John. You are absolutely right that the dates of publication are occluded. Lexikon der Science Fiction Literatur has years stated, but it seems those may be not exact in some cases. Christian Stonecreek 01:55, 31 December 2018 (EST)

Miracles Ain't What They Used to Be Plus ...

I suggest updating the title of Miracles Ain't What They Used to Be Plus ... The current title in the DB is what's shown on the cover but the title page reads "Miracles Ain't What They Used to Be plus The Parable of the Stick and lots of other stuff". --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 19:57, 31 December 2018 (EST)

A happy new year to you! As there are two pages that could be considered as defining title pages (see the existing note) I had chosen one of them. Stonecreek 15:51, 1 January 2019 (EST)
You're right. The other volumes in this series need The full title though.
Happy New Year to.you, too! --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 16:17, 1 January 2019 (EST)
Thanks, Vasha! Some of them do have the double dose of title pages, though most of them haven't. I'd think that most of those I verified should be okay. Stonecreek 16:24, 1 January 2019 (EST)

Silas W. Mitchell

The canonical name of Silas W. Mitchell clearly ought to be S. Weir Mitchell; I just wanted to.let you know that I'm about to start changing it over. --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 04:49, 9 January 2019 (EST)

On second thought, it's not so clear—he's in SFE3 as Silas Weir Mitchell and that's the name editors use when reprinting him nowadays, even if all of his publications during his own lifetime used S. Weir Mitchell. I will ask about it on the Community Portal. --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 05:03, 9 January 2019 (EST)
Okay, that seems appropriate. Christian Stonecreek 05:04, 9 January 2019 (EST)

Xosé Luis Méndez Ferrín

Please correct Xosé Luis Méndez Ferrín to Xosé Luís Méndez Ferrín (with an accent on the Luís). Thanks! --Vasha (cazadora de tildes) 04:05, 11 January 2019 (EST)

Okay, done! Christian Stonecreek 04:24, 11 January 2019 (EST)

Le secret des initiés cover art

Hello Christian,

For my own information, why did you date the French variant of the cover "1975" ? The French title only comes in existence in 1977 ! Linguist 09:46, 12 January 2019 (EST).

It's because the work was first published in that year, and - correctly speaking - the artwork is not titled in any way for that publication: the title Le secret des initiés is for the novel, not for the cover art (we assign the title for convenience reasons, not for that the cover art is titled in the book). Hope that helps. Stonecreek 09:58, 12 January 2019 (EST)
I understand that, but my practice is utterly different : I consider that the 1975 date can only be used for the original artwork publication. For me, the combination "artwork" + "(new) title" cannot be dated earlier than the title the artwork is used with (just like we date any variant by its first publication, not the original). When you look at the list of "Other Titles" here with an innocent eye, you are under the impression that this artwork was re-used in 1975 in a French publication, which is contradicted by the list of "Publications" below. Personally, I would not approve such a submission from an editor… Have we got a problem here :o) ? Linguist 10:24, 12 January 2019 (EST).
No, we don't, if you don't wish that. I'll change the dating back. But it remains an inconsisteny: maybe we should use the original title (title of first publication), if there's no explicit title stated within the new publication (thus we would lose the further inconsistency of stating a 'translation' of art, which seems misleading)? Stonecreek 10:28, 12 January 2019 (EST)
Thanks a lot ! As, for me, I don't see any inconsistency here : whenever an artwork, whatever its origin, is selected to illustrate a new publication, it acquires de facto, and conventionally, a new title, and a necessary link with it (even if ever so slight, sometimes). When possible, and particularly for artworks that were not intended to illustrate SF in the first place, I try and use the original titles and dates (if known, which is not always the case), and variant everything else to it, like here or here. Using this original title for variants instead of the later book titles would appear quite disconcerting to me. But anyway, thanks for changing it back ! Linguist 10:59, 12 January 2019 (EST).
If we use the original date, we also lose the ability to find when a certain cover is used for the first time in a specific language easily (or as a cover for a specific book). It may not be interesting for some people but as we do collect cover information, no reason to cripple our own database by hiding this kind of information :) It may be the same piece of art but our covers are defined as a combination of an art piece and a book name, not just an art name. Which is why the wording around the art titles was changed awhile back and we do not call them translations anymore - they are variants even across languages. Just my 2 cents. Annie 11:19, 12 January 2019 (EST)
They do appear as translations, not variants, though, as here, don't they ? Linguist 11:59, 12 January 2019 (EST).
Hm, I thought we changed that wording awhile back when we were changing these views between art and non-art titles - my brain apparently had been filtering that. Thanks for pointing these out. Maybe time to start a discussion on new labels for these columns:) Annie 12:06, 12 January 2019 (EST)

Belasco

it's been verified at one of the sites that sells his art ... ALBERT, not alfred https://dyn1.heritagestatic.com/lf?set=path%5B2%2F5%2F8%2F258220%5D%2Csizedata%5B850x600%5D&call=url%5Bfile%3Aproduct.chain%5D Susan O'Fearna 13:47, 14 January 2019 (EST)

HAHAH IT gets better !!! http://albertbelasco.com/ Susan O'Fearna 13:53, 14 January 2019 (EST)
Hmm, we seem to have all other titles as by 'Alfred'. I took a look into the matter and have changed the existing entries. Thanks, Susan! Christian Stonecreek 13:55, 14 January 2019 (EST)

The Welcome‎ template

A quick FYI: I have restored Template:Welcome‎, which was accidentally zapped a few minutes ago. Unfortunately, the way the Wiki software works, it's easy to edit templates by accident rather than by design :( Ahasuerus 12:09, 16 January 2019 (EST)

Thanks very much for that! An easy repair did not work out the way I wanted it: I must have put the template into the user page by accident. Stonecreek 12:13, 16 January 2019 (EST)
Yes, that's how it usually happens. Unfortunately, I am unaware of a way to prevent accidental edits. We already have the majority of our templates set up as "protected", but that only affects regular editors and not moderators. I have found that the easiest way to fix zapped templates is to access their page history and then use "roll back". Ahasuerus 12:21, 16 January 2019 (EST)
Okay, I'll try that the next time something like it happens. Thanks! Stonecreek 13:50, 16 January 2019 (EST)

Die letzte Flut

Hello Christian, do you see a map in this book? In the copyright from the ebook is stated "Karten: Geokarta, Heiner Newe, Altensteig unter Verwendung eines Satellitenbildes der NASA", but there are no maps. Thanks for looking it up Henna 14:05, 24 January 2019 (EST)

Will do it tomorrow, thanks for the hint. Christian Stonecreek 14:07, 24 January 2019 (EST)
Sorry, but right now, I can't find the book, as it is not in the place it should be. But, I cn't remember any map upon entering it. Christian Stonecreek 17:03, 26 January 2019 (EST)
Ah, well, finally found it (sometimes those little cratures called books seem to move on their own). There are indeed maps but I wouldn't exactly call them art (that's why I didn't include them): they appear more as photographs. Stonecreek 12:19, 8 February 2019 (EST)

Ein Rückblick aus dem Jahr 2000

Hello Christian, I uploaded a better cover. Regards Henna 16:56, 26 January 2019 (EST)

Submissions on hold

Hi, why did You put my submissions on hold? I can show You where they are varianted of: here and here. --Zapp 03:22, 27 January 2019 (EST)

There are no more submissions on hold. Stonecreek 03:24, 27 January 2019 (EST)
I see, You did it right seven minutes before, when I wrote this. --Zapp 03:29, 27 January 2019 (EST)
You put me on hold again. Why? --Zapp 09:44, 30 January 2019 (EST)
Don't fear and tremble, just took a short break. Stonecreek 10:37, 30 January 2019 (EST)

Vergewaltigung

Ich finde es unmöglich, wie Sie meine Notizen regelrecht "vergewaltigen". Welches Problem haben Sie mit meiner Form der Notizen, mit welchem Recht werden meine Notizen sinnlos nach Ihrem Geschmack verändert und verstümmelt? Leider sitzen Sie am längeren Arm, daher werde ich meine Verifizierung stornieren und meiner sinnlos vergeudeten Lebenszeit hinterhertrauern. Machen Sie ruhig weiter so, wenn es sie in irgendeiner Form befriedigt, schade, dass man hier seine Macken ausleben darf...--Wolfram.winkler 12:06, 31 January 2019 (EST)

Please do not use any offensive language. The reasons for altering the insufficient and inadequate notes have been made clear on your talk page. As you have chosen to ignore the arguments provided quite often there, what shall a moderator do else than better the insufficiency? In short to make the arguments presented there short: you miss out on data, use your idiosyncratic terms (unknown to any other user of ISFDB) and erroneous English. Stonecreek 13:36, 31 January 2019 (EST)
Gibt es denn irgendwelche Beispiele für all Ihre Behauptungen? Beleidigende Sprache, idiosynkratisch usw.?--Wolfram.winkler 05:50, 29 March 2019 (EDT)
Please write in English, since we are an English based db. Stonecreek 06:54, 29 March 2019 (EDT)
Keine Antwort ist auch eine Antwort. Bitte bei Bedarf den Google-Übersetzer benutzen.--Wolfram.winkler 08:07, 9 May 2019 (EDT)
Yes, that may be a possibility for you. Stonecreek 08:53, 9 May 2019 (EDT)

Armchair Fiction Double Novels

Hi, Is there any reason to treat Armchair double novels different from Ace Doubles? In both cases each story has it own cover on the outside of the -same- book. In fact some titles of Armchair are almost re-issues of the original Ace doubles. Also, the Armchair Fiction Doubles have at least three series within Armchair Fiction Doubles, all starting from 1 (D-1, E-1, and B-1 I've encountered on their site, there might even be more), so the prefix is essential. When adding a prefix the data becomes alpha-numeric, so to be able to sort it you need leading zero's, so D-001, etc otherwise D-1 is followed by D-10. Just my two cents, but I find the 'interiorart-backcover' solution less than elegant, especially when you are able to show both covers artworks.--Dirk P Broer 04:03, 3 February 2019 (EST)

Please take a look at what I just answered on Zapp's talk page. And for the prefix, Zapp is right: it belongs to the catalogue no. field. I have added some comment to (and renamed) the series, according to the statement in the publications. Stonecreek 04:10, 3 February 2019 (EST)
I do not agree, this gives multiple #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 -so far.--Dirk P Broer 04:12, 3 February 2019 (EST)
Sure, but for different publication series: This is a series for which the cat. no. begins with 'C-', but it is different from Armchair Sci-Fi & Horror Double Novels and has its own numbering 1, 2, etc. Stonecreek 04:17, 3 February 2019 (EST)
E-1, in the same series as D-1. And the same holds true up to E-10.--Dirk P Broer 04:24, 3 February 2019 (EST)
It looks like B-1 and the numbers afterwards do not pose a problem, it is non-genre.--Dirk P Broer 04:27, 3 February 2019 (EST)
E-1's second entry at www.sinistercinema.com mentions 'extra large editions of classic science fiction double novels' at $12.95.--Dirk P Broer 04:30, 3 February 2019 (EST)
Yes, I mentioned this in the notes for the publication series: these still need to be taken care of (I'll do it). Stonecreek 04:32, 3 February 2019 (EST)
Please stop your "corrections" until this is properly discussed. One editor's opinion is never enough for changes like this. --Willem 04:42, 3 February 2019 (EST)
Okay, let's call it a moratorium. Christian Stonecreek 04:43, 3 February 2019 (EST)

Erroneous secondary verifications

Hi, Christian.

I wonder about the matter of ISFDB:Moderator noticeboard#Erroneous secondary verifications that you raised this weekend. Probably we have 100,000s of erroneous secondary verifications from WorldCat records. (One likely example is P304326, the subject of my inquiry this hour, ISFDB:Moderator noticeboard#Currey book check.) Probably 1000+ times I have updated records with WorldCat secondary verifications that are erroneous, and 100+ times with replacement by me of one OCLC number with another that does support the publication record. In all of these cases, I become the actual Secondary Verifier of the revised record. Probably <10 times I note "WorldCat/OCLC verification is no longer valid." But no moderator has raised the issue.

Happy New Year --Chineses or western, as I have been mainly away since mid-December. --Pwendt|talk 18:26, 4 February 2019 (EST)

You're right. But for these cases it was something special, though, since all possibly secondary verifications (not only the WorldCat ones) were ticked. Stonecreek 03:26, 5 February 2019 (EST)

Professor Mittelzwercks Geschöpfe

Hello Christian, should this title be a omnibus? Thanks Henna 04:22, 15 February 2019 (EST)

No, it's really more of a collection. Stonecreek 04:25, 15 February 2019 (EST)

Analog Science Fiction and Fact, March-April 2019

Somehow the wrong one, of the two that I accidentally did, got deleted. I can't do it over again. MLB 06:13, 22 February 2019 (EST)

Nevermind, I found it. It's getting really late here in the states. MLB 06:16, 22 February 2019 (EST)
Okay, fine that all seems to be in order. Stonecreek 09:15, 22 February 2019 (EST)

Die Weltenzerstörer

Hi Christian, I have just properly cross-referenced Tom Kidd as the cover artist for Die Weltenzerstörer. But I also thought that Kidd's signature was visible on the cover. Cheers, John. JLochhas 12:03, 4 March 2019 (EST)

Thanks, John! (Maybe I'm too blind but I don't recognize any signature.) Christian Stonecreek 13:01, 4 March 2019 (EST)

Als der Seelenmeister starb

Hello Christian, the publication have the same cover than this. Regards Henna 12:55, 4 March 2019 (EST)

Thanks! Stonecreek 13:01, 4 March 2019 (EST)

Die unglaublichen Abenteuer des Barnaby Brocket

Image URL added to this pub. --Zapp 07:59, 7 March 2019 (EST)

Thank you! Stonecreek 10:17, 7 March 2019 (EST)

Das Science Fiction Jahr 2018

Hi Christian, I've almost finished adding the missing reviews to Das Science Fiction Jahr 2018 except for one: the review of Seitenstechen magazine on p. 303. I'm not sure what to make of it and tend to see it as non-genre and would enter it as a simple essay title record (instead of adding the magazine to the database and create a review for it). The information on the publisher's website haven't been helpful for a clear decision. Do you have by chance found some other background information about this it already?

Apart from this I think all titles have been entered now for Das Science Fiction Jahr 2018 and I'd remove your note "MORE CONTENTS to be added!" from the note, if you don't object. Jens Hitspacebar 17:44, 11 March 2019 (EDT)

Thanks very much, Jens! I'll take a look into the matter of Seitenstechen. Christian Stonecreek 00:54, 12 March 2019 (EDT)

Variant date

Christian, I'm confused by the dates the novellas in the 2009 Der Erbe der Macht collection ended up with yesterday. On the title page for the first novella, by canonical name Thomas Ziegler, the Variant Titles block reads:

1979 Der Erbe der Macht [as by Robert Quint]
1979 Der Erbe der Macht [as by Rainer Zubeil]

But shouldn't the Rainer Zubeil line be the 2009 I'd entered, as it's the first time that alternate name is applied? The Help Page on dates says:

"When entering a variant title record, enter the earliest known date when this variant record was published. This includes variant title records created for new titles, new alternate names, new translations and/or significant textual revisions."

So, for instance, The Metal Monster, published in 1945 as by A. Merritt, is dated 2008 when it's published as by Abraham Merritt.

Thanks--Martin. MOHearn 10:15, 23 March 2019 (EDT)

Well, it's not a proper variant title, as it is the same work, and it's only by the use of a alternate name that we variant it. Christian Stonecreek 14:26, 23 March 2019 (EDT)
I still don't follow the reasoning--as far as I can see, by the rules and that Merritt example and many others, a variant title created for a new alternate name is a proper one and gets the date of when the variant was published. When I saw the novellas under the alternate author names had their dates changed to 1979, I thought, well, I suppose it's because they're not translations. But the rules do say translations and revisions are only a couple of ways in which a variant is new, not the only ways. Martin. MOHearn 21:21, 23 March 2019 (EDT)
Well, it seems to be misleading to have shown "Der Erbe der Macht" (or other works) as first published in 2009, when it was in fact first published in 1979, only because the publisher/editor descided to use the legal name (or any alternate name) this time. Stonecreek 03:07, 24 March 2019 (EDT)

Hello, Stonecreek. Thanks for welcoming me here. I hope I'm doing this right. I just wanted to reply to your previous message about about the length of the book I submitted (not sure how to link to it). It's really a children's novel, but I understand if you have to mark it as a novella. I don't know the word count. I'm sorry I didn't reply before, but now I've read the FAQ and I know how. I'm not sure how to make this into its own section, though. Thanks again! Editing is fun. Rosab618 23:48, 8 April 2019 (EDT)

Thank you for your kind reply. (You can add a new section by clicking on the '+' sign at the top of a talk page). Stonecreek 23:51, 8 April 2019 (EDT)

What's wrong with you?

Why are you changing the phrasing in my notes? I don't even refer to your regularly reviews and corrections of all my new submissions, even if you're not yet a primary verifier. What have I done to you? I am very confused and feel treated overly didactic. Rudolf Rudam 03:31, 9 April 2019 (EDT)

The only reaon for it is that these are corrections of wrong phrasings (for example 'First german Edition', when it should be 'First German edition' and forgotten end points etc.). We should strive and try to get it right in the first place. I don't change any meaning, though sometimes there are informations left out, which I try to add. Stonecreek 03:37, 9 April 2019 (EDT)
You well know I don't mean these examples. They are correct and of course I don't mind if they are changed or missing informations are added. We all make mistakes. But you've changed for example back cover into back, is into appears, other price into other prices although it's only one country, First printing (Mai 1977 is stated on copyright page) into Stated first printing (Mai 1977 on copyright page) without being verifier, Table of into The table of and many more. As far as I know, we have no standard terminology for the notes. I expect that these alterations will no longer take place unless the policy says otherwise. Rudolf Rudam 05:50, 9 April 2019 (EDT)
Okay! I just did those for betterment, since being at the entries anyway (to correct things). I can only recommend to spend a second look upon an entry when you're done with it. (Even then a typo may creep in, like with the price/prices example). Soryy for the fuss! Christian Stonecreek 06:20, 9 April 2019 (EDT)
Der Kollege ändert gerne willkürlich Daten nach seinem Geschmack.--Wolfram.winkler 08:03, 9 May 2019 (EDT)
Only following the rules and standards. Again, please take a look at them and try to understand them.
Also, please use English for further posts. Since German is not the standard and is not understandable for the majority, any non-English comment is likely to be deleted from my talk page. Christian Stonecreek 08:52, 9 May 2019 (EDT)
As prognosted I have deleted a German comment from my talk page that is redundant for an English database, since nearly no other user has any use of it. To your information: there was no data involved, only an opinion. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 06:52, 16 May 2019 (EDT)
Please use English. I deleted an German comment that has no place on my talk page as postd above. Thanks for your understanding. Christian Stonecreek 08:59, 26 May 2019 (EDT)

Wiki page elimination

Hi, Christian. Thanks for your work here. Concerning the three submissions that you approved moments ago, I did promptly complete the note that promised in one Note to Moderator, ISFDB:Community Portal#Wiki page elimination. --Pwendt|talk 14:48, 10 April 2019 (EDT)

So, It's okay to delete the wiki page, I presume? Stonecreek 15:44, 10 April 2019 (EDT)
I don't know anything about the policy and at Community Portal yesterday I am only asking about it for the first time. --Pwendt|talk 11:57, 11 April 2019 (EDT)
Yes, we try to migrate the author wiki pages to the notes section at ISFDB proper (but since there are many pages it does take some amount of time, and the pace had slowed down in the last months). Stonecreek 12:01, 11 April 2019 (EDT)

Heu-Heu Or The Monster

What do You miss in my submission? --Zapp 13:25, 1 May 2019 (EDT)

As noted the title is not regularized and please take a look at the beginning of the note. Christian Stonecreek 23:59, 1 May 2019 (EDT)

Radioaktiv

Hi,

there are two identical books http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?612631 and http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?292120. Your verified one has a higher number than the other one. That would be the only one with two tp and one hc at the same time. I think these two are actually one and the newer one should be removed. --Stoecker 17:22, 3 May 2019 (EDT)

Please take a close look at the (different) notes for the respective publications. Stonecreek 17:25, 3 May 2019 (EDT)
Interesting. Overlooked that note. Until now I was sure they always had only one printing for these series. Now I have to find out if "Z 28" also had a second printing or if only an Asimov book was underestimated. --Stoecker 17:37, 3 May 2019 (EDT)
Well, it's the only one I have seen so far for Goldmann's 'Z series'. Stonecreek 17:40, 3 May 2019 (EDT)

Image License Templates

This image needs a license tag added. Probably {{Author Image Data}}, but there are other ones depending on the situation. The software does it automatically for image covers uploaded via publication pages. But for anything directly uploaded, the template needs to be manually added. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 18:28, 10 May 2019 (EDT)

Dean Crawford

Hi. You rejected my submission to add a variant to Titan and Predator titles. However, to my understanding this varianting -is- required to make sure both titles are correctly displayed as also by D.C. Ford on Dean Crawford's page - see Old Ironsides, which I did earlier. Currently I'm going through the following steps:

  1. Update ebook pub author from Dean Crawford to D. C. Ford
  2. Add variant title by D.C. Ford to canonical title by Dean Crawford
  3. Update ebook pub record with variant title

It's quite convoluted, but i couldn't find a way to do it in less steps. If I'm not doing it right, what's the most efficient editing sequence to apply to variant existing ebook record (which should be by D.C. Ford to begin with) to Dean Crawford as the canonical author? MagicUnk 04:20, 15 May 2019 (EDT)

Since the publication titles and the titles proper have to be the same (here: regarding the author's name) you took the right initial steps in changing the canonical name into the pseudonym. What's left to do is to unmerge the pub.s in question and then variant them to the parent(s). Submitting variants would lead to new parent titles for the pseudonym. Stonecreek 04:24, 15 May 2019 (EDT)
Thanks! I'll give it a try. MagicUnk 05:07, 15 May 2019 (EDT)

Goldmanns Weltraum Taschenbücher

Es wurde also Nummer 157 statt 150 veröffentlicht und die 150 kam dann erst 2 Jahre später? Zwei Fehler gibt es dann aber mindestens noch: Die 068 und die 070 sind bestimmt falsch. Ich würde sagen 70 doch im August und die 68 im Juni. --Stoecker 14:53, 17 May 2019 (EDT)

Sometimes publishers do err, but the way it comes out now, there are fewer gaps.
Please, Dirk, use English for further posts: it is the language used here, and that's because other users, editors and moderators should be informed on what's going on. Stonecreek 10:00, 18 May 2019 (EDT)

Thanas Qerama

Hi. How to add a new author?

(Thanas Qerama http://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/albania a prolific writer and also an editor of juvenile science magazines; examples are Roboti i pabindur ["Disobedient Robot"] (coll 1981), Një javë në vitin 2044 ["One Week in the Year 2044"] (1982) and Misteri i tempullit të lashtë ["Mystery of the Old Church"] (1987).)

You can answeer me here. --Terraflorin 12:04, 28 May 2019 (EDT)

Hi! Since I'm not registered at that site, it is much easier to answer here (for future questions it's better to post at the help desk: any moderator or editor online at the given time will surely be willing to help).
To adress your question: the only way to add an author is to enter a publication he/she is published in. That's because we are a publication-based database. If it's only a short piece, the anthology, collection, magazine, or nonfiction would have to be entered. A novel or monography (nonfiction) are the easiest types to enter, but the others are also manageble: here is an example for a collection - if you click on the 'Edit This Pub' link, you'll see the fields that have to be filled. To actually add a publication, click on the appropriate button under 'Add New Data' at the left side of the ISFDB surface. I hope that helps. Stonecreek 12:53, 28 May 2019 (EDT)

Robots, Androids, and Mechanical Oddities: The Science Fiction of Philip K. Dick

Hi, I saw your PV note here mentioning Dan Seiters. I found this snippet which you may find noteworthy. https://noextrawords.wordpress.com/2017/06/11/meet-episode-84-contributor-dan-seiters/ BanjoKev 16:12, 29 May 2019 (EDT)

Thanks for that! I'll update the notes accordingly. Stonecreek 00:01, 30 May 2019 (EDT)
You're welcome! BanjoKev 16:24, 30 May 2019 (EDT)

"Die Terranauten" and Bastei's Publication Dates

Hi Christian, I've just noticed that the dates for the Terranauten series in 1979 all fall on a Wednesday. Until 29 Jan 1980 the digests were published on Tuesdays - and from February 1980 until 1984 on Mondays. At least that's what the publisher stated a while back. Cheers, John JLochhas 10:27, 31 May 2019 (EDT)

Yes, I know of that: I started working on some 1980 issues when I found a statement for the official day of publication for the first issue in an issue I wanted to add. I'm in the process of checking the trustworthiness in the light of other statements. Christian Stonecreek 12:36, 2 June 2019 (EDT)
I have been in touch with somebody who was involved with the site 'Romanarchiv' - and they had the publication dates from the Bastei editors of Jerry Cotton. Terranauten #1 appears to have been published together with 'Gespenster-Krimi' #320. All Terranauten ads running up to #319 state "Die Terranauten kommen" and with #320 it is "jetzt alle 14 Tage neu". I'll post more here as a plough through the horror digests... John. JLochhas 12:55, 3 June 2019 (EDT)
Bastei's mode of publication is very strange between December 1979 and March 1980: Running up to Christmas, Geheimnis-Roman and Spuk-Roman appeared weekly, almost as if to avoid any publications around the holidays. After the holidays the two publications went back to fortnightly publication. 'Gespenster-Krimi', 'John Sinclair', 'Professor Zamorra' and 'Damona King', however, stuck to their schedules - but in February 1980, PZ and DK appeared weekly. This is all taken from the internal ads "Deutschlands großes Gruselprogramm | Diese Woche neu:". Perhaps something similar happened to 'Terranauten' as well...? Cheers, John. JLochhas 15:06, 4 June 2019 (EDT)
The previews for the next issue only speak of a fortnightly schedule for the first 17 issues of 'Terranauten', and there are no statements for other digest publications. Christian Stonecreek 23:32, 4 June 2019 (EDT)
Both 'Professor Zamorra' and 'Damona King' speak only of a fortnightly schedule, nonetheless Bastei published them on every Monday of February 1980 - and after that went back to the regular publication schedule. It'll take a few more weeks before I can get to the 'Phantastische Bibliothek' in Wetzlar and check it out. So far, there is only one indicator that speaks for 'Terranauten' to have had the same fate as the two series just mentioned: Bastei increased the price for Gespenster-Krimi, John Sinclair, etc. with October 1980 (i.e. the publication date of 6 October). If Terranauten increased simultaneously, then this would confirm the publication anomaly in February. Will keep you posted. Cheers, John. JLochhas 14:36, 9 June 2019 (EDT)
Well, DTN #34 (6th Oct. per fortnightly schedule in February throughout) costed DM 1.60, as did #s 35 & 36. The price rise took effect only with #37. I'd say I stop the change of dates and wait for your introspection with Phantastische Bibliothek. Thank you very much so far, Christian Stonecreek 11:44, 10 June 2019 (EDT)

Dates on cover art variants

Hi. See the submission I have on hold and this. I can't tell if he misunderstood something you told him or if there is something else going on I am not aware of. As far as I know, our current policy is that variants get the date where the variation first appeared (this is captured in Help:Screen:AddVariant's Date bullet), as opposed to the date of the original's first appearance. Are you doing something different with reused covers? Thanks. --MartyD 07:55, 13 June 2019 (EDT)

Yeah. I understand that the date the work was first published should be captured, since artworks usually aren't titled: the title only creeps in because we decide to go along with the title the illustration is used for. Christian Stonecreek 08:28, 13 June 2019 (EDT)
Which makes it absolutely impossible to find the first date when a certain illustration was printed in a Polish book (short of examining all connected books and figuring out which ones are Polish) for example. I am not sure why we would want to hide this information and cripple the DB this way when we do have the information... :) Shall we start a discussion over in Rules to see what the community thinks about these dates? Annie 11:57, 13 June 2019 (EDT)
Maybe we should. I do think that your argument is partially invalid, since you only have to click on the Polish variant(s) (it is difficult with the first glance on the parent's title level, though). Stonecreek 12:55, 13 June 2019 (EDT)
Kinda easy for 1 cover; cumbersome if you are looking for all covers/illustrations from a prolific artist used in a specific language. And then there is the other conversation we had awhile back - the same named covers and interior art records across languages which despite being split at one point are now merged again in some cases (I know you believe they should be, I still disagree) :) I just do not like us hiding information that we do have. Annie 14:46, 13 June 2019 (EDT)
I will bring it up, and we can see what the consensus is. --MartyD 07:01, 14 June 2019 (EDT)

Cover artist

Stoecker has added a wrong cover for my verified hardcover edition of Das Jahrtausend der Träume. Jürgen Rogner is the artist of the hardcover but it's a different painting compared to the pb edition. You can correct your notes. Rudam 11:35, 22 June 2019 (EDT)

Thanks for the info, Rudolf! Christian Stonecreek 02:29, 23 June 2019 (EDT)

Change John de Lancie's Birthday to November 13, 1948

John de Lancie confirmed November 13 as his birthday on Twitter last year: https://twitter.com/johndelancie/status/1062400247790362624 -- AnthonyW 01:03, 24 June 2019 (EDT)

Sorry, but for me things are still unclear: true, the twitter post photo from 2018-11-13 shows him with a cake for his 70th birthday. However, he states that this photo was taken 'recently', whatever that exactly means. Stonecreek 05:17, 24 June 2019 (EDT)

Perhaps recently as in the day or two (or even the week) before his birthday, November 13? -- AnthonyW 22:02, 28 June 2019 (EDT)

I really do think that Wikipedia took the birthday just from this post: things like that do happen quite often. SFE usually is known for thorough research, and for Wikipedia this isn't always true. Especially some entries for celebrities are poorly researched and often contain much hearsay. The posted photo could have been taken in any period of time before it has been posted, and even if it was taken shortly beforehand, the occasion could have been some time after his 70th birthday (for example at a visit at or by friends not seen on the real day). November 13 could still be the day but in the light of available indications it seems more and more unlikely. Stonecreek 00:37, 29 June 2019 (EDT)

I would like to think he was born then. I think November 13 is his birthday. P.S., on another topic, this Robin Williams Neverpedia article MUST be updated. http://neverpedia.com/pan/Robin_Williams -- AnthonyW 04:06, 29 June 2019 (EDT)

Well, I'd say the discussion points are stated and there's no new aspect: John de Lancie's own statement does in no way state the 13th of November as his birthday, in fact it speaks for an earlier date. And we have two statements at SFE and Wikipedia, for which we at ISFDB found that the former is more reliable on many occasions. If you find a genuine statement by the author or by an official biographer for a certain date of birth, there could be a settlement on the matter, but for now I have only updated the note for de Lancie. Stonecreek 01:17, 30 June 2019 (EDT)
Please note that there's no official statement for the 13th of November anymore: the Wikipedia statement seems to have been removed. Stonecreek 01:23, 30 June 2019 (EDT)

Very well. And can you have the Robin Williams article at Neverpedia updated? -- AnthonyW 17:37, 30 June 2019 (EDT)

Sorry, but this is not the Neverpedia, it seems you have to take contact to someone over at that site. Stonecreek 23:34, 30 June 2019 (EDT)

As far as John de Lancie, I will just assume November 13 is his birthday. I do not know for surely, but it could be November 13. -- AnthonyW 00:03, 1 July 2019 (EDT)

As shown above, the only documented statement is the one we have, taken from the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (SFE); this source is usually well-founded. Stonecreek 02:17, 1 July 2019 (EDT)

I have been leaning more toward November 13 than March 20. -- AnthonyW 04:50, 1 July 2019 (EDT)

I see. Stonecreek 14:48, 1 July 2019 (EDT)

Any confirmation? -- AnthonyW 06:36, 10 September 2020 (EDT)

Well, SFE3 still states the 20th, and in general they are known to do better research than Wikipedia. Stonecreek 10:47, 10 September 2020 (EDT)

Not communicated?

You rejected some contributions as "not communicated". What do You mean and what did I wrong? --Zapp 01:42, 27 June 2019 (EDT)

The addition to the notes were not communicated with the primary verifier, and since they were somewhat inaccurate & this PV is afik insistent with this, I rejected them. Stonecreek 04:42, 27 June 2019 (EDT)
I contacted Bluesman. --Zapp 07:18, 27 June 2019 (EDT)

Books on Demand

Hi! I cannot find the ISDFB rule for self-publishing. The publisher of this book and that book appears to be Dieter von Reeken ("Dieter von Reeken Lüneburg" printed on the bottom of the title page), on the copyright page is stated that the publisher ("Herstellung und Verlag") is "Books on Demand". Dieter von Reeken is stated as the editor (later he founded his own publishing house). What is the correct publisher according the ISFDB rules? Boskar 03:15, 1 July 2019 (EDT)

Good morning! Since Books on Demand is stated as publisher, imo that should be entered in the corresponding field. I've done the same here, for example. It would also be possible to use Dieter von Reeken / Books on Demand (DvR as an imprint). Christian Stonecreek 03:22, 1 July 2019 (EDT)

The Beatrix Gates plus ...

You primary-verified The Beatrix Gates plus .... There's a pub-note "The title for this entry is taken from p. v; there's another page (p. vii) stating the titles of more feature contents."

  1. There is no title on p. v. I think you meant p. [iii] which is the half title page.
  2. While the "plus" in the title is lower-case on p. [iii] the p. [iii] version does not include the ... ellipses.

Normally we are supposed to use the title from the title page which is p. [vii]. For this publication record I would use

The Beatrix Gates: plus The Woman Who Didn't Come Back plus Trans Central Station and much more
Yes, it's better to use the full title, I'll change it. Stonecreek 23:47, 3 July 2019 (EDT)

I inserted the colon in the title above per the Subtitles bullet on Help:Screen:EditPub#Title.

Well, that's not a subtitle in my opinion and per the other publications in the series, it's a continuation of the title like 'and'. Stonecreek 23:47, 3 July 2019 (EDT)
That's fine. I still see the publication as ambiguous as to what the title and sub-title are. The thing offer four versions of the title with "The Beatrix Gates" on the copyright page and page [vi]. Normally the half title page has just the main title. This publication has "The Beatrix Gates" in very large type and then the word "plus" small type, all lower case, and in italics. We have to guess at what that means. On the front cover and spine the it's "The Beatrix Gates" followed by "Plus..." is in a smaller font, with an upper case "P," and the ellipses. --Marc Kupper 02:33, 4 July 2019 (EDT)
Well, 'plus' has the same meaning as 'and'. Just look at cases like this and many others. Stonecreek 04:26, 4 July 2019 (EDT)
The title at the title-record level can be The Beatrix Gates without the subtitle though there may be less confusion if we use The Beatrix Gates: Plus... using the title from the front cover and spine as the source but inserting a colon per the Subtitles bullet on Help:Screen:EditTitle#Title. --Marc Kupper 19:11, 3 July 2019 (EDT)

One other comment. You have "Day of publication from amazon.com." The publication is undated other than "2019" on the title page meaning the note should be

  • The publication is undated other than "2019" on the title page. The source of 2019-02-01 is amazon.com.

--Marc Kupper 19:25, 3 July 2019 (EDT)

From the citations in the notes it follows that there's no statement for the date of publication. Else, there'd be something like "First edition February 2019" or "Printed February 2019". Stonecreek 23:47, 3 July 2019 (EDT)
Many publications have the month and year and thus people turn to sources such as Amazon to get the day of month. The current publication notes are silent on what is or is not stated in terms of the publication date. The phrase "Day of publication from amazon.com" can mislead people into thinking the publication has something like "First printing February 2019" which would be 2019-02-00 and that we then used Amazon to add the day of month for 2019-02-01. Had the publication note been "Date of publication from amazon.com" then it would be far less ambiguous. In this case though the publication states the date, in the form of the year only, on the title page. --Marc Kupper 02:33, 4 July 2019 (EDT)
You're right. I'll add this to the pub. record. Stonecreek 04:26, 4 July 2019 (EDT)

Guide to Extraterrestrials

I note that you rejected an edit to this due to "Please don't change issues that are secondary verified in vital fields" - except that as far as I was aware there were no secondary verifications (unless you meant the "Locus1" in brackets. Otherwise your note did't make much sense. Perhaps you could elaborate on which "vital" field you had in mind and what the supposed "secondary verification" was since I was PV and was editing from my copy. --Mavmaramis 15:45, 5 July 2019 (EDT)

You're right about the Locus verification: it's only in the notes and was not clicked, but someone looked it up at that source. It is not okay to change fields that have their origin likely from that source and destroy information that we already gained. Stonecreek 23:50, 5 July 2019 (EDT)
But Locus1 is a secondary source. The fact that the book in my hand confirmed it was indeed a 4th printing of the 2nd edition (by the numberline) - info I put into the notes - I don't really see the problem since a very low number of users will have access to Locus1. Doesn't the physical copy of the book supercede any secondary sources ? If you feel so vociferous about it then surely intead of merely rejecting the edit out of hand could you not have kept the information I added into the notes field with "and Locus1" (or something similar) tacked on to the end ? --Mavmaramis 02:57, 6 July 2019 (EDT)
No, the physical copy doesn't supercede any information that we can obtain from other sources, granted they are secure, and Locus1 is one of those sources. Just look at the way we handle credits for artists: if they aren't credited in a publication (or are credited erroneously) we insert the correct artist; and the same holds for informations like price(s) or publication dates.
I added the cover artist, which you missed out on. Stonecreek 13:09, 9 July 2019 (EDT)

Factor Four Magazine

Thanks for rejecting my submissions. For some reason I was treating them like anthologies instead of magazines. Idiot me. Only excuse: it was a long night. This is why your job is totally safe from me. Sorry. MLB 04:06, 6 July 2019 (EDT)

Yes, I know that it's harder to keep from making mistakes the more you're in need of sleep! It does happen to everyone of us. Stonecreek 05:28, 6 July 2019 (EDT)

Tales of Inthya

Thanks for the welcome! I tried to follow the instructions but I’m sure there’s subtleties that it’ll take me awhile to get to grips with. I do have a question: There’s three pieces of short fiction associated with the series on the author’s website (effiecalvin.com) but I couldn’t figure out how to add them to the database, and the dates and other stats aren’t easy to find since they’re just on her website. I can probably email the author and ask for more information, but if I do how would I add them? There doesn’t seem to be an option for “short fiction not part of anthology or magazine” and I haven’t been able to find it in the Help pages yet. (It’s probably going to be somewhere super obvious now that I’ve asked..!) Meredith 05:54, 9 July 2019 (EDT)

Well, we are a publication-based site, meaning that only actual publications (books, magazines, ebooks etc.) are allowed into the database (by entering the actual publication). If a story is only 'published' on an author's website, they don't have their place here, I'm afraid. However, if the story was published even in a tiny fanzine, it is allowed and can be added by entering the publication with its contents (as far as the title is speculative). I hope that helps. Stonecreek 06:29, 9 July 2019 (EDT)

Doc Savage #2

You just rejected my submission for Doc Savage #6. Why then was this one accepted? http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?4322055 Hifrommike65 10 July 2019 (CDT)

Well, there were some problems more than for the other one: please read the message filed with the rejection. Stonecreek 11:12, 10 July 2019 (EDT)

Jason Dark pub

Hello Christian. I have just entered this pub, but was unable to identify its real author. It was published in 1982 by Bastei Lübbe under the title Disco Dracula. Would you have more info about this ? TIA, Linguist 11:11, 14 July 2019 (EDT).

Hello Dominique. Thanks for the question, but it seems this one has been taken care of by another hand. Christian Stonecreek 10:20, 28 July 2019 (EDT)
Hi again. Actually, I got the necessary info from John. Thanks, anyway ! I'll have another one coming up soon… Linguist 04:09, 29 July 2019 (EDT).
As I said, here comes another Meisterwerk, which I have credited to good old Helmut. Please change the credit if it is not correct, if you are familiar with this series. TIA ! Linguist 10:09, 29 July 2019 (EDT).

Language change

Just wanted to let you know that I did a bit of a surgery on this record (OCLC verified by you some time at the dawn of time) which used to be a Polish book. Both DNB and OCLC show it as a Russian and not a Polish book and that it is in Cyrillic. And both the publisher and the ISBNs are Russian (and the ISBN is consistent with the publisher's range). So fixed all the names, added the external IDs, added the pub series and fixed the translators (due to the cases these "a-s" at the end come from the case ending and do not belong to the names). :) Annie 21:17, 23 July 2019 (EDT)

Thanks Annie for taking care and bettering the record! Christian Stonecreek 10:21, 28 July 2019 (EDT)

Die alten Meister

Hi Christian, I have just captured Utopia #461 Die Schreckenswaffe and apart from the title giving story it also contains Walter Bilitza's translation of 'The Past Master'. Could you, please, check with your copy if they are the same? The Pabel edition starts with: "Bericht der Dorothy Laritzky : Wirklich, ich möchte am liebsten sterben. So wie George sihc benimmt, könnte man glauben, es sei alles meine Schuld. Man könnte meinen, er habe den Burschen nicht einmal gesehen". And the story finishes: "Nun, dies war der unbedeutende Vorfall: sein Besuch. Hätte ich nicht telefoniert, wäre der Patrouillenkutter nicht hinausgefahren. Aber es hat keinen Zweck, weiter darüber zu nachzudenken. [...] Der Krieg ist da. Hätte ich ihm nur geglaubt! Hätten die anderen mir nur geglaubt! Aber dazu ist es jetzt zu spät..." Thanks for your support. Cheers, John. JLochhas 06:04, 28 July 2019 (EDT)

Sorry, but right now I'm away from my collection and can't check this one. However, Walter Spiegl used to use available translations of classic stories (and especially from Pabel), so I do bet that both are the same. Christian Stonecreek 10:18, 28 July 2019 (EDT)
Hello John. I've just checked it. It's the same translation. Rudolf Rudam 02:06, 29 July 2019 (EDT)

"They" They 'They'

Anniemod and Stonecreek, Thanks for your prompt attention today. Last hour I quit database submissions related to "They" &c when I noticed how much variety there is in usage, and the number of title records including CHAPBOOK, COVERART, etc. I will need to re-visit several of today's, after advice the back pages including Community Portal. --Pwendt|talk 18:17, 30 August 2019 (EDT)

Portuguese rules of capitalization

Where do I find those rules? Curiously on title page in Amazon's Look inside the title reads "A Dança dos Dragões" exactly as I submitted, the same in "Os Reinos do Caos". And the Portuguese titles in the series all have the same kind of capitalization except "A guerra dos tronos". Though in series #2 and #3 there are both kinds of capitalization to find. --Zapp 04:31, 2 September 2019 (EDT)

They are the same as for most other West European languages: only the first words and the names, places etc. in a title are capitalized. Amazon is not a bibliographical site and each & every publication taken from that source needs a proper review. It's true that there were many entered that don't fulfill the rules of capitalization. Christian Stonecreek 08:45, 2 September 2019 (EDT)
At the time the early Portuguese titles were entered, ISFDB had only one capitalization rule, the English one. Later this was changed and now every language has it's own rules. --Willem 10:52, 2 September 2019 (EDT)
Even when the title page shows it different. --Zapp 15:56, 2 September 2019 (EDT)
Yep. We normalize titles. Christian Stonecreek 23:16, 2 September 2019 (EDT)

Vampires and Vampirism

You rejected my submission of correcting the title of Vampires and Vampirism. As You can see here (all 8 images) there is no subtitle "Legends from Around the World" on the title page nor on cover or beginning of the text. So why? --Zapp 15:03, 5 September 2019 (EDT)

You really have to be more careful with using amazon's look inside, since the displayed book is not the original edition (and even for this new edition, the title page is not shown). Christian Stonecreek 15:50, 5 September 2019 (EDT)
It is the pub from 1924, second edition, there is a scan from title page ond others. --Zapp 06:02, 6 September 2019 (EDT)
It is quite clearly stated that the paperback edition (2017) by Westphalia Press is shown, you would get the original edition, though, if you order. Nobody at amazon bothers to scan old editions, they rely on the publishers for the advertisements. Stonecreek 06:12, 6 September 2019 (EDT)
I guess You're talking about this pub. But I mean this one and the title page there. --Zapp 06:25, 6 September 2019 (EDT)
Okay, finally got it. I thought you were referring to amazon's look inside feature. Sorry for the fuss. I'll update the volumes and titles. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 10:05, 6 September 2019 (EDT)

Ach, als Blobbel hat man's schwer!

Hi, I wonder about the contents of this pub. Twice the same novelette on page [1]? --Zapp 17:40, 13 September 2019 (EDT)

Yes! There's the adapted version and the 'original' one (i. e. the original translation) as a in-laid brochure. Stonecreek 00:24, 14 September 2019 (EDT)
Is it useful to mark the brochure to be one? --Zapp 05:11, 15 September 2019 (EDT)
Maybe! What's your idea about that? Christian Stonecreek 05:17, 15 September 2019 (EDT)
Maybe "brochure", "supplement" or similar in title with brackets? --Zapp 06:02, 16 September 2019 (EDT)
I'm afraid that's not allowed, since the story isn't (and wasn't) published under that title. It seems that is one of those cases where the user has to take a look at the notes. Christian Stonecreek 07:06, 16 September 2019 (EDT)

Das Mutanten-Korps & Mutanten im Einsatz Notes

The Das Mutanten-Korps and Mutanten im Einsatz notes both contain a link to a non-existent title record (the "Mahr wrote here that he" link). Since you are one of the verifiers, would you happen to know the correct link? If you don't, I'll ask JLochhas (the other verifier). If neither of you do, I'll remove the link (i.e. make it "Mahr wrote that he"). Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 11:35, 15 September 2019 (EDT)

Yes, I know, since I installed that link; but I thought I tested it: anyway, I'll fix it. Christian Stonecreek 12:56, 15 September 2019 (EDT)


Cover Artist for Analog 1

Hi Christian, I have found the original art and added the necessary information. Cheers, John. JLochhas 13:00, 15 September 2019 (EDT)

Great find! Many thanks, John! Stonecreek 13:02, 15 September 2019 (EDT)

Dracula In London

Dracula in London - I tried to add the LCCN and OCLC# and you rejected it... please add

LCCN: 00067858 OCLC/WorldCat: 45621012 Susan O'Fearna 16:15, 19 September 2019 (EDT)

THANKS!
Sorry, I must have missed that one. Entered. Christian Stonecreek 23:18, 19 September 2019 (EDT)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Hi Christian,

You may want to finish whatever you started with those books yesterday because they are in a bit of a bad shape. There was also a circular variant (book varianted into itself) which I broke before this report showed up but it looks like you did some major author updates of this title last night and something remained unfinished. :) Annie 01:18, 26 September 2019 (EDT)

Yeah, I know of that, but time had run out yesterday. Will continue. Christian Stonecreek 02:15, 26 September 2019 (EDT)
You would think that with all that SF we are reading, we would have found a way to stop time or somehow make more time by now... but I guess this is why we are the fiction DB :) Thanks! Annie 02:33, 26 September 2019 (EDT)
Well, it would be a possibility to concentrate more on the science, but I have done that during and after my studies: sadly, those experiments bore no fruits. :-( Christian Stonecreek 04:20, 26 September 2019 (EDT)

The Zap Gun

You are PV1 for this edition: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?381156 I submitted OCLC External ID & Canadian pricing, cover design, & book design. You said not to inform you of minor changes, but I wasn't sure what you consider minor. Mike 13:27, 29 September 2019 (CST)

Thanks, Mike! But really those changes are not worthy the bother of extra information. Christian Stonecreek 00:13, 30 September 2019 (EDT)

Mithila Review 12

Hi Christian,

I had been trying to get some of our magazines updated and filled for the year (we are in an abysmal shape...) and I could have sworn I saw that one in the queue from my phone and then it disappeared on me before I managed to put it on hold. Apparently you rejected it twice yesterday: with content and later without. The magazine is both on the magazine site: here and in Amazon for pre-order. Fixing the title and the few other formatting issues would have taken 2 minutes compared to the time I need now to add the magazine from scratch. Once we have it, it will be just a quick check when Look Inside is there to make sure we did not miss something (I keep a list of those things).

I suspect that you are trying to work in your own way with our non-responding editor (I know I had banged my head on what we can do about the repeated errors there) but is there any chance at all not to reject magazines/anthologies and so on which have their contents added already and need a few small edits to be considered complete as opposed to needing to do all the work from scratch? Just leave it on the board if I do not see it early and I will grab it and fix it from there. Thanks in advance! Annie 18:53, 2 October 2019 (EDT)

Well, it was a somewhat desperate try to focus the editor's concentration and to get some response: with the first submission (with contents) it would have still have been a considerable amount of time needed to correct the dating and the individual contents, the second still had the basic fault in titling & dating and was otherwise a stub record. If you'd like to do it, it'd certainly be possible to leave the faulty submissions in the queue. Christian Stonecreek 00:33, 3 October 2019 (EDT)
Oh, I know the feeling and figured that's what you were trying to do (and it did work to a point - they did submit it again... albeit in a worse shape than before) - I am often staring at this editor's submissions and wondering if I should kick it out or approve and fix... It was just something on my list to add anyway so I went chasing it when I could not find it this morning (I had #11 of the same on hold and saw the preliminary data for 12).
Anyway - if you do not mind leaving them behind when they have contents, I am willing to see what is salvageable. If it gets to be too annoying, I will start rejecting as well. But at the moment they are slowly updating a Spanish language anthology they added as a stub (and I fixed a few small items) - without too many issues so... here is for hope. I do wonder sometimes if we are not facing a language issue here of some type - the English updates are far and few between so there is a chance they do not speak much English. And even if I still post on their page when it gets too obvious, I had given up on a response. Although they are improving in some areas - I start seeing stories in chapbooks for example - that never used to happen :) Oh well. Thanks, Christian and hope you are having a good day :) Annie 00:51, 3 October 2019 (EDT)
Yeah, I do think it might be a language problem. We'll do it the way you suggest (and maybe we will work something out to improve the quality of submissions, too). Have a good day (what's left of it), too. Christian Stonecreek 01:09, 3 October 2019 (EDT)

Your opinion on translators

Hi Christian. I would like to hear your opinion on this subject, since you merged this title, which I unmerged because the translator was credited under different names]. Thanks, --Willem 08:29, 7 October 2019 (EDT)

Hello, Willem! I answered there. Stonecreek 11:46, 7 October 2019 (EDT)

DAW books cover art of Hescox

Can you please explain why you reject totally valid submissions to fix the missing border cover art of DAW books in the Darkover series with unusuable comments like "-" or "no cover art"? Especially as the art is also credited in the pub description texts in most cases. --Stoecker 11:24, 12 October 2019 (EDT)

Well, I thought this might be valid in the beginning, but in effect those 'works of art' are only elements of the cover design and supply a frame for the cover art proper. Plus, those additions were not communicated with the primary verifiers.
Think of this example, where Franz Wöllzenmüller supplied the (somewhat spartany) frame. We don't credit him either. Christian Stonecreek 12:24, 12 October 2019 (EDT)

Rejected Edits

Hi, why all the rejections of my last newpubs because of pub dates? What's wrong with them? I.e. "Kampfgefährten" (9783453529076) - i entered 2011-11-09, the copyright page says 11/2011, or "Blut der Abtrünnigen" (9783453529069) i entered 2011-12-12, the copyright page says 01/2012. The dates are from Amazon, as i noted to the entries. They list the dates when the pubs are available, at least for the last few years. So i tried to be as accurate as possible. I'm sure you know that the real release date of some german publishers like Heyne are in fact a few weeks up to almost a month before the printed months. Welo 14:41, 12 October 2019 (EDT)

Hi! This I did because of the established rule for publication dates with the publisher Heyne (see here). Christian Stonecreek 09:55, 20 October 2019 (EDT)

Pariah's Moon

You rejected my submission with the statement to check lookinside. I did. It clearly says trade papberback 1feb2017. So why do you insist this is an ebook version? MagicUnk 02:37, 13 October 2019 (EDT)

Yes, the date for the tp is stated as 1feb2017; the January date you supplied was for a new ebook edition; so I corrected it to this variant. We generally go with the official date of publication, and only drop on Amazon (or other vendors) if we have no better data available. Stonecreek 10:05, 20 October 2019 (EDT)

When you have a chance

Good morning Christian,

Can you look at this one. The copyright page (of the hc) says that the copyright is with "Kiepenheuer & Witsch" and the ebook data says the e-book is theirs in Amazon.de - but the look inside and the cover is Galiani. DN-B is even more confusing: here - it looks like the e-book is "Kiepenheuer & Witsch" but the Look Inside shows a Galiani one. So who is the publisher of this e-book? Or are there two of them? I went between the two of them twice and decided to just come and ask for help. Thanks! :) Annie 00:53, 15 October 2019 (EDT)

Hi Annie! Sorry for the late answer, I've been away for a few days and didn't make it to notify the community about it.
Per DNB the printed version was published by K & W's imprint Galiani, while the ebook was done by the parent publisher. Hope that clears the case. Christian Stonecreek 10:11, 20 October 2019 (EDT)
Ah, imprint and parent - for some reason it did not connect in my head despite the note on the Galiani page. Thanks! Annie

Hi, I am wondering if there is a new rule for adding the translator information? I noticed that the translator was added on pub level here (by you) and here (by Zapp). In my opinion, the translator is clearly a title, not a pub information. Boskar 03:01, 21 October 2019 (EDT)

We had this discussion somewhere a short time before: I do add this informration also to the publication (for single titles like novels with only one or very few translators), since it may help to identify a text when only looking at that level. But it is not a new rule. Christian Stonecreek 03:09, 21 October 2019 (EDT)
Thanks! And sorry for leaving the header line by mistake. Boskar 07:46, 21 October 2019 (EDT)

Re: Submission 4449824

Definition of Doublette 1 : a Superoctave stop on a French organ 2 : a mixture stop consisting of two diapason ranks

and 3 : a valid bibliographic term for a publication that is already in the database: good to learn more meanings ;-) . Stonecreek 00:25, 29 October 2019 (EDT)

The format of the submission is a) pb vs. existing trade and e-book and b) seems to be the edition released a month before the others and c) is specifically mentioned in the copyright. So what is a doublette and why does it not count? ../Doug H 21:59, 28 October 2019 (EDT)

You were not sure of it being a different format from the existing one, and the same ISBN wouldn't be assigned, so it's likely that the existing publication was in fact published one month earlier. Stonecreek 00:23, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
Except in the cases where the first edition is Kickstarter. It often shares the ISBN. It usually is a month or so earlier than the main edition. And if you look at the note in the tp edition, the August edition is listed. So there is an earlier edition out there. Annie 00:34, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
Thanks for the info, Annie. And I did learn something, also. Still, the exact format needs to be determined. Would it be likely that the Kickstarter edition with the same ISBN would have a different format? Christian Stonecreek 00:38, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
It is possible and the number of pages do hint at that. Usually it is the same book, just with a different copyright page (think of it as printing 0) or sometimes different cover. But sometimes it can even have different order of stories. In the digital era, changes in the formatting are trivial when all your printing is POD. ISBNs cost money so nothing surprises me anymore. Amazon did not come up with a look inside of the main edition out of thin air so there are both a pb and a tp editions. Is there a hidden ISBN somewhere is a different question - if we have all books from the publisher we can look at sequences bug I do not think we have. So I would say that the pb exists as described. :) Welcome to the new era of publishing I guess - if you thought tracking printer codes was hard, this is at least as much fun. :) Annie 00:48, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
Thanks again, Annie! Christian Stonecreek 00:56, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
It can get even funnier - some Kickstarts (and other similar venues) offer a special edition (in very limited numbers) for the people who support them above a treshold. These can even have extra stories printed as part of the book or extra art or all kinds of weirdness in the book itself thus making it yet another edition (this one did not have that from what I found). And I am pretty sure we will see more and more of this in the future as "publish by donation/funding campaign" becomes more and more common. It kinda reminds me of the old times' "publish by subscription" where books were printed only after enough subscribers paid for them. Oh well. We just document what the field is doing, right? :) Annie 01:13, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
Yeah, seems to be our destiny! Christian Stonecreek 01:14, 29 October 2019 (EDT)

(unindent) Re: uncertainty. In the note the uncertainty was not in the format, just in whether that was relevant to the assertion it was the kickstarter edition. So does the request get resurrected or do I re-submit? And is there a glossary of bibliographic terms? Just in case they add a "Talk Like a Bibliographer Day" to go with Sep 19's "Talk Like a Pirate Day". ../Doug H 08:21, 29 October 2019 (EDT)

Please resubmit. You had a questionmark added to pb, that's why I wrote of uncertainty. Christian Stonecreek 09:45, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
Approved. BTW: The German word is indeed "Doublette". The English one loses the last two letters - and is usually a linguistics term (which does not mean doubles - it is closer to "false cousins" if we were talking cross languages) and in my experience is not used in English in the same way as the German one is when bibliographies are concerned - but I may have missed it somewhere. Are you sure it is a valid usage in English? (I am not saying it is not, I just cannot find it anywhere and as neither language is my native, I am trying to figure out if my missed something) :) Annie 12:58, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
Well, I have seen it used before here; and since the original provenance is from French it would have crept in via this way into both other languages. Christian Stonecreek 23:52, 29 October 2019 (EDT)
If it was from one of our French-speaking editors, chances are it came that way :) I was just wondering - that's all. Never seen it outside of our DB in English so had to ask :) Annie 23:56, 29 October 2019 (EDT)

World Engines: Destroyer

You've changed the title of Stephen Baxter's novel without consulting with the primary verifiers first, nor left a reason why you felt you needed to change it. Please don't do that anymore, especially not if you intend to deviate from what's printed on the title page. It's not because this book is intended to be the first of a planned series titled 'World Engines' (where did you get that info anyway?), that you don't have to record what's on the title page anymore. Please revert your edits and chage back to the full title. MagicUnk 01:50, 30 October 2019 (EDT)

That was done because we - per common choice - don't record the series title with the title anymore (and are in the process of correcting erroneous titles). You could have come across the information that it's the first in a new series by consulting the publisher's website. Stonecreek 03:19, 30 October 2019 (EDT)
Can you tell me where that common choice is documented? At least I am not aware of it. And where are the rules that determine whether part of the title is to be considered a series title and can therefore be omitted? There's no way you can determine that for certain from looking at the title page of the aforementioned pub. You'd need to consult secondary sources (which haven't been recorded in the DB) to find out. So again, please don't change primary verified publications that are perfectly legitimate without asking/notifying first. Thank you for your understanding. MagicUnk 08:05, 30 October 2019 (EDT)
Sorry, but the choice was made a while back (about two years ago, I'd say). It was made based on a discussion based on The Lord of the Rings: there exist publications that have (for example): The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and others that only have The Two Towers. So, it's possible that the series title is stated alongside the proper title on the title page.
Since then, we are trying to meet the new standard, and I just can't believe that you were not (made) aware of it. There's also the need of having a publication's title congruent with the title proper. In every case you could have been on the point just by looking at Stephen Baxter's summary page. Well, you are now informed. There are some more titles in the 'Xeelee' that weren't changed, which I'll do. Thanks, Stonecreek 10:01, 30 October 2019 (EDT)
Ah, clearly before my time then. What I do know is that work is ongoing to get titles in their proper series, which does not necessarily imply part of the title must be stripped. As for the Xeelee ones, again not something I would agree to, but I can live with it if that's the consensus. Any pointer to relevant discussion(s)? MagicUnk 11:00, 30 October 2019 (EDT)
See the help page, the note inside of the subtitles section. Series names are not forbidden in the titles but the current practice is to strip them and that is what the help page says as well. :) Annie 11:56, 30 October 2019 (EDT)
Ah, I didn't think to check the 'Title' help. That settles it then (still like to be informed...) MagicUnk 13:34, 30 October 2019 (EDT)
When you say "informed", do you mean "moderator note" (so you can check it in your Changed Primary) or do you mean an actual post on your page. As it is bringing a title to policy (not much different from capitalization changes), I consider that a house-keeping task so if I am changing it, it will most likely be with a note in the Moderator notes on the change (although it depends sometimes but that's a different story - if I post it will be more to remind someone of the policy than for making the change itself technically). So just making sure we are on the same page. :) Annie 14:03, 30 October 2019 (EDT)
Moderator nore is fine with me. Something along the lines of 'removal of series title per rules cfr. Tiltle help' would be really nice. MagicUnk 15:51, 30 October 2019 (EDT)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol2.

Christian, stop changing my edits without asking me what I want to achieve first. It is not because you are a moderator that you do not have to be courteous. My edits were completely in line with what was already there. The edit you've done made a mess of Jim McCann's series. MagicUnk 15:17, 1 November 2019 (EDT)

Still, they were erroneous per our internal logic: that's why they needed to be adapted. Neither the title type nor the title proper or the given series structure are congruent with us. Christian Stonecreek 08:52, 3 November 2019 (EST)
If there is a character-titled series (say, Spider-Man), additional fiction titles with this defining character belong per logic to this series. It really only messes things up to insert this into a different series, and has lead directly to the impression of chaos that must irritate any user interested in that character.
(We also don't go with any marketing ploy the owners of a franchise 'offer').
As a result there were titles that would belong to the new series, but were listed in the character-defined initial series (Thor), and others that don't belong there (Who Is the Black Panther?).
Not to speak of the mess concerning the title type, which was just in the discussion in which you participated: many of them are really SHORTFICTIONs, not NOVELs, including the one you submitted last. This had lead to installing a series Mighty Marvel Chapter Books, for which its title does give some hint towards the correct title type. Stonecreek 02:47, 5 November 2019 (EST)

Images

Hi, please delete [14] and [15], I belive it's a problem with resolution --Terraflorin 12:40, 3 November 2019 (EST)

Yes, the pixels are too many per side (there are only 600 dpi allowed as maximum). Can you resize them to a smaller volume? Stonecreek 12:42, 3 November 2019 (EST)
I'll send another image immediately. PS -Here is a variant title of Il nido al di là dell'ombra (1986) by Renato Pestriniero but we don't have this novel at isfdb. --Terraflorin 12:47, 3 November 2019 (EST)
Thanks, I varianted the Romanian title to the original one.
I also deleted the uploaded images (as requested).
Unfortunately, there are far too many non-English titles missing from the database. Stonecreek 12:52, 3 November 2019 (EST)

Florian Marzin

Hello Christian,

We appear to have a bit of a disconnect in these 3 - the editor uses the canonical name while the magazines don't. Not sure which one needs correcting so just leaving you a note so you can check it. Thanks! Annie 22:58, 6 November 2019 (EST)

Thanks, Annie! I have corrected the entries. Christian Stonecreek 00:16, 7 November 2019 (EST)

Changing dates of variant art titles

Hello Christian. In this discussion, where you participated consensus was reached to treat art titles the same way other titles are treated. That means a variant title is dated on the date of the first appearance of the variant. It was noted that you still change these dates to the date of the first appearance of the original title. Some recent examples are here, here and here. Will you please stop doing this? A moderator is supposed to comply with the consensus gained on the ISFDB Wiki (see moderator qualifications). --Willem 16:24, 9 November 2019 (EST)

That's fine with me! Will do! Christian Stonecreek 00:27, 10 November 2019 (EST)
You did it again here, and even worse, you do the same with variant novel titles here. Stop this! --Willem 05:17, 14 November 2019 (EST)
Both are in perfect line with the rules, which you should be aware of. Please refer to the publication's notes and to the help text (since this edition doesn't publish a new translation). Christian Stonecreek 06:58, 14 November 2019 (EST)
Well, it seems you were right for the translation: there once was a rule that identical translations were to be dated identical (as per first occurrence of the translation). Christian Stonecreek 07:39, 14 November 2019 (EST)
That's a rule I never saw. As far as I know any variant title must be dated on the date of the first appearance of the variant. Do you still hang on to your wrong interpretation of this rule for art titles? --Willem 07:50, 14 November 2019 (EST)
The current rule, at least ever since we made the effort to separate all translations and assign languages to every title but probably a lot longer, is that every variant has its own date. Notes can be used to specify when it may have appeared under a different name but the variant stays on its own regardless if it is because of language, title or author name. From reading the old community threads, we used to use the same date for same text, new title at the start of the project but that had been changed and translations and types do not make a difference - if it is a new title, it gets its own date based on that. The only title that may need adjustment is when a variant is published before a parent but that is a special case. :) Art and translations follow the same rules as anything else. Is that where the whole confusion about resetting dates and merging across languages is coming? Do we need to spell it out even more explicitly in the rules? 08:05, 14 November 2019 (EST)
No, it's rather from the fact that neither of the differences lies in language, title or author name. The original appearance was by Edward Miller with this title in English, and that's what is stated in the publication. Christian Stonecreek 08:41, 14 November 2019 (EST)
The difference lies in the title type. The first appearance as cover art (this title) is in March 2013, so it must be dated that way. Again, if your opinion is different, bring it to the community to discuss. --Willem 09:03, 14 November 2019 (EST)
But this is in a German book. German books covers should be COVERART pieces in German the same way as stories in German anthologies are in German. You can variant into an English cover if it exists or into a record for the actual work but as a cover this is used in this book in German in 2013 and so this is what we record. Annie 09:09, 14 November 2019 (EST)
See this for an example -- from the discussion Willem linked above. Annie 09:12, 14 November 2019 (EST)
By that logic every piece that is published in a German publication has to be assigned the German language, regardless of what language it is printed there. The title is as stated on the copyright page, and I can assure you that there is no German word in it. As there is an English letter in here. We have multilingual publications in the database and have already found a way to deal with them. Stonecreek 09:16, 14 November 2019 (EST)
For the art? Yes - this will allow us to find out what languages they are used into. We have the info - why hide it? Again - if you disagree, let's discuss. But hiding the information of what languages a cover is used in is counterproductive. We do not go by the copyright page for text titles, we go by title pages... and covers are rarely there so we use the name of the pub for that. Annie 09:21, 14 November 2019 (EST)
That is really not true for art pieces, since the overwhelming majority has no title page, this situation of title pages for art will virtually only occur in art books. What we have here is a valid credit, and we use similar ones for art pieces all over (that's because we are a sf data base); hey, we even make up titles for them on our own. But it's really better to use an actual credit provided there is one. Christian Stonecreek 09:29, 14 November 2019 (EST)
Then reopen the discussion and get support for it and change the rules. Until that happens, please follow the community consensus. Or we will end up in all kinds of edit wars and the DB will be inconsistent (and people will laugh at us). We may not be an art DB but we record enough information to make it possible for people to see where covers are used. Deliberately hiding this information just because we do not like to show it is not useful :) But if the consensus goes that way, I will abide to it, despite my misgivings. But it is not the case. Yet anyway. Annie 09:39, 14 November 2019 (EST)
Why reopen? As stated, there is a valid credit inside the publication and we can use those per the rules. Christian Stonecreek 10:04, 14 November 2019 (EST)
My Bulgarian books also have the English credits for text pieces on the copyright page. A lot of books have copyright for books that does not match first publication. We use actual publication data, not copyright data. Does it mean that we should use these somehow in the title? We do not treat art differently from no-art. What you are doing is treating them differently. And if I find these, I will be correcting them (and letting the PVs know if there are PVs). If you want to have special rules for art, please start a discussion and get agreement. The last discussion agreed that we are not treating them differently. Annie 10:19, 14 November 2019 (EST)
Of course we do treat them differently: we assign titles to them that are not stated anywhere in a given publication, a thing which is not allowed for texts. And there are multiple-cover art credits like here, a possibility that was allowed per the rules but would not be possible per publication title = cover art title. Christian Stonecreek 10:34, 14 November 2019 (EST)
Are you only reading the parts of the June discussion that you want to? This should not be credited that way any more than we credit authors based on the copyright page when there is a different name than on the title page or dates for titles based on the copyright assigned to them. If you want that to be done this way, please start a discussion. Annie 10:38, 14 November 2019 (EST)
No, but you also would have to rename the art pieces of most of the Ace Doubles (here is an example) and talk with the verifiers about it. It is just not true that publication title = cover art title. It would not be meaningful for a database devoted to speculative fiction. You may want to bring those cases onto one of the community pages, though. Christian Stonecreek 11:18, 14 November 2019 (EST)
And the problem is not the title itself - it is the language. This is something we did discuss in that linked discussion - we do not merge art variants across languages the same way we do not do it for text titles. And just because the English one does not exist does not mean that a German book should have an English cover - if we ever add an English book, you will have cross-language covers merged. You can use whatever title you want -- but the coverart not being German just hides the information from anyone that wants to look for that - that fact that you do not use the DB for art queries does not mean that noone else does. And the consensus is that we do not merge covers across languages. Now... it will be weird to have an English title (as a string) and German as a language so we use book names for the covers but if you feel so strongly on naming, that also can be discussed. But this is the same problem we had been discussing before - cross-language merging of art. But that specific cover language should be set to German. Multi-language books are legitimate cases of multi-language entries. Annie 12:18, 14 November 2019 (EST)
Well, I do think that it's a fact a stated English title for a work that already exists under the same title does constitute a direct identity, since by its reproduction no German words (or words of any other language) were harmed. Christian Stonecreek 23:44, 14 November 2019 (EST)
You still don't get it do you? If you want that to be an exception to the rules, bring it to the community to discuss. Don't make up and enforce your own interpretation of the rules. --Willem 03:48, 15 November 2019 (EST)
You may still be on the road to bending reality to your will (awesome, how you do that), but painters don't use language (well, they don't do it in my reality), they use colours, pencils and other stuff. There are multilingual publications in the database, which may have gone around you some way, and that is one of them, just like this picture is in English, as it was copied from an American publication, and is marked as such. Christian Stonecreek 03:57, 15 November 2019 (EST)
You're not making this a better database if you enforce your version of reality on others. --Willem 04:27, 15 November 2019 (EST)
Willem, sorry for the snappy answer, but I do think that we should be at home in the same reality, and a 'reality' where language is used to paint or draw artworks can't be the basis for a joint reality, I'd think (and it doesn't make a database - enlisted to give a picture of reality - better to make assumptions that have no foundation in the real world). I just have gone on a stroll through the surroundings, and I think I got an idea that might solve the conflict (to be posted on the Community Portal). Christian Stonecreek 05:32, 15 November 2019 (EST)

(undent) Your words: "a stated English title for a work that already exists under the same title does constitute a direct identity"

So you are saying that if my Bulgarian book has a stated English language credit on the copyright page for a story, I should use that as a title for the story and set the story language as English? I did not think so. Glad we agree.
Now, we (the community) agreed that we do not treat art variants differently from text one (twice in the last 2 months). Correct? If you do not remember, please refer to the discussion linked above.
Now replace Bulgarian with German and story with art in my initial question. Based on the consensus, the question is as ridiculous as mine for the Bulgarian story was. If you cannot see it, how can I help clarify the rules and the consensus? Will it help if I ask one of the other German moderators to explain that in German (I can try to do it as well but my writing is so rusty that it is not even funny anymore)? I had not noticed any troubles with English from you but I know that sometimes switching back to your native language helps so... we can assist. Or are you refusing to see it because you disagree with the consensus and believe that by talking loudly and ignoring everyone, you will somehow let us drop the issue and leave you alone? Or even agree with you. If you want to change the rules so they conform to your views, you know how to do that - start a discussion, get support. In the meantime, please don't go against the consensus.
You are not exempted from the rules (including the one to abide by the consensus) just because you disagree with them.Annie 12:21, 15 November 2019 (EST)
But we do treat art variants different from text variants (or have it all the years)! Nearly all of the moderators (and many, many of the other editors) have used the possibility to credit art titles to the (correct) artist if they are a) uncredited and b) miscredited. Both is not possible for texts. And the same holds for the title; it may not be given as a title of a piece of art, or only in the surrounding context. If you don't believe that, please go ask any of them who is not involved in this discussion. If you think that the discussion resulted in what you say, it is possible that you a) are right, or b) are wrong. With possibility a) you'd need a lot of discussion and/or information for a huge amount of verified publications, and would be better treated with a new discussion, I'd think; possibility b) needs no further discussion, I'd think. Christian Stonecreek 01:39, 16 November 2019 (EST)
Twice moderators tried to see if we can find consensus that is different from the rules (or confirming them) - trying to help the only moderator who disagrees with the said rules. Twice the rules were confirmed as written - no exceptions for art. Sorry but no - there is no need to ask every single editor if they agree with the rules - if you are editing (and especially if you are moderating), you agree to abide by the rules. You had been reminded what they are, they had been confirmed twice. If you disagree, you are free to start your own discussion and try to change the rules but in the meantime, the rules are what they are. It is curious how you are ok with 3 people's consensus on a CHANGE of the rules (the German pb records - which noone even bothered to request a help update for - which made a real mess from the db again because noone knows what each moderator is using pb for) but not on a larger group of editors agreeing with the rules (the details on variants and not treating art in a special way - which are even written as they are). The difference - the first is what you like, the second is not. That's not how community projects work. Ignoring the rules and just changing data behind everyone's backs is not the correct way to get support for your idea of reality (to use your turn of phrase).
In the next few weeks I will be slowly working through and splitting again all the cross-language merged art titles. For some of the older books, this will be the second if not the third time I had done that - because when I finished the language assignment project, they were all where they belonged. Please do not start merging covers again or dating variants weirdly or changing title's languages. Thanks! Annie 20:23, 16 November 2019 (EST
Well, I guess one has to accept that some people go chasing UFOs and other base their doing on equally 'realistic' assumptions. The artists I know have assured they may need language in the surrounding communication, but not in the creation of pieces of art. Christian Stonecreek 07:11, 17 November 2019 (EST)
Artist/author feedback is certainly something to consider when deciding whether to change our data entry rules. However, we, as moderators, need to apply the current rules whether we like them or not. There are certain data entry rules that I am not very happy with and I know that at least some other moderators have rules that they are not thrilled about as well. Still, moderators are expected to try to apply the rules uniformly. If they don't, our data will become fragmented. Worse, editors and moderators will be stepping on each other's toes and changing data back and forth. That way lies frustration for everyone concerned. Editors will stop contributing and the project will become moribund. We don't want that to happen, so moderators are expected to follow the data entry rules and the consensus. Ahasuerus 11:59, 17 November 2019 (EST)
Yes, regarding problem one: I just ask where exactly in the rules it is stated that the example cover art title Blackbirds is German when published by a house situated in Germany: the title proper is English for sure (and identical in every regard to the original piece), and thus would just make the publication in question a multilingual one; we have no problem with them anymore. Christian Stonecreek 13:41, 17 November 2019 (EST)
The last discussion where consensus re: COVERART titles and languages was established is -- as far as I can tell -- here. 5 contributors were in favor of having language codes associated with COVERART titles and 1 was against. Ahasuerus 22:37, 17 November 2019 (EST)
Similar for problem two: the example title is The Last Elevator as stated on the copyright page of the associated publication. The statement in the help pages is given that its value should be the title of the publication (emphasis by me). Now 'should' doesn't mean 'has to be', a phrasing which we have chosen wisely, I'd say. For else the cover titling of the Ace Doubles and some other multi-cover art publications wouldn't be allowed (see this example). Now this would constitute an identity of the title proper.
If you find the time, I'd also appreciate your input to this proposal to find a way out of the mess we seem to be stuck in. Christian Stonecreek 13:41, 17 November 2019 (EST)
I have responded on the Community Portal. Unfortunately, I have been sick the last couple of weeks and haven't been as active as I would like to be. Ahasuerus 22:37, 17 November 2019 (EST)
The rules we follow are a combination of the formal rules and community consensus on their interpretation. In this case, the rule for the non-art is clear and the consensus is to extend it to art as art is not specifically called as an exception and we do not want to make one. I will be more than happy to show you a link in the formal rules to show that art is included as soon as you show me the formal rule that allows:
  • German books to be marked as pb based when they are too big for the explicitly described size. The change was adopted based on conensus only and AGAINST the formal rules
I do admit that this was based on the reached consensus, and I didn't look up if it actually was transferred to the help texts. But since all people involved in the particular case were in favor of the consensus, your argumentation is a sort of nitpicking. Christian Stonecreek 00:07, 18 November 2019 (EST)
As is yours on languages considering that for the last couple of years, you had always been the only person to disagree. Annie 00:18, 18 November 2019 (EST)
  • The way the German-language split novels are recorded by merging the title records as opposed to having separate ones and varianting to the parent. Again - adopted based on consensus only and against the rules as written - the split novels are specifically called out in the rules.
I don't remember taking a side in this discussion. Maybe you can enlighten me where that would have been? Christian Stonecreek 00:07, 18 November 2019 (EST)
Here? Or do you mean that you did not even notice the weirdness of the variants for this one and you were just commenting if those are magazines. If so, then ok, I will believe you had not idea this is happening in the German books. Annie 00:18, 18 November 2019 (EST)
Yes, the recommendation was based on the editor's opinion on the type of publication. Christian Stonecreek 00:30, 18 November 2019 (EST)
You have no issues using and advocating these two - because you agree with them. But when you do not agree with the consensus, you are back to "formal rules only". So let's stop all that "but the formal rules don't explicitly say so" and instead either work to change them or work to change the consensus or stop all the "I know better, I do not care what everyone else thinks" and "You need to convince me". You may want to also notice that for every single one of them, I am trying to lead the effort to get the rules to be adjusted officially -- because I would rather work with editors than stick to my conceptions of rules or when something should have been changed. If you believe that the rules as written are the only governing rule and the consensus is not important, would you please start fixing all those German irregularities ASAP? Or shall we try to find the middle ground everywhere and agree that this is a community project? Annie 14:20, 17 November 2019 (EST)

(unindent) In the meantime, is there agreement over the initial question on dating variant titles? Regardless of the outcome of all discussions and the reason for varianting, if a title is varianted to another title, the date of the variant must be the date of the first appearance of the variant. If so, there will be a major cleanup coming, perhaps starting with the example used several times above. It doesn't matter what language we assign or not, it's a coverart title varianted to an interiorart title. --Willem 08:19, 18 November 2019 (EST)

Well, no. This particular example is right now in discussion over at the Community Portal (as you should have seen, when you woud have done more than crossreading the argument). So let's better wait on the outcome of the upcoming decision to be made on titling and assigning a language (if any) to art pieces in general. Christian Stonecreek 09:14, 18 November 2019 (EST)
You think it's necessary to become abusive? If you had done more than think of exceptions and hide the main issue behind a smokescreen, this problem would have been solved days ago. And if you had had the sense to dicuss major changes with the community before implementing your own version of reality I would not have had to waste my time on these discussions. --Willem 09:39, 18 November 2019 (EST)
No need to lose your temper. I just mentioned that you obviously have not delved into the matter. We have to think of possible exceptions, because they matter for all multilingual publications. Christian Stonecreek 09:52, 18 November 2019 (EST)
At this time the consensus, which I linked above, is that COVERART titles have language codes assigned to them. For dates of COVERART variant titles, we use the same rules as we use for the dates of all other variant titles. The issue was last discussed in June 2019 and resulted in a software change to display the date of the parent art title on bibliographic pages, but no change to the date rule.
As per Moderator Qualifications:
  • Good intentions. A moderator must be someone who is willing to work to improve the ISFDB, and comply with the consensus gained on the ISFDB Wiki on the resolution of various bibliographic debates.
Are you, as a moderator, willing to abide by the consensus and follow it when editing the data and guiding editors? Ahasuerus 10:42, 18 November 2019 (EST)
Of course I am. Here it is not the issue of dates. The point I am making is that there's no basis in the rules to not allow assigning an appropriate language to a title. The two cases in question are for one the English title The Last Elevator being stated on the copyright page of a German novel publication (still under discussion).
The other one is the assigning of language to art pieces: 1) Above, I gave the example of a reproduction (including title proper) of a piece of interior art taken from a US publication in a German magazine. For 2) please see the next discussion item just below. It seems quite obvious to me that a cover art piece we assign the English title 'Blackbirds' exactly reproduced from a publication first printed in the USA, commissioned for and illustrating an English novel, and by an artist whose working language is English should be assigned the language English (if any), and thus can be merged with the other title with the same characteristics. Other editors & moderators seem to disagree with this point of view. Christian Stonecreek 23:43, 18 November 2019 (EST)
The consensus, which I linked earlier, is that COVERART titles use the same language as the reference title of the publication in which they appear. It's also how the software works when you create a new publication. COVERART titles which use the same art, but appear in publications whose reference titles use different languages must be varianted. They must not be merged.
This consensus has been repeatedly stated by myself and other moderators on your Talk page and on the Community Portal. You have refused to acknowledge that this consensus exists. After being repeatedly told about it and asked to follow the consensus you still tell editors that:
  • there just is no rule that clarifies the specific language to assign to a given cover art title. So at the moment it just is okay to merge identical cover art titles, especially when their only connection to language lies in the (here: English) title.
This behavior is incompatible with the Moderator Qualifications quoted above. If you are to remain a moderator, please do the following:
  • Acknowledge that the consensus cited above exists
  • Commit to following this consensus when editing ISFDB records and when guiding editors
  • Re-commit to following other ISFDB rules and guidelines like "Please don't change pre-existing numbering schemes unless you are sure that they are in error. Any series with this sort of ambiguity in internal ordering should have the sequence worked out on the Series project page." as per Template:TitleFields:SeriesNum
Ahasuerus 08:15, 19 November 2019 (EST)
Yes, I do acknowledge all of these points. I am very sorry if my insistence has gotten on the nerves of some editors and moderators. Please believe me that this was made in the opinion that there were some illogical things going on and/or to clean up the one or other mess. Christian Stonecreek 10:57, 19 November 2019 (EST)
Glad it's been resolved! Ahasuerus 13:10, 19 November 2019 (EST)
So that's it? No sorry for the abusive language? Does that bring back Magicunk? Does that right the injustice done to MLB's many hours of work? Does that correct the hundreds, maybe even thousands of wrongly dated art variants? Highly unsatisfying. It will take much more to bring back the thrust in you as moderator. --Willem 07:50, 20 November 2019 (EST)
I have now left messages on MagicUnk's and MLB's Talk page and apologized for my lack of oversight.
I had decided not to add a request for an apology in my earlier response to Christian for two reasons. First, the fault is, to a significant extent, mine since I should have noticed the problems and stepped in earlier. Second, a forced apology is hollow and unlikely to mean much to its recipient.
I plan to continue monitoring the situation and step in if needed. Unfortunately, my health is not very good these days, e.g. I have spent close to 30% of the last 6 months in bed. If I miss anything significant, I hope that other moderators won't hesitate to raise the issue on the Moderator Noticeboard and get me involved if needed. Ahasuerus 16:16, 20 November 2019 (EST)

Blackbirds

Seems like this one fell through the cracks when you verified it - the novel was not varianted to its original so I did that. And while I was there, I also split the cover and varianted it to the English one - as we agreed back in June in R&S, we are not changing the rules to make the art-variants special so different languages means variants even for same-named art titles. Thanks! Annie 14:27, 10 November 2019 (EST)

Thanks for varianting the novel, Annie. Alas, there seems no basis for unmerging the cover art title and assigning a different title language. This is because the question of which language to assign was never discussed and is stated nowhere in the rules (well, in this case we may overcome that it ain't Spanish which is to be assigned). The initial merging was done because the cover art is an exact reproduction of the original art as published before with publications in the US & the UK to which the same (English) title was assigned by us. I will add a note to that effect to the publication and am inclined to remerge the title later today.
I'll take to your advantage that you were somehow blinded by the idea of following pieces of art through all incarnations of different languages (while the images are only reproduced), and were not making rules out of bad will.
Also, I'll wait for your hint towards any consensus already reached on the matter (different from that some language is to be assigned). If there's none, the matter would obviously needed to be discussed. I propose a moratorium on merging / remerging for the time period in which we have not found a consensus that is reflected in the rules. But as stated, I tend towards remerging the 'Blackbirds' art titles, since it would not be okay for moderators to change publications without a basis of rules.
The matter for you may seem to be as clear as water and of a trivial kind. It is not (it may have been when there were only English titles in the database)! Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 03:29, 18 November 2019 (EST)
All the links are above (for example or the two latest R&S discussions - the consensus is that the COVERART language matches the contents language. I am well aware that you disagree and why but in every single discussion, you are the only voice against that and it does not really matter how many times you post the same or how you try to twist the reading of these pages. Consensus does not mean "One person holds the whole project hostage" or "I can do whatever I want as long as I keep a thread open where I disagree". Get a community consensus on "same name, different language need to be merged" and I will merge these personally. Until you do, I am going to stick to the consensus and undo all the merges and get our data to agree with policy as written and agreed on. Thanks! Annie 14:02, 18 November 2019 (EST)
Sorry, Annie. In your example, I can't see that there was a consensus reached (there were two voices in favor - one of which isn't active anymore - and one against). Also, it was discussed in a threading on a different matter (assigning working languages) & will certainly not have been seen by people not interested in that problem, and in any case there's no sign of it in the rules. Christian Stonecreek 23:57, 18 November 2019 (EST)

pb and European books

Hi Christian,

I just posted in R&S - if the current practice from some/most editors is to record the European small formats as pb, let's get a community consensus and fix the rules. Otherwise we keep telling the new editors to carefully study the help pages and then when they do and follow them to the letter, it seems like we ignore that and just do what we want. Another step into kicking this DB into dealing better with international books :) Annie 18:55, 10 November 2019 (EST)

Thanks, Annie! I do think that we already had something towards that. I'll try to find the discussion. Christian Stonecreek 23:24, 10 November 2019 (EST)
If you find it, all we will need to do is to agree to update the rules and then I will get the rest of the Eastern European editors to look through the books - I remember being told when I joined that the 165x120 is a tp so... I had been coaching people accordingly. We all know this makes more sense than the currently written rule but let's make sure we do not confuse everyone :) Annie 23:35, 10 November 2019 (EST)

Perry Rhodan Computer

This series ended up with 2 number 1115. One is a typo I suspect so just heads up so you can check which one needs fixing. Thanks! Annie 01:18, 11 November 2019 (EST)

Thanks, Annie. It's definitely a typo, which I'll fix. Christian Stonecreek 03:44, 11 November 2019 (EST)

Caverne de oțel

Hi. In my submission 4465969 publisher is Editura Univers and Publication Series is Colecția romanelor științifico-fantastice. --Terraflorin 04:36, 11 November 2019 (EST)

Thanks for the information, I changed it. Christian Stonecreek 09:23, 11 November 2019 (EST)

Two authors Ralf Lorenz needed

Acutally one author Ralf Lorenz exit here. Everything is ok with this author who has started publishing in the 90s! But now i need for Ren Dhark #6 a second author record with the same name. As you know, it was in the 60's a pseudonym of Jürgen ten Hoevel, but it exist no such entry which i could refer in this record. How do i have to proceed in this case? How would you handle this case? --Norman 15:18, 11 November 2019 (EST)

Hello! For cases like this one please take a look at the top of the summary page for this author or this one. The way we differ same-named authors is to add information in brackets, usually with the 'real' name (or the more prominent one, like with Stephen King) being unchanged. I would recommend to use 'Ralf Lorenz (pseudonym)' or 'Ralf Lorenz (I)' but if you know something about the life dates, something like 'Ralf Lorenz (19XX-)' would possibly better. Christian Stonecreek 23:50, 11 November 2019 (EST)

Pangaia

Hi, please approve this submission - Pangaia, I have to add the stories as well. Thanks. --Terraflorin 03:15, 15 November 2019 (EST)

Will do! But you'll have to edit the publication, since there's a 10-digit ISBN for a post-2007 publication, and those were not allowed after that year: it has to be the 13-digit EAN. Christian Stonecreek 03:17, 15 November 2019 (EST)

cover images

I'm trying to change the cover images from "local" (on isfdb with its size limits) to LARGER images located on my site that are much better than the amazon scans that are on here... Susan O'Fearna 03:22, 19 November 2019 (EST)

Yes, but we do prefer to have things on our server, I fear. If yours is not available for a time period, the images would not be displayed. Christian Stonecreek 03:24, 19 November 2019 (EST)
My site is approved-- FFSPRNG2004.jpg is blurry, NGHTMRNVLF2002.jpg is HORRIBLE (you can't even read it!) and TRCKSTR2003.jpg has amazon's watermark at top & bottom... Susan O'Fearna 03:26, 19 November 2019 (EST)
Susan, I have asked at our 'Rules and standards discussions' page for clarification on this matter. It was told to me sometime in my beginnings to 'our' images, but policy may have changed. Thanks, Christian Stonecreek 11:11, 19 November 2019 (EST)

Author credit for "Ritus der Vergänglichkeit " in "Sphärenklänge"

Hi Christian, you PV'd Sphärenklänge with the variant title of the story Ritus der Vergänglichkeit, therefore it is shown "as by Karlheinz Steinmüller". However, I don't find a credit for the story in Sphärenklänge that is going to Karlheinz Steinmüller only for this story. That has happened in Der letzte Tag auf der Venus, as so note at the end of Sphärenklänge states. I'd replace it with parent title record instead, if you don't object. Jens Hitspacebar 13:53, 19 November 2019 (EST)

Jens, it seems you are perfectly right. I don't remember how that fell into place. Please go ahead and move the titles around! Christian Stonecreek 02:04, 20 November 2019 (EST)

Vladimir Colin Award

Hi, I wanna add this award on Isfdb but I don't know how... Here is about a drop-down list with all of the award types known to ISFDB, but Premiul Vladimir Colin (Vladimir Colin Award) isn't on the list. Abația trilogy was received Premiul I Vladimir Colin (info here) in 2006.--Terraflorin 00:54, 20 November 2019 (EST)

Sorry, I have never done that, and in any case seems first to have been reviewed (but I'd think the award should be eligible). I have copied the question to the Community Portal. Christian Stonecreek 02:01, 20 November 2019 (EST)

Ren Dhark, #38: Geheimnisvolles Tofirit

A little house keeping on this one - "Meinungen + Urteile + Analysen (Ren Dhark #38)" to "Meinungen + Urteile + Analysen (Ren Dhark, #38)" (adding the comma) to match all other "Meinungen + Urteile + Analysen" essays. The other essays in the same magazines don't have commas though (and the other magazines are mix and match) so can you discuss with Norman what you two prefer so we can adjust them all (Die Raumfahrt-Story all miss it, Weltraum ABC are half and half - and as these are added only based on policy, making them the same makes sense) :) I will be happy to do the updates once you and Norman decide what you prefer: as you two have copies, it makes more sense to decide between yourselves. Thanks! Annie 17:11, 21 November 2019 (EST)

Thanks, Annie. I think Norman sets the standard here, which is perfectly reasonable. Christian Stonecreek 23:44, 21 November 2019 (EST)
Works for me - if you would like to post on his page (see the conversation at the bottom there), we can get these all organized in the next few days. Thanks! :) Annie 00:05, 22 November 2019 (EST)

Das blaue Fenster des Theokrit

Hello Christian,

plaese take a look, who translated the story Das Herz der Schlange. TIA Henna 15:12, 8 December 2019 (EST)

Hi, Henna, I added the translator to the title record. Christian Stonecreek 08:50, 9 December 2019 (EST)

Thanks Henna 07:09, 19 December 2019 (EST)

Atlan Taschenbücher

Hello,

is it ok for you, that i'll update and insert all paperbacks of ATLAN (Lepso, Rudyn, ..., Polychora)?. I owned all of this books in the first print edition. So i can registrate all the details. Also i would add them to the "publication series": Atlan-Taschenbuch. Is this also ok for you? Should i ask additional user:JLochhas about my intension? --Norman 05:03, 9 December 2019 (EST)

Hi, Norman. Sure, go on! Just be on the guard for the price format (we enter prices as XX.XX, not as XX,XX, following the ISFDB standard, regardless what's stated on the publication). Christian Stonecreek 08:48, 9 December 2019 (EST)

Cover Artist for Analog 5?

Hello Christian,

contrary to the information in the notes there is a visible signature of the cover artist in the lower right quarter. Problem: I can not identify the artist or recognize the signature. Any idea?

Analog5.jpg

Hubert Peregrin 18:11, 10 December 2019 (EST)

Thanks for the upload. I've done some digging, but this signature doesn't ring a bell with me either. Christian Stonecreek 23:34, 11 December 2019 (EST)
Too bad but Thanks. I've added a link in the pub notes. Hubert Peregrin 17:45, 12 December 2019 (EST)

Stone Knives & Extra Lives

Hi Christian,

Actually our new editor is right here, minus a space :) The Kindle Look Inside had been added since last time I looked so the title page shows the name with the two initials now. The back cover of the print edition shows a small bio and it is indeed a different Hughes. All fixed now - I think. :) Annie 20:55, 12 December 2019 (EST)

Thanks, Annie. I didn't take a look into the Kindle display. Christian Stonecreek 23:41, 12 December 2019 (EST)
The title caught my eye when I saw it in the queue today - when I approved the original Fixer submission, I spent some time trying to find if it is indeed our Hughes (it sounded weird for him) and just left it in my todo to continue later when we have Look Inside - and the submission just beat me to it. :) Annie 00:32, 13 December 2019 (EST)

Foundation and Earth cover art

Hi Christian, regarding this [16], please see the pub. Notes: 2nd item under 'Back cover:'. I took a wrong turn somewhere, the records should show as follows:

Foundation and Earth pub.record 'Foundation and Earth by Michael Topping and Shutterstock [as by Mike Topping and Shutterstock.com]'
Michael Topping author record 244346 'Foundation and Earth (2016) with Shutterstock [only as by Mike Topping and Shutterstock.com]'
Shutterstock author record 138171 'Foundation and Earth (2016) with Michael Topping [only as by Mike Topping and Shutterstock.com]'

Where did I go wrong? Thanks, Kev. BanjoKev 09:55, 13 December 2019 (EST)

Nowhere. Since we correct mistakenly credited pieces of art (or those that aren't credited at all), the way the credits are now is perfectly okay. Christian Stonecreek 09:58, 13 December 2019 (EST)
Thanks for that, it's all sorted out now:) Kev. BanjoKev 19:58, 13 December 2019 (EST)

Das Ding auf der Schwelle

Hello Christian, I uploaded a better cover. Regards Henna 07:05, 19 December 2019 (EST)

Thanks! My copy was showing some wear. Christian Stonecreek 08:43, 19 December 2019 (EST)

c't archive 1983-2013

Hello Christian, I found the old c't archives, so I have all stories from 1997/11 to 2013/26. I will start to add the stories, please keep an eye on it. Thanks Henna 11:55, 20 December 2019 (EST)

Great! I also have a list of most of them, but haven't come round to add those (and it seems it'd still be an amount of time before I'd go to them). There seems to have been a change of the weekday of publication around the turn of the century. If you do have exact days of publication (for the fortnightly schedule) this should pose no problem. Christian Stonecreek 13:44, 20 December 2019 (EST)
Hi Henna and Christian. I do have a complete list of c't stories from 1987 to 2014, and also the complete magazine archives from 1983 to 2014 - if you need additional information or want me to fill any gaps, let me know. Werner Welo 13:34, 21 December 2019 (EST)
Thanks for the will to help! It just seems that Henna isn't around today. Christian Stonecreek 14:07, 21 December 2019 (EST)
Hello Werner, thanks for your support Henna 07:23, 27 December 2019 (EST)

Nova, #10

Hello Christian, I modified the the page numbers at the beginning of the magazin. Please take a look Henna 07:22, 27 December 2019 (EST)

Nova, #26

Hello Christian, in my copy are three blank pages at the end of the magazine. Please take a look Henna 11:36, 30 December 2019 (EST) also to Nova, #27 and Nova, #28

Thanks for the hints on #s 26 & 27. I can't see a problem with #28, though. Christian Stonecreek 13:35, 1 January 2020 (EST)
I only corrected this page number: 34 •  Und immer noch gefällt mir deine Nase • interior artwork by Detlef Klewer. Thanks for looking it up Henna 16:42, 1 January 2020 (EST)

Polaris - Second Printing

Hello Christian! I own Polaris 1, but it's the second printing. I wonder if a magazine can have a second printing? Rudolf Rudam 04:36, 5 January 2020 (EST)

Well, usually not. But in these times ...: ... we have also magazines that are published in two or more incarnations (webzine, printed, and ebook). Even Exodus published at least one issue anew with bonus material (though it's not entered yet). And I have another magazine as a second printing (also not entered yet). So, I'd say it's something we have to deal with anyway. Christian Stonecreek 04:48, 5 January 2020 (EST)
Hello Christian! In the foreword to Polaris 1 Rottensteiner himself refers the series as a periodicum! Cheers Rudolf Rudam 08:36, 5 January 2020 (EST)
Good to hear (errh... read). Christian Stonecreek 09:02, 5 January 2020 (EST)

Atlan Lesermagazin

Hello Christian. Please take a look an this http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?43189 . Why using no serial nbr for the series Traversan & Centauri and now using only the nbr? I would prefer to use the same style. --Norman 07:15, 5 January 2020 (EST)

Well, the reader's pages are for the Magazine, not for the novella. Thus using the magazine title (or rather its short form, like with 'Perry Rhodan' is the correct way to differentiate. I do think the ínitial way (no serial nbr but title) was used because of fearing that else there would be twice the same title. Christian Stonecreek 09:08, 5 January 2020 (EST)

Flügel Schlag

It seems You changed the title of this pub. The front cover shows the same typeface as the title page with two separate words starting with capital letters. That may have a different sense than the title in one single word. I know that all external IDs use the title as a single word. In German it could be also a request to a wing to flap (Los, Flügel, schlage!) --Zapp 18:24, 7 January 2020 (EST)

You are right: I'll change it back. Christian Stonecreek 23:55, 7 January 2020 (EST)

Polaris 7

Hi! Why did you change the number of pages back to 244. My copy has only 225 numbered pages. Rudolf Rudam 06:19, 8 January 2020 (EST)

Well, because it is a magazine! And the rules for those are somewhat different. See the difference between Perry Rhodan (which we view as a magazine), and the optically similar Terra Astra (mostly CHAPBOOKs). Christian Stonecreek 06:21, 8 January 2020 (EST)
Ups! Had forgotten about it. Just saw that in my copy the copyright for the publisher is 1983 and why did you change the title galaxie cygnus-a into Galaxie Cygnus-A? Rudolf Rudam 06:27, 8 January 2020 (EST)
Rule of titles: normalize them (and it seems the only exception allowed is for poems). Christian Stonecreek 08:48, 8 January 2020 (EST)

Holding of Atlan #56 to #60

Could you please tell me why this submission are on hold? What is wrong with them? --Norman 18:00, 9 January 2020 (EST)

Nothing. I'll approve of them today. Christian Stonecreek 23:57, 9 January 2020 (EST)

Regarding Alternate Names for Authors/Artist

Is there a way to add an alternate name for Cover Artists? As explained in your comment for http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?4553513, if there's a regularization for names, is this a system thing or just a rule? Adding alternate names would be helpful but I cannot see any field in the Author Editor form. This is blocking verifying a book. Arctorbob 10:01, 18 January 2020 (EST)

Sorry, but I don't understand what the reason is that blocks a verification, could you explain it?
The rule is here (fourth bullet point: 'Initials'). Stonecreek 10:10, 18 January 2020 (EST)
I've just added a note to clarify the naming thing, that should do. I was actually following the part that says "we follow the author's preference" from the rule you linked above.
While I understand the naming does not follow western style rules I was just wondering if it was possible to show an alternate name for cover artists, similar to how book authors can have alternate names (translated) to show on the entries. Arctorbob 10:16, 18 January 2020 (EST)
P.S. by "blocking" I meant not being able to show the artist name as it appears in the book was preventing me from verify it, but as mentioned, adding a note to the publication should be enough, so I added it.
Thanks for the info! If there's no publication in the database that has the alternate name, there shouldn't be a separate title listed; it would be possible to list used alternate names in the notes for a given artist / author. I hope that helps. Stonecreek 10:26, 18 January 2020 (EST)
Thanks! Arctorbob 10:31, 18 January 2020 (EST)

Die beste aller Welten

Hi, please take a look at this anthology in German (not in Romanian as I edited in submission). And here I hope I didn't make any mistakes. --Florin 04:29, 27 January 2020 (EST)

The second submission was fine. It would perhaps have been better to clone the existing German publication (after setting the date to 1970), but you may want to use that feature with later submissions.
I've put the other one on hold, though. Setting the language to Romanian will lead to the result that all content items are also in Romanian. Do you want to change them individually, or do you want to create a new submission? Christian Stonecreek 04:42, 27 January 2020 (EST)
I will change them individually. Furthermore, here is wrriten: First edition, first printing: 'Originalausgabe' stated on title page and backcover. (1983), but many stories have already appeared in German in 1979 anthology (Giovanna und der Engel; Ein anderes Bildnis der Narziß; Die beste aller Welten). I believe we have the same translators.--Florin 04:47, 27 January 2020 (EST)
First edition / Originalausgabe only refers to the anthology as a whole, not to individual content items.
I'll approve of your submission for the new anthology. Christian Stonecreek 11:12, 27 January 2020 (EST)
Ok, thanks. I wrote you a message on the FB Messenger.--Florin 12:42, 27 January 2020 (EST)

Format JSF

Hi. Jurnalul SF has l x L = 22.5 x 32.2 cm. (A4 plus 1.5 x 2.5)

According to this informations is bedsheet (21.6 cm x 28.6 cm), tabloid (27.9 cm x 40.6 cm), quarto (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm), A4 or something else? --Florin 05:56, 31 January 2020 (EST)

I would recommend bedsheet, which seems to be nearest in values. The magazine formats were in most part established for American publications (with the A formats as exceptions, of course). Christian Stonecreek 06:01, 31 January 2020 (EST)
Okay, I made the changes.--Florin 06:07, 31 January 2020 (EST)

Bertelsmann

Hi! I'd appreciate your comment about the following issue: Bertelsmann Lesering, Club Bertelsmann and RM Buch und Medien Vertrieb GmbH are different names for the same book sales club (see here ). At the moment the ISFDB records for this publisher are split to 3 different publishers: Bertelsmann, Bertelsmann Lesering and RM Buch und Medien Vertrieb (I guess the publisher stated in the club edition books is different). ISFDB publisher Bertelsmann contains publications by the book club as well as by the publishing house C. Bertelsmann Verlag. In my opinion there should be 1 ISFDB publisher for the book club, e.g. Bertelsmann Lesering / Club Bertelsmann / RM Buch und Medien Vertrieb and 1 for the publishing house: C. Bertelsmann . At the moment it's a muddle. Before I go on with any activities it will be helpful to have a second opinion about this resp. about my proposal for clean-up. Boskar 03:35, 3 February 2020 (EST)

Ouch! That one is indeed difficult. I'm all with you to differ the 'regular' publisher C. Bertelsmann from its book club activities, and I'd love to see one publisher for those (exactly as you propose). The problem is that we go by the title page, and theoretically should index what is stated there (which might differ by the respective outlet chain). That said, I would nevertheless support your idea: but we would have to add some explaining note to the publications. Christian Stonecreek 03:47, 3 February 2020 (EST)
Thank you very much! It's helpful to know that you support my proposal. Indeed, the situation is even more complicated: usually the publisher is not stated in book club editions, neither on cover nor on title page, it is necessary to check the "licensed for" information on the copyright page. Furthermore, the club editions are licensed not only for the Bertelsmann club but for several book clubs: for example, the book club edition of King's "Carrie" is licensed for 7(!) book clubs on the copyright page. Does it mean the same edition was sold by 7 book clubs? I think so! Anyway it should be sufficient to add one entry for the Bertelsmann book club and add an information about the other book clubs in the note field. Regarding the ISFDB Bertelsmann entries I am going to revise them carefully and add some notes to the publisher records. Boskar 11:12, 3 February 2020 (EST)
Well, if the publisher is not stated on the title page, I do think that things are made easier for us. The up to seven different clubs were likely owned by Bertelsmann anyway or cooperated with the conglomerate (see the Wikipedia entries on Bertelsmann Lesering and on Buchgemeinschaft Donauland). If you need some help in this task, please tell me! Christian Stonecreek 11:30, 3 February 2020 (EST)
You are right! That's the trick! I did an internet search and indeed, at the date of the book publication all 7 book clubs were subsidiaries of Bertelsmann. Here comes my next proposal: to create a collective publisher Bertelsmann / Book Sales Clubs (plural?) for the Bertelsmann club editions (and add some information to the publisher's note field). What do you think? Boskar 03:24, 4 February 2020 (EST)
Sounds really, really good! Christian Stonecreek 03:30, 4 February 2020 (EST)
Here's the result of my efforts: Bertelsmann / Book Sales Clubs and C. Bertelsmann. If you have any idea for improvement let me know. Anyway, thanks a lot for your advice so far! Boskar 08:40, 5 February 2020 (EST)
Good work! The way it is phrased, editors (& moderators) should be put into a position to decide in which box a publication should be put in. Christian Stonecreek 10:57, 5 February 2020 (EST)

Tor zu den Sternen

Hello Christian, I think the three Aldiss stories are translated by Tony Westermayr. The stories are under the same subtitle Drei Rätsel der Evolution and only the last story is stated as translated by Tony Westermayr. Please take a look. Regards Henna 15:56, 5 February 2020 (EST)

You are completely right! I do think this happened because there first only was one title by Aldiss indexed and it turned out that the ooriginla was split into three. Christian Stonecreek 23:24, 5 February 2020 (EST)

SF international III

Hello Christian, I am confused. You write in the notes the story of Richard Stone is translated by Karl A. Klewer, but Stone is German. Maybe Klewer translated the Langford story. Please take a look Henna 15:37, 7 February 2020 (EST)

Well, I am confused about the identity of this author (please read the wiki note for this author. I do assume that this is a German author; on the other hand there's a translation credit. There's no English original title to be found for this Richard Stone (there's one 1931 story by seemingly another same-named author). I thought for a time that it's a pseudonym for the translator Klewer, but - as I seem to remember - there's one story by Stone that was 'translated' by another hand. I also didn't find any reference for Stone in the nonfictional works I could lay my hands on. Christian Stonecreek 15:50, 7 February 2020 (EST)
Hello Christian, mysterious. Henna 16:14, 7 February 2020 (EST)
Well, a little bit less so, now. The one case where the translation is by one 'Alfred Hans' is not a different one anymore, because Hans is a pseudonym for Klewer. So, I do think that Richard Stone may very well be a pseudonym for Klewer - but, alas, there ain't no hard evidence for this. Christian Stonecreek 02:24, 10 February 2020 (EST)

Normalized titles

Maybe my concentration is sometimes less than necessary. But where can I find rules for normalizing titles? When even the Portuguese National Library, coleccaoargonauta.blogspot.com and bibliowiki.com.pt use the same capitalization as used here, why is that wrong? And who approved the titles when they were submitted first and new?? --Zapp 14:41, 9 February 2020 (EST)

Well, I don't know who approved them in the first place. I guess that the rule-of-thumb when approving them was the same as for English titles. That prived to be wrong: in fact, it does seem that at least most European languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, but also Dutch) follow the rule: First letter of the title is capitalized, all other words aren't (except for names, titles etc.). This was debated some time back: I'll see if I can find the thread. Christian Stonecreek 01:50, 10 February 2020 (EST)
Here it is, at least in principle: Portuguese is stated as sentence case here. Hope that helps, Christian Stonecreek 02:21, 10 February 2020 (EST)

Coraline: The Graphic Novel

this chapbook and its attached novella need to be renamed, unmerged and variant-ed -- this is the story ADAPTED by P. Graig Russell from Neil's novella and into graphic-novel -- it IS NOT THE SAME STORY, but adapted http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?4579697 - and you rejected it without even questioning it! Susan O'Fearna 16:04, 20 February 2020 (EST)

Well, Gaiman is stated as the author, it's the same story told & the title of a given publication has to match the title properly. There's nothing of The Graphic Novel on the title page (which is our source for a title: you should care for that rule - and not invent your own ones!). This is why it was rejected. I hope that helps! Christian Stonecreek 16:15, 20 February 2020 (EST)
Maybe you can do it the way you want it done, then. The Graveyard Book and The Graveyard Book need to be merged with The Graveyard Book (graphic novel) and their contents merged, too. Susan O'Fearna 12:49, 21 February 2020 (EST)
OOh, and if you need me to scan the copyright pages... I can do that ! ☻ Susan O'Fearna 12:51, 21 February 2020 (EST)
Christian, you're doing it again :( You are rejecting someone's work BEFORE you engage with the submitter and enquire after the intent of the editor. I urge you to FIRST have the discussion, and only then reject. Or even better, accept and keep what's correct and fix what's wrong in a subsequent edit (Susan's notes should have been retained at least). It's courteous, not much work, and avoids frustration. MagicUnk 18:03, 21 February 2020 (EST)
Well, I do reject cases that are clear and give the reason in the rejection note: that's what they are invented for (see other recent rejections; this is standard procedure). There were no notes to be retained. Christian Stonecreek 00:34, 22 February 2020 (EST)
Totally beside the point. The fact remains that you are frequently making editors unhappy with your 'standard procedure'. It's not what moderators should do.
And on the notes case, adapted from the short novel/novella into a heavily illustrated graphic novel -- some of the text has been changed and some dropped in favor of Russell's illustrations which are quite different from Dave McKean's & Chris Riddell's illustrations that accompanied the un-adapted/un-edited version of the storry that Susan added seems perfectly legitimate to me, making this not a clear and cut case at all (it might be for you, but not for everyone). MagicUnk 04:50, 23 February 2020 (EST)
As you should be aware the rejection was for adding an extension to the title that was not stated anywhere on the title page: an unquestioned false interpretation of our rules. Accepting it would have meant to accept an unallowed altering of the title. In my view it would have meant to introduce erroneous data, which should not take place. And I repeat: this reason was communicated per rejection note. Christian Stonecreek 07:28, 23 February 2020 (EST)

Horst Maxeimer vs Horst Maxeiner

Hi, are these two persons (Horst Maxeimer vs Horst Maxeiner) or one, and is one of them just a typo?--Dirk P Broer 20:16, 21 February 2020 (EST)

Sorry, Dirk, I don't have "Ren Dhark #85" (maybe I can lay my hands on it during the next week). But both names do belong to the same person, and there was a short biograpical note with the other publications that I own. Christian Stonecreek 00:36, 22 February 2020 (EST)

Perry Rhodan, #1524: Die Uhren von Wanderer

Hi, has Perry Rhodan, #1524: Die Uhren von Wanderer really a Vorwort on page 3 titled 'Voorwoord'? And is 'De Terraan (excerpt)' on page 4 really in Dutch?--Dirk P Broer 07:23, 25 February 2020 (EST)

Yeah! Ellmer took these excerpts from the 1000th issue of the Dutch edition of Perry Rhodan. I still have to find out what was the original text to variant the 'Voorwoord' to. Christian Stonecreek 08:46, 25 February 2020 (EST)
So it is okay to ignore the warning issued via the 'Multilingual Publications' maintenance report.--Dirk P Broer 15:53, 25 February 2020 (EST)
Sure, thanks for doing so! Christian Stonecreek 23:47, 25 February 2020 (EST)

Der Totengräbersohn Buch 1

As per this discussion, could you please update the Notes field of Der Totengräbersohn Buch 1 to indicate where the data that was not submitted by the primary verifier comes from? TIA. Ahasuerus 13:03, 25 February 2020 (EST)

Okay, did it. If there is still something missing, please let me know it. Christian Stonecreek 15:48, 25 February 2020 (EST)
That looks better, thank you. The only thing that is missing is the date stamps. As per Help:How to update a publication:
  • A date stamp in the format "yyyy-mm-dd" has to be appended to that data
  • Examples:
  • "Cover artist credit from first printing (changed 2020-01-02)"
  • "Price from publisher's website (added 2020-01-02)"
  • "Publication date from Amazon (added 2020-01-02)".
The main reason to add data stamps is that Amazon has been known to change what is displayed by "Look Inside". For example, at one point they replaced their OCR'd scans of many print books with snippets of e-book files. This resulted in a lot of confusion: Amazon paper editions were suddenly displaying the e-book details when using "Look Inside". It may not have been a big deal for Amazon customers, but it was a mess from the bibliographic perspective. Ahasuerus 17:17, 25 February 2020 (EST)

Eine Billion Dollar

Hello Christian, I think the correct name of the cover artist is Jörg Hejkal. Here is his homepage and the photo which was used for the cover. Please take a look Henna 15:07, 6 March 2020 (EST)

You're right. I'll correct this. Thanks for finding! Christian Stonecreek 23:26, 6 March 2020 (EST)

Rejected edits 2

Hello,

You said that these submissions: 4593990 and 4593993 can't be a novel because they are too short. But, the originals (2389627 and 2389521) are novels. Also, maybe this title is unregularized, but this one is right, since are a character name (and was accepted in the original. Thanks, ErickSoares3 11:17, 8 March 2020 (EDT)

The problem lies with the co-author Regina Zilberman. This is not a pseudonym of Monteiro Lobato, so it should not be varianted to a title solely by this author.
You gave Zilberman as 'adaptor' (and co-author), but as per the cover image, only Lobato seems to be credited. Do you have any hard evidence as of who is credited on the title page? Christian Stonecreek 14:23, 8 March 2020 (EDT)
"Regina Zilberman" is who created the adaptation. The evidence is in the cover image itself. "Monteiro Lobato", "Maurício de Sousa" and below, (white in "Caçadas de Pedrinho", black in "Sítio do Picapau Amarelo"): "Adaptação: Regina Zilberman" (Adaptation: Regina Zilberman). It is easy seen on Google Books here. The text, in itself, is the work by Monteiro Lobato. But controversies created since his death, made some publishers to "clean" his books, since them fell into public domain - and so, "Regina Zilberman" is the co-author from this variation. ErickSoares3 14:43, 8 March 2020 (EDT)
I had seen the cover image, but we credit by the title page! Do you really think that the title page would credit Zilberman as author? If so, this would constitute (a) new title(s), then of only SHORTFICTION / CHAPBOOK type. Christian Stonecreek 00:00, 9 March 2020 (EDT)
Zilberman did the variation. Is not the same text as Lobato did, but still is his work. ErickSoares3 16:36, 9 March 2020 (EDT)
Well, there are two possibilities: 1) credit the texts just to Lobato and merge them with the existing ones (and adding notes about the adaptation / abridgement). or 2) credit both and have new titles (which may be put into a series, like you did here). Christian Stonecreek 00:15, 10 March 2020 (EDT)
I tried to do what I did here in all the submissions. The short story is still connected with the 1920 one. Well, add a note about the adaptation and let Lobato as a solo author for all the versions and then merge/variate what is the same work? ErickSoares3 13:12, 10 March 2020 (EDT)
It's 'connected' via the title series, but is not varianted! I realized that it's not easy to decide what is stated on the title page(s), since they don't seem to be displayed. Please decide how to proceed: one or two authors (though this may include a later revision, when we know more)! Christian Stonecreek 13:26, 10 March 2020 (EDT)
Let just make one author (Lobato) and cite the second one in the book page as a adaptator. I think that this is enough. ErickSoares3 14:25, 18 March 2020 (EDT)

Ausgebrannt

Hello Christian, are you sure this publication have a ISBN-10? Please take a look Henna 15:39, 8 March 2020 (EDT)

No, it wasn't, thanks for finding this! I guess it got entered when we weren't sure about the landmark year 2006. Christian Stonecreek 13:28, 10 March 2020 (EDT)

Herr aller Dinge

Hello Christian, I have added a better cover. Regards Henna 14:45, 13 March 2020 (EDT)

Thanks! Christian Stonecreek 14:52, 13 March 2020 (EDT)

Todesengel

Hello Christian, the cover art is credited to Umschlagmotiv: shutterstock/Rivus Dea; shutterstock/shoeberl. Please take a look Henna 15:05, 13 March 2020 (EDT)

The credit / copyright is different on the back flap (that is what I used). Christian Stonecreek 03:37, 14 March 2020 (EDT)

Japanese

Hi, You were right to set Zapp's submissions on hold, the entries are all for the Japanese translation of Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation. I handled it, we may need an editor or moderator really fluent in Japanese to correct eventual errors I made.--Dirk P Broer 07:44, 18 March 2020 (EDT)

Thanks, Dirk! I seemed to remember that the publication was added by Sansanfeng, so I decided to wait for this user's input; even better that you dug into the matter! Christian Stonecreek 11:26, 18 March 2020 (EDT)

Vorwort. An Freund Eduard.

Hi, Christian. This "Vorwort" T2298072 is SHORTFICTION at ISFDB now, perhaps from 2013 PV by User:Rtrace in 1824 english publication. I see that you are 2017 PVerifier of 2003 deutsch publication. Perhaps you and Rtrace will resolve that.

Your explanations at My Rejected Edits:
"Sorry, but it's more essay type (a fictional preface), and those we don't categorize as stories" (above)
"There's another possible (more likely) candidate as parent" (below)

I submitted the "Vorwort" update only because of the "Length mismatch" yellow warning for the MakeVariant you rejected. Are you sure there is another likely candidate? See one online view of the "Author's Introduction" (1913, page 3).
(The current parent, same title as by canonical name Adelbert von Chamisso, I created yesterday hastily after the new author name A. von Chamisso was created by my submission of the Gutenberg ebook.)

Thanks for your work here. --Pwendt|talk 14:48, 22 March 2020 (EDT)

P.S. This 1913 anthology also contains within Rappoport's "Introduction" the translation of a letter to Hitzig from Fouque (1913, page x-xi) --facetious if not fictitious in part? I suppose that is the first of "two fictional forewords" we note in the 1814 publication record.
Good night and Good morning Monday. Maybe I look at preliminary essay/story in some other German and English editions later. --Pwendt|talk 23:09, 22 March 2020 (EDT)
Yes, the Fouqué letter will be the same (translated) one we already have. I see that we already have a variant Author's Introduction, but Avertissement de l'auteur and Préface (Merveilleuse histoire de Pierre Schlémihl) I would estimate as to be more likely candidates. I'll have to take a look into the matter, but first I'll do the varianting to have this put into the series. Christian Stonecreek 00:15, 23 March 2020 (EDT)

Three weeks later. Christian,
1. "first I'll do the varianting to have this put into the series." Should every variant title be placed explicitly in the fiction series? I wonder whether you have done that for some of my Peter Schlemihl submissions (even where you are not the moderator) or perhaps it is automated, after the Variant relation is made. --because many whose "Series" I have neglected are in the series.

Yes, that's done automatically upon varianting.

2. I see that we now have four fictitious essays in the Peter Schlemihl series as short stories. One each by C, F, and H originating in German-language eds. and one by Chamisso originating in 1822 French ("Avertissement"). Do you consider the coverage here as shortfiction is settled? (Annie inquired last week whether one of my Add should be anthology, as containing fiction by multiple authors. She did accept chapbook, however.) --Pwendt|talk 17:15, 12 April 2020 (EDT)

I do think they are fictional 'essays' that take the existence of Peter Schlemihl as granted, and thus do qualify as fiction. Christian Stonecreek 00:18, 13 April 2020 (EDT)

Cover Artist for Der neue Herrscher

Hi Christian, I've added the cover artist for this 'Gemini SF' title including the cross-reference. Cheers, John. JLochhas 02:52, 24 March 2020 (EDT)

Thanks very much, John! Christian Stonecreek 04:27, 24 March 2020 (EDT)

Variante zwei - PKD

Hi Christian, I noticed that in your PV here, the essay p301 is as "(trans. of Notes (Second Variety) 1987).

Your contents listing is 15 stories short of the 1987 Second Variety here.

Given that the Notes are tailored to the contents of the book, do you think yours should be a variant?

Thanks, Kev. BanjoKev 15:56, 26 March 2020 (EDT)

Sure. The 'Notes' are a conglomerate of various essays published initially in a variety of publications anyway. Christian Stonecreek 16:03, 26 March 2020 (EDT)
I've not dealt with translations before, so where would I start in varianting this. I see that the German translations are already variants [17] - so the route is not apparent to me at the moment. Thanks, Kev. BanjoKev 16:20, 26 March 2020 (EDT)
The real question is, in the Notes, have the publishers deleted references to the 15 stories that don't appear, or have they printed (without change) references to all 27 stories in the original Second Variety. Could you check that please?
If the Notes are without change, the matter of varianting doesn't arise. Thanks, Kev. BanjoKev 19:08, 26 March 2020 (EDT)

The Dark Wheel

Thanks for doing the pub date update on the publication record - I realized after I hit submit I'd forgotten to make the same change as I did on the title, but got diverted by other things before I could cancel and resubmit. 17:43, 27 March 2020 (EDT)

No need to thank for this, it has become a habit for me. Actually, it's possible to change the dates in the given publication entry - as long as there's only one publication of a title (and the title fields are not greyed out). Stonecreek 01:57, 28 March 2020 (EDT)

Publisher Nova Época

Hi Stonecreek, In what concerns to the rejection on changing the name of the Publisher Nova Epoca, I know what 'Editorial' means as I'm a Portuguese native speaker. I could give you many examples in Portuguese where the words 'Editora', 'Editorial', 'Editores' (all of that meaning publisher(s)) are all integral part of the brand name of the Publisher. Although, I can agree that this could not necessarily be the case, I don't know, is a Brazilian publisher (I'm Portuguese) , and I'm not familiarized with it. But this is the complete designation stated on the title page and backcover. Apart from that, the main problem with the name is that the word 'Época' is missing the acent in the 'E'. Without the acent mark the word as no meaning. And this was may main concern when I suggested to change the name. Maybe I should have stressed this out in my comment to the moderator, my fault. Best regards--Wolland 08:01, 1 April 2020 (EDT)

Hi, Wolland! Way back when I began here it was told to me that parts of the publisher's name that refer to that business - in Germany it's for example 'Wilhelm Heyne Verlag' (we have it just short as 'Heyne') or 'S. Fischer Verlag' (which we have as 'S. Fischer') - needn't to be recorded with us. I think that the way we have it (both ways) began with the introduction of foreign (non-English) publications. At least for some time it wasn't knowledge with everyone (including me) what the corresponding Portuguese, Polish, or Hungarian notions were. I don't know, maybe this should be discussed on the Rules and standards page? Christian Stonecreek 10:20, 1 April 2020 (EDT)
Hi, Christian, This question doesn't bore me so much. Once one can understand what publisher we are talking about, i think is acceptable as it is, in this particular case. But what really bores me is the missing accent mark in the "E" of Época. Can you change that? Thanks--Wolland 12:11, 1 April 2020 (EDT)
Accent mark added -here :). Annie 12:37, 1 April 2020 (EDT)
Thanks, Annie! Christian Stonecreek 13:09, 1 April 2020 (EDT)
Thanks!--Wolland 13:42, 1 April 2020 (EDT)

The Penultimate Truth - PKD - ebook

Hi Christian, while I've been investigating printings of this title, I've found no reference to the date 2010-04-18 given here in the ebook.

sfgateway, orionbooks and hachette.com.au, and anywhere I can find, all give the release date for this ebook ISBN 978-0-575-09827-5 as "14th May 2010". I haven't been able to find the April date anywhere. I bring this to your attention as it seems you processed the original incoming and will know what to do now. BTW, the Series number #58 is also missing. Thanks, Kev. BanjoKev 14:51, 4 April 2020 (EDT)

Hi! If you take a look at my edit you'll see that I only updated the note, and that was in 2014. Most likely, this is a case where the initially scheduled publication date was postponed. Christian Stonecreek 10:38, 5 April 2020 (EDT)
Postponement was my conclusion too. I'll change the date, add an explanatory note and add the series number. I'll wait for your reply though. Thanks, Kev. BanjoKev 12:34, 5 April 2020 (EDT)
Hi Christian, any thoughts before I make the change? Thanks, Kev. BanjoKev 18:00, 14 April 2020 (EDT)
Well, the conclusion seems to be the most reasonable. Christian Stonecreek 00:01, 15 April 2020 (EDT)
Thanks! Kev. BanjoKev 00:19, 15 April 2020 (EDT)

I have questions.

The first is: why was this book rejected. All title were copied directly from the online contents page. Can't get anymore accurate than that, other than owning the book itself and reading it. Is it because I put (afterward) behind the non-fiction? This is how I was taught when I first started editing here on this site six years ago. If this is wrong just say so.

Sure, you have to get better than just paste & copy: because we regularoze titles, and it seems that not all sources care about this.
If there's not another same title of the same title type there should not be a suffix to differ it. We only make them up when there's absolutely no alternative.

Yes, the title of this chapbook and the short story doesn't match. They don't have to. The chapbook's title won't always match the title of the story. Carnal Invasion XIII: Dark Mysteries is the title of the series, I believe, I looked up others with that title to find out. Caged Birds is the title of the work by Rose LaMort that is contributed to this loose shared world series. The story and the series are two different things. When Marian Zimmer Bradley leases out one of her worlds to others we don't list XXX(series): XXX(story) with every story, we list the story and put it in the proper series. As this was a chapbook, I couldn't put "Caged Birds" into a series until it was accepted into the databank. Can you explain? Is it because of the story's content? I'm not into erotica, but it wasn't for me to judge. I really don't like time travel stories either, which this story is.

Sure they should match. Where did you find other information?

I don't believe that Lost Beneath the Surface is a completely new book, neither is it the same as the original. It clearly states in the product description that LaMort was revising and rewriting an existing and published work. This means to me "a collaboration". I wouldn't be surprised if LaMort and Strange weren't the same person, but be that as it may, until proven otherwise, this ranks as a collaboration, as do many of the Conan and Lovecraft/Derleth stories do. I don't make the rules, I just follow them, and you can't have two sets of rules for the same type of material.

It may turn out that they are one and the same person, but per description they are different ones (and that's the only information we have). And per the same desription it seems that so many references and persons were interchanged (and new ones added - it may turn out that this is now part of the Cthulhu cycle) that for now it seems a completely new title by a new author - only based on an earlier work. Stonecreek 00:08, 8 April 2020 (EDT)

I know you are overworked and underpaid, but, I can't get better unless, with these type of rejections, if I don't get the procedures of proper ISFDB protocol that does't contradict other entries of the same type. MLB 20:11, 7 April 2020 (EDT)

This just goes to show how little I know. What exactly does "regularize" mean? This is the second time I have had to be corrected for this. I really want to do this right, I may be seeing this, but just not understanding it. I may need a good smack on the head with a baseball bat. As far as the LaMort and the Lily Strange titles, do you object to putting them into the same series for now until the content is straightened out? MLB 00:43, 8 April 2020 (EDT)
It's stated in the help pages, see here under 'Titles', especially the section on 'Case'. Stonecreek 01:07, 8 April 2020 (EDT)

Cover artist

Hi! The source for the cover artist (as said in the publication notes of the rejected publications) is from bibliowiki.--Wolland 06:09, 9 April 2020 (EDT)

Oh, sorry! I thought that reference only was for the purely publicational side. I'll add the artist. Stonecreek 06:56, 9 April 2020 (EDT)
No problem! Thanks!--Wolland 07:03, 9 April 2020 (EDT)

Préface (Merveilleuse histoire

Christian, Above I have continued #Vorwort. An Freund Eduard.

Online I find images of this 1838 Préface T2299626 published in two different forms.

The latter begins with the 4th paragraph of the former and they are identical from that point. Do you know, or can you infer from reading the French, whether the 1867 version is complete?
(I see that this 2003 French/German publication P645832 is your PV, Transient only.) --Pwendt|talk 18:32, 12 April 2020 (EDT)

Yes, sorry, but right now I don't have access to the book: it is a library copy, and those institutions are all closed over here because of the Corona crisis. I hope that we'll have limited access in a few weeks again. Christian Stonecreek 00:13, 13 April 2020 (EDT)
Well, the libraries are open again, and, yes, the 1867 version seems to be complete (judging from my verified copy). Christian Stonecreek 11:15, 10 June 2020 (EDT)

Das Science Fiction Jahr Ausgabe 1992

Hi Christian, would you have the page number for Jörg Weigand's essay on 'Otfried von Hanstein'? Thanks a lot. Cheers, John. JLochhas 14:47, 13 April 2020 (EDT)

Hi, John! I have added the essay to the book without the page number. I'll come back to that task later. Christian Stonecreek 13:47, 14 April 2020 (EDT)
Hi Christian, thanks....! John JLochhas 14:49, 14 April 2020 (EDT)

Author's Note (A Deepness in the Sky)

Hi Christian, I'm just curious about this submission [18]. I thought I had all the bases covered :( What did I miss? Thanks, Kev. BanjoKev 00:22, 15 April 2020 (EDT)

You just entered the moderator's note into the field for the title note. Stonecreek 00:29, 15 April 2020 (EDT)
Argh! What a stupid mistake! Thanks for fixing it! Kev. BanjoKev 00:39, 15 April 2020 (EDT)

I. G. Harding

It’s hard to let something go, especially when you’re trying to save an author from his own incompetence. I pretty much knew that this submission was going to be rejected, but I was hoping that I was on the right track. Evidently not. But what do you do when an author puts out three books/chapbooks with exactly the same title, and the covers just list the books as “number 1, 2, or 3 in a science fiction series”? I get it, protocol matters, so, do I just list them with a note stating that they are not the same novel/chapbook? Not complaining, I just want to know. MLB 14:35, 15 April 2020 (EDT)

The other two seem to have '(Book Two)' / '(Book Three)' on what seems to serve as a title page. On the other hand, this series may turn out as a serialization in the end. Christian Stonecreek 01:02, 16 April 2020 (EDT)
Sigh! Okay, thanks. MLB 04:57, 16 April 2020 (EDT)

Eine Tür aus Glas, ganz offen: Gesammelte Prosa

Hello Christian,

I changed the date on this one - it used to be 2020-04-27. I am checking all new books these days due to the delay we are seeing everywhere (and adding the new ones slower than usual for the same reason) so that one just got the usual check :) As you added it before publication - just heads up. Do let me know if I somehow misread the pages but Erscheinungsdatum is pretty obvious (I think). Annie 14:23, 23 April 2020 (EDT)

Thanks, Annie! This one seems to have got preponed (somewhat unusually). Christian Stonecreek 00:34, 24 April 2020 (EDT)
I am seeing some more like that on the English side during my checks this month. I think that with the corona lockdowns and what’s not under way, the books that were ready are getting pushed out early, replacing delayed ones. Or something like that. Who knows. But that was not the only one today, let alone this month. Just the first one from the German ones - due to volume and what we have entered I suspect. :) Annie 01:03, 24 April 2020 (EDT)

Faszination der Science Fiction

Faszination der Science Fiction is entered as a omnibus, but it only contains shortfiction. Is the type an error or are their missing content records? Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 09:13, 25 April 2020 (EDT)

This is because it collects the contents of two original anthologies (see the parent title). They aren't named separately in the book, though. Stonecreek 03:18, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
I marked it as ignored on the "Omnibuses without Contents Titles" report. However, if it's collecting the contents of the anthologies instead of the anthologies themselves, by ISFDB standards it is an anthology and not a omnibus. Omnibuses are supposed to have more than just shortfiction. -- JLaTondre (talk) 08:46, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
Help says A publication may be classified as an omnibus if it contains multiple works that have previously been published independently, and at least one of them is a NOVEL, ANTHOLOGY, COLLECTION, or NONFICTION. This seemed to be the case here (two anthologies). I took this along the idea of this, which also has only shortfiction, but does assemble three collections by Asimov. Christian Stonecreek 13:17, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
Right, help says that the it must contain a work which is a NOVEL, ANTHOLOGY, COLLECTION, or NONFICTION. Faszination der Science Fiction doesn't contain any of those. While it may include the same contents as the two original anthologies, it is not a translation of those anthologies. The contents aren't even in the same order as in the original collections. In your Meine Freunde, die Roboter example, it contains collections (pages 11, 321, & 501) which are translations of the original collections and which have also been published separately. -- JLaTondre (talk) 13:33, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
Well, you're right on this. But I think that the shuffled order only was a means to masquerade that this ain't an original anthology. This publisher had some serious difficulties getting some things right in the mid-1980s (ca. 1981 - ca. 1987), eminent in various publications. This is only one aspect, others include fouled-up statements for publication dates and erroneous credits for cover art. Christian Stonecreek 13:38, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
If you insist on that, a lot of our collections and anthologies will need to become omnibuses - a lot of later and retrospective collections (and a huge amount of translations) contain earlier ones in their entirety - which does not make the new ones omnibuses. Making them ones defeats the purpose of having different types. Either import the anthologies thus showing which 2 or more previously published works it contains (the way it is done in the example you posted above) or if you cannot do that because the book actually do not contain them but just contains the stories from them, this need fo be an anthology. Even if the order is different, we consider it the same work (a lot of translations shift order around). Annie 14:27, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
Love to do that, but for that I'd think there would be the need to have German titles for the two anthologies. There are none named, only the copyright statement(s) for the original ones are there. To have that as a single anthology it would appear that it was exclusively put together for Bastei Lübbe, which ain't the case. Christian Stonecreek 23:30, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
Adding a note explaining the situation is a lot more effective than making this an omnibus. In fact - it will be a lot more informative in explaining what the publisher did than having a non-published, never planned omnibus as a parent. :) Annie 23:41, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
Thanks to the publisher, either way is feeling uncomfortable. The way it is now is nearer to reality, I'd think - although it still looks weird. I can add an additional explanatory note. Christian Stonecreek 00:20, 27 April 2020 (EDT)


Science Fiction Times #128

Hi Christian, thanks for helping to complete this edition, there is one point, though: at the bottom of p. 114 it states IMHO that this number was edited after 15 June. Putting it into July was for sure a wild guess at my end, considering the printing process etc. to have lasted a couple of weeks, but I rather doubt that the magazine was published in May 1972. Cheers, John JLochhas 14:19, 4 May 2020 (EDT)

Yeah, but for magazines it is a bit complicated: the actual time of distribution is not irrelevant but stands back against the stated date. Thus, for exmaple, there was a gap of publication in Autumn of 1985 for Science Fiction Times, one issue is missing - and though I definitely know it was only distributed in the latter of the months stated we do date it to the first stated month. Thanks anyway, I'll add a note to #128. Christian Stonecreek 00:11, 5 May 2020 (EDT)

German Gold Mark

Hi Christian, A German set of eyes will be appreciated here. Thanks! Annie 16:33, 7 May 2020 (EDT)

Robot Proletariat

Hi Christian,

From everything I can find and all I know about these two authors (which is a lot lately as I am working on their bibliography), this is actually a serialized novel (novel in installments) and not a collection. It is a thin line with these things sometimes and it can go either way but this being a collection just does not ring true based on what I am seeing both as content and in the history of the authors. See also the publisher site/Amazon of the second edition of the same novel. That's a pretty common pattern lately (which is why we allows serials in chapbooks after all) and collecting them at the end in a book makes the whole book still a novel and not a collection.

Before I changed what you had done here, can you share your reasons to make it a collection? Thanks! Annie 22:05, 9 May 2020 (EDT)

It was done on the ground that it has "Season One" as a subtitle in one of its incarnations and the respective titles are called 'episodes', which seems to mark them as independently told from each other (thus independently shortfiction pieces). Of course that's just what other similar titlings seem to propose. Christian Stonecreek 08:20, 10 May 2020 (EDT)
That is the standard for web serials as well - which with kindle and nook had moved to the ebook scene - and their seasons are really novels told In installments/episodes. It is a very common format in the last 10 years or so for self-published authors - creators make 0.99 per installment, fans do not wait for the complete novel - everyone wins. Once the complete novel is out, the episodes are removed from the kindle store/creator’s site and that’s it. Platt and his co-writers has done quite a lot of these. The episodes themselves don’t stand on their own - this is exactly the specific type of publication that prompted the serial in chapbooks change. :)
I will clean that one up in the morning. :) Annie 08:33, 10 May 2020 (EDT)
Okay, I didn't know that! It seemed to be analogous to a collection of novelized tv episodes. Christian Stonecreek 08:40, 10 May 2020 (EDT)
Some are - which makes it a pain to figure out sometimes - multiple authors are more likely to end up with an anthology than a novel at the end but even that is not a guarantee. Makes it hard to figure out some of them. Single author ones are almost always serials - just in chapbooks and not in magazines. Almost being the operative word - I hate working serialized publishers like Serial Box because they specialize in these and figuring out which ones are novels and which ones are independent stories is a headache. The bright world of 21st century publishing :) Always something new. Annie 08:49, 10 May 2020 (EDT)

One of the Atlan issues

Would you happen to have access to the issue we are discussing here? I can add it with just the long story and a note that it is incomplete (we have that nice template for that) but thought I should stop by and check if you have it by any chance. Thanks! Annie 08:52, 10 May 2020 (EDT)

Sure I'll add it! I'll just have to look if it's in the box it should be in (but even if it ain't I think I can use Perrypedia to gain additional information). Christian Stonecreek 08:59, 10 May 2020 (EDT)

Juvenile chapbooks

Hi Christian,

When switching juvenile novels to chapbooks, please do not forget to mark the CHAPBOOK as Juvenile as well - the story is fine because it is the ex-novel and has it but the chapbook needs to be manually changed. Thanks! Annie 02:36, 13 May 2020 (EDT)

Ah, yes! I still tend to forget about this. Will better in that field, promised! Christian Stonecreek 03:00, 13 May 2020 (EDT)


On the artist Mehmet Gülergün

Hi Christian, I am currently cleaning up the artwork assigned to Mr Gülergün based on the signature 'MEHMET'. The correct name is Mehmet Tunali and his website references some of the known artwork. As the Terranauten cover has the same signature I would be changing the artist's name here, too, unless there are any concerns at your end. Cheers, John - JLochhas 05:49, 30 May 2020 (EDT)

No concerns at all, John. Christian Stonecreek 02:19, 1 June 2020 (EDT)

Wild Elusive Butterfly

Hello. (I haven't been here for a long time and am having trouble finding my way around.) I am the author of the novel Janus, and short stories from "Cages" to "Hammerhead" and "Under the Iron Rain"--in other words practically everything listed here under my name. But Wild Elusive Butterfly means nothing to me. I'm sure someone wrote and published it, but not I.

JohnMP 21:58, 31 May 2020 (EDT)

Apparently you have a namesake :) Author pages split. Annie 22:24, 31 May 2020 (EDT)
Thanks, Annie! Christian Stonecreek 02:20, 1 June 2020 (EDT)

Atlan, #620: Das leuchtende Auge

Hi Christian,

Hope you are doing well in this weird world. Can you check this one - does it really have two stories with the same title but different authors (on pages 5 and 35)? If it is a typo, can you just fix it? If it indeed how they are, can you ignore the issue from here? Thanks! Annie 03:38, 3 June 2020 (EDT)

All fine and well over here so far!
Yes, that's correct. One is a novella that is set (and titled) on an artificial object called 'Das leuchtende Auge', and which happens to be illustrated by a technical illustration in the very same issue. I pressed the ignore button. Christian Stonecreek 03:43, 3 June 2020 (EDT)
That's why we have ignore -- these things do happen. Thanks! Annie 03:48, 3 June 2020 (EDT)

Knaur

Hi Christian,

Do you have any idea why we have both Knaur and Droemer Knaur. The Amazons seems to be using them almost interchangeably; DNB seems to use mostly Knaur on the books I looked at. Is there a parent/imprint relationship (I do not see one on the site but might have missed it) or do we just have two names for the same publisher? If they are the same, should we merge and under which name? Thanks! Annie 01:49, 10 June 2020 (EDT)

Basically, they are the same. It's only that some publications have 'Droemer Knaur' on their respective title pages (those should be earlier ones), some 'Knaur' and some 'Droemer'. Since they all share the same ISBN code (426), it should be possible or even rewarding to merge them. Concerning the merged name I'm not sure, alas. A monstrum like 'Droemer Knaur / Droemer / Knaur' doesn't look fine. The only meaningful one imo would be 'Droemer Knaur'. Christian Stonecreek 04:21, 10 June 2020 (EDT)
Of course, there is also Droemer - should have linked that as well above. 'Droemer Knaur' sounds good to me quite honestly - especially because most of the books are from secondary sources and who knows what the title pages really say (plus splitting them when they are obviously the same publisher and no imprints makes no sense). I will post on community later this week and ping some of the other German editors and see what everyone thinks. We really could have used Publisher varianting for cases like this :) Annie 13:59, 10 June 2020 (EDT)

Help with a German ebook publisher name

Hi Chrisian,

I need a German set of eyes on a book - mainly to make sure I am not misreading what I am seeing. DNB and OCLC both have "München : E-Books der Verlagsgruppe Random House GmbH" (Ebooks for the publishing group) as the publisher (OCLC using DNB as a source I suspect). The cover shows "Goldmann". The book is not on Amazon anymore or on RH site so I cannot do a look inside but when it was, Amazon untangled that as "Goldmann Verlag". Unless I am mistaken, we would record that as Goldmann, correct? And if so, what's with DNB's weird publisher record - I know Random House is the parent but other books are credited differently. Thanks in advance! Annie 13:51, 22 June 2020 (EDT)

Yes, Goldmann should be correct. It seems DNB had this one mistakenly coded with taking the location of the publisher (and OCLC likely copied it from there). Christian Stonecreek 23:30, 22 June 2020 (EDT)
Thanks. Always something new :) Annie 00:40, 23 June 2020 (EDT)

The Other Side of the Sky

Please see this edit that I'm holding which impacts your verified pub. As is, this submission will need to be rejected since the user added the catalog id to the ISBN. However, do you agree with adding the catalog id to the correct field? Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 18:54, 11 July 2020 (EDT)

As it's been awhile, I rejected the original edit (since it was putting the number in the ISBN field) and then made the edit to put it in the catalog id field (since it matched the cover). Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 20:01, 20 July 2020 (EDT)

Entries and translations

Hi! I realized that I have 6 entries to be confirmed since this morning. Is there some problem about those entries? I am not sure how to enlighten that a work is a translation, can you help me about this? thank you Ajarok 13:10, 12 July 2020 (EDT)Ajarok


Cover artist for Diadem von den Sternen

HI Christian, I have found the credit for the cover artist and added it, including notes. JLochhas 06:09, 2 August 2020 (EDT)

Thanks, John! Christian Stonecreek 00:21, 4 August 2020 (EDT)

Missing pages

Hello Christian! The pages 545 - 576 aren't included in my copy of Lexikon der Science Fiction Literatur. In your copy too? Rudolf Rudam 05:06, 5 August 2020 (EDT)

Sorry, Rudolf: I only PVed that one transiently from a library copy and haven't it at hand. I do assume that the mistake has been reproduced for the whole printing, though. Christian Stonecreek 05:10, 5 August 2020 (EDT)
Oh! I completely overlooked that you're only a transient verifier. I'll add the missing pages in the notes. Rudolf Rudam 04:32, 10 August 2020 (EDT)

Limbo

Hello Christian, I took a look in these publications Limbo '90 and Limbo, both have the essay Author’s Notes and Warnings at the end. Henna 12:36, 10 August 2020 (EDT)

Thanks, Henna! Do you want to add them to the English editions? Christian Stonecreek 13:21, 10 August 2020 (EDT)
Rather not :) Henna 14:25, 10 August 2020 (EDT)

Die besten Stories der amerikanischen Science Fiction: Worlds Best SF 8

I added a cover image to Die besten Stories der amerikanischen Science Fiction: Worlds Best SF 8 Susan O'Fearna 03:15, 21 August 2020 (EDT)

Thanks, Susan! I obviously had forgotten on this. Christian Stonecreek 04:34, 21 August 2020 (EDT)

The Gates of Heaven

I'm curious to know what you're fixing in your title edits for a few of my PVs, e.g. [19]. I'd like to avoid problems if I can. Thanks. --GlennMcG 02:52, 22 August 2020 (EDT)

Hi, Glenn! Sorry, if there was some action by me that was unclear to you. In this case it was just a minor edit ('Of' to 'of', per our rules of capitalization). It has become a general habit of editors / moderators to correct typos like this without further notice (because we tend to think that these rules are widely known, and there are just so much of them). Hope that solves any confusion, and sorry for any irritation. Christian Stonecreek 04:47, 22 August 2020 (EDT)
Not a problem. I just couldn't see the difference, and it was the same by memory. I didn't think to normalize capitalization when removing the series portion. Thanks for the info. --GlennMcG 15:12, 22 August 2020 (EDT)
Sorry I missed that. Good catch. John Scifibones 15:56, 22 August 2020 (EDT)

200,000 Edits

And some change ;) That's a lot of editing -- congrats on crossing over 200K (although I am not entirely sure congrats is the correct word) :) Annie 03:21, 30 August 2020 (EDT)

Thanks, Annie! Maybe also some sympathy with me is needed: the list of want-to-reads gets longer all the time ;). Christian Stonecreek 10:22, 30 August 2020 (EDT)

RedDragonBooks

Hi Christian, I noticed that you systematically update the synopses that RedDragonBooks submits. But... you are changing the exact meaning of the text by doing so. RedDragonBooks states ' From the back cover of the Bantam first edition:... ', which you convert to ' ...(adapted from the back cover of the first edition) '. Now the problem is in the word 'adapted'. While the statement of the RedDragonBooks submission means 'text exactly as it appears on the back cover' (we can ask RedDragonBooks for confirmation if you like), your statement implies that the text is (may have been) modified, in other words 'adapted', and thus is not exactly as it appears on the back cover.

From Dictionary.com: 

verb (used with object)
to make suitable to requirements or conditions; adjust or modify fittingly:
They adapted themselves to the change quickly. He adapted the novel for movies.

So best not to do that anymore, and leave the submission as-is.

Out of curiosity, why exactly are you updating these submissions this way? They are perfectly fine as-is in my opinion. Regards, MagicUnk 06:21, 2 September 2020 (EDT)

There are two reasons for changing: the first is, that we can't be sure that this is the text as displayed, since RedDragonBooks usually doesn't PV any of the publications and that this way it appears to the unsuspecting eye that any one of the verifiers did supply the respective synopsis. And in addition - as can be expected from your usual cover blurb - the texts usually don't fulfill our rule to supply plot information that should maintain a neutral point of view; exaggerations and downright advertising are a normal part: the publisher may do so, but we shouldn't cite that completely as written (and telling that the first edition was - for example - done by Bantam is also a type of advertising). For that reason the texts need to be adapted. That said it's better to have some of the plot information supplied than none, but it should be reviewed by moderators.
Unfortunately, this editor hasn't answered any of the posts on his talk page. I'll try to get the information transported to him again, though. Christian Stonecreek 06:49, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
Hi Christian. Your arguments, while valid, I believe are slightly beside the point. It's not about the fact whether or not RedDragonBooks abides by the rules or not (obviously he should), but the fact that the meaning of the phrasing (as explained above) has been changed. Until the contrary has been confirmed, he is copying over the blurb from the back of the books. As such, it is not modified, and therefore should not contain the phrase ('adapted from') in my opinion.
As to your argument that a casual visitor of our DB may think that the provided synopsis was provided by one of the PV, this remains so, even after you've updated the text. This, for my part is indeed a shortcoming, albeit not a serious one as we are moderating, after all. Further, I agree that current rules specify that a neutral point of view must be used. However, what does 'neutral' really mean in this context? As long as the blurb at the back is about the story contents itself, however exaggerated it may be, that is fine, and we should not have an issue with that. However, if the text also start advertising the story itself as 'best of the best' or some such, then that's out. But then again, that has nothing to do with the story itself but is, as you say, advertising and thus must be culled. This, for me, is still not 'adapted', rather copying only part of the text (so still From the back cover of...). I believe that we may want to have an R&S discussion on whether or not to explicitly allow back cover blurbs into the synopsis field, as that is the de-facto practice I've seen most often...
On the topic by Bantam: that statement is not advertising, but clearly and unambigiously referencing a data source. A title can have first edition by Bantam, but also first edition by another publisher, so it really is a valid statement and should not be removed.
Pity that the editor is non-communicative, as I believe he's generally doing us a favour of providing a synopsis, even if it's the blurb as copied from the back of the book. MagicUnk 13:09, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
As said, I also do think that it's better to have something than nothing. If you think that abridgments of texts would still allow a 'from the back cover ...' that's fine with me, and we can stick to that. The best text would be one taken from a review, an encyclopedia or a nonfiction work: publishers are per se not neutral on the works they publish, and anything taken from them as per word should be reviewed by us. Christian Stonecreek 14:18, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
Give me a few minutes to wrap something else up, folks, and I'll try to provide a little bit of background information about this issue. Ahasuerus 14:24, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
OK, so here is a brief history of this field. The original idea was that all synopsis information would come from ISFDB editors. Basically, editors were supposed to read a story and then summarize its plot. The first version of the ISFDB 2.0 Help template for this field (November 2006) only mentioned that the field shouldn't contain spoilers, criticism or the editor's personal preferences. (The reason was that we had had problems with editors entering comments like "The worst story that I have ever read" or adding their own analysis of the story.)
Over time we noticed that some editors used secondary sources -- blurbs, OCLC, etc -- instead of first hand knowledge when adding data to this field. Unfortunately, secondary sources are not always reliable and some blurbs can be downright misleading. I have seen multiple blurbs which tried to indirectly link an unrelated book to its author's most popular series. For example, a blurb may refer to the book as a "thematic sequel", which makes it sound like it's an actual sequel even though it isn't. For this reason the second version of the Help template added "State the source of the text if you didn't write it yourself". It's our way of saying "We don't have first hand knowledge of this story's plot. We are quoting a secondary source and we can't be sure that it's accurate."
What this means is that synopses taken from blurbs and secondary sources should credit the source explicitly to help our users distinguish between primary and secondary information. Hope this helps! Ahasuerus 15:27, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
"Adapting" from a secondary source is a bad practice for this field IMO - you can skip parts (using ellipsis) when copying the text but when you rewrite, it is not from the source anymore and as it is not something you wrote yourself and now it is not from a source either. I would rather have a properly sourced blurb/back cover text than someone's rewritten interpretation of the same (having a real synopsis by someone that had read the book is the best of course).
If someone thinks that we should stop allowing blurbs and back cover copies in the field, they should open a CS discussion and not just make decisions based on their own preferences. Especially considering that it looks like all other moderators are actually ok with approving these (I suspect that all of the active moderators had approved at least a few) and now these edits imply that 1 person believing these to be incorrect trumps the whole moderators' team approvals of them. This is not how the team is supposed to work. Just my 2 cents. Annie 15:44, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
I am not familiar with the exact nature of Christian's edits (since our software doesn't keep original, pre-edit field values) aside from what I see in the discussion above, but I wonder if we may be using two different meanings of the word "adapted".
Normally, an "adaptation" is a rewrite. For example, Shakespeare's plays have been often adapted, i.e. rewritten, for children. Other plays have been adapted as stories and, conversely, stories and novels have been adapted as plays.
However, I wonder if Christian may be using the term differently. Sometimes editors drop the promotional parts of the blurb, keeping just the plot-relevant part. When it happens, the standard way to indicate omissions is to use ellipses. If that's what's happening here, then I wouldn't call these changes "adaptations"; they are elisions or omissions. Ahasuerus 16:19, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
Here is an example. The text in "New" is what RedDragonBooks added, the one in Current is what it looks like now after this change. The new text is a summary of the back cover text. The back covers rarely provide the full story and are often misleading and summarizing them takes it one more step away from reality. A valid "back cover" text was changed to a two-liner that may eventually have something to do with the story (who knows if the actual story did not hide inside of some of the bits that were chopped off). Additionally first edition without a publisher can be misleading because noone will fix that if we unearth another first edition that we had previously missed. Annie 16:44, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
Yes, that's a good example where 'adapted' would be fitting:
'Follow Manley on a brutal mission to subdue a rebel planet, as he fights to survive the rivalries of the Ribble court... and on a voyage into the reaches of his own mind to learn the awesome secrets locked within. Fize of the Gabriel Ratchets is the shattering, haunting tale of a man who became a pawn in a deadly intergalactic struggle.'
is far from being neutral. Still, it has some plot information in it, so I decided to take this into the synopsis, which should be a ' short non-spoiler synopsis' (italics by me). So what we have now in this example is exactly that. Christian Stonecreek 23:29, 2 September 2020 (EDT)
The next bundle of submissions by RedDrragonBooks is in the same vein. Obviously the tryings of communication bear no fruit in this case. I have put them on hold as to wait for the outcome of this discussion.
I do also cite from above: "editors were supposed to read a story and then summarize its plot". That obviously doesn't happen here. The next best thing is to use a neutral source (which publishers aren't about the things they publish). Christian Stonecreek 23:40, 2 September 2020 (EDT)

(unindent) A couple of things. First, when we last discussed your moderation work, you promised not to moderate submissions by other editors. However, I see that you have approved at least some submissions by other editors over the last few days. Please don't do it again.

Second, Template:TitleFields:Synopsis says "State the source of the text if you didn't write it yourself." The other editors who have contributed to this discussion interpret the language to mean that we should quote the text verbatim and list the source. If you think that we should adopt a different approach, please start a Rules and Standards discussion. Ahasuerus 12:49, 3 September 2020 (EDT)

Okay, I will unhold the submissions. But I'm still thinking about how to ensure our neutrality. What's your (and other people's) idea about it? Christian Stonecreek 15:06, 3 September 2020 (EDT)
Further to the discussion of whether synopsis text has been altered (thus adapted), or copied verbatim from the back. I have no issue with the example given above, as it was effectively adapted from the back cover (apdapting the text is just not something what I would do, nor actively encourage). Just wanted to highlight that my question was triggered by several other cases where there was no alteration at all of the text as provided on the back of the books except for the change from 'From the back cover...' to 'Adapted from...'. So, for those cases the 'adapted' phrasing was not warranted.
On the second topic in this discussion; ie the 'neutrality' of the synopsis text. I'm fine either way to be honest. Okay if an editor that has read the book provides a summary, but at the same time I have no issue with copying synopsis text from the back cover, stripping out promotional contents and text not related to the story itself, and that the source is clearly mentioned (as has already been stated earlier). I also agree with Annie's comment that it is best to leave in the publisher as in '...from the Bantam first edition...'. Like I said, what is a 'neutral' summary anyway? I'm afraid if we go down that rabbit hole, my 'neutral' is going to be completely different from your 'neutral' (exaggeration intentional)... So, I guess if we are inclined to allow copy from the back cover, should we head over to R&S to discuss the current wording of the synopsis rule to make it more explicit ? MagicUnk 12:24, 4 September 2020 (EDT)
Well, I don't think that's needed. In the example the beginning with 'Follow Manley ...' is a kind of ploy to buy the book (-> advertising), and in the second part 'shattering, haunting tale' is a judgment on the quality of the text (-> non-neutral statement). Christian Stonecreek 13:37, 4 September 2020 (EDT)
And this is where we disagree - I find it neutral enough for our purposes... I think we are looking at that word and what stands behind it in this context in different ways. Considering all the moderators approving these did not change them either, I suspect that I am not the only one that views it that way. Neutral is a subjective word and one person's opinion should not be overriding everyone else's. So if you insist on your reading of the word, please do start a R&S discussion so we can decide what we want to do as a team instead of playing the "you are all wrong, I am right so I will fix it despite what you all think" game. You are way better moderator and team member than this. Annie 13:46, 4 September 2020 (EDT)
One way to address this issue would be to change Template:TitleFields:Synopsis from:
  • Note that this is not a place for criticism or reviews, and should maintain a neutral point of view. ... State the source of the text if you didn't write it yourself.
to:
  • Note that this is not a place for criticism or reviews. If you wrote the synopsis yourself, make sure that it maintains a neutral point of view. If the synopsis comes from another source like a blurb or a bibliographic note, include the text in quotes and state its source.
Ahasuerus 13:42, 4 September 2020 (EDT)
Yes, that'd be okay with me. Christian Stonecreek 13:48, 4 September 2020 (EDT)
I was taught that 13:42 is before 13:46 so not sure how putting the later comment first makes the whole thing chronological... :) Annie 13:54, 4 September 2020 (EDT)
Well, it (my answer) popped up before Ahasuerus' proposal and it referred to MagicUnk's comment, so - I think - readers would be puzzled by the previous order of comments. Just my comment to make things more clear (or unclear, or whatever). :) Christian Stonecreek 14:38, 4 September 2020 (EDT)
I'm totally not going to write here that 'I told you so!' :) Joking aside, the above shows that, indeed, 'neutral' is subjective as hell. So, fwiw, I think Ahasuerus' suggestion to rephrase the rules text is a good one, and I'm all for it. MagicUnk 17:22, 4 September 2020 (EDT)
Yep, I like the rewritten rule as well. Maybe add "if you skip parts, please use ellipsis (...) to indicate it". It is closer to what is getting added to the field anyway -- unless we want to enforce "users' data only"). Plus anyone knowing that this is a citation from the back cover understands that it probably is missing a major point or three and may even be incorrect and is not a real synopsis of the whole book. :) Annie 17:57, 4 September 2020 (EDT)

(unindent) I have posted a modified version of my proposal on the Rules and Standards page. Ahasuerus 15:08, 5 September 2020 (EDT)

The Second Martian Invasion

Hi Christian, I propose changing the title type of the Strugatskys Brothers' The Second Martian Invasion from NOVEL to NOVELLA. It appears in two of your verified pubs as translations. My own word count is 34,270, putting it firmly below the 40,000 words necessary for a novel. Cheers, let me know what you think. PeteYoung 05:37, 3 September 2020 (EDT)

Yes, please! I had thought around the same lines some time before, but didn't come around to do it. Christian Stonecreek 05:46, 3 September 2020 (EDT)
I already treated the German titles accordingly. Christian Stonecreek 05:49, 3 September 2020 (EDT)
The Russian text is a little under 26K words (if it was much longer, it would have been the one determining the length technically, regardless of how long the translations are, but as it is also under 40K, we are all good). Annie 16:51, 3 September 2020 (EDT)

Die Nacht des Gerichts

Die Nacht des Gerichts has incorrect cover art credit Susan O'Fearna 19:20, 3 September 2020 (EDT)

Thanks for finding that one, Susan! Christian Stonecreek 23:13, 3 September 2020 (EDT)

Sternenlauscher

Hi Christian, I found a previous publication with Bastei Lübbe. It was published in 'Bastei Lübbe Science Fiction Action' with the Pub Series #: 21087 and titled Echo der Sterne (see DNB). I think this is the stated first printing from September 1976.Hubert Peregrin 11:44, 8 September 2020 (EDT)

Many thanks, Hubert! I will update the note accordingly. Christian Stonecreek 13:15, 8 September 2020 (EDT)

Brot und Spiel

Hello Christian, I have added a better cover. Regards Henna 06:18, 9 September 2020 (EDT)

Many thanks! Christian Stonecreek 13:14, 9 September 2020 (EDT)

Non-speculative omnibus author & H. H. Ewers

Hello, again I'd appriciate your opinion on these two issues:

  • I am going to create an entry for the omnibus "Zombie / Der Dämon" by Joyce Carol Oates / Hubert Selby. "Zombie" is a speculative, "Der Dämon" a non-speculative novel, furthermore Selby obviously never wrote any speculative stuff. I guess it is necessary to create an ISFDB entry for Hubert Selby (as the omnibus author)? But not for "Der Dämon" (only add a comment in the note field)?
  • I am unhappy about the two H. H. Ewers titles Der Zauberlehrling and Alraune.
    The correct original title of the former is "Der Zauberlehrling oder Die Teufelsjäger" as stated in the entry for the original edition, also the year of the title record should be changed to '1910' or '1909' (see the explanations in the note fields). "Der Zauberlehrling" should be entered as a variant title.
    Regarding "Alraune" the complete original title is "Alraune: Die Geschichte eines lebenden Wesens". In this case maybe "Alraune" can be considered as the "canonical title"? But then the original title should be added as a variant.

What do you think? Boskar 03:05, 12 September 2020 (EDT)

Well, a cautionary yes for the first case: I'd do it that way, but I think it'd also be possible to add the novel as well, adding a title note that it's only indexed because it was published alongside a speculative novel.
for the second part also a cautionary yes: shouldn't the first (original) tilte be the parent in both cases? Christian Stonecreek 13:12, 12 September 2020 (EDT)
Good idea! I have indexed the non-speculative novel adding a note. I'll rethink the "Alraune" issue and then review the data. Thank you very much! Boskar 03:35, 13 September 2020 (EDT)

On the Atlan series

Hi Christian, Peter Griese was actually removed from writing the plots / overall storyline in 1984 and Marianne Sydow took over from #699. And, strange enough, he managed to get his foot back in and starting with #708 Marianne and he jointly worked on the storyline. Peter had never planned to leave the galaxy Alkordoom -and Marianne wanted a fresh start for her own ideas and moved to the galaxy Manam-Turu. How do I know this for certain: I was befriended with Peter Griese at the time and he told me. Cheers, John. JLochhas 06:44, 12 September 2020 (EDT)

Okay, thanks John, that's good to know! To the unsuspecting eye it did appear that he was just out of business of actually writing the synopsises (perhaps because of a stay in hospital), but still involved in outlining the plot. One gets the impression that he was somthing like the chief plotter of 'Atlan' after the death of William Voltz. How did it happen that there only was an eight weeks gap? Christian Stonecreek 13:22, 12 September 2020 (EDT)
This is where things get ugly. And the bigger question is why she was removed from the storyline of the SOL stories after Atlan #53x. There must have been some politics involved, Marianne always claimed that Schelwokat didn't ike her / didn't want her. Whatever. At any rate, Peter and Marianne were not on the same page. And after the SOL stories had run into a dead end and the last 25 episodes (675 - 699) had to be scrapped (Peter partly used the outlines for #674 as well as a rather boring paperback 'Der lange Weg der SOL') and the 'Kosmokrate-Zyklus' had started, it appears that Marianne built upon Voltz's death and bad sales numbers of the last SOL stories to argue that was better fit to run the series. I recall Peter uttering related 'conspiracy theories' back in 86/87. Peter gave an interview in the sf magazine 'phantastische zeiten' in 1987 in which he was extremely outspoken - and this put him in trouble with the publisher who didn't appreciate this sort of behind-the-scenes stories. But I am getting carried away. Marianne managed to side-step Peter, fans created a (mail-based) shit-storm arounf October 1984 and after a couple of weeks (Exposés #699 - 707 had been sent out to the other writers) Peter was back on board and sold it in Atlan #698 as his personal desire to co-write the plots... This may have been true as in 1984 was still an officer in the Bunderwehr and writing in his spare time. He only turned freelance in round about 1986 and was devastated when the series folded. - That pretty much covers it. Cheers, John. JLochhas 16:12, 12 September 2020 (EDT)
Thank you very much for the look behind the scenes, John! Christian Stonecreek 00:23, 13 September 2020 (EDT)

Dating variant art titles

May I remind you of this discussion? Variant titles should be dated on the date of the first appearance of the variant. Your edits of this pub make it look like you've forgotten this rule (again). --Willem 14:17, 12 September 2020 (EDT)

Thanks for the update, Willem! I'll try to keep up to that. Christian Stonecreek 00:21, 13 September 2020 (EDT)
Retrieved from "https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php?title=User_talk:Stonecreek/Archive4&oldid=588081"