Difference between revisions of "ISFDB:Community Portal"

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{{Shortcut3|shortcut1=ISFDB:COMMPORTAL|link1=ISFDB:COMMPORTAL|shortcut2=ISFDB:CP|link2=ISFDB:CP|shortcut3=COMMPORTAL|link3=COMMPORTAL}}
  
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== Front page performance and future changes ==
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== Through the Budgerigar ==
  
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The way the ISFDB software generates the front page has been modified. In the past, the list of 20 publications to display was regenerated every time the page was displayed. Post-change the list is built once a day as part of the nightly process which regenerates cleanup reports. (If the nightly process doesn't run for some reason, the software will generate the list the old way.)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?925198; While adding LCCN to Jones novel Transplant I noticed this book was added not long ago and while SFE mentions it and even a cover artist there seems to be no evidence of a cover online; can anyone find one? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:06, 3 January 2024 (EST)
  
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The immediate impact is that the page will load slightly faster, although the improvement will be marginal. Going forward, it means that we can make the process of selecting publications more sophisticated without affecting front page performance. For example, we should be able to display only one publication per author. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:40, 1 October 2022 (EDT)
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== To the Sound of Freedom II==
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: What happens if a title on the page gets re-dated during a day it is on the list? Books get delayed or better information (different jurisdiction or source which was incorrect) can cause a book publication date to change - especially on the pre-release records? Generating a few extra titles and ordering by date at display time (or something like that) may solve that issue nicely. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 16:49, 1 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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:: That's exactly what the new nightly process does. It selects 30 publications and stores them in a separate locations. The front page software uses that list of 30 pubs to build a list of 20 pubs which still meet the requirements. If the new list has less than 20 pubs, the software decides that something must have gone wrong with the nightly process and rebuilds the list from the database. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:38, 1 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal/Archive/Archive53#To_the_Sound_of_Freedom; I came across this record again today; should it get an all-8's date? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:24, 4 January 2024 (EST)
  
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: And didn’t we actually have 22 books on that list before? [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 16:49, 1 October 2022 (EDT)
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== HG Wells and His Critics ==
  
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:: The old code had the value of the "MaxBooks" variable set to 21. I thought it was rounded down to 20 due to the displaying 2 books per HTML table row, but it looks like you are right and the algorithm rounded it up to 22. The new code uses "20" without rounding. We can easily change "20" to "22" if desired. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:38, 1 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://archive.org/search?query=wells-and-his-critics; Anyone know a way to tell which of the 3 publishers these copies are from so I can add links? The USA one has no record; maybe it was never actually published by them. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:38, 5 January 2024 (EST)
  
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=== Proposed Changes Going Forward ===
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== Top Science Fiction ==
  
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Now that the process of building the list of pubs displayed on the front page has been moved to the nightly job, we can fine-tune it without adversely affecting front page performance.
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https://archive.org/search?query=pachter-josh+top&sort=-addeddate; Someone added intros to this anthology recently, I added archived link long ago, just noticed a Spanish-language edition, La crema de la ciencia ficción, was upped to Archive.org in 2013 in case anyone fluent wants to enter that. EDIT: From the same publisher is La Crema del crimen, https://archive.org/search?query=crema-del-crimen, which includes a few stories from ISFDB judging by back cover. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:40, 6 January 2024 (EST)
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:I will add the Spanish one.  What the heck. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 13:12, 6 January 2024 (EST)
  
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The first idea, which was briefly discussed a few weeks ago, is to allow only one publication per author. That way if a publisher reprints multiple books by a popular author and they all come out on the same day, only one will appear on the front page.
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== Pachter ==
  
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I think this would be an improvement, but there is a caveat. Suppose Book 2 in a series comes out in hardcover and the publisher makes Book 1 available in paperback on the same day. If we implement the proposed enhancement, our software will display only one of the books, semi-randomly picking Book 1 or Book 2 even though we would prefer Book 2 to be displayed because it's a new book and not a reprint.
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1914279; Josh Pachter is credited as "with" on title page of 2015 English edition on Archive.org. Should he be added as co-author? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:21, 6 January 2024 (EST)
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:I didn't check the Archive.org copy, but the Look Inside on Amazon shows that "with" citation, but then on the copyright page it says the English translation is copyright 2015 Dhooge and Pachter. There is also a copyright 2014 for Dhooge and the original publisher.  I interpret that to mean Pachter's role was (co-?)translator.  I found Pachter's [http://www.joshpachter.com/bib/bibliography.html bibliography page], and this listed in the "Translations" section. But just to avoid having anything be too clear, he also has [http://www.joshpachter.com/bib/bib.styx.html this], where he talks about previously translating another Dhooge work and being asked to "collaborate on an American version" of this one.  So does that mean this isn't a translation but is actually a major revision?  Dunno.  Given that Pachter only takes credit for translating it, I think noting him as translator and documenting the "with" citation and the copyright statements (could throw in the Pachter site references as a bonus) should be sufficient. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 13:30, 6 January 2024 (EST)
  
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There are two ways we could address this issue. The first one would be to institute a "no reprints on the front page" rule. The second one would be to check the date of each pub's ''reference title'' and display the pub with the latest date for each author.
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== Star Gors ==
  
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Which one would be a better choice? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:44, 4 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5851689; I was adding links and adding/fixing other stuff in some Gor editions, mostly UK Star PB, when I noticed an artist's signature for Players of Gor, Star edition, is on the cover but ISFDB had no credit. I tried several names I thought it could be and finally got Tony Masero who, as far as I can tell, is credited exactly once on the entire net for doing this cover, an AbeBooks/Biblio seller's description, but AbeBooks show the wrong (Daw Books) cover and Biblio's scan of the right cover is much too small to see the signature clearly. So I think I got a rare one. As can be seen here, [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/adv_search_results.cgi?USE_1=pub_title&O_1=exact&TERM_1=&C=AND&USE_2=pub_publisher&O_2=exact&TERM_2=star&USE_3=pub_title&O_3=contains&TERM_3=of+gor&USE_4=pub_title&O_4=exact&TERM_4=&USE_5=pub_title&O_5=exact&TERM_5=&USE_6=pub_title&O_6=exact&TERM_6=&USE_7=pub_title&O_7=exact&TERM_7=&USE_8=pub_title&O_8=exact&TERM_8=&USE_9=pub_title&O_9=exact&TERM_9=&USE_10=pub_title&O_10=exact&TERM_10=&ORDERBY=pub_year&ACTION=query&START=0&TYPE=Publication], there are 5 other Star editions with no cover credit; if anyone can find a signature on any of them, beat me to it and enter them yourselves. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:49, 6 January 2024 (EST)
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: I prefer the second option. We want some reprints I think. Plus we have the pesky problem of translations - if the new book is in German but has a new title and the old translation, for us it is a new title but in reality it is a reprint. Same applies for any renamed book (even if the book just gets & swapped for "and" or something as trivial). And sometimes what looks like a reprint (because there is an earlier book in the publications list) is actually the first publication - due to early (or misdated) translation or early audio version (although technically this is a publication after all) or a book that never made it out but was never cleaned from the list and so on. Unless you make a manual process, reprints will always trickle in. So we may as well just suppress them a bit when they compete with another title. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 14:55, 4 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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:: Sounds good. {{FR|1542}}, "Limit the front page to one pub per author", has been created. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 09:25, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
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== Night Mayor Cover Art ==
  
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::: Done. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 20:13, 8 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?474; I noticed that the cover art for the original UK HC and the US C&G HC, which is the same, is credited to 2 different artists here. It's easy to find photos of the back flap of US online which does say design by Roy Colmer but of the several eBay sellers who offer the UK none thought to show the back flap. There are many C&G Colmer design credits online so I'm thinking Kemp did the art and US just didn't credit him, only their designer. So should we make C&G artist Jon Kemp with a note about him not being credited? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:11, 10 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Fantastic Fiction URLs updated ==
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:I have the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?44644 UK hc of Kim Newman / The Night Mayor]. The rear flap of the dust jacket states: "Jacket Illustration: Jon Kemp" and "Jacket Design: Bostock & Pollitt Ltd." [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 18:44, 18 January 2024 (EST)
  
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All Fantastic Fiction URLs which used HTTP have been updated to use HTTPS. If you come across any issues, please post them here. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:49, 3 October 2022 (EDT)
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== Darrah Chavey's Passing ==
  
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== Series deletion -- submission review page updated ==
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I was saddened to read this morning of [[User:Chavey|Chavey]]'s passing in [https://file770.com/pixel-scroll-1-10-24-tom-swift-and-his-scrolling-pixels/ File 770] (Number 7 in the Pixel Scroll).  It was always a pleasure to work with him here and he will be missed.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 06:49, 11 January 2024 (EST)
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:I replaced link on his page with an updated one; also, while adding a link to the issue of the zine, Aurora, where his Walton essays appeared I discovered that most issues of Aurora and its predecessor Janus are on Archive.org, he PV most (all?) of them, but some have full contents while others have nothing. I imported a few poems from Robert Frazier, Steven M. Tymon, etc. but there's a ton of other book reviews and articles and stuff for anyone who's interested. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:15, 11 January 2024 (EST)
  
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The submission review page for Series Deletion submissions has been updated. The only change is the addition of a link to the about-to-be-deleted series record and slightly fancier formatting. If you come across any issues, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:54, 4 October 2022 (EDT)
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:: Sad news indeed. He had a heart attack a few years ago and has been less active since then, but he was only 69, so it was unexpected. Thanks for updating his User and Talk pages. I have updated user rights on his account. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 23:11, 12 January 2024 (EST)
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:Rtrace, thanks for letting us all know. I echo your sentiments. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 08:47, 13 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Publication deletion -- submission review page updated ==
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== Barn Owl ==
  
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The submission review page for Publication Deletion submissions has been updated. A few links have been added. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:54, 4 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?4296; I made an edit for City of Hermits long ago and today added some more stuff; I think this Barn Owl is not the same as the other that published much later. Ann Jungman who wrote a few of the later ones has a Wiki page where it says she founded Barn Owl in 1999 so I think the 1983 one should get a USA or California or something added to it. Whoever wrote the note about Frances Lincoln here seems to have conflated the 2 publishers; the England location probably belongs with the later publisher. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:27, 11 January 2024 (EST)
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:I separated out [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?4296 Barn Owl Books (UK)] and [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?83339 Barn Owl Books (USA)] based on the ISBN's. I also updated the notes for Barn Owl Books (UK) based on [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/frances-lincoln-acquires-barn-owl this article]. When untangling publishers, the [https://grp.isbn-international.org/ Global Register of Publishers] can be of help. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 09:11, 13 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Pratchett's The Unadulterated Cat: The Amazing Maurice Edition ==
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== Pat Frank Title ==
  
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Are there any followers of Terry Pratchett who can help me work out what this upcoming UK pub is, in terms of content?  [https://www.gollancz.co.uk/titles/terry-pratchett/the-unadulterated-cat/9781399608688/ Publisher's listing]; [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unadulterated-Cat-Amazing-Maurice/dp/1399608681 Amazon UK]; [https://www.waterstones.com/book/9781399608688 Waterstones].  As far as I can work out, it's a new edition of [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?8776 a non-genre novel], but with artwork/imagery from the film adaptation of [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?22285 an otherwise unrelated Discworld novel]?  Searching on Twitter and Google didn't throw up anything that provided any further enlightenment... [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 16:35, 6 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5856366; I added cover image long ago; just came across archived copy which was there years before my edit so I'm not sure why I didn't add it back then but I did now and also added dash in title, H-Bomb, but I noticed there's another part of the title that people can't decide on. Mhhutchins entered it with 3 dots but title page has one GIANT dot while facing page has long dash and LOC/WorldCat has comma. So what's the consensus? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:44, 11 January 2024 (EST)
  
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: TVTropes [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/TheUnadulteratedCat says]:
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== Sue Robinson ==
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:* [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DolledUpInstallment Dolled-Up Installment]: Republished in 2022 with [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/TheAmazingMaurice the animated version of the Amazing Maurice] on the cover, and the word "Cat" clawed out of the title and replaced with "Maurice" in a much bigger font.
 
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: Also, I am not sure I would call this book a novel. I skimmed it a couple of decades ago and, IIRC, it's a humorous "treatise" on the nature of cats. TVTropes calls it "nonfiction(ish) book". [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:53, 6 October 2022 (EDT)
 
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:: Thanks, I'll add it over the weekend.  [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 18:17, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Title deletion -- submission review page updated ==
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?16675; I added archived link and a few other things to the HC of Amendment; author is a respected American newsperson. She should be differed from the Australian author. 1992 story in Weird Tales may be by either of them or another person since there's no bio in that issue. Also, does anyone own Amendment PB? It has nice cover art but there's no back cover photo online where I assume the artist would be credited. I see some weird blocks in the lower right, P and another letter, maybe initials or maybe just part of the art. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:10, 11 January 2024 (EST)
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:I separated out ''The Amendment'' to {{A|Sue Robinson (I)|373246}}. The author blurb for ''The Amendment'' does not align with the bio for the more prominent newspaper reporter of the same name, nor does that person list ''The Amendment'' as one of their works on their personal or faculty website. So probably two different reporters with same name. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 09:55, 13 January 2024 (EST)
  
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The submission review page for Title Deletion submissions has been updated. A couple of links have been added. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:46, 6 October 2022 (EDT)
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== Peter Goodfellow ==
  
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== "Cannonical" ==
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http://petergoodfellow.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/18-misc2; I added a few credits for this artist but the last one has me stumped because the 1992 edition had the same cover as the last image here, http://petergoodfellow.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/18-misc2, but that was wrong because archived copy has the same Posen cover as the later printing on ISFDB. Goodfellow cover has an M for Mammoth so was it an earlier or later edition and why can't I find the original Methuen cover anywhere? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:54, 12 January 2024 (EST)
  
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Hi, mods. I just wanted to bring to your attention that after adding an alternate name and it says, "View Cannonical Name" and "View Alternate Name," "canonical" is misspelled. —[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 01:55, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
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== French Swastika ==
  
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: Fixed. Thanks for identifying the problem! [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:37, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5857839; French speakers, I made my usual shaky attempt at entering a foreign-language edition but I felt a book of such fame probably deserved it; after approval if anyone cares to look it over I'm sure it can be improved. I also made a follow-up edit changing date of French variant to a year earlier to match the date of this book. Also, those Feminist Press editions, https://archive.org/search?query=swastika-night&sort=-addeddate&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22, are a mess, the one with the white cover matches the UK Lawrence & Wishart edition's cover but has the info of the '85 Feminist edition, while the other 2 with the face on the cover either a) have no price on the back and totally different back cover text but copyright page is the same or b) are a 4th printing from 2003, I think, with cover info on copyright page the '85 edition doesn't have and a missing back cover so no way to tell what was on there. If anyone cares to figure all that out. For some reason the French edition I mentioned above is in English according to Archive.org which is obviously wrong. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:59, 12 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== DMCA for The Alchemy of Reality ==
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== UK Omni ==
  
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There have been a number of attempts in the past to remove ''The Alchemy of Reality'' (https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?554754). The author has resorted to a DMCA takedown with our hosting provider. Since failure to address a DMCA can be a cause for loss of hosting, I am going to delete as much of Andy Echevarria's bibliography as makes sense. (He has works in other magazines and anthologies, which can remain) --[[User:Alvonruff|Alvonruff]] ([[User talk:Alvonruff|talk]]) 14:13, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://fantlab.ru/edition356174; I added archived links to the 6 volumes of Best of Omni and noticed FantLab has a photo of #6 with a UK price on it in case anyone knows more about that; maybe all 6 were published there but, if so, none are on ISFDB. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:23, 14 January 2024 (EST)
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: The story "Doppelganger", https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2303407, actually appeared years earlier in Aphelion, http://www.aphelion-webzine.com/shorts/2008/04/Doppelganger.html, but the author had it removed. Is this person known for doing this kind of thing? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:44, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
 
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:: That's interesting background, which requires a strategy for what to do if the author files another DMCA takedown to remove their stories from in-print publications. One method would be to change their canonical name to ''LEGALLY REDACTED AUTHOR #1'', which would allow the title to remain present in the table of contents, but would separate the author's name from the story title (although nothing would stop us from listing those redacted authors on a Wiki page). We also don't currently have a mechanism in place to prevent the addition of new content for ... problematic authors. For now I have put a note on the author's page instructing that no additional solo content should be added to the bibliography.--[[User:Alvonruff|Alvonruff]] ([[User talk:Alvonruff|talk]]) 14:58, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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::: I am looking at the [http://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf US government's explanation of what DMCA does] (PDF file) and, as far as I can tell, DMCA prevents unauthorized distribution, copying or access to copyrighted works. I don't see anything about suppressing bibliographic records of published books. [[ISFDB:Policy#Data_Deletion_Policy]] is identical to [https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/How-Do-I-Delete-My-Book-From-the-Goodreads-Database-1550590077773 that of Goodreads]:
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== Tiret-Bognet ==
  
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:::* Deleting published books from our system is against policy. Goodreads is striving to be a complete database of all published works, including works that are out-of-print. ... Just as a library would not remove a record from its catalog, so do we not remove books from our database.
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=bognet&type=Name; same Verne illustrator, same book in different languages, one should be parent and maybe some of the art needs merging, Holmesd worked on many of these Verne books so he'd probably know. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:48, 14 January 2024 (EST)
  
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::: Since Goodreads has been owned by Amazon since 2013, I assume that this 2019 policy has been reviewed and approved by Amazon lawyers, so it presumably complies with DMCA
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== Server maintenance 2024-01-15 at 3pm EST ==
  
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::: If our server were hosted in a European Union country, the author might be able to leverage the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_be_forgotten Right to be forgotten], but it doesn't apply in the US. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:28, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
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The ISFDB server will be down for maintenance on 2024-01-15 (today) between 3pm and 3:10pm EST. The database and the Wiki will be unavailable. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:09, 15 January 2024 (EST)
  
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::: P.S. I used database backups to create a local copy of the deleted publication and title records. Between them and Edit History we should be able to restore the data if and when the DMCA issues are sorted out. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:48, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
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: The server is back up. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:06, 15 January 2024 (EST)
  
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::::Yeah, he could get in trouble for filing false DMCA notices. Since all we have would be a fair use cover image, and the bibliographic information is not copyrighted data, the DMCA notice has no legal basis. [https://www.websitepolicies.com/blog/dmca-counter-notice This] may be helpful in addressing this issue (especially [https://www.websitepolicies.com/blog/dmca-counter-notice#send-a-dmca-counter-notice this part]). See also [https://www.gerbenlaw.com/blog/false-dmca-takedown-notices-ninth-circuit-holds-that-copyright-owners-must-consider-fair-use-before-issuing-take-down-notices/ this], [https://copyrightalliance.org/education/copyright-law-explained/the-digital-millennium-copyright-act-dmca/dmca-counter-notice-process/ this], [http://smithlawtlh.com/false-fraudulent-bad-faith-dmca-take-claims/ this], [https://www.hinchnewman.com/internet-law-blog/2015/04/legal-copyright-dmca-takedown-notice/ this], and [https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/legal-how-to-responding-to-a-dmca-takedown-notice/ this]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:42, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
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== N. Katerli ==
  
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::::: Thanks for the pointers. My take on it is that the two cover images (m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61in-QAQKHL.jpg and m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41pp04kXO3L.jpg) are -- from a purely bibliographic perspective -- relatively minor "nice to have" morsels, so removing them wouldn't be a big deal, but the core bibliographic data is important to retain. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 20:16, 7 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=katerli&type=Name; I found a huge (380+ pages) thread on FantLab's message boards with people who have died, many of which were never entered on ISFDB (not all genre, though, some footballers and other non-genre people are included, too) and while adding many dates and photos I came across Katerli; I added Wiki link, day of death, and photo to Nina's record but is that other spelling the same person? If so, some variant would probably be needed. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:25, 17 January 2024 (EST)
 +
:It's very possible, given how things get romanized from Eastern European languages. Perhaps one of our Eastern European language people can do a little digging? ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:30, 17 January 2024 (EST)
 +
::Looking into it a bit myself, I'm 100% sure they are the same person. Working on connecting them. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:57, 17 January 2024 (EST)
 +
::Okay, everything is [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?373565 here], now. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:27, 17 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
:::::: It does look like it would be a good idea to file a counter-notification, regardless of any other steps taken. Since he won't be able to demonstrate infringement, we'd then be able to restore the content. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 08:04, 8 October 2022 (EDT)
+
::: Thanks for working on her stories. I have added dates and updated the author record. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 21:51, 17 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
::::::: https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/User_talk:AndyEchevarria; This person was actually helpful for a couple of months, at least. What went wrong? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:22, 8 October 2022 (EDT)
+
== Terry Venables ==
  
−
== Front page pubs limited to one pub per author ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5861442; Is this the famous footballer (or soccer, as we Yanks call it)? There seem to be a lot of photos of him but some of them look like a different person so just making sure this is the right guy (he wrote some novels including Bornless Keeper which is on ISFDB but online info seems to suggest he didn't actually write any of it, Gordon Williams did). --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:44, 17 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
As per discussion above, the list of "selected forthcoming publications" displayed on the front page has been limited to 1 pub per author. For each author, the pub associated with the latest reference title is selected. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 20:15, 8 October 2022 (EDT)
+
: Yes, things like that do happen: there are several titles in the database for which it is doubtful if the featured prominent author did actually write them; and so, jugig from the photo and the theme of the listed title it is '''the''' Terry Venables. Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 07:38, 18 January 2024 (EST)
 +
::I can confirm that the photo in your submission is indeed of the English footballer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Venables Terry Venables]. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 18:42, 18 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
== IT PB/TP ==
+
== Alchemy Magazine ==
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?5646; I'm trying to get the right formats; I added the Wallace book recently, with a mod making it a TP, but others are PB or digest, with a big gap of years. Were they all TP, PB, digest or some of each with the format changing as time went on? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:36, 10 October 2022 (EDT)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/seriesgrid.cgi?35135; Luminist.org has a lot of magazines not on Archive.org and while replacing cover and adding link to Alchemy #2 I noticed all 3 issues have a different format, TP/unknown/pulp. Those who know about such things may want to adjust those since I'm assuming they all should be the same format. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 01:11, 18 January 2024 (EST)
−
: Here is the governing help page: [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Template:PublicationFields:Format formats]. The sentence that applies here is
 
−
:* Any other book that is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep, and is not a hardback, should be entered as "tp".
 
−
: We have a somewhat informal agreement for skirting around the top limit for French and German books (although the editors of either langueg really need to get the discussion going to put that into the rules because their books are technically entered against the rules) but the basic rule is that if a book is 19 cm or taller and a paperback and not a pamphlet, it is a tp. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:44, 10 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
:: It's an Italian publication series, so I would apply the Help rule cited by Annie. We have enough trouble with borderline French and German publications; I don't think we want it to spread to other languages. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 20:09, 10 October 2022 (EDT)
+
== Dinotopia Digest Novels ==
  
−
== G. C. Edmondson legal name ==
+
I just made about 20 edits for this series (https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5862661 through https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5862859) and as usual with series books it's a nightmare; I think I did as much as I could with what's available (oddly, only 1 book, Survive!, didn't have its original Random House edition entered on ISFDB so I had to scrounge up a copy on Google Books to enter info from). I think only one thing may raise questions and that's this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2230051, where an editor here in 2017 entered James Gurney as cover artist but even though he's mentioned on all copyright pages because he's the creator/owner of Dinotopia it was actually Michael Welply who did all the covers. Problem is after I removed cover credit (I didn't enter Welply because while it does say that in archived 3rd printing copy there are some 1st printings of books in the series that misspelled it as Welpley and then corrected that in later printings) I noticed the nomination for best cover in the art record. So I don't know what to make of that; was Gurney nominated because he's the creator or did someone make a mistake and not nominate the real artist, Welply? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:58, 18 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
I was messaged on Twitter that [https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/edmondson_g_c SFE] (and also [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._C._Edmondson Wikipedia]) have a different legal name for [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?1271 G. C. Edmondson].  Is there any sort of history why ISFDB might want have a different value - I note that [[Bio:G.%20C.%20Edmondson]] notes a hoax over his birthplace, so I wonder if there/were similar concerns over legal name?
+
== Pratchett's Eric - converting into novella? ==
  
−
I'd never heard of this guy before, so have no dog in this fight.
+
I did a word count on a digital version of [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1832 Eric], and it's around 35000 words, i.e. clearly a novella. Comments on the title and various publication records point out how unusually short it is. [http://www.locusmag.com/index/b381.htm Locus] calls the first edition a novella, but later editions a novel. I think the novella classification is correct, but am hesitant in converting such a high-profile title. Any opinions? [[User:TerokNor|TerokNor]] ([[User talk:TerokNor|talk]]) 08:01, 19 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
Also, is Wikipedia in the list of sites that can be linked to without having to do the bot challenge?  If not, can it be whitelisted? [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 16:14, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
+
: My electronic copy contains 34.2K words, so it's a novella. That said, I wonder about Locus changing its classification after the first edition. Is there any indication that later editions may have been longer? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 11:43, 19 January 2024 (EST)
−
:I think it's simply an oversight (or a simplification, or both). I've updated the name to be the full name. You can see the whitelist [[:MediaWiki:Captcha-addurl-whitelist|here]]. I agree that <code>wikipedia\.org</code> should be added to the list. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 16:22, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
+
:: I can find no indication of there being different editions of the text. I noticed however that after the original illustrated edition (which was billed "A Discworld Story"), it usually says "A Discworld Novel" on the covers, so Locus might have just gone with that. [[User:TerokNor|TerokNor]] ([[User talk:TerokNor|talk]]) 13:59, 19 January 2024 (EST)
−
:: The two relevant updates are from [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?1696230 2011] and [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?2041631 2012]. Who knows what the sources were saying back then. :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 16:27, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
 
−
::: Thanks both. Re. whitelist, on reflection, I do remember seeing it before; I was getting mixed up with the fact that only Bureaucrats (IIRC) can edit the list. [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 16:29, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
:::: wikipedia.org has been added to the white list. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:35, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
+
:::: It sounds like it's a novella whose subtitle (but not the word count) was changed in later editions. I suggest we wait for other editors to share their thoughts before we change the type from NOVEL to SHORTFICTION. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:49, 19 January 2024 (EST)
−
::::: It's possible I misunderstood the comment "I've updated the name to be the full name.", but I'm still seeing "Edmondson, Garry Cotton" rather than "José Mario Garry Ordoñez Edmondson y Cotton" as the legal name?  NB: I've no idea where the split between given and family names is in the latter, so I've just copied the SFE text rather than the "familyname, given name" form that would be needed for the legal name field [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 21:29, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
 
−
:::::: Updated. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 13:44, 13 October 2022 (EDT)
 
−
:::::::Weird. My update seems to have entirely disappeared. Ah, [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5451024 here it is]. Apparently I didn't hit the Approve button. (^_^; ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:33, 13 October 2022 (EDT)
 
−
:::::::: Ah, did not think to check the queue. Sorry :) I tend to start or end my day with a quick glance at my pending edits to see if I forgot to approve something. Happens more often than I wish to admit... :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 15:26, 13 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
== Home page -- possible tweaks ==
+
:::I added an Archive.org link in a PENDING edit to The Illustrated Eric, 2010 Gollancz HC, so that may help with the counting; page count said 144 but it is actually 131. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:26, 19 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
Now that the software that builds the home page has been upgraded to improve performance and to limit the number of pubs per author, we can discuss other tweaks.
+
:::: I have approved the submission that corrected the page count and updated the Note field to indicate where the corrected page count comes from. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:49, 19 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
Currently the home page says:
+
::::: (Chime) Not surprised, don't care, go ahead. ../[[User:Holmesd|Doug H]] ([[User talk:Holmesd|talk]]) 21:26, 19 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
* Note: Forthcoming books may be delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic
+
(unindent) Hearing no objection, I have left a message on TerokNor's Talk page asking him to proceed with the proposed changes. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:38, 24 January 2024 (EST)
 +
:Thank you. I have submitted the first edit to begin the process. [[User:TerokNor|TerokNor]] ([[User talk:TerokNor|talk]]) 05:19, 2 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
This note was added in the spring of 2019 when ISBNs were being canceled left and right. Do we still need it 2.5 years into the pandemic?
+
== Late Mods ==
  
−
Also, the list of displayed pubs is currently called "Selected Forthcoming Books". However, it also includes books published today. Should we change its name to "Selected New and Forthcoming Books" or should we change the software not to display books published today?
+
I had a thought while adding FantLab ID to a PV Brian Lumley book today; is there a way to remove the necessity of adding a note to the mod about what changes you made if the mod is deceased? There have been several mod losses recently, most of whom PV countless books, so it would save time to not have to write anything if the only PV's are ones who are not going to read those notes. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:23, 19 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
Finally, the home page currently displays 20 pubs. We could increase the number, but keep in mind that Al has been experimenting with the way pubs are displayed to better utilize our "screen real estate". It may be prudent to see what he comes up with before we alter the number of displayed pubs. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:02, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
+
: I think there are two sides to this issue.
−
: Spring 2020 actually, even if it felt that a lot more time must have passed. Some thoughts
 
−
:* We probably should replace it with something like "Note: Forthcoming books are added based on pre-publication data and the details may have changed" or something along these lines. As much as we all try to keep on top of changes, there are a lot of books being added and some change out of nowhere (case in point - the DAW Books new corporate ownership had caused a bit of a mess with their publication dates this fall and books keep getting moved around, with different sources updating at different times). Or we can rely on people understanding that pre-release data changes and just drop the message.
 
−
:* I vote to eject the books published "today" - because of timezones and what's not, they are often yesterday's books for people who look at the list, especially for books published in Europe and Asia and editors there.
 
−
:* I really liked the 22 books we used to have on this list - it was irregular and charming. But that can wait. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 19:30, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
 
−
:: I'm not able to write up a full/coherent comment/justification/explanation right now, for various reasons, but I'd vote for:
 
−
::* Keeping today's books and tweaking the text to be "New and ..." per Ahasuerus suggestion
 
−
::* Having a generic caveat message per Annie's suggestion - my impression that the delays we get now are all due to mundane reasons and not Covid.  (FWIW, I've seen plenty of cases of other forthcoming book lists e.g. tor.com that have stuff that has had known delays for a long while before those pieces were published)
 
−
:: If this discussion is still ongoing by the weekend, I'll edit in my reasons for the above. [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 21:25, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
:::The changes I had in mind for the front page were relatively small, but I did want to address the massive amounts of wasted whitespace that makes for a really long page that requires unnecessary scrolling. So at a minimum:
+
: The first one is technical, i.e. whether it would be possible to modify the software to check each primary verifier's Talk page to see if it starts with the "Deceased user" template. The short answer is "Yes, it would be possible, although it would also make our core software more closely intertwined with the Wiki software, which may become a minor nuisance during the next Wiki upgrade".
−
:::* Reduce the supporting text associated with the publication (for instance the ISBN isn't really necessary on the front page - some sites simply show the coverart with no associated text at all), and align any remaining text under the cover art, rather than beside it. That will double the available real estate per line for more books.
 
−
:::* Increase the image size, so that the cover art dominates the canvas.
 
−
:::* Swap forthcoming books with the author section (switching top to bottom).
 
−
:::* Change 'authors born on this day' to 'living authors born on this day'. I have toyed with having author pictures (if available) in this section.
 
−
:::* Consider changing 'authors who died on this day' to 'recent deaths'.
 
−
:::* Use multi-column layout for the author information, to again reduce whitespace, and change the placement of the living/dead sections from side-to-side to top/bottom.
 
−
:::When I first mocked those changes up, it resulted in page that required no scrolling. When I start on this again, I'll put the front page up at isfdb2.org for feedback.[[User:Alvonruff|Alvonruff]] ([[User talk:Alvonruff|talk]]) 22:13, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
:::: One thing to keep in mind is that we have a separate [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/calendar_menu.cgi SF Calendar] page. It's linked in the navigation bar on the left and it's effectively a list of all 366 days in the year arranged in the form of a calendar. Each "day cell" is a link to its respective "On This Day in SF" page. For example, [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/calendar_day.cgi?10+12 On This Day in SF - October 12] lists the authors who were born and who died on October 12. We can tweak these Web pages to have more content and/or we can link to them from the home page. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 10:21, 12 October 2022 (EDT)
+
: The second one is functional, i.e. whether making this kind of change would be desirable. I am not sure it would. It would save some keystrokes, but there is value to having more detailed Edit History for primary verified publications even if their verifiers are no longer available. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:42, 19 January 2024 (EST)
−
:::::I think linking to the SF Calendar page from the main page (either at the top or bottom of the list of birthdays/death days) would be good. Perhaps something like "[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/calendar_menu.cgi See the full calendar here]". ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 16:58, 12 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
== Dark Horizons Issues ==
+
== Moll/Head Virgin Planet ==
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5452182; It'll probably be a while before this is approved, so just inquiring whether anyone owns a copy, because as can be seen there is a whole bunch of missing/alternate stuff, but as usual with old zines the only way to know for sure how things are inside is an actual print copy or a scan of one, which as far as I can tell doesn't exist online. Also see the photos on Dalby's site because there are also reviews/other art credits/etc. that may need entering. This is yet another example that just entering info from Galactic Central or Locus isn't reliable. There are probably other early issues that could use a real copy, too, if anyone owns any of them, since I suspect other info entered here may be wrong. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 16:26, 12 October 2022 (EDT)--[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 16:26, 12 October 2022 (EDT)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5864268; I added cover and prices but I think publisher should be changed to Wyndham, either Star or Tandem or Target which are all on ISFDB related to Wyndham, since their logo is on front and back covers, https://www.ebay.com/itm/143869122299. The other issue is the cover is the same Charles Moll art as earlier US paperbacks; Michael Head was a designer with 1 other ISFDB credit that notes say is just a photo and a Mike Head I noted in an edit earlier today as the designer for Piatkus edition of M. Bingley's Waiting Darkness did a cover which is just a photo of a fist. So where Head credit came from for Virgin Planet I don't know but I think Moll credit should replace it. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:09, 19 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Mind Brothers ==
+
== One Hundred Years of Science Fiction ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?286043; https://archive.org/details/mindbrothers00heat; Archive copy upped in 2010, nobody ever linked it so I did, 5 PV but only 2 active, so if GlennMcG or Spacecow read this why is there a note that says there's something written on the back cover about never-before-published that's not on the back cover, or maybe Archive copy is cut off at the bottom? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:30, 12 October 2022 (EDT)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5864915; I'm guessing this Gollancz edition is rare judging by the fact there's almost no photos of the cover online. As can be seen in my edit, notes about year (probably very old and entered by the long-gone Bluesman) are obsolete now because the year is on the title page. Also, the price was entered by Mellotronman from his copy but for a 1969 UK book the pre-decimal price should be entered so that's what I did; problem is in his note to mod in edit history he says other price is 32s, not 30. So if he's still around he may want to PV and add a note about the alternate price (I'm assuming the archived copy's flap is badly framed which is why the other price is not visible) and delete year notes and add a new one saying the date is on the title page. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:31, 20 January 2024 (EST)
 +
:It doesn't help that two different printings share the same ISBN. Mine says 1970 on the front of the title page and 'second impression 1970' on the back of the same page. The price is most definitely listed on the dust jacket as '32s', an unusual way of writing 'shillings'. The more usual way would be '32/-'. Perhaps the first impression was 30s and the second 32? [[User:Mellotronman|Mellotronman]] ([[User talk:Mellotronman|talk]]) 16:55, 20 January 2024 (EST)
 +
::OK, I think it makes sense now, copy on Archive.org is '69 1st pr. with just s-price while your 1970 2nd pr. has both s-price and pounds. So after my edit is approved you may want to clone it and enter yours with new date and prices and PV it, too. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:07, 20 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Maxime Durand canonical name ==
+
== Tom Palmer ==
  
−
Any objections to switching the canonical name of {{A|Maxime Durand}} to Maxime J. Durand? [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 19:14, 13 October 2022 (EDT)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?98449; 2 or 3 different Palmers here; novels are by the guy pictured but the art credits are by the recently deceased (2022) famous comic artist who had a still-online site, tompalmerillustration, and a Wiki page as Tom Palmer (comics); the poem, judging by the bio at the archived Aphelion link, is by another likely American Palmer. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:58, 20 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
: Nope. He started out as "Void Herald" on RoyalRoad, then republished his serials in book form as by "Maxim Durand" and finally seems to have settled on "Maxime J. Durand". [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]])
+
== Lone Star Law ==
  
−
== Dash It All ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?80404; Anyone think this should be deleted? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:34, 21 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?260265; I added a bunch of Archive.org links to Spinetinglers series, replaced unstable images, and fixed some page counts, but the last book I did said I modified the Regular title when I didn't; there's some weird thing with the dash in the title being OK in 1 variant but spelled out as a word in the other, which may be responsible for the screw-up. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:57, 13 October 2022 (EDT)
+
: The Note field says:
 +
:* Western story anthology. It may have some spec-fic stories, but otherwise, there's no reason for it to be in the database.
 +
: Have we been able to find this anthology's table of contents and determine whether any of the stories are SF? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:23, 24 January 2024 (EST)
 +
::I was able to look at the ToC via the Amazon Look Inside feature for the pb edition (ISBN 978-1982153069) and I don't see anything there that looks like SF. [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 15:38, 24 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Meddling With Ghosts ==
+
::: Reading the editor's introductions to each story I noticed that two stories were called "eerie". After reading them, I can confirm that one is an unambiguous ghost story while the other one is an ambiguous "curse" story. I have added them to the publication record and updated Notes. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 22:13, 24 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?244541; Someone recently uploaded Shadows in the Attic (British Library) to Archive.org so I did some editing on it, then remembered there was a Ramsey Campbell anthology from them around the same time so I fixed dates and added some ID's (title date being 2000 while book date was 4/2001), but there seems to be a cover problem, with those on FantLab, https://fantlab.ru/edition170209, and Richard Dalby's site looking different than the one on ISFDB. So was there another edition or is the ISFDB cover a prelim and the others the actual hardcover's cover? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:55, 13 October 2022 (EDT)
+
== Recording plagiarized work ==
  
−
== Server issues -- 2022-10-14 ==
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A couple of days ago [https://file770.com/pixel-scroll-1-19-24-all-these-pixels-are-someone-elses-fault/ File 770 reported] (item 5) that [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3221864 "After the Flood" by John Kucera] was plagiarised from another author.  I've added a note to that title record, but I'm wondering whether anything else should be done, e.g. making it a variant? [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 01:36, 22 January 2024 (EST)
  
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All regular (i.e. bibliographic) pages are currently broken. Edit pages and moderator pages are fine, but that doesn't help much. Investigating. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:40, 14 October 2022 (EDT)
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: Unless the poem uses the same wording I'd think the only thing we can do is to add notes to the title (and likely the publications the plagiat was published in). Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 01:32, 22 January 2024 (EST)
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:All three of the works "by" this author that are listed on ISFDB appear to have been plagiarized. I've added notes to the title entries as well as the publication entries. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:59, 22 January 2024 (EST)
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:: Thanks all! [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 15:22, 22 January 2024 (EST)
  
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: The problem has been resolved. If you come across any issues, please post the URL of the problematic page here. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:51, 14 October 2022 (EDT)
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:::At some point, we should probably make them variants since (in all the reports I've read) only the title were changed by the plagiarizer. Similar to [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1570478 this one]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:34, 22 January 2024 (EST)
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::Thank you, Ahasuerus!—[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 14:06, 14 October 2022 (EDT)
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::::I've added the variants for the two I could figure out. Still unsure who originally wrote "[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3205023 Summer 1993]" and what the original title was. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 16:15, 22 January 2024 (EST)
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:::::How about this one, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2951283? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 16:29, 22 January 2024 (EST)
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::::::Looks like it's the same guy per a Google search that brought up [https://eunoiareview.wordpress.com/2023/11/16/fanlight-and-ice/ this] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20240123001032/https://www.silverblade.net/tag/john-siepkes/ archive]), which is the same thing but under his Kucera name. Now to try to figure out who really wrote it. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:06, 22 January 2024 (EST)
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::::::Some additional archive links to help us figure out all of this: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230604133528/https://thewildword.com/poetry-john-kucera/ Wild Word], [https://lothlorienpoetryjournal.blogspot.com/2024/01/john-kucera-exposed-as-serial-plagiarist.html Lothlorien Poetry Journal] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20240123004257/https://lothlorienpoetryjournal.blogspot.com/2024/01/john-kucera-exposed-as-serial-plagiarist.html archive]), [https://twitter.com/OneArtPoetry1/status/1747732242581876815 One Art Poetry on X], [https://web.archive.org/web/20230922115703/https://oneartpoetry.com/2023/09/11/two-poems-by-john-kucera/ One Art Poetry], [https://web.archive.org/web/20230530004119/https://www.fictionalcafe.com/spare-parts-poetry-by-john-kucera/ The Fictional Cafe], [https://web.archive.org/web/20240122101438/https://sparksofcalliope.com/2024/01/17/it-was-bound-to-happen-eventually/ Sparks of Calliope] (see also [https://web.archive.org/web/20240123004746/https://sparksofcalliope.com/2023/09/22/two-poems-by-john-kucera/ this page]), [https://issuu.com/newreadermagazine/docs/nrm_issue17_lowres_1_/s/16096176 New Reader Magazine] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20240123005036/https://issuu.com/newreadermagazine/docs/nrm_issue17_lowres_1_/s/16096176 archive]), [https://bsky.app/profile/wnwagner.bsky.social/post/3kj5gwyptla2o Wendy N. Wagner loves pie on BlueSky], and I'll add more later. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 20:31, 22 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Citizen of the Galaxy ==
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(unindent) I suspect that the issue of plagiarized works is going to become harder to deal with in the near future. In the past we had to deal with two types of scenarios:
  
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https://openlibrary.org/books/OL20657077M/Citizen_of_the_Galaxy; I was adding a ton of Robert Hale book edits when I came across this, which is not by Hale regardless of what it says; it's actually an old Scribner's edition, with a code on the copyright page that doesn't match the codes added to the notes of the other early editions on ISFDB. Experts in these old SF books may know what year that code means and may want to enter this as a new edition. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:05, 16 October 2022 (EDT)
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* word-for-word reprints with the title/credits changed, usually by shady publishers or self-publishers
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* more elaborate schemes whose perpetrators plagiarized sections of other authors' works
  
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== Devil in Velvet ==
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The first type is fairly straightforward, but the second type is hard to catch. For example, volumes 29 and 33 in the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?4950 ''Casca'' series] were retroactively removed from the series over allegations of plagiarism in April-June 2013. It happened 3-5 years after their original publication even though the Casca fandom is very active. It's not something that we, bibliographers, can realistically identify on our own.
  
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https://archive.org/details/devilinvelvetmod00john; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?13311; There seems to be only 1 edition of this J.D. Carr novel on Archive.org, but the 2 1968 Bantam editions on ISFDB have an August date while the notes say February, which is what it says in the book. 1 was PV by Don Erikson, 1 by Bluesman, they're both non-active, so does anyone think it's a mistake and the month should be fixed? I'm going to add the link to the US edition, anyway. EDIT: While adding the Archive link I noticed it said the ID in the title and it turns out whoever entered it here got that wrong, too, so I just went ahead and fixed the month and ID in both the American and Canadian editions. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:30, 16 October 2022 (EDT)
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Over the last few months I have seen a number of reports of plagiarists using software to scrape Web-published stories, massage them using ChatGPT and put them on Amazon, e.g. [https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/comments/18v1d5e/attention_authors_of_rr_there_has_been_a_spree_of/ this episode over the Christmas holidays]. I suspect it's going to be a pain to deal with. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 22:29, 24 January 2024 (EST)
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: ("it said the ID in the title" --I don't know what that means.)
 
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: If I understand correctly (iiuc) the histories and verifications, *August* numerical publication date 1968-08 of both US and Canada printing/pricing[*] dates from User:Mhhutchins 2010-01-22 use of Tuck as a source, or earlier. Probably the origin is Tuck or Mhh clerical error.
 
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: --given the title leaf quotation-- I would simply revise to 1968-02, not revise the Note.
 
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: More info: The record shows Don Erikson 2013-01-06 primary verified (PV) the US printing without revising the record (added image URL and text Note four days later). And iiuc, it shows Bluesman 2014-08-10 executed a hasty clone-and-modify as the Canada printing. Both PV overlooked 1968-08. For what it's worth, 1968-08 where month 8 matches "8" from the year, is the one of twelve numerical months that I deem easiest to overlook.
 
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: Limitation: I know that history of Variant relations is missing before 2021-01-11 and history of AddPub, ClonePub is missing before 2016-10-24. I suppose that all record of changes is missing, some time before 2010-01-22, but when? --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 21:36, 17 October 2022 (EDT)
 
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:: I meant that the uploader to Archive.org graciously included the catalog ID in their title, which caught my eye and led me to discover that was (also) entered wrong here. Honestly, the way things are going right now I doubt anyone cares very much about this, since I currently have over 1,000 edits in my queue. By the time someone gets around to this edit I'll have forgotten about it, anyway. If you wish you can follow up if it's approved and make sure everything's proper. I'll just add that when doing some Carr edits recently it's obvious there's a ton of other editions and other books by him that are genre-related and should be on ISFDB, in case anyone's interested. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:11, 17 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Another Signature ID ==
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== Bard II ==
  
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Can anyone identify ''this'' signature? https://isfdb.org/wiki/images/7/70/Screen_Shot_2022-10-17_at_2.28.28_AM.png
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?291859; Wrong cover, it has price and ISBN of earlier printing, I can't find right cover, if anyone else can, can you upload it and replace this one? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:47, 22 January 2024 (EST)
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It's from an illustration in the February '68 Playboy. Playboy, it seems, is not as good about crediting their illustrators as they are their photographers. (Even in 2004, [https://ia803201.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/17/items/playboy-history/Playboy%202004/3%20-%20March%202004_jp2.zip&file=3%20-%20March%202004_jp2/3%20-%20March%202004_0080.jp2&id=playboy-history&scale=4&rotate=0 this] illustration of Chuck Palahniuk's "Guts" was uncredited [and unsigned]).  
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:Also, The First Long Ship (or Longship on some sites) which has no cover online I can find so if it exists and someone can find it that needs uploading, too. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:03, 22 January 2024 (EST)
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Thank you in advance! —[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 03:09, 17 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?166111; Possibility, since Archive.org January 1968 Playboy shows he wrote his name out on the upper left of the first page of the artwork and was credited by name on the next page while in February he used initials and wasn't credited. I did a search on Archive.org, https://archive.org/search.php?query=%22playboy+magazine%22+%22by+tom+daly%22&sin=TXT, and the only issue with those phrases are the January issue mentioned above. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:20, 17 October 2022 (EDT)
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== Galactic Central Images ==
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::Wow. I would never have seen that that could be the initials "TD", or anything but "yo yo." Good eye!
 
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::But now that I look at it as letters, the first one looks more like a P. It could be a fancy T, but the style of art also isn't very like "The Yellow Room" at all. It's still the best lead, though.—[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 16:24, 17 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== German Birkin ==
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5867682; The only other site I can find that has this cover is Camelot Books; I was going to upload it when I thought of checking Philsp and found it hiding there. Is the owner(s) of that site ever going to upgrade to HTTPS? Right-click and "open image in new tab" does show the image but it still would be better if that didn't have to be done. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:43, 22 January 2024 (EST)
  
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While doing some more Charles Birkin edits to add to those I did a while ago I noticed there are 2 German editions on FantLab that were never entered on ISFDB, https://fantlab.ru/search-editions?q=birkin&page=1, in case anyone fluent wants to enter those. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:48, 17 October 2022 (EDT)
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: Last I heard, the owner said that he had no plans to upgrade to HTTPS. That said, browser vendors have been making it harder to access HTTP sites, which puts pressure on site owners to upgrade. It remains to be seen how it may affect Galactic Central in the future. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:21, 24 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== No Longer on the Map ==
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== German Playboy ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?255284; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?382812; I added cover to the Ramsey one and fixed his name, but it's already there as Ramsay and I see I'm the only one in the edit history for that one back a while ago, so I cancelled today's edit, so now the Amra info and whatever else is necessary should be moved to Ramsay and Ramsey should be deleted, I think. EDIT: Turns out there's a copy on FantLab which allowed me to enter the missing month, fix the price note (I'd previously had a note entering it from some obscure website with a ridiculous long URL), add a note about the jacket designer, and replace the slightly dark cover with a brighter one, plus there's photos of the book from many different angles. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 07:47, 18 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?757; While replacing sideways Amazon cover with better straight cover for one of these books I noticed there are 8 or 9 that don't have cover credits (last book was unpublished so likely no cover exists); since most covers in the series were originally on English-language books it's likely the missing ones were, too, so if anyone can recognize the art then artists can be entered and variants can be made. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:08, 24 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Conan the Valorous Cover ==
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== Brian Ames Title ==
  
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https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?507; https://picclick.com/Conan-The-Valorous-by-John-Maddox-Roberts-144304185257.html; Someone uploaded 2 John Maddox Roberts Conan novels recently (+ 1 edition uploaded many years ago is also there) which I've been adding, and the 4th printing of Valorous has a Les Edwards cover, but the cover attributed to Boris Vallejo on ISFDB is the same cover, so since PV is gone others may want to fix that and re-date Edwards' cover art, unless Edwards is an error by the publisher; I'm no Conan cover expert. Didn't Vallejo specialize in these fantasy covers with almost-naked women? I don't think that was Edwards' style. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:34, 18 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?119003; I added a link to a MOTA anthology over a year ago and there's a 2002 story by Brian Ames which editors before me seemed to have trouble deciding how to enter (see extensive title edit history), eventually settling on a symbol; however, in his collection someone entered the title as "grey blob", which is what it actually looks like in the anthology. So the 2 stories are the same and should be merged but what should the title be entered as? This reminds me of that David J. Schow horror story where nobody can ever decide how to enter it and eventually settled on "scribbled graffiti" or this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?76213, but at least Oates can get away with that because most of her work is pretentious "literary" stuff, anyway. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:22, 24 January 2024 (EST)
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:Merged [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2148942 here]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 17:39, 24 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== My Votes enhancements ==
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== Duplicate finder -- NOVEL/CHAPBOOK? ==
  
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{{FR|1318}}, "Allow sorting 'My Votes' by title and by title date", has been implemented. You can now sort [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/myvotes.cgi?0+Vote your votes] by "Vote", by "Title", by "Date" or by "Most Recent Vote". A few minor display enhancements were also implemented as part of the same patch. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:42, 18 October 2022 (EDT)
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The "Duplicate Finder" program, which exists in three incarnations -- one for Author pages, one for Title pages and one for Publication pages -- searches for potential duplicate titles and then lets you merge them. Its default mode of operations is "exact", which means that two (or more) titles need to have the exact same spelling as well as the same authors in order to be considered potential duplicates.
  
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== Campbell's Claw ==
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The "exact" mode also ignores unlikely title type mismatches. For example, if one title record is SHORTFICTION and another one is NOVEL, they won't be flagged as potential duplicates. However, the "exact" mode currently flags NOVEL and CHAPBOOK titles with identical titles and authors as potential duplicates. I am thinking that this is likely more harmful than useful and would like to propose that we change the behavior of the "exact" mode to skip identical NOVEL/CHAPBOOK pairs. Ideas? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:35, 24 January 2024 (EST)
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:I agree. As it is currently, we could accidentally merge titles incorrectly. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 17:40, 24 January 2024 (EST)
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::I also agree.  --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 13:21, 25 January 2024 (EST)
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::: I use that one a lot especially when adding juvenile chapbooks to prolific authors (mainly Fixer's) - because of how Amazon has these, they rarely make it to addPubs and not having the duplicate finder highlight the previously entered novel (a lot of these are stored as novels and need conversion) makes it more likely not to see the other version on the page. So I would rather not lose it... [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 18:43, 25 January 2024 (EST)
  
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Someone uploaded this last month, https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1840346W/The_claw?edition=ia%3Aclaw0000rams, with the wrong fake name on the fake cover and the real author's name on the OL page; anyway, I remember a LONG time ago having a discussion about what the title originally was, so now that we have this available I think that finally the sorting of parents/variants can be fixed after my edit adding the Archive link is approved, not that I know what the correct order is, but anyway, Claw was the original, The Claw was only used on the 90's Brit editions. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:47, 19 October 2022 (EDT)
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:::: Let me clarify that the Duplicate Finder's "similar" mode would continue to flag NOVEL, SHORTFICTION and CHAPBOOK titles as potential duplicates after the proposed change. Would it be sufficient for Fixer-originated use cases? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 21:41, 25 January 2024 (EST)
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::::: But we do not have a similar mode in the pubs/titles Duplicate finder. The one I use is the one that triggers when you click on "Check for Duplicate Titles" after a Pub/Title Edit. Which I believe is "exact". If I need to go to the author page every time to run a separate similar mode check, it will add steps. Plus in some of these authors, it will highlight a lot of things which is different from the current case where it is a quick check that finds usually a single match when it does. I can make it work - but it will add to the workflow. One option may be to allow the similar as an option on pub/title duplicate finder - keep the exact as a default but allow a similar to be run with a click how we do it on author page's find duplicates? A separate click which is right there will help.
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::::: And this is not just for Fixer usecases - I've needed it when moderating as well often enough in a similar usecase - we have chapbook/novel and a new(ish) member adds the same as the other.
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::::: If the proposal is to remove it from the 'Author' exact duplicate finder only with no change for the pub/title duplicate finder, then I am fine with removing it there. But the way the proposal reads, it sounds like we are not going to show it in the default mode in either :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 10:45, 26 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Undated 2nd printing per numberline, at Archive.org ==
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:::::: Thanks for the clarification. I forgot about the fact that the versions of the Duplicate Finder software used on Publication and Title pages do not support "similar" and "aggressive" modes. If memory serves, the reason was performance -- there can be thousands of titles with "similar" spellings where "similar" is defined as an 85% overlap, the current threshold value.
  
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Title leaf of <i>The Story of Doctor Dolittle</i> in its Dell Yearling Centenary Edition P{{p|295530}} (viewed at archive.org) concludes with these three lines:
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:::::: It sounds like what we may need is a new Duplicate Finder mode. Something that would be the same as the "exact" mode except that it would also flag identical CHAPBOOK/NOVEL title pairs. It would be made available on all three Duplicate Finder pages.
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: May 1988
 
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: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
 
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: CW
 
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The first two identify an undated 2nd printing of the May 1988 (1st printing date). Right? To be continued. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 09:48, 20 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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:You can't tell just by looking at that presentation whether the "May 1988" is the original printing's date or this printing's date.  But if you look in the back, there is an ad, and the ad appears to have a date near the bottom ("DDD-7/88"), which suggests this printing is July 1988 or later. Another indicator can be other publications from the same era by this same publisher.  If we have records for multiple printings and something more definitive about the dating (or lack thereof) of subsequent printings, you might be able to ascertain whether the publisher carried the original date through all printings, and then you could probably assume the same practice would have been applied here. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 17:00, 21 October 2022 (EDT)
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:::::: If it sounds workable, I can look into what it would take to implement it. I suspect that it should be a fairly straightforward change, but I am not 100% sure. We'll also need to come up with an intuitive name for the new mode. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:11, 26 January 2024 (EST)
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:: Thanks, Marty. I need to update the example publication record P{{p|295530}} after another editor provided the scan at Archive.org, fixed some data, and notified me. [1] Because the Archive.org copy is 2nd printing, and its scan is the only source for price, that price belongs in the notes, not in the Price field. [2] What about use of the Webpages field for that archive.org link: Is that appropriate here (with notice of the mismatch in my revised Note), or only in a record of the 2nd printing (with my cross-reference in this Note)? --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 22:05, 28 October 2022 (EDT)
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::::::: That will work for me. And if you are going to do it, we may think about throwing an anthology/collection/omnibus format mix in the same mode (same usecase essentially - especially around juveniles and novellas previously added as novels). And even poem/shortfiction? Maybe simply pull all the format discrepancy matches out from Exact (requiring a format match in it) and move them to their own type of duplicate finder mode. That will also make it less likely for someone to merge by mistake based on the standard duplicate find.[[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 12:27, 26 January 2024 (EST)
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:::It's been a while since I was involved with edits for this book, but I think the fact that it says "One Previous Edition" on the copyright page, and not printing, is telling, since Dell had a habit of doing that with their endless editions of Alfred Hitchcock PB anthologies, where they'd release a new one with a totally different cover and then mention the previous Dell edition, with date, on the copyright page. ISFDB has a 1974 Dell Yearling edition so that might be what they're referring to, but I doubt even if that's not the case that the price would have changed in an edition published a few months later, anyway. But I'm no expert on these kids' books because they reprinted them endlessly in convoluted ways with different publishers and bindings and covers and oh my God it's a nightmare to sort out, which is why I rarely touch them. For example, https://picclick.com/Doctor-Dolittle-The-Story-of-Doctor-Dolittle-by-283933958421.html, another edition with much higher price but same ISBN. Finally, https://archive.org/search.php?query=kleinbaum+dolittle&sin=; Ms. Kleinbaum apparently "adapted" several Dolittle books and also did the novelization of the crap Eddie Murphy movie version (?!?) She apparently did a few more Lofting books that aren't on Archive.org, but that's for others to look into; I call dibs on the Murphy book, which I'm going to enter now. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:58, 28 October 2022 (EDT)
 
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::::I don't know that we have a "standard", but I think it's fine to put the archive.org URL into the webpages list. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 08:17, 29 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Cornish Tales of Terror ==
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:::::::: You could have "type" be an independent modifier applied to any of the three modes. Something like "Match identical types only", on by default. That would also be easy to extend to other criteria (e.g., language) in the future without having a cross product of mode choices.  --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 14:26, 26 January 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?35335; There's much confusion with this, because that 1970 edition has the same bat photo cover as second impression (which I just added Archive link to along with the prices, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5460362, and there was a third impression with the same cover which I just entered as a new book, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5460384. Justin Todd cover seen in 1970 record here is actually from sometime after June 1974 (the date of the third impression) so if anyone can find photos with the exact date on the copyright page it can be entered as a new book with that cover; the Todd cover should be replaced in the Wiki with the original 1970 cover, but it's tough to know what's the right cover because most photos online are actually from later impressions. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:11, 20 October 2022 (EDT)
+
::::::::: Good point! [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:43, 26 January 2024 (EST)
−
: U, many of your postings mention a recent submission that is in the queue. A link to the submission will help satisfy the curious, even if the mention is an aside to your main point; might help foster a reply. Such as <font color=green>green inserted above</font>, where I suggest "submission ###" and "in the queue" as two candidate linknames to include between square brackets with the URL. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 10:54, 20 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
== Bookscans Update ==
+
(unindent) After experimenting on the development server and paying closer attention when working on the Clean Authors cleanup, I think I have a better appreciation for Annie's concerns. At this point clicking "Check for Duplicate Titles" post-approval is second nature for moderators and self-approvers. When a submission adds a NOVEL publication, it's very helpful to know that a CHAPBOOK pub with the same title already exists in the database, especially if the submitter is a robot. Requiring the approving moderator to click yet another link/button would mess with the workflow.
  
−
Just a heads-up that Bookscans.com finally has a new update with over 3,500 new and/or improved scans including a generous helping of sleaze, although judging by how many Greenleaf covers were broken here recently they were obviously making changes before the official update. However, do not look in the section marked Pet Books; YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:22, 20 October 2022 (EDT)
+
I suppose we could change the Duplicate Finder logic to ignore CHAPBOOK/NOVEL duplicates by default, but display a yellow warning -- and a link to the more relaxed version of the Duplicate Finder -- if they exist. I am not sure it would be ideal, though. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 11:34, 31 January 2024 (EST)
 +
: As long as it is a link and not a need to go elsewhere or to go to the author level, that will work for me.  
 +
: I'd also want to ask for the anthology/collection/omnibus and the poem/short fiction checks to be added to the chapbook/novel both for the yellow warning and the more relaxed one - both of these happen often enough to be annoying if we lose the ability to see them on the duplicate finder. Unless the plan is to leave these into the default one - in which case, we are fine. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 11:45, 31 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
== German Masques ==
+
:: After thinking some more about this issue, it occurs to me that there may be another way to approach this issue. Currently, most post-approval Web pages display links that let you view/edit the updated/added record or, for some submission types like Make Variant, multiple records. A few post-submission pages also link to the Duplicate Finder or other pages.
  
−
https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/150161-masques-ii; https://openlibrary.org/books/OL12688059M/Popsy_und_25_weitere_Geschichten_nach_Mitternacht. While doing some Masques edits today I happened across these; any German-fluent editor who may want to enter these will have to do a little searching for info. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:15, 21 October 2022 (EDT)
+
:: However, there is nothing preventing the post-approval software from quietly checking the status of the added/updated record(s) and displaying appropriate warnings. For example, the post-approval page for NewPubs could run the Duplicate Finder behind the scenes and then display a message like:
 +
::* The added publication record includes a title record with the same title and authors as another title record. Use the Duplicate Finder link above to see the details.
 +
:: This warning message would be easy to implement and moderators would no longer have to worry about forgetting to click "Duplicate Finder" after approving NewPub submissions. Does this sound useful?
 +
:: If we choose to add this warning message, we could still decide to tweak the Duplicate Finder logic later, but I think the message should be implemented first since it changes the workflow. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:53, 2 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::: That will be useful -- I am not sure how many false alerts will show up and how they will be treated (especially from the less experienced moderating users - usually the self-approvers) but other from that, any checks the software can do for me are always welcome. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 14:08, 6 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Graham Masterton and Jim Carrey in Vietnam ==
+
:::: OK, {{FR|1592}}, "Warning after approving NewPub submissions which create potential duplicates", has been created. We'll see how useful it will be. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:48, 6 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5462528; Yes, there was a Vietnamese edition of Masterton's 1988 novel Mirror, and for some reason Jim Carrey is on the covers. I made my usual pathetic attempt at entering an occasional foreign edition of a book, so after it's approved if there are any Vietnamese-fluent people here they can add/fix a lot, I'm sure. There's also this, https://www.vinabook.com/tam-guong-ma-quy-truyen-kinh-di-p30390.html, if that helps with anything. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:22, 22 October 2022 (EDT)
+
=== Duplicate Finder enhancements -- Outcome ===
−
: Finally approved, so bumping this up for any editors fluent in the language to flesh out the record. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:26, 10 November 2022 (EST)
 
  
−
== Fantasy Tales Potter Cover ==
+
{{FR|1592}} has been implemented. After approving NewPub/AddPub/ClonePub/EditPub submissions, moderators and self-approvers will now see a yellow warning and a link to the Duplicate Finder if the created/affected publication record contains one (or more) title records which have the same title(s) and author(s) as other title records in the database. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:58, 8 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1036824; While replacing the single (broken) philsp.com cover image on ISFDB for Fantasy Tales magazine with an Amazon cover that's actually slightly better-framed I noticed there may be something wrong with the other 1990 issue, since the American edition, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?161641, has cover art entered as a separate record, not linked with the others. So the usual variant or merge or whatever is needed. I looked in Edit History and saw my name at the top, but I just added (or replaced) the cover and added the OL link to the Archive.org copy, but now that I look at that closer I realize that the American record is much less complete than the British, so if anyone wants to enter the essay and interior art that's needed, too. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:25, 23 October 2022 (EDT)
+
== Moondust ==
−
:The same art appearing under different titles is varianted. I have made the change but feel free to submit these yourself. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 07:11, 24 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
== BLongley PV Question ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?22737; I added a whole bunch of edits for Rosemary Harris books and also found a PDF link for her early uncollected story "Hamlin" at Galactic Journey. Looking through their list of PDF's I noticed a Swann link and, thinking it would be a short story, I clicked it and it turned out to be the full original edition of his novel Moondust which has no copies at the usual places like Internet Archive or Luminist. I'm guessing there's more novels hiding in that list but for now I'll just ask if anyone owns the book and wouldn't mind transcribing the text on the last 2 pages and adding it to the record because those are missing in the PDF. I'm not sure what copyright rules are for a 50+-year-old book but I think a page or two would count as an excerpt and wouldn't bother anyone, right? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:43, 25 January 2024 (EST)
 +
:That can get complicated. Since this was first published in 1968 in the United States, and if it was published with a copyright notice, the copyright expires at the end of 2063 (meaning it becomes public domain on January 1, 2064). If it was published without a copyright notice, since it was published between 1964 and 1977, it is now in the public domain. See [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Public_domain#When_does_copyright_expire? here] for more details. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:27, 25 January 2024 (EST)
 +
:Looking at the PDF copy from the link you submitted, the copyright notice is very clear on the back of the title page. This means the copyright doesn't expire until 2064, so we shouldn't be linking to a pirated PDF copy. I rejected the link addition. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:30, 25 January 2024 (EST)
 +
::So does that mean that all the 330 or so Luminist.org PDF's currently linked on ISFDB are pirated, too? Because I don't think most of those are public domain; I would know because I'm the one who added most of the links. Has any mod in the history of this site ever gotten a request from anyone to remove a Luminist PDF? I'd be curious to know. When someone pirates something and uploads it, they love to add their name, fake as it may be, to the upload, similar to how computer game crackers decades ago loved to add their names to the crack, usually with some animation and music (which were sometimes better than those in the game itself); believe me, I could easily add hundreds of Internet Archive links to rare books right now except for the fact that the uploaders converted them to crap e-editions with removed page numbers. I don't see anything like that in Moondust so it's likely someone's personal copy they converted to a PDF; it's clearly the original paperback with page numbers and a bookstore sticker on the cover and everything. Since Swann died in 1976 and the last reprint as far as ISFDB (and WorldCat) say was in 1977 I doubt anyone would care if a PDF was linked to here; any serious collector would want a physical copy. My suggestion would be to un-reject it. Barring that, I'll just go ahead and make a note with the address of the PDF but not hot-linked so people know where it is but actually have to paste the URL into the address bar themselves in order to get it. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:47, 25 January 2024 (EST)
 +
:::This guy, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?286234, runs the site. Looks legit to me; he even published a magazine of the same title. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:08, 25 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
I gather Mr. Longley was one of the founding fathers of this site, but I don't come across that many of his PV, since I think he did mostly old SF stuff which I don't do edits for very often. However, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5463077, which seems odd in that I would think he would know the rules for page count include every numbered page, not only the main work's, so if I did wrong by upping it by 1 let me know. Also, this jogged my memory about another edit I did recently that's still awaiting approval, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5451980, so if someone can respond and tell me if that edit's a waste of time and should just be rejected, I'd like to know. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:25, 23 October 2022 (EDT)
+
:::: The question about the status of Luminist-hosted PDF files is an interesting one. I should first note that I became aware of the Luminist Web site back in 2010 when we were given permission to link to Luminist-hosted images. I was under the impression that the files that they host were similar to [https://www.gutenberg.org/help/copyright.html Gutenberg-hosted "copyright-cleared" files], which is why I have been approving their addition for the last few years.
−
:1. Approved. That was verified in 2009. It could be standards changed over time or simply a mistype (happens to everyone).
 
−
:2. Rejected. We typically treat a non-fiction work as a single work. We would not enter the individual chapters as contents anymore than we would enter the chapters of a novel. The exceptions are when the nonfiction work is similar to a collection (ex. previously published essays) or anthology (ex. essays by different authors). 
 
−
:--&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 07:23, 24 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
−
== Jonny Quest Trapped? ==
+
::::However, reading the copyright statement on the [http://www.luminist.org/archives/ main Luminist page]:
 +
::::* This collection may contain copyrighted material which has not been specifically authorized for our use. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) provides for making “fair use” copies of copyrighted materials under certain conditions, including that that the reproduction is not to be used commercially or “for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” By accessing files linked to this site you are agreeing to abide by these restrictions. If you do not agree, do not download. If any copyright owner objects to our inclusion of their material on this web site, please do not harass our hosting providers; just contact us with the pertinent information. We will remove contested content promptly upon receipt of legitimate requests. Readers who wish to obtain a permanent copy of any item are encouraged to acquire one from a bookseller of their choice. Readers may contact us for assistance in locating copies for purchase.
 +
:::: I see that they expect their users to download PDF files for "private study, scholarship, or research" purposes and, apparently, not for permanent use. This relies on an interpretation of the [https://copyright.columbia.edu/basics/fair-use.html "fair use" doctrine] which seems a bit too stretchy to me, but I am not an expert in the field. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:09, 25 January 2024 (EST)
 +
:::::OK, sounds good to me, "private study" clearly can mean reading the book and since they're being linked at ISFDB that covers the scholarship/research part. Also, what I took to be a Galactic Journey magazine is just a few random pages from the webzine with a couple of essay links, 1 of which is movie-related and probably doesn't qualify, but there's some Hugo Award nomination so I guess they count; the first entry is totally blank and was actually entered by user "galacticjourney" himself with mods questioning on his page why he entered it since it's a webzine. The site is still running currently and has hundreds of essays, many of which would be suitable for entry here, I'm sure. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:25, 25 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1240472; I'm the only one in the Edit History, apparently fixing the title long ago among other things, but as I came across it today I saw it's the only one in the series that has "only appeared as" because the wrong Trapped title, which only shows up in a Google search for this site, is still there, so I'm sure someone knows how to fix that. Also, I assume all the books that start with Jonny Quest shouldn't, so if affirmative I will fix those and get rid of Jonny (I always hated him, anyway). --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:41, 25 October 2022 (EDT)
+
:::::: Let me clarify what I meant by "a bit too stretchy". The part of the Copyright Law that they cite -- "for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research" -- doesn't come from the "fair use" clause ([https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107 Section 107 of the Copyright Act].) Instead it comes from [https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#108 Section 108, "Reproduction by libraries and archives"]. Section 108 is a lengthy section with a set of provisions that are completely different from the "fair use" provisions in Section 107. It's odd that the Luminist Web site cites Section 108 ("libraries and archives") language to support what they state is a Section 107 ("fair use") exception.
−
:Fixed and also added #10 in the series (which was missing). ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 11:54, 26 October 2022 (EDT)
 
−
::I just had some Jonny Quest edit approved, and I noticed the volume you entered, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?920331, has HarperCollins, which has the UK branch as the publisher for the first several volumes but HarperPrism is for the rest. So either it should be UK with Collins UK price or US with Prism US price. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:28, 13 November 2022 (EST)
 
  
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== T(h)om(as) Fleming ==
+
:::::: I should add that both Section 107 and Section 108 lawsuits can get complex and technical as we saw during [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachette_v._Internet_Archive Hachette v. Internet Archive] in 2020-2023. My knowledge of these topics is very limited, but hopefully other editors may have more in-depth knowledge and/or relevant experience in this field. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 21:38, 25 January 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?23003; I did some edits for the Lee book, and afterwards realized that I think the art credits for "Teeth" and the Spectrum book are really by this guy, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fleming_(artist). Yes? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:33, 26 October 2022 (EDT)
+
::::::: I have started a [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Rules_and_standards_discussions#Linking_to_third_party_Web_pages_--_defining_.22legally_posted.22 Rules and Standards discussion] to see if we can come up with unambiguous rules for linking to third party-hosted texts. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 20:50, 26 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Briney ==
+
== Reactor?!? ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=briney&type=Name; I added an obscure essay by someone named Andrew Briney to a book today, and while looking at names of Briney found those linked above, and there's a Jack Vance review in both, so I believe Bob and Robert are the same guy. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:13, 26 October 2022 (EDT)
+
I was at my awful local public library printing out various articles and short stories for free which is the only positive thing about libraries these days and after my hour was up I realized I forgot to check Tor.com to see if they published any new fiction (horror only, please, no SF or fantasy) so I checked when I got home and got a scary-looking page which made me think a computer virus had finally taken hold of my laptop after not having one for many years but it turns out that Tor apparently has re-named themselves Reactor. Is anyone else aware of this? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:08, 26 January 2024 (EST)
 +
: Yes, they announced it a few weeks ago. New site, new name (to differentiate them from the Tor.com publisher), same team, same contents. All the old links to their old site should be forwarding cleanly to the new one. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:30, 26 January 2024 (EST)
 +
: And the [https://reactormag.com/tor-com-to-become-reactor-debut-new-site-on-january-23rd/ announcement] and [https://reactormag.com/answering-your-questions-about-tor-coms-change-to-reactor/ Q&A] about it. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:31, 26 January 2024 (EST)
  
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:Established the variants and the pseudonymous correlation. Thanks for this! Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 12:21, 27 October 2022 (EDT)
+
:: I suspect that the part of the FAQ that is most likely to affect us is this:
 +
::* SFF literature is still the heart of what we do, and that’s our priority. We’ll just also be open to related subjects of interest, from nonfic to romantasy, pirates to gardening, and so on.
 +
:: So it looks like they will have more non-genre content going forward, but they expect to remain primarily SF-oriented for the foreseeable future. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:23, 26 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Oktobertrek ==
+
== Chinese Godzilla? ==
  
−
https://archive.org/details/@greeneuva?sort=-addeddate; Came across these randomly, don't know if they qualify, if they do somebody may want to enter them. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:26, 26 October 2022 (EDT)
+
https://archive.org/search?query=%E6%80%AA%E7%8D%A3%E3%82%B4%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A9&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22; If anyone knows what this is about and decides it warrants entering, thanks. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:18, 29 January 2024 (EST)
−
:We usually only include convention program books if they have speculative fiction in them, or if they are genre conventions that focus on printed speculative fiction. These seem to be more what they call a "media convention", focused on the TV show and films. I didn't see any content we'd tend to inclue when looking through the program books. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 12:18, 28 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Horrorology ==
+
== Magic German Cats ==
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?533416; I've done numerous edits for both editions of this book, but my latest one which, I think, added the full wraparound cover from FantLab caused me, after checking to make sure everything was OK, to notice that the page count is way off, but I'm not sure what the real page count should be, since there's an unnumbered 1-page epilogue, an acknowledgements page with artwork, a bio page with picture, and an illustration. So if anyone wants to correct the page count. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:09, 27 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?33710; There was a 1999 German edition under a new title, https://archive.org/details/katmagie13katten0000unse, in case anyone fluent wants to enter that. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:02, 30 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Wizard of Woodworld ==
+
== ZOLTAR ==
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?50291; I've been doing a lot of Garry Kilworth edits recently, and I uploaded the full wraparound cover of this book from SF-Encyclopedia (edit pending), but they wrote the prices on the back cover over some leaves on the ground and the Australia and New Zealand (and other?) prices are unreadable, so if anyone owns a copy they can always add that info to the notes, assuming they can make the prices out. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 16:08, 27 October 2022 (EDT)
+
[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/adv_search_results.cgi?USE_1=pub_title&O_1=exact&TERM_1=&C=AND&USE_2=pub_verifier&O_2=exact&TERM_2=Zoltar&USE_3=pub_title&O_3=exact&TERM_3=&USE_4=pub_title&O_4=exact&TERM_4=&USE_5=pub_title&O_5=exact&TERM_5=&USE_6=pub_title&O_6=exact&TERM_6=&USE_7=pub_title&O_7=exact&TERM_7=&USE_8=pub_title&O_8=exact&TERM_8=&USE_9=pub_title&O_9=exact&TERM_9=&USE_10=pub_title&O_10=exact&TERM_10=&ORDERBY=pub_year&ACTION=query&START=0&TYPE=Publication]; Polish primary verifier seemed to be very active in 2012 and then nothing, they left a lot of their 300+ PV unfinished with missing info, mentioning this in case anyone fluent in Polish wants to follow up on any of them and add or fix anything. I thought of this before but remembered it today after finding a photo for Jerzy Sosnowski on FantLab and an archived copy of the anthology PL +50 which his story on ISFDB appears in. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:45, 30 January 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Henry Kuttner / Bertram W. Williams / "The Monkey Wrench" ==
+
== verification email  ==
  
−
On [https://twitter.com/jamesdnicoll/status/1586418747216125952 Twitter], James Davis Nicoll has asked the question: ''"Question: is the ISFDB correct to list as Kuttner's first story 1931's "The Monkey Wrench", published under the pen name Bertram W. Williams? The sources I've seen claim his first story was 1936's The Graveyard Rats.''  As I type this, there are 3 responses, none of which support the idea that [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2096297 The Monkey Wrench] is a Kuttner story.  I suspect the crux of the matter is whether [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?19052 Bertram W. Williams] really is a Kuttner pseudonym - [[Author:Henry Kuttner]] gives a possible clue - perhaps one of the PVers of [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?177229 Index to the Science-Fiction Magazines (1926-1950) (Revised Edition)] can confirm this pseudonym? [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 19:04, 29 October 2022 (EDT)
+
I have tried several times to elicit a verification email but nothing has arrived. I've checked junk & trash as well. Is this simply not working? {{unsigned|Starman99}}
−
:The FictionMags Index does not list Williams being a pseudonym. Biomassbob created the alternate name per the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/author_history.cgi?19052 edit history]. I will point him to this conversation. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 08:39, 30 October 2022 (EDT)
 
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::http://jerryshouseofeverything.blogspot.com/2019/06/forgotten-book-kuttner-times-three.html; See comment by Haffner. EDIT: Kuttner Times Three was hiding in the "Pulp Magazine Inbox" on Archive.org so I've added an edit with a link. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:52, 30 October 2022 (EDT)
 
−
:::This is clearly a mistake, given that Kornbluth was born in 1923.  Don't know where the idea came from, but I corrected it.[[User:Biomassbob|Bob]] ([[User talk:Biomassbob|talk]]) 12:47, 30 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Morton(-)Sale ==
+
: I am afraid this is a common occurrence, which we [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:FAQ#What_if_I_don.27t_receive_the_confirmation_email.3F discuss in the ISFDB FAQ]:
  
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https://archive.org/details/martinpippininda0000farj; I was surprised to see this with a full cover, these older books usually being coverless on Archive.org, so I entered the Archive.org link (and fixed the page count which was off by 10), and after submitting it realized I forgot to add the cover and went to OL, which also surprisingly had it (certainly not always the case). While entering that edit I realized the frontispiece was the same as the cover art but cover artist wasn't entered, the problem being John Morton-Sale is called J. Morton Sale on the front flap and his wife (?), Isobel, isn't mentioned like she is on the title page. Also, there's a guy on ISFDB named Morton Sale, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?346778, who I think might be the same person, and coincidentally I see that I'm the one who entered both of his credits. So if anyone wants to tackle this kids' book some variants might be needed. There's also the matter of the back flap, which says the other Pippin book on ISFDB, Apple Orchard, has a cover by Hugh Lofting, the Dr. Dolittle creator whose cover art credits on ISFDB are only for his books; neither Apple Orchard edition here has any cover credit. So after the recent Dolittle discussion somewhere here recently more has come to light. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:08, 29 October 2022 (EDT)
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:* Different email servers have different automated rules which may block email coming from certain Web sites, which makes it hard to tell what's preventing ISFDB confirmation email from being delivered to your mailbox.
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: Yes, the artists are husband John and wife {{a|Isobel Morton-Sale}} --submitted and approved {{done}}
 
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: Concerning John's alt name {{a|Morton Sale}} --four submitted as #5478560, 65, 70, 74. (Note the steady rate of submissions by other editors during those five minutes of my own work.) --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 13:37, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Strange Wine and the Dillons ==
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:* Note, however, that confirmation emails are optional as far as ISFDB is concerned. As long as you can log in, you have full access to all ISFDB features including Advanced Search, display preferences, submission creation etc.
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5469373; Archive.org copy can't be borrowed, and there are intros before each story, so I had to search for titles and I think I got all the page numbers correct, but who knows, someone will look at it eventually. The odd thing is the cover is credited to Leo and Diane Dillon, with a 1966 copyright date. There is this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?3527+3, with all covers being a photo of Mr. Ellison, but there's also this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisheryear.cgi?4067+2009, where the Ellison covers without the photo are all the same cover as the Strange Wine book I just did an edit for, but the Dillons are only credited on 1 of them. Ellison also has a 2008 book, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?537728, which has the photo cover but is missing the pub. series (entered by someone in 2015, so maybe the series didn't exist yet on here), so I made another edit adding the series, and most oddly a 1999 book, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?375604, which has the same artwork but with a different color scheme. So why art's dated 1966 and whether the 1999 e-book was the first time it appeared on a cover, who knows, but I'm sure all this will open some discussions here. Tangentially, there's clearly something off about the first half-dozen e-reads.com books being dated before e-books existed, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?4067, and also about this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?45027, which seems the same publisher judging by the notes in both about being acquired by Open Road, and this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?424501, which is the only E-Reads Ellison book listed and has the same cover as all the e-reads.com books, and finally the question of whether these, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?35686, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?16649, and https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?33558, are the same as the others. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:21, 30 October 2022 (EDT)
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: Since you were able to post the message above, you should be all set :-) [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:11, 30 January 2024 (EST)
  
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== Large backlog in the Pending Submission Queue ==
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== Ace Dates ==
  
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Is there a problem with getting submissions in the Pending Edits queue processed? The current count is 5987 and I have pending edits that have been queued since October 18. Thanks! [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 12:59, 31 October 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5872024; Can someone on the long list of editors find out where someone got month from? Whoever entered many of these old PB long ago was very random about noting where they got the month, but I remember it was a checklist or something so that's likely where this one came from, too. I thought it would be obvious why I added the month since it's there throughout the contents but I guess not. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:27, 30 January 2024 (EST)
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: They're all approved. I'll also approve the follow-ups as soon as you submit them. Sorry about the delay. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 13:50, 31 October 2022 (EDT)
 
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: Too many submissions, often requiring time to research and process, and not enough moderators with enough time to go through them properly. It can happen when things align weirdly. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 13:55, 31 October 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Football, Maradona, and the Commodore 64 ==
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== Berthon ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?36690; There have been 4 copies uploaded in the last few years, https://archive.org/search.php?query=%22book%20of%20two%20halves%22%20royle, and I entered an edit for the original edition which is on ISFDB. A few problems, though; even though the cover is the same on all 4 the credited cover artist is different in the original Gollancz than in the Indigo or Phoenix editions, and the Phoenix changes the subtitle from "New Football Short Stories" to just "Football Short Stories", even though you wouldn't know that unless you look at the cover because the uploader wrote the wrong subtitle in the description. Here's the important thing, though, in case anyone wants to do anything with these; there are nearly 20 more stories that aren't entered here, many of them by genre authors, but I tried reading 1 of them and couldn't make sense of the football (or soccer, here in the USA) slang, so I think this is something for the Brits/Euros to tackle. I'm sure at least a few titles will be eligible for inclusion here. Also, the very first story, by M. John Harrison, is credited to M, no period, so I'm sure those who like creating variants such as that will have a field day, with other names being slightly different, too, no doubt. What I'm really wondering, though, is something that's been bugging me for years, starting in the late 1980s, when a B. Dalton's (RIP) on 5th Avenue in New York had a sweet little alcove downstairs full of computer games and magazines, and I ended up buying nearly a year's worth of issues of Commodore User, a British C64 magazine that somehow made its way to the States, although I'm not sure how shady this might have been because there was an empty box on the cover where the price should have been, with a salesgirl even asking me once what the price was when I went to buy it, as if I would know. Exactly why I bought them I don't know, as I only had an Atari 800XL at the time and didn't get a C64 until late in 1991 on my 21st birthday, when it was almost obsolete (got 15 months of playtime out of it before it died, buying every cheap game at that Dalton's I could, even Mastertronic games-yes, I was that desperate). However, I remember clearly that in 1 issue's letters section there was a (black-and-white, pixelated, tiny) photo of a football player named Diego Maradona, and it showed him jumping in the air and catching the ball with his hand, which even I know is not allowed in that sport, with a caption simply reading "Shameful", or something similar. Many years later, this guy ended up being close friends with Hugo Chavez, the late unlamented Communist leader of Venezuela, and spewing the usual anti-American propaganda. So I've always wondered, was he hated by the European fans for being a cheating bastard, or was he just not a very nice person? EDIT: https://archive.org/details/Commodore_User_Magazine_Issue_040/page/n13/mode/1up; it seems the photo wasn't as tiny as I remembered. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:23, 1 November 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=theodore+le&type=Name; Space in first entry separates same essay from its appearances elsewhere; no essay title page I can find but I did see a contents page of Frankenstein File that says, um, Ted Le Berthon, https://www.ebay.com/itm/334647759422. So, if anyone can verify, a merge or variant will be needed. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 00:08, 31 January 2024 (EST)
  
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: Well, despite this action (handplay), Maradona is recognized as one of the Great Three of football (European / South American style), the other being the late Pelé and (just recently invicted) Lionel Messi. Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 12:18, 2 February 2023 (EST)
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== I'm looking for a book title ==
  
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== Non-genre nonfiction ==
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Hello everyone,
 +
I'm looking for a book title. I read the book years ago probably in the 80s. A quick summary the world is divided by a massive mountain range. I think that the protagonist must climb the mountain range in order to become the ruler. They climb the mountain only to find a deep valley on the other side with an even higher mountain range behind it. The protagonist ultimately climbs the second mountain range where they find another land on the far side with another intelligent species. This has been driving me batty and I would appreciate it if anyone knows what this books title is and who wrote it. Thank you. {{Unsigned2|19:21, February 1, 2024‎| Firefighterbgrg }}
 +
:If no one here is able to help you, we have a [[ISFDB:FAQ#I need help finding a book|section in our FAQ]] that gives several places where you can ask for help finding the book. Good luck! ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:15, 2 February 2024 (EST)
  
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How should we use the '''non-genre''' tag for '''nonfiction'''? I suspect that all three instances by {{a|Patrick Moore}} are tagged by mistake. Also that two of three by {{a|Willy Ley}} are mistakes, and his list of works suggests to me that his version of ''The Borders of Mathematics'' may also belong here, without the non-genre tag.
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== Darrah Chavey ==
  
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{{a|H. G. Wells}} is a writer above a certain threshold. Perhaps the non-genre tag should be used only for writers who are on that mythical list? (Willy Ley may be one of them.) --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 20:12, 2 November 2022 (EDT)
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I learn via [https://news.ansible.uk/a439.html Ansible] today that Darrah Chavey left this mortal coil on 6 January. He was always a learned and consistent editor to work alongside at the ISFDB... Happy trails Darrah, Rest In Peace. :( [[User:PeteYoung|PeteYoung]] ([[User talk:PeteYoung|talk]]) 10:39, 2 February 2024 (EST)
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:It should be used the same way as on any other title: if it's not about speculative fiction, it's non-genre. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 12:14, 3 November 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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:: It seems that many of the nonfiction titles we have in the database are not categorized properly as non-genre (for example titles about movies, tv shows, or astronomy), but it seems they should be! Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 13:18, 3 November 2022 (EDT)
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: Yes, indeed. There was a brief [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal#Darrah_Chavey.27s_Passing Community Portal discussion on 2024-01-11] and Darrah's database record was updated. RIP. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:01, 2 February 2024 (EST)
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:::If they cover any print/eprint content, then they are considered genre. We technically shouldn't have anything that covers only a film or TV series or science topics without any print/eprint coverage unless the author/editor is above the threshold. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:21, 3 November 2022 (EDT)
 
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:::: Just adding a note: "The Borders of Mathematics" will always be non-genre and does not belong in the DB unless the author is above threshold. The only non-fiction eligible is one that can be plausibly connected to another book which is already eligible on its own and not as an above threshold item (so connected fiction, poetry or eligible non-fiction which deals with one of the previous two). If there is no fiction tie-in, even with a degree of separation, it only can be in as an above threshold item and always tagged as non-genre. So Asimov's biography is in; a book about historical non-fiction what-ifs or about space or about UFO and so on are out.  
 
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:::: And yes, a lot of the DB's non-fiction need cleaning (deleting very often, adding the flag sometimes) - we even have the report for the ones we suspect need deletion (added back when we were apparently adding books for being reviewed in our magazines). [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 18:26, 3 November 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Scottish Ghost Stories ==
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== Gardner F. Fox's text story in "Strange Adventures" ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1104230; FantLab goofed and included a photo of the front flap of Severn House's edition of Hugh Lamb's 1980 anthology New Tales of Terror on their page for O'Donnell's book, so I added a link in the Lamb book's record to that photo with a note explaining all that, but afterwards I noticed that Jarrold/Jarrolds seem to have reprinted the O'Donnell book umpteen times, because a title page photo says 1975, a copyright page photo says 1981, and FantLab's page says 1990. ISFDB only has the original (?) 1911 edition and a couple of recent ones, so if anyone ever decides to enter more editions there seem to be a whole lot of them. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:04, 4 November 2022 (EDT)
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Earlier today a Usenet poster pointed out that {{A|Gardner F. Fox}} published "The Magic Maker of Rann", a text story, in the comic ''Strange Adventures'' #226. The story is lavishly illustrated, but the text works just fine even if you were to reprint it without illustrations, which is how we determine whether a story is "graphic".
  
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== Winterwood ==
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The whole thing is available [https://thedorkreview.blogspot.com/2012/01/adam-stranges-magic-maker-of-rann.html online], illustrations included. Should we treat ''Strange Adventures'' as a non-genre periodical and list this story? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:32, 2 February 2024 (EST)
  
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https://picclick.com/Keith-Roberts-%93-WINTERWOOD-AND-OTHER-HAUNTINGS-1989-115565926879.html; Doing some Keith Roberts edits and this book has a limited edition with an extra story; oddly, that link above doesn't show any sign of that, but it does show a photo of "The Scarlet Lady"'s title page which is on p. 25, not p. 24 like the contents page/ISFDB says. So does anyone have copies of either edition who can clear all this up? Some stuff may need to be changed. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?40022. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:37, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
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:I've entered a number of Eando Binder stories from the {{Series|Lieutenant Jon Jarl of the Space Patrol}} series that originally appeared in {{Series|Captain Marvel Adventures}} comic, and I entered them in exactly the manner you suggest. I believe some of these stories have been reprinted as text alone, so I felt I was on pretty safe ground. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 16:43, 2 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Barcode Prices ==
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== Lost Ark Storybook ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/User_talk:Mavmaramis#Warcraft_Atlas; Am I correct in that the price is $29.99 like the barcode says, and the Warcraft page, too, and should that price be entered here? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:45, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5880702; ISBN belongs to Scholastic edition judging by a back cover I saw online. There's a later (3rd) trade printing on Archive.org with trade and library ISBN on the copyright page so either this record should be made Scholastic or a new record created for Random House edition(s). I've been adding dozens of Wikipedia links to novelizations recently and I've come across some other issues like this (only one I can remember is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade by Anne Digby which has pub. series as Hippo Books but that actually belongs to the UK edition which I made a new record for) so when these are approved a check and some fixing/adding is probably needed for at least a few of them. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:50, 3 February 2024 (EST)
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: According to [https://brookevitale.com/blog/book-barcode#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20most,number%2C%20books%20use%20an%20EAN. this] article, the price is indeed $12.99 US. A grain of salt though, the article claims that ISBN-13 is part of the EAN strategy, which I was unaware of. ../[[User:Holmesd|Doug H]] ([[User talk:Holmesd|talk]]) 11:18, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
 
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:: I assume you meant $29.99, not $12.99. I'm not sure what EAN is, so I'll wait for someone else to chime in and then add the Archive link and price if everyone agrees. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:33, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
 
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:::Yes, that is a price. The leading 5 means US currency and the number the price. However, don't just drop the price in the price field. The notes should state that the price itself was not printed on the cover and was entered based on the barcode. This way there is no confusion down the road. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 11:46, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
 
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::::OK, I'll do that, but I hope PV doesn't get mad because they don't seem fond of people contacting them anymore about changes. I'll let them know, anyway. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:57, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
 
  
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== Dragons of Komako ==
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== Rise of the Silver Surfer ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?9257; 1 book in this series is on Archive.org so I added a link, and then did some minor date fixes for other books, but this one has no cover artist, with Dave Dorman being the guy as is mentioned online in several places but I can't find any copyright page photos anywhere and he's credited as David in his other cover art for books in this series, so does anyone have a copy who can check his first name? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:50, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?346021; I made an edit fixing typo "udpated" to "updated", surprisingly the only such error on all of ISFDB, and realized that this edition was likely never published with AbeBooks having a weird "cover to be unveiled" photo. So unless someone can find evidence of a copy I think this should get the unpublished date. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:30, 3 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Carn Cover ==
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== Parnassus Wizard of Earthsea ==
  
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[https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2412/3425/products/2022_11_0112_52OfficeLens_24_1296x.jpg]; I added this book today, there's a "John M" signature on the bottom of the cover, if anyone can make it out it can be added here. I was expecting to see IONICUS as with so many Kimber covers, but no. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:22, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
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https://archive.org/details/wizardofearthsea00ursu; I added a link to a Parnassus edition based on someone's extensive notes here (no number line or smudge on title page) but there are some editions of this book only linked from Open Library including the one above which has a price much higher than any other book from the publisher on ISFDB but copyright page has same info as 1969 2nd printing so if anyone knows a way to determine the date a new edition can be added. There's an ancient ISFDB bibliography from 2006 by Ahasuerus, https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Author:Ursula_K._Le_Guin, which could probably use some updating unless it's been updated somewhere else. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:08, 4 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Escape From the Bazaar ==
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== Pranks ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1375642; There is an Archive.org edition but it's a Books For Libraries 1970 reprint, which doesn't specify which edition it's reprinted from, and has the author's full name on the title page unlike all 4 ISFDB records, and the story titled "An Escape" is really "Escape", unlike what the notes say and what was finally entered here. So there's some stuff to research, like which edition was reprinted, whether author's full name was used in every edition, and whether that story was ever published as "An Escape" in any edition. Armstrong has no books on FantLab, 1 book on Dalby's site that's not on ISFDB and is likely non-genre, SFE has no covers, eBay has 3 useless copies with no photos except their covers, etc., so I'm guessing this dude's books are hella rare. Uh-oh, I was about to save this edit when I thought of Google Books, and they have a full view copy of the Knopf edition, which does NOT have the author's full name on the title page but does say "Escape", and a snippet view copy of what Google says is the 1924 Cape edition, which is the same as Knopf, so variants ahoy. Could that weird Smith edition, where it seems nobody's even sure what exactly the publisher's full name is, have used Armstrong's full name? Why would the reprint edition choose that as their source? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:58, 5 November 2022 (EDT)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?17626; I've made edits for all editions before, original 1983 Amazon cover seems to have disappeared leading to a broken image so I replaced it, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5882029, then I replaced OL/Archive cover which is too dark with an Amazon cover, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5882020, that isn't great but is brighter and still retains the sparkly stuff on the title that Leisure used to attract people to buy their books which then led to disappointment when the buyers realized the novels themselves were usually crap, the latest edition is fine as is, so now I think the 1983 edition with the wrong price and ISBN should be deleted and the image uploaded by Chris J. should be removed from the Wiki since it seems to be the badly creased cover that's still on Amazon with unnecessary back cover included. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:17, 5 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Lost my previous account ==
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== Felix Kelly ==
  
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Good day. Since the last round of server issues I was no longer able to log in despite using the correct password (I've had the same password since the beginning). After some time, I reluctantly created a new user ID here, & I read that I should link the two, but do not know how to do this. Advice would be appreciated. My former username is Zybahn. [[User:CasualDebris|CasualDebris]] ([[User talk:CasualDebris|talk]]) 09:43, 6 November 2022 (EST)
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I entered new records for Faber anthologies Best Murder Stories and Best Murder Stories 2 which are mostly genre or by genre authors; I also looked at Best Tales of Terror, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?4213, and even though I know I've seen that cover many times I never noticed until seeing it full-sized on FantLab that there's a very clear signature lower right, FELIX KELLY. I entered that in an edit but the problem is that the record for him, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?255975, might be the same artist who did the 1956 art but can't be the guy from 1879. So there may be 2 Felix Kellys in case anyone can find out more and separate them into 2 records; it's also possible that the 1956 art was not new but taken from something drawn by the older Kelly. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:09, 6 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:Also added Margaret Wolpe as cover artist for Best Tales of Terror 2; no signature I can see but FantLab credits her + there's a copy on Dalby's site whose front flap says she did "jacket design" and the art does look like many of her other Faber covers. Also greatly updated her record with lots of bio info and noted she was married to Berthold, also an artist, and updated his record as well. Dalby's copy has a pounds price sticker covering another pound price so I'm getting the impression Faber reprinted their anthologies many times with no way to tell except the prices kept getting higher; lots of printings are probably missing so if anyone has any not on ISFDB it would be good to enter them. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:03, 6 February 2024 (EST)
  
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: I have sent an email to the address associated with the original account (Zybahn). [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:44, 6 November 2022 (EST)
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== The Adventure of the Peerless Peer ==
  
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:: Fixed. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 11:54, 7 November 2022 (EST)
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Are there any objections to converting [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?11929 this] to a novella? The recent ebook reprint is marked as 27k words by Kobo USA and looking at the page numbers and some of the other editions, it does feel too small to be a novel. Thanks! [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:41, 6 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Yngve SF Collection ==
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: It's definitely a novella. The Titan Books edition (2011) is well over 200 pages and looks like a bona fide novel, but its apparent length is due to the addition of a very long promotional excerpt from {{A|Kim Newman}}'s ''Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles''. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:16, 7 February 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?106931; SWEDISH editors, this 2006 collection was entered in 2008, somebody removed the cover image for some reason a few years later, and it's been sitting dormant for more than 12 years until I stumbled on it today. I believe everything needed to fill in missing info is here, https://web.archive.org/web/20060522062859/http://www.welaforlag.se/ebok.htm, and here, https://web.archive.org/web/20061113202042/http://yngve.bravehost.com/aboutfaceinthedoor.html. The reason I noticed it is because I was entering stories on ISFDB that were published on the old Byzarium website, and Yngve had 1, https://web.archive.org/web/20060323111952/http://www.byzarium.com/storyArchive/December2005.asp?storyName=Nightmare, and his bio mentions a SF novel and its sequel not on ISFDB, and it seems there were more, https://web.archive.org/web/20080228213113/http://yngve.bravehost.com:80/titles.html, although what was actually published is the question. The Swedish review linked at the publisher's site mentions all the stories, including some original Swedish appearances, but as can be seen at the author's site many were also published in English, so tracking down the links hiding in archived sites may interest someone. EDIT: http://aryngve.com/cv.html; It seems the author has published a lot, which were never entered here, so that's interesting. I added a link to his current website in an edit, since the only thing there now is a Goodreads link. EDIT: I also added the 1 Amazon photo of him I could find since there's no photo of him here, and in it he's holding a copy of Precinct 20: Dead Strange, one of his books. If any mods read this, can you approve the 2 Yngve edits at the top of my list, because if any Swedes decide to work on any of this the first thing they'll probably do is enter his image and website, which will make my edits redundant. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:54, 6 November 2022 (EST)
+
== Termush - convert to novella ==
  
−
== Playboy Questions ==
+
Another recent reprint shows [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1443797 this one] as 25k words in English (Kobo USA count) which will leave it well short of 40K in its original Danish as well. Any objections to converting this to a novella? [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 18:27, 6 February 2024 (EST)
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?24780; I replaced a 1969 Playboy cover and it was just approved, and then it hit me while looking at it (for the articles) that it's not supposed to have a cover, being a non-genre mag. 1 1954 issue and that 1969 issue are the only ones with covers, so should both probably be deleted, and I also wonder why 2 years, 1957 and 1974, are marked non-genre but not the rest. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:07, 6 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Dissembler ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/User_talk:Dissembler; I added some links recently to Leisure horror novels that are on Archive.org, and some of them have notes about info being from Dissembler. The page counts in most cases were very wrong, fixed by me, and today I randomly came across that page linked above. Was this some old joke from the early days of this site, or was it an early version of what's called Fixer now, where some robot AI trawls the internet adding records? Because man, it sucked. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:35, 6 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Ijasan ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=ijasan&type=Name; Probably same person, Arabic names written last before first, I guess. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:16, 6 November 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== Goodbye to Gunpowder by Donald Barr Chidsey ==
 
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Any objections to deleting [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?250907 this one]? It is non genre, non-fiction from an author who has no known genre works. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 12:57, 7 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Chidsey ==
 
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−
Someone just asked if Donald Barr Chidsey's book can be deleted, since it's only there because of the SF magazine review, and it looked familiar because I'm in the edit history as adding the cover a while back. It's an unusual last name so I checked and there's only 2 other Chidseys on ISFDB, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=chids&type=Name, but I suspect they're the same person, writing a letter to the same magazine within a year of each other, so maybe someone here knows for sure and can make one a variant of the other. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:44, 7 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Duel Title ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?24108; I added HC Archive.org link. Title isn't right, but what should it be? Duel or Duel: Terror Stories? EDIT: Also, ISFDB has the e-book as 2003, but this, https://jerrywbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Collected-Stories-includes-Born-of-Man-and-Woman-Matheson-Richard.pdf, says 2011 on the copyright page with the same 13-digit ISBN as ISFDB. What's up with that? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:49, 8 November 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== Shrinking Man (Sphere) ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?42019; A recent copy appeared on Richard Dalby's site, https://richarddalbyslibrary.com/collections/newest-shopify-test/products/richard-matheson-the-incredible-shrinking-man-sphere-books-1988-paperbacks, and I uploaded the cover because unlike the cover currently on ISFDB you can see a signature on the lower right, KE...something. However, that site's photos usually aren't the greatest, so it's a bit smaller than the old one. So if anyone can find a better Sphere cover that also shows the signature, please upload it and replace mine, and of course if anyone can identify the artist that would be great. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:43, 9 November 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== One More Signature ID ==
 
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−
This signature is on the cover of [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?6612 Changing Places], by Susan Smith (Scholastic/Point, 1986). https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/images/4/48/Screen_Shot_2022-11-10_at_11.05.35_PM.png Can anyone identify it? —[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 00:44, 11 November 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== German Killerbowl ==
 
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−
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Killerbowl-Gary-K-Wolf/dp/1975719689; The copyright page says EIS did the cover; it's the same as the 1981 German edition, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?885753, but it's Eis there. Also, should this be by Gary K. Wolf as publisher? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:13, 11 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Amazon-hosted cover scans at images/P/ ==
 
−
 
 
−
Recall the latest discussion of Amazon cover images at "/P/" and at "/G/":
 
−
* [[ISFDB:Community Portal/Archive/Archive52#Amazon-hosted cover scans |Archive 52: Amazon-hosted cover scans]], Jan/Feb 2022
 
−
(FYI, the preceding seems to be [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal/Archive/Archive51#Joan_Aiken.3F Archive 51: Joan Aiken?], Oct 2021.) The latest concludes with announcement by Ahasuerus of our augmented "My Verifications" reports.
 
−
 
 
−
Recently I visited the Amazon product pages for all 17 of my own "/P/" --listed here as "My Primary Verifications with Unstable ISBN-based Amazon URLs". Easy to do: every one is "two clicks away" from that report, because every publication record does report the crucial ISBN. FINDING: All 17 currently link cover images at "/I/", all of which are visually identical to the ones that we link at "/P/". At a glance I suppose that all 17 match the books I verified. ACTION TAKEN: none,  because I expect to find most of the latter at a local public library.
 
−
 
 
−
This is a change from springtime, when a spot check showed /P/ images at Amazon. It may be useful for others to pursue. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 14:24, 11 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
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== Wiki pages for deletion ==
 
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There is a template we are --or were, a few years ago-- requested to add to ISFDB wiki pages that may be recommended for deletion. For instance, I would add that to [[Bio:Anthony R. Lewis]], where the database Author page is one that I revised this week, in a way that makes the Bio page redundant. In practice it might be only the "Bio:" space where I would use it. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 15:53, 11 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
:You can use [[:Template:Deletion candidate]] or [[:Template:Page transferred]] based on the particular circumstances. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 16:16, 11 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Stickman ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?33232; https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchArg=stickman+pfefferle&searchCode=GKEY%5E*&searchType=0&recCount=25; There are 2 Open Library records, 1 with WorldCat ID (there are actually 2 different records with different ID # on WorldCat, which I've entered in an edit), and 1 with LCCN ID, but clicking it leads to nothing, yet typing the title on LoC does find the book. So are there any numbers on the LoC page that can be entered here as ID? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:26, 11 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
:It does not seem to have an LCCN.  The permalink on that page is to some different sort of catalog entry.  Looks like maybe it's in a box of stuff? --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 08:54, 12 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Les Edwards / Daniels ==
 
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−
Les Daniels, author of many vampire novels and a lot of genre non-fiction, has 2 cover art credits here; 1 was for a British edition of 1 of his novels, which turns out to be by Les Edwards, so I've made an edit to fix that. However, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?6960, which I can't find anywhere; it's also a British edition, but an ISFDB search for Severn House covers by Les Edwards finds nothing, so if anyone owns this or can find a photo identifying the artist, great; I'm pretty sure it's really Edwards. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:08, 13 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Tinkleman vs. Tinkelman ==
 
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There are two artists [[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?26127 Murray Tinkelman]] with a bio and long list of credits and [[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?116410 Murray Tinkleman]] with only a couple of credits and no bio. I suspect they are the same, but don't really have an eye for art. A small project for someone. ../[[User:Holmesd|Doug H]] ([[User talk:Holmesd|talk]]) 16:51, 13 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
:Well, this is odd; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?271901. It turns out that, as can be seen on the copyright page here, https://postmarkedfromthestars.com/products/the-lurker-at-the-threshold-h-p-lovecraft-1976-3rd-printing-ballantine-books-paperback-murray-tinkleman-cover, Vincent Di Fate is credited for cover art, but magnifying the cover shows "M. Tinkelman" on the lower left. PV is long-gone, so if a mod reads this, please change the name to Tinkelman with a note about the wrong cover artist in the book, since if I make an edit it will be a very long time before it's approved. EDIT: Never mind the Di Fate thing, my OCD made me look at it again and I realized the geniuses inserted a copyright page from some other Ballantine book as can be seen by the different date and ISBN. So the cover art is still signed Tinkelman but now a REAL copyright page from this book needs to be seen to find out how artist's last name is spelled in the book, if it's there at all. I can't find it anywhere online. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:28, 13 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Satyrday ==
 
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−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?14733; I added the missing British Souvenir Press edition today, which has the same cover as the American HC, and added Ron Miller's credit from the Berkley PB to the foreign edition because the notes there say cover and illustrations came from Berkley Books; problem is, the foreign edition has an earlier date here than the PB, and there's a mysterious 1982 Berkley TP with no cover and none I can find online. So does anyone know if that's where the art was first used? Also, 1 of Miller's interior art credits was misspelled Satryday here, which I've corrected, but there's a separate interior art credit that's spelled correctly. Miller has 2 cover credits, the covers being totally different, so maybe the art used inside was different, too, or maybe not. Anyone know? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:08, 13 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Book cover identity ==
 
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−
A user on Reddit asked about a book cover - he states "it showed a long curving floating road, with a long line of mostly alien creatures chained to each other slowly marching along it. In the foreground was a guy in a suit." Poster does not know the title or author. It isn't Norman Spinrad's [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?131931 The Men in the Jungle]. If anyone can help with this this given the vague description the question can be found here on [https://www.reddit.com/r/badscificovers/comments/ypwab1/comment/iwhbti7/?context=3 Reddit]. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] ([[User talk:Mavmaramis|talk]]) 14:55, 15 November 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== Theodore Sturgeon SFBC Edition ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?25802; There's only 1 copy on Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/sturgeonisalivew00stur, but it doesn't fit with any of these; the SFBC edition has a note about gutter codes and this copy does have an M on p. 205, so might be the '82 reprint. If anyone knows how to further identify exactly what year it is then it can be entered. The 2 PV of the SFBC edition already on here are long-gone. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:58, 17 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Nazis Possessed By Satan ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5480025; My edit was rejected because it's supposedly not spec-fic, just "all that christian stuff", but some of the blurbs at the front and the description on the back clearly peg it as genre, with the premise being that the Nazis and today's skinheads do what they do because of being possessed. If it's not considered spec-fic then most of Elwood's other Christian novels would have to go, too, along with many other Christian-themed books here. Any speed readers here who can read the entire book and weigh in? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:24, 19 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Quiver of Horror ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5490693; Unstable image was replaced by me, afterwards I noticed Arrow logo on cover is different, was going to cancel when I saw on Dalby's site, https://richarddalbyslibrary.com/products/dennis-wheatley-quiver-of-horror-arrow-books-1965-paperbacks, that the cover that was there previously is a year-later reprint, so I may have accidentally found the real original cover, any experts on these old British paperbacks and their umpteen reprints maybe can tell us if it is; if so, the old cover should be added to a new record for the reprint. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:43, 19 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== The Zork Chronicles ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?50891; 5 PV, RTrace, Ahasuerus, Willem still active, I added Archive link and noticed title is Zork: The Novel on copyright page so I added a note about that, does it say that on your copies, too (if not, I'll cancel and just add the link)? Also made Infocom books novelizations except Wishbringer which already was marked so, but Robin Wayne Bailey has alternate name for their 2 books, so which name should be checked off as a novelization; maybe both? EDIT: Typing Effinger and zork-the-novel on Google only finds this, https://www.thezorklibrary.com/history/resources/novel/The%20Zork%20Chronicles.pdf, so apparently this isn't info that's common knowledge. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:49, 19 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== IT! ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?300084; On the great tapatalk.com site I found this, https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/monsterkidclassichorrorforum/paperback-film-tie-ins-t6678-s1200.html, which mentions that Italian publication linked above, and says the English title is fake, but it's not; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It!_The_Terror_from_Beyond_Space. So really this should be a novelization, but ErnestoVeg, who entered a ton of Italian stuff many years ago, is deceased, so maybe some other Italian experts will know what to do with this. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:35, 20 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Japanese Madman ==
 
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https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/monsterkidclassichorrorforum/paperback-film-tie-ins-t6678-s1240.html; I, Madman was a lame horror movie from 1989 that, I think, was novelized in Japan? It was retitled Hardcover overseas (the plot is something about books), and at the link above are 2 photos of what looks like a book; Nihonjoe would know, I'm sure. Also, I just made a change to the Wikipedia page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Madman, adding Japan in the first sentence; I can probably count how many Wikipedia changes I've ever made on my fingers, but it seems odd to me that any doofus can edit without approval, unlike this site. Does anyone know why this is or if they eventually check what people do? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:02, 20 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
:As far as I can tell, there is no novelization of this film published in Japan. I think that's a scan of the front and back of the movie program (they release a short booklet, usually A4 size, with many films in Japan. It has cast and crew information, as well as other things related to the film). As for why Wikipedia allows anyone to make changes to articles, that's part of their thing. Some pages are less watched than others, so any vandalism sometimes goes unnoticed for a while on less-watched pages. Still, it works pretty well. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 16:37, 22 November 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== Cover image links broken ==
 
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−
First noticed this a couple of months ago, but still an issue. Links for covers to Galactic Central seem to have been broken after the big database move. See, for example, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?61948 --[[User:Gengelcox|Gengelcox]] ([[User talk:Gengelcox|talk]]) 19:04, 20 November 2022 (EST)
 
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:Yes, can anything be done? When was the move? —[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 04:13, 30 January 2023 (EST)
 
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== Vonda M. Big Engine Book ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?52198; Very little evidence online of this edition; like other books by the publisher it may have gone down when they went away. After further research this may need the unpublished date. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:55, 21 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Gay Zorro ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=zorro&type=All+Titles; Is Zorro, being a mythological figure, ISFDB-relevant? Because I just found a copy on Archive.org of the Zorro, the Gay Blade novelization, an unbelievably offensive 1981 spoof starring George Hamilton soon after he played Dracula in Love At First Bite, and would love to enter it here. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 15:56, 22 November 2022 (EST)
 
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:As far as I can tell, there are no speculative elements at all in that adaptation. I wouldn't call Zorro mythological, either, since the character was created around 1920 as a pulp fiction character. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 16:26, 22 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== 2 Robert Harrises ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?3055; I doubt the Swedish SS is by the famous Harris because he would have been 9 at the time. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:44, 22 November 2022 (EST)
 
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: Right you are. I made the difference for this piece into 'Robert Harris (I)' as author. Does anyone know about another Robert Harris active as writer at that time, the 1960s? (I found no one at Wikipedia). Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 01:57, 23 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Christopher Fowler Story Title ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=monsoon+pal&type=All+Titles; It seems that the story starts with "The" in Red Gloves, too, going by the e-book edition readable on Google Books and elsewhere, but ISFDB edition is TP from years ago, and who knows how it is in Dark World, Tartarus books being very rare and so actual story title page can't be seen. So if anyone finds out; I suspect Dark World has the shorter title and Fowler's collection and subsequent reprints have the longer title. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:51, 23 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Luana ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?89579; Several active PV, so does "Printed in Canada" appear on copyright page in everyone's copies? If so, it should have a Canadian price, no? Or is it a separate Canadian edition? Because price and SBN are the same as ISFDB's, which would seem to suggest it's not. https://bookshopapocalypse.com/products/luana-by-alan-dean-foster-1974-movie-tie-in-paperback. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:41, 23 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Bookfinger Cyclops ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5493838; The 1974 Bookfinger edition of 1940's Dr. Cyclops is very rare because 200 of the 1000 copies were damaged, and the only photos I could find were in a very long novelizations thread on tapatalk.com, but the photo I uploaded just now includes the dustjacket of the original edition and the Bookfinger which has no jacket , while another photo later on in the thread shows only the spines of both. So that's the best one because at least it shows the front cover and the spine, but if anyone knows how to crop out the original and just show the Bookfinger it would be appreciated. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:58, 23 November 2022 (EST)
 
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:Extremely easy to do. Use MS Paint, for example, select desired area of picture, press 'crop', save as jpg, upload. Done. [[User:MagicUnk|MagicUnk]] ([[User talk:MagicUnk|talk]]) 07:41, 24 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Recording ebook editions ==
 
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I know we generally don't create separate publication records for ebooks. I suspect this is in part because there's no good way to date them. However, I recently purchased the Kindle ebook editions of N. K. Jemisin's Broken Earth series and noticed that all three of the ebooks have a code on the copyright page containing what looks like both an edition number and a full date. (example: E3-20210202-JV-PC-COR). The Kindle page counts are also significantly different from the ones in the existing records. I didn't find any guidance in the Help pages nor, for that matter, did I see the don't record ebook editions guidance. Should these be separate pub records or should there just be notes added to the existing ebook pub records? [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 09:02, 25 November 2022 (EST)
 
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:Yes, I do think that these differences do allow their indexing as separate editions: as long as there are differences, we do recognize them. Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 09:38, 25 November 2022 (EST)
 
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:: Every Update (and some books get a new update almost weekly - sometimes a single typo will be fixed and a new file uploaded) gets one of these strings so if we start recording them separately, we will have hundreds of records per book (especially for the self-published). Unless the book has a different cover, excerpt, publisher or actual statement for a different edition (or a change in the isbn, author or title of course), I’d treat them as a single record. The page numbers is not an issue - they are usually estimates based on a paperback which may or may not have the same excerpts. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:04, 25 November 2022 (EST)
 
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:::Thanks. Besides the code, each of these has a different cover from the existing ebook record so in this case I'll create separate edition records. Is there some way to get this guidance added to the Help? [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 18:17, 25 November 2022 (EST)
 
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:::: As we record the artists and cover art and other details about it (the latter in the notes)  and show the cover, a new cover will always mean a new record IMO. More often than not, they also pair with a paperback with the same cover (but not always). Then you can use the dates inside to date (with attribution - GoodReads can sometimes also help dating the covers/editions - Amazon can be a pain for that as they reuse records. Or use 0000-00-00 if that feels right). :) We probably should get that a bit better listed in the help pages. I will work on it as soon as I am fully back online, probably next week - just resurfacing after a bit of a health issue this week. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 18:25, 25 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Canadian Alph ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?251871; https://archive.org/details/alph0000main_b5k4; Many active PV, Archive.org copy printed in Canada on copyright page, same price as USA, is this the copy that was PV? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:09, 27 November 2022 (EST)
 
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== Year's Best Weird Fiction ==
 
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−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?36975; I've copy-and-pasted a discussion with a mod on my board in case anyone can fill in anything with these books: 1) The title date of #1 is earlier than the edition you PV but there's no record for an earlier edition here; 2) The foreign edition is the only book in the "Modern Weird" Series with no series #, format or cover artist, and the other 3 books are listed as 2 PB and a TP, so obviously one of those formats is wrong; 3) Volume 3 HC has no page count, cover artist or contents, and while cover images for both editions are the same and the TP does have a cover artist later volumes in the series have a different cover (#4 also has 2 separate cover artists) for each edition so it's possible that whoever entered 3's HC cover just copy-and-pasted the TP cover without checking to see if that was the right cover, as has happened so many times before with other books ; 4) Volume 4 HC has no ISBN or page count, doesn't have the day entered like the TP does, and neither edition has page numbers entered for the contents; 5) Volume 5 HC has no cover artist, the page counts of each edition are different, and neither edition has page numbers entered for the contents, plus the viewable e-book on Amazon (never entered on ISFDB) says Five, not 5, in the title, so both editions probably have the wrong title. I may have missed something, but these are the problems I see, in case anyone chances across this message and can fix anything I've mentioned. EDIT: While there don't seem to be any eBay copies of this series with anything other than cover photos, I did find this: https://alligatortreegraphics.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/ybwf5.pdf, so Volume 5 clearly should be Five since this is either the TP or HC judging by the fact that the contents page has page numbers on it. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:04, 27 November 2022 (EST)
 
  
 
== John Stanley ==
 
== John Stanley ==
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?8752; John Stanley (2) has one art credit that probably belongs with first guy; either that or all of first guy's art credits belong with second guy. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:38, 27 November 2022 (EST)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5883789; See my note about artist, that Little Lulu credit in the original Stanley record belongs with I's record because, as my note in the original says, he was born in '39 or '40 so he would only have been 9 or 10 if he did that art which is unlikely; this is the right Stanley, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stanley_(cartoonist). The Melvin Monster credits belong with I, too. I have to assume the Fengriffen Stanley is not the same as I because it's a UK edition and he's American plus it's a photograph, not drawn. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 00:10, 7 February 2024 (EST)
−
 
 
−
== Amazon "S" Images ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5496611; This happens occasionally; any way to fix it so yellow warning doesn't happen? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:09, 27 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Lift ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/monsterkidclassichorrorforum/paperback-film-tie-ins-t6678-s400.html#p1352911; Been working my way through the great Tapatalk site's forums and this novelization is something I can't find much info about and covers don't really give anything like a price or ISBN, so I'm sure some of our Dutch friends can find something on the appropriate Dutch-language sites or maybe they own a copy; can't let a book about a KILLER ELEVATOR go un-entered. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:35, 27 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Last Page ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?174481; Obscure edition of this book, page count entered with last page in brackets plus a note that it's unnumbered, Bluesman is the one who entered it that way and they're not around anymore, note search suggests that's the only note written in that style, so should it just be changed to 160? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:00, 28 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== The Ends of the Earth ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://archive.org/search.php?query=lucius%20shepard%20ends%20earth; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?37111; Been adding a lot of Lucius Shepard Archive.org links, I entered the PB of the link above with no problem, TP has different ISBN on back cover which is probably the one that should be here because it comes after the HC, cover image is wrong as noted by someone, confusion with dates, etc. in case anyone knows more. I didn't add an edit to TP. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:03, 30 November 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Fourbodings ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5501223; Rare book recently uploaded, but there are a number of annoying details which need answering. It's Edward Miller on copyright page but real name, Les Edwards, is on back flap, so which should take precedence; last story is much longer than the others and probably should be changed to a (short) novel; Lebbon's story is noted to have an incorrect title elsewhere but it's also incorrect here, having a comma that's not in the book, but it also appears in a collection of his so it may have a comma there; intro has a long subtitle which maybe should be part of the title here but it's written in a different font so may have been intended as a heading, and since starting page in the book only says introduction maybe page # should be 9 since that's where the actual intro title appears. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 00:25, 3 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
:For author names, we generally go with the name as it appears on the title page. Which one appears there? ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:17, 30 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
::I don't see anything in my note about an author name, just an artist name. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 16:48, 30 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Star Wars Newspaper Serialization ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/monsterkidclassichorrorforum/paperback-film-tie-ins-t6678-s560.html#p1370004; Was this a real thing? If so, can newspaper serializations be entered here? I smell microfilm in the future. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:58, 3 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
:Can't speak to whether it's real or not, but, yes, newspaper serializations are valid publications. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 18:31, 4 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== The Art of Richard Powers ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?298166; https://fantlab.ru/edition268163; I have a pending edit adding FantLab ID and noticed that while 1 photo has UK price on the front flap another has the USA/Canada prices stickered on the back cover, and the Canadian price is different than what's here. So if any PV is still active they may want to double-check their copies. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:02, 4 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Staehle/Staehla ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?544010; Note by someone about the signature; it's legible in the first photo here, https://fantlab.ru/edition208143, if you magnify it. Could it be this guy, https://www.noosfere.org/livres/auteur.asp?NumAuteur=2147191370, or this guy, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Staehle, or someone else? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:09, 4 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Landis' Willy and Evans' Forsaken==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?417; I was doing a lot of edits for Ace anthologies edited by Dann and Dozois and everything was going pretty smoothly until this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=willy+in+t&type=All+Titles, where as so often happens a false variant was created, the name being Geoffrey A. Landis in Nanotech, not Geoffrey Landis, but the title also appears much later in an obscure poetry anthology. 2 PV of Nanotech PB are gone, PV of Nanotech HC is barely around, so merge/variant is needed if anyone wants to. EDIT: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?94208; I almost missed their first anthology Unicorns! because the genius who uploaded it spelled editor's name DUZOIS; there's a problem with this one, too, in that the name is Bev Evans on contents page and story page but it's Beverly on ISFDB. Many editions, many PV, some here, some not, so if anyone wants to they can look into that and fix if needed. EDIT: I see that 2 PV of 1984 sixth printing did enter it as Bev and made it a variant of Beverly, but I'm guessing it's another false variant and should be Bev in all editions. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:02, 5 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Performance issues -- 2022-12-06 ==
 
−
 
 
−
We are currently experiencing performance problems due to what appear to be robots rapid-firing requests at the server. I am looking into it. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:13, 6 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Duvic ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=duvic&type=Name; Patric is either an alternate name or it was entered wrong here, in case anyone knows, and Patrice has 2 Terminus entries so the "only appeared as" Hungarian edition is wrong, probably, because the title appeared in another edition. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:39, 6 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Audiobook publications of shortfiction ==
 
−
 
 
−
When recording the audiobook editions of shortfiction, should the audiobook be a new publication under the shortfiction title or a new edition of the chapbook? [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 09:04, 8 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
: An audiobook is merely another publication format. You handle the same way as if you were adding any other publication format.
 
−
:# A CHAPBOOK title exists for this SHORTFICTION title. Simply clone an existing publication making the necessary changes.
 
−
:# If there isn't an existing CHAPBOOK title, create one via Add New Chapbook.
 
−
:[[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 09:53, 8 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
::Thanks! [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 09:57, 8 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== RSH ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=rokeya&type=Name; Last 2 are likely the same person. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:04, 9 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
:Alternate name created. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 18:10, 9 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Missing Flash Gordon ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?13912; No evidence of that, but this, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42357382-flash-gordon, is found at several places on the web. So whether 1982 edition qualifies to be here (might be a comic) or if Hirschfeld wrote his own version and, if not, whether it should be deleted is the question. Anyone know? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:27, 11 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
:I've never heard of that Burt Hirschfeld Flash Gordon, and I've been keeping a comics novelization/tie-in list for myself for decades. There's an Amazon entry (without a cover, as with all others like Open Library) dated 1973 instead of 1985, underlining its iffy nature.
 
−
:That 1982 book riding the coattails of the movie is indeed a comics reprint, written by Bill Pearson and drawn by Ric Estrada, from King Comics' Flash Gordon #3 (January 1967)--a Goodreads reader review gives the story titles. [[User:MOHearn|MOHearn]] ([[User talk:MOHearn|talk]]) 10:42, 13 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Archive Dead Links ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?398877; The copy's been removed from Archive.org; should link be deleted? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:54, 12 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
:I believe the link should be removed from web page field and the notes, at a minimum. updated to state the item has been removed from IA. The link could be moved into the pub notes for historical purposes if desired. But let's see what other editors think. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 19:14, 12 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
::I like moving the link to the notes (without making it an anchor, and adding that it has been removed) as an expansion of the first bullet about the IA scan source.  Retains the source identification while also helping avoid having someone else try in vain to hunt it down.... --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 09:51, 13 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
:::OK, done. There's also a few WorldCat pages with different years so that may mean it was reissued or they were confused. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:22, 13 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== The Lost World Date ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?364; I added/fixed info for omnibus Jurassic World, date on copyright page for Jurassic Park same as Wiki so I've added an edit changing the title date but Lost World says September 8 on Wiki but September 28 on copyright, so real day is needed. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:44, 13 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Dark Terrors ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?8556; Someone just uploaded #4 HC (only PB was there before) and the highly elusive #1, which is very hard to find because listings on WorldCat and elsewhere confuse later volumes with the same title (which is why the OL page for #1 has dozens of Amazon and Better World Books links). So now all are available except #5. I think that TP is suspicious, having no contents and a different page count, so likely it was cancelled and the PB is the real edition; also, if anyone has a copy of any edition of #5 and can upload it that would make the series complete. I'm sure there's lots of ex-library copies over in GB but here in USA I don't think I've ever seen a real copy of any of them. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 16:32, 13 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Problem With Web Pages ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5510604; I noticed something like this once before not too long ago; by adding the Blogspot article it seems to cancel 1 of the other web pages. Am I seeing this wrong or is this a problem that needs fixing? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:26, 13 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
: No, see that it is there both with a plus and with a minus sign in front of it. That’s just different formatting - end of line, a space somewhere or something like that. It is either something added before some of the current fields cleanup operations which happen during saving were implemented or it is an artifact of how we compare values. In either case, as long as it is there as both a plus and a minus line, it is not getting lost - just formatted properly for how the DB wants it now. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 23:18, 13 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
:: Annie is correct: it's a display problem which occurs under certain circumstances. I have identified the root cause and I am about to start working on a fix. Thanks for reporting the problem. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:49, 14 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
::: OK, I think I got it -- note how the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5510604 problematic submission] is displayed now. Please let me know if you come across any issues. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:42, 14 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Picture Mommy Dead: In or Out? ==
 
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−
I'm holding [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5496327 this submission] and questioned whether the novelization is speculative per our [[ISFDB:Policy#Definitions of Speculative Fiction|definitions]] based on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Mommy_Dead Wikipedia description] of the movie that is novelized.  The submitter [[User talk:Username#Picture Mommy Dead|disagrees]].  I'm cross posting here to solicit additional opinions on whether this book is within our scope.  Thanks. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 18:08, 14 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
: I am not familiar with the movie, but [https://www.allmovie.com/movie/picture-mommy-dead-v38089 AllMovie.com describes the plot thusly]:
 
−
:* A young girl is deeply traumatized after she sees her mother burned to death in a house fire and spends the rest of her youth locked in a mental hospital. By the time she is released, her father has married a nasty woman who only wants his money. Knowing that the recently returned daughter is mentally unstable, the stepmom does all she can to drive the fragile girl over the edge.
 
−
: It sounds like the horror is psychological -- as opposed to supernatural -- in nature. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 20:48, 14 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
:: It doesn't really matter. The same mod rejected another novelization I tried to add recently because they said they've seen the movie and it had no "supernatural elements", so cancel this one, too. No big deal. A few rejections out of hundreds of edits is par for the course. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:07, 15 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Lee Mandelo ==
 
−
 
 
−
I received a note from the editor of Interzone today concerning the canonical name for Brit/Lee Mandelo. Excerpt:
 
−
 
 
−
:''I'm writing today because the ISFDB entry for Lee Mandelo incorrectly cites their name as 'Brit Mandelo'. Lee Mandelo is listed as an 'alternate', but this does not reflect the reality of Lee Mandelo's life: they identify as Lee, now, not Brit''
 
−
 
 
−
I'll let you guys sort out what should be done (based on previous precedent and procedures). [[User:Alvonruff|Alvonruff]] ([[User talk:Alvonruff|talk]]) 23:09, 14 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
: Lee Mandelo posted about this issue [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Moderator_noticeboard#Records_Correction_-_Name_.26_Profile_Display on the Moderator Noticeboard earlier today]. The discussion is ongoing. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 23:14, 14 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== The New People ==
 
−
 
 
−
I'm just curious about something. I know since the big server move a lot of bots have been created and then deleted, but many others seem to be real people, I think. Was there some kind of online bulletin board or something encouraging new editors to join after the move? Is the new server more accessible than the old one was? I've probably seen more new names being created in the "recent changes" section over the last few months than I saw in the nearly 2 years I was here previously. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:04, 15 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== House Carfax ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?31406; Just a heads up that someone's started uploading issues of this rare zine to Archive.org, much of the contents in the first 2 issues being dated movie reviews and articles with some TERRIBLE fiction included, but in the second issue is a short poem by Baudelaire, "Carcass", which doesn't exactly match any title here, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1388597; I'm hoping they'll get to issue #3 because there's a story by Jack Pavey in that one that was nominated for a BFA, so once they stopped letting the editors include their own stories things obviously improved. There's also a Clive Barker interview that for some reason is in both #1 and #6 according to philsp.com (which calls one an article and the other an interview), and Barker's site shows both issue covers, so I made an edit changing the date to the original. I also think this zine eventually morphed into The Scream Factory judging by the several names who were involved with both. EDIT: #5 is on Dalby's site, https://richarddalbyslibrary.com/products/house-carfax-magazine-number-5-winter-1990, in case uploader never gets around to that issue; I don't see a signature on either cover but 1 of the artists on contents page has a story in the same issue but without his middle initial and the other has 1 interior art credit on ISFDB but with a ", II" after his name. EDIT: Issue #3 has been uploaded on 12/17; I hope when I get around to reading Pavey's award-nominated story it's better than the grade-school level illustration at the end of it. EDIT: Issue #4 is being processed as I write this and should be available soon; no interviews with famous writers, old poems or award-nominated stories in this one judging by the contents on philsp.com, just editors and their friends publishing stories nobody else would. EDIT: #5 is being processed (sorry, Mr. Dalby); another issue with nothing special and someone entered it (and #6) here long ago so I'm just going to add a link in an edit. EDIT: #6 is uploaded; adding a link. I think that's all the issues there were. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:29, 15 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Astronaut's Wife ==
 
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−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?718009; Added Archive.org link in a pending edit, Rand Ravich was the writer/director but is credited for cover art here, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?384335, cover of both novelization and this Italian publication are just the movie poster with the stars of the film, editors who entered the Italian publication in 2012 aren't around anymore, so what's to be done? I say Ravich should be removed. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:52, 16 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Romanian Robocop ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://archive.org/details/naha-ed.-robocop-scan; I'm guessing this one is pretty rare, the publisher not having any books listed on ISFDB, so if anyone fluent in Romanian would like to enter it. There's also this French edition, https://archive.org/details/robocop-1987-ed-naha-livre-scanne-francais, but the publisher has hundreds of books on ISFDB so it's probably common, but someone may want to enter it, anyway. It seems there are no English-language editions of Robocop on Archive.org. EDIT: https://archive.org/details/robocop20000naha; French edition of Robocop 2. At least with #2 there is a copy of the Jove edition on Archive.org, although it's a very ratty copy with stickers all over the covers; I will enter it. Thank you for your cooperation. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:59, 18 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
:I've entered the Romanian and French editions for the first book. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 16:09, 19 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Memory of Fire ==
 
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−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?23263; I added Archive.org links to both editions, price for HC was wrong (fixed) and artist is credited as Dinayer, PB has Dinyer which is his real name, search on the archive finds Dinayer only for that book and nothing else, only online site with Dinayer is this, http://www.otherchangeofhobbit.com/0001.html, so should note be made about wrong spelling or wrong name entered for HC and a variant made? EDIT: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?21706; I added TP Archive.org link; 1 of those PB records should probably be deleted as redundant. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:58, 19 December 2022 (EST)
 
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== Karine ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=karine+d&type=Name; Same person, probably. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:19, 19 December 2022 (EST)
 
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== Site performance and title searches -- possible software solution ==
 
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−
Site performance has been spiky recently -- one moment it's flawless and the next moment it takes 5-10+ seconds to load a simple Web page.
 
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−
One of the main issues contributing to these performance problems is the fact that we have over 2 million title records. When you enter a word like "pulp" in the main Search box and select "All Titles" or "Fiction Titles", the database software has to scan 1-2+ million records to see which one contain the word "pulp" in the title field. The process can take a number of seconds depending on what else is happening at the same time.
 
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To make matters worse, if a moderator happens to be approving a submission which affects a title record (even an unrelated title record) while the search is running, it will block not only the approval process, but also ''all'' other users who are trying to run title searches or display titles-related Web pages (which is to say most of them.) In the meantime, other requests -- searches, page display requests, approvals -- pile up in our database's internal queue. Once the original search finishes and the approval is processed, the next search is executed, which can also take a few seconds and that can result in a collision with the next approval process and so on. Things can really pile up.
 
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The obvious solution would be to add a "Match Type" drop-down box to the "Search" section and change its ''default'' behavior from "find records which contain the entered string" to "find records which are exactly like the entered string". It would still ignore upper/lower case, so a search on 'jane doe' would find 'Jane Doe'. It would also check exact transliterated values. Users who need to do a "contains" search could then change the drop-down value from "exact" to "contains". We could also add another drop-down value, "starts with", which is much faster than "contains".
 
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−
The main issue with this solution is that some users may need the "contains" functionality most of the time, which would require them to change the selected "Match Type" value repeatedly and slow them down. One possible approach would be to make "exact" vs. "contains" a user-defined option. That way users who use "contains" all the time could set it to be their default. Also, since it's primarily ''title'' searches that cause performance problem, we could change the default value just for them, but I can't think of a way to do it without causing confusion.
 
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−
Thoughts? Ideas? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:10, 19 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
: Switching to a default "exact" will make our search almost useless IMO - people don't always remember if the title starts with "the" or want to type a long title (or even remember it) when it contains a word which will find the title quickly enough. And as Advanced Search requires an account, that will aggravate things even more (while accounts are free, a search requiring an account makes some people a bit wary sometimes). Adding a dropdown may help with pure bot searches (until the bot learns to use the proper mode anyway).
 
−
: Full text search is always going to be an expensive operation. Maybe some indices can help a bit...
 
−
: On the other hand, we do need to do something - the servers seem to get hit more and more with these long requests - which makes it almost impossible to use the DB at times... [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 12:13, 20 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
:: I keep forgetting that the recent server upgrade also updated the database engine from 5.0 to 8.0. Version 8.0 has much more robust support for "full-text" searches. I'll need to do more research to determine what the new options are. Thanks for jogging my memory. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:53, 21 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Wheatley Omnibus ==
 
−
 
 
−
I've moved info over to the single novel, using Dalby's copy instead of FantLab because it has more photos and inscriptions, but I don't really want to delete this one because I think editor who entered it got confused and meant to make this the Octopus omnibus of Wheatley's novels, https://www.worldcat.org/title/60070877, so if anyone would like to convert it or something. A few people worked on it previously and there's a verification, so I'm not sure why nobody ever noticed something was wrong with it. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:18, 21 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Marian Wood ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?281433; I added Marian Wood to publisher for a Henry Holt book and searched notes, finding some people added it, too, while others noted it only; none of the Holt books had it in the publisher while some G.P. Putnam's had it, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?33246, and others didn't. I've tried to standardize them all, but this one, which I replaced the cover image for in a pending edit, is the only one not on Archive.org (correct cover on OL leads to different edition) and neither PV is really active, so whenever my Marian Wood edits are finally approved if anybody remembers they can decide to change this one, too, so all books are under the same publisher. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:56, 21 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Mapping the Beast ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?706465; I believe this is another of the MANY Prime books which were announced and then cancelled over the years; an 8888-00-00 may be needed unless someone can find evidence it was released somewhere. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:07, 21 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Turner? ==
 
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−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?157242; http://www.bewilderingstories.com/bios/turner_jm_bio.html; that story is not by the dead artist. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:25, 22 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Philsp Problem ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/note_search_results.cgi?OPERATOR=contains&NOTE_VALUE=info+from%3A+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philsp.com%2Fhomeville; I had an issue with a mod about the link I provided in the notes for a story from Philsp not pointing to the same place as it did when I added the link a short time ago; it seems that site constantly updates and stuff gets moved around to other pages. Luckily, I write my notes in a specific style and so that search linked above has found what is likely most of them, although it's possible in my earlier days I wrote them a bit differently so there might be a few others, who knows. Anyway, I have neither the patience or the will to fix any of them, my effort in finding them in the first place being a waste of time now, so I give my permission to anyone who cares to remove the dead links and enter something else, or nothing. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:10, 23 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Lands Beyond ==
 
−
 
 
−
https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/User_talk:Biomassbob#Lands_Beyond; Re: this discussion, if anybody can determine which edition the Archive.org copy is then they can respond here and I will add the link myself to that edition. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:23, 23 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Slesar Stories ==
 
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−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?690; 2021 Archive.org copies of 1978 Doubleday and 1st Avon of 100 Great Science Fiction Short Short Stories, I added links to both, also added month to Asimov intro but there are 4 stories that have 1978 dates that are likely original because they're not in the copyright section, many PV so someone can look into that and decide whether to change their months to that of the original edition, more important is Henry Slesar's stories, he wrote one of those annoying "omnibus" stories in Playboy in 1960 which was under 1 title, After: Four Fables of the Post-Bomb World, but each fable had a different title, After is in many books but it's unclear whether they all reprinted all 4 fables, it also has a variant title of "Doctor" but that's wrong because that's the title of one of the vignettes and is in the same 100 Great... anthology, mentioned above, that "After" is supposedly also in but that's also wrong because there's nothing titled After, it just included 3 of the 4 fables separately, there's also a 1981 German "Doctor" on ISFDB which was never made a variant of the original, 1 fable, "Merchant", has a 1978 date on ISFDB as if it's original, and another, "Lawyer", says it only appeared in Russian. So, if anyone wants to, they can sort out that mess. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:48, 23 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Ordering of Moorcock's Elric Books ==
 
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−
I'd like to change the numbering of Michael Moorcock's [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?644 The Elric Saga].  We do not number it in publication order, nor do I think we should.  As far as I can tell, we seem to have the series numbered by internal chronology of the six books that were published by the 1970s.  Any books published after that are added after the first six in publication order.  Finally, there is a graphic story that it tacked on the end of the series.  To be fair, that [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?10221 title] was not marked as graphic until this morning when I did so based on its entry in [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?102980 The Tanelorn Archives] and the Amazon listing of its 1997 edition.  With the publication of a new Elric book this December, I believe that we should number the series by internal chronology and while I think we can leave the comic book in the series, I wouldn't assign it a number.  This is how we treat short stories that have either been collected or not.  I would suggest that we number the series as:
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?6123 Elric of Melniboné]''
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1907 The Fortress of the Pearl]''
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1275 The Sailor on the Seas of Fate]''
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?25333 The Weird of the White Wolf]''
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3102872 The Citadel of Forgotten Myths]''
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?186981 The Sleeping Sorceress]''
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1309 The Revenge of the Rose]''
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?28394 The Bane of the Black Sword]''
 
−
#''[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?6124 Stormbringer]''
 
−
Thoughts? 
 
−
 
 
−
Thanks.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 09:11, 26 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
: I am thinking that we should probably organize the original (1961-1964) stories, which are currently listed within the main series, as a separate sub-series.
 
−
 
 
−
: I am afraid I don't have an opinion re: the best way to order the main series since I gave up on it decades ago. All I recall is that the series order was messy because Moorcock kept tweaking things. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:16, 26 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
::Not hearing any objections, I'm going to go ahead and proceed with the numbering change for the collections/novels.  I should have mentioned that for all of them except the recent book, they are collected in various omnibus editions which make the numbering clear.  Audible inserts the new book between the two recently published omnibus editions.  I'm reading the new novel now and this fits as it contains the character Moonglum who is first introduced in ''The Weird of the White Wolf''.  I'll also adjust the content on the omnibus titles.  Thanks. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 17:53, 30 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Printing field for publications ==
 
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−
Not sure if this is already a feature request, but it would be extremely helpful to have a "Printing" field that showed up when viewing all of the publications of a particular title. For some (like ''The Fellowship of the Ring'') that have a ton of printings, it would make finding the specific printing entry a lot easier when trying to verify a publication. Currently, you have to pull up multiple publication entries until you find the one you're looking for (since the printing information is in the Notes). Thoughts? ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:06, 27 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
: We have discussed this issue a few times. The latest iteration of the discussion resulted in {{FR|794}}, "Add 'Printing number' and "Printing # Details" fields to pub records". The Description field says:
 
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−
:* Add 'Printing number' and "Printing # Details" fields to publication records. The first field should be strictly numeric, allowing values like "1", "3" or "27". It will be displayed as a new column in the standard Publication table. It will be used for sorting publications that have the same publication date and publisher within it.
 
−
:* The second field will allow arbitrary values like "stated fourth Ace printing but actually at least the 6th printing because Ace reset its printing numbers at some point". The value, if present, will be displayed in a mouse-over bubble next to the numeric Printing Number value. (See http://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal/Archive/Archive48#.22Printing_Number.22_field_--_an_alternative_approach for further discussion.)
 
−
: The Discussion section of the FR talks about various related issues, e.g.:
 
−
:* The main problem that I have run into is that the definition of "printing" can be vague. A popular book which has been published by multiple publishers using multiple formats can easily have half a dozen "first" printings: "first printing of the Dutton edition", "first printing of the Ace paperback edition", "first printing of the Italian edition", etc. If a title is associated with 6 "first printing" publications published over the course of 20 years, sorting them by their "printing" number would create a mess. In addition, some publishers (like Ace in the 1980s) occasionally reset printing numbers, which creates a difference between "stated printing" and "actual printing".
 
−
: [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:23, 27 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
: (after resolving edit conflict) We have this discussion once a year or so since I had been around :) I absolutely agree - we need that to be visible in the publications list under a title. The usual pebble that derails the conversation is an attempt to formalize what we allow in that field and how to represent things. A text field will do (with guidelines and maybe a check that it starts with a number or contains only a number). One interesting usecase to think of is when the same publisher has 2 editions with undated printings - then you have 2 4th printings which are otherwise the same and you need the notes to separate the two but even then, I am fine with just “4” in the field/list and that would still be better than the current situation. If we can use that field as a secondary sort as well (despite being weird as it will get the undated editions sorted based on that field only, it will still be better than what we have now and make it easier to find if we have that book), it will be even better. Plus it will solve the issue with 2 printing in the same year (with only year). But I’d take it without the sorting as well - just making it visible will be a huge step ahead for usability for books with a lot of printings. It will also show a newish editor and user very clearly that we have separate listings for each printing. :)[[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 16:33, 27 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
:: Well, if we are going to add a check to make sure that the entered value "contains only a number", then we might as well make the database field numeric, which will simplify sorting.
 
−
 
 
−
:: I guess we could start by implementing a single numeric "Printing number" field, use it for a few weeks/months and then decide whether we need a complementary "Printing # description" field. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 23:16, 28 December 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== Server downtime at 5pm (2022-12-27) ==
 
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−
I will be taking the server down for maintenance at 5pm server (Eastern) time. I expect it to be down for less than 30 minutes as I tweak server settings and build a new index to improve performance. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:26, 27 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
: The server is back up. This was just Step 1 of a two-step process and any performance improvements that you may see should be marginal. The second step is what should speed up title searches -- and, indirectly, all ISFDB Web pages which retrieve title records -- dramatically. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:12, 27 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
:: Around 7:30 PM I got a message saying that partial title searches won't work anymore and have to be done from advanced title search from now on. Is this the improvement you mentioned? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:33, 27 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
::: Yes, it's the downside of the performance enhancements that I mentioned in the [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal#Title_Search_performance_improvements_are_now_live announcement] which I posted a few minutes ago. We must have cross-posted. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:46, 27 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
== Title Search performance improvements are now live ==
 
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−
The "All Titles"/"Fiction Titles" search performance improvements which [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal#Site_performance_and_title_searches_--_possible_software_solution we discussed last week] are now live. "All Titles" and "Fiction Titles" searches should be significantly faster and should no longer cause the rest of the site to freeze for a number of seconds.
 
−
 
 
−
The only downside is that regular title searches are now limited to "complete words". As the All Titles/Fiction Titles Search results page says:
 
−
* Note that All Titles and Fiction Titles searches are now limited to complete words for performance reasons. If you want to search for a substring, e.g. 'kenstein' in 'Frankenstein', you will need to use Advanced Title Search.
 
−
 
 
−
Note that you can still search for "of Frankenstein", "Frankenstein and the" and other combinations of words.
 
−
 
 
−
Please let me know if you come across any issues. Database performance is a tricky thing and it's always possible that fixing one problem only uncovers another, but things look promising at the moment. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:44, 27 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
−
: I have created and processed a few hundred Fixer submissions to see how well the system performs post-fix. Everything runs much faster with hardly any delays. System level tools also show that average system load has dropped by a factor of 5+. The only time the approval process struggles is when a submission creates or deletes a bunch of author records, e.g. an anthology with half a dozen previously unknown-to-ISFDB authors. I'll need to look into it at some point, but other than that things look good. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 11:43, 29 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
 
 
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== Wesson ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?165661; Should probably be an alternate name for the author, Paul Wesson, since it's his name written backwards. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:45, 28 December 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== Pierard SF Anthology ==
 
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https://archive.org/details/astoundinggalaxyoffutureifs; I came across this randomly while looking up David Bunch; John Pierard has ISFDB art credits, his brother Matt is mentioned in notes, but this thing isn't on ISFDB. Maybe somebody can do something with it if it qualifies to be here (it's got some art, too); last page mentions a completely unrelated book. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:39, 28 December 2022 (EST)
 
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:[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?927391 Done]! ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:42, 28 December 2022 (EST)
 
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== Six Ghost Stories ==
 
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−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?962266; I did stuff in a pending edit for the Ash-Tree edition and noticed his full name is on the title page, like the original edition, so T.G. Jackson shouldn't really be the name for anything here, I think. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 15:18, 28 December 2022 (EST)
 
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:The ebook version of Six Ghost Stories uses T. G. Jackson on the title page per Amazon Look Inside. I will make the necessary changes for the hc edition. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 16:45, 28 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
The original edition has the same abbreviations after his name on the title page as the Ash-Tree HC, as seen in the Archive link. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:32, 28 December 2022 (EST)
 
−
:Updated. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 18:48, 28 December 2022 (EST)
 
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−
== Steve Moore Books ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1323144; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5524330; After adding an Archive.org 2nd printing of Moore's novelization of V For Vendetta I also added Somnium, but as can be seen in my pending edit stuff needed fixing. The e-book from nthposition (only book by them on ISFDB) doesn't seem to exist anymore and says Alan Moore wrote the intro while the edition I edited says afterword (which is correct) and there's not much info online about the revised edition, although WorldCat's page count is way different, totally wrong page counts being a common problem when editors here enter info from Amazon. So after mine is approved if anyone can track down the other editions and fix/merge. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:34, 29 December 2022 (EST)
 
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== Ziel ==
 
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5525956; There doesn't seem to be any mention of this anywhere on the web, not even here, http://lynn-munroe-books.com/list62/Ziel_checklist9/Ziel_checklist9.htm, so I may have found something unique here. I was actually editing different editions of Lawrence Sanders' novel Dark Summer and noticed this similarly-titled Koontz book, one of the old gothics he never allowed to be reprinted, and saw ZIEL in the grass. This seems to be a very rare book and on some online covers you can barely see it but on the ISFDB cover, if you magnify it, I see it. ISFDB credits Ziel with, among others, 2 Lancer covers with a similar art style. Am I crazy? Does anyone own this book? no matter how clear an online photo is, nothing beats physical material you can shove up to your eyeballs if you need to make something out. EDIT: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5525973; Another one, although this has been known since 2013 at least according to an update on the Ziel site (not known on this site, though) and was not found by me (damn it). Many PV, at least a couple still active, so I'm sure if they have some possible objection to this they'll chime in here. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 15:13, 30 December 2022 (EST)
 
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== AULD LANG SYNE ==
 
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−
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41tIAZhOp0L.jpg. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:32, 31 December 2022 (EST)
 
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−
: Happy New Year to all readers and bibliographers of speculative fiction (including Fixer)! [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 22:38, 31 December 2022 (EST)
 
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−
:: All the best for you all from this side of the lake, too! I hope 2023 is going to get better than 2022 (moving towards peace on the contintents). Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 07:06, 1 January 2023 (EST)
 
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−
== Looking for one book.  ==
 
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−
Hello. I am Looking for one book. I only remember the beginning of the piece. Some guy found a derelict computer, sat down at it and started doing something, and then he saw a man with a gun walk up to the desk, they looked at each other in silence for a while, then the guy mechanically pressed the Enter button and the man shot him back. The work was read in the 1990s or very early 2000s. The piece appeared no later than the 1990s (probably earlier). I also remember that the guy was doing something enthusiastically on the computer: at first he typed without looking at the screen, but the message on the computer monitor made him do his work more slowly and carefully. The phrases went something like this. The message on the computer screen made him work more carefully. Behind the desk stood a man with a gun in his hand. The guy had never seen a real gun, except in the movies, but he knew immediately what it was. The guy's hand dropped mechanically to the Enter button, and the same second the black muzzle of the gun burst into flames, ending his life. Thank you in advance. --[[User:Strannik27|Strannik27]] ([[User talk:Strannik27|talk]]) 01:23, 6 January 2023 (EST)
 
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−
: Nothing comes to mind, I am afraid. There are a couple of Reddit forums that may be worth a shot: [https://www.reddit.com/r/tipofmytongue/ Tip of My Tongue], which handles all types of media, and [https://www.reddit.com/r/printSF/ PrintSF], which specializes in printed speculative fiction. The Usenet group [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.sf.written rec.arts.sf.written] may be another place to check. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:49, 6 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
:: Sadly. Thank you. Wrote in the first and third place, in the second they require 2 days from the date of registration. --[[User:Strannik27|Strannik27]] ([[User talk:Strannik27|talk]]) 15:05, 6 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
:::Another possible place to check is [https://community.abebooks.com/s/forum-topic-results?language=en_US&topicId=0TO3n0000003yS1GAI&type=Community%20Forum Book Sleuth] on the AbeBooks site. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:09, 6 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
:::I've updated the [[ISFDB:FAQ#I need help finding a book|ISFDB FAQ]] with a section containing the above links. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:14, 6 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
::::Thank you, I wrote. --[[User:Strannik27|Strannik27]] ([[User talk:Strannik27|talk]]) 05:02, 7 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
::::I wrote: 1. [https://community.abebooks.com/s/question/0D53n000092akFOCAY/a-guy-gets-into-an-unattended-computer-and-gets-killed-with-a-gun-for-it-a-detective-or-maybe-a-thriller?language=en_US&topicId=0TO3n0000003yS1GAI Book Sleuth], [https://www.reddit.com/r/tipofmytongue/comments/1046dwp/tomtmovie2000sa_guy_gets_into_an_unattended/?sort=new tipofmytongue], [https://www.reddit.com/r/printSF/comments/105spj3/looking_for_one_book/ printSF] and [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.sf.written/c/4p_Z6o_Uc38?pli=1 rec.arts.sf.written]. Where else to write? --[[User:Strannik27|Strannik27]] ([[User talk:Strannik27|talk]]) 06:58, 8 January 2023 (EST)
 
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−
== Title Merge -- post-submission pages enhanced ==
 
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Post-submission pages for Title Merge submissions have been enhanced. They now correctly display embedded HTML and properly link to third party Web sites. Displayed field names are now more meaningful. If you come across any issues, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:52, 6 January 2023 (EST)
 
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== Award Editor -- post-submission pages enhanced  ==
 
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Post-submission pages for Edit Award submissions have been enhanced. They now link to the main Award Type page for the award's type, correctly display embedded HTML and link to IMDB where applicable. If you come across any issues, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:52, 6 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Doolin ==
  
−
== Request Currey check (print, 1979) ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?431777; Late PV entered James Doolin based on signature but there is none, FantLab photo has initials JPD, it's actually Joseph Doolin, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?27894, and he has an entry for the same art, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1590968. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:48, 7 February 2024 (EST)
  
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''The Body Snatchers'' (1955) publication record {{p|211333}}, primarily by User:Bluesman who is no longer with us, implies that Currey is the source for cover artist "Stuart Treslian". That reference should be to print [[Reference:Currey]] rather than the L. W. Currey website, which does not name Stuart T nor any cover artist in current descriptions of two copies ([https://www.lwcurrey.com/pages/books/129296/jack-finney-walter-braden-finney/the-body-snatchers one at US$4500]).
+
== Uncorrected Proofs ==
  
−
Spelling "Stuart Tresilian" may be expected. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Tresilian Stuart T at Wikipedia]. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 14:04, 12 January 2023 (EST)
+
I'm holding [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5870146 this submission] to update {{P|29328|this record}}.  I noticed that the record states that it was unpublished (8888-00-00), yet there appears to be a cover that was just added.  More importantly it also describes this as an "uncorrected proof" and I had thought that proofs were outside of our [[ISFDB:Policy#Contents/Project Scope Policy|scope]].  The policy specifically excludes Advance Reading Copies unless available for sale to the public.  Do uncorrected proofs differ from ARCs in terms of determining scope?  This seems straightforward to me and I believe the publication should be deleted.  If others disagree and this requires a full discussion, we can move this the the Rules and Standards board.  Thoughts?  Thanks. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 10:59, 7 February 2024 (EST)
−
:The entry for this book in Currey is not the source for the cover artist, and doesn't ordinarily provide the cover artist in the entries.  I'm certain that [[Reference:Currey|the reference]] is what [[User:Bluesman|Bill]] was referring to in the note.  However, I believe he was only indicating that Currey stated that there was no statement of printing.  You may also find [[Reference:Verification Sources|this chart]] helpful.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 14:15, 12 January 2023 (EST)
+
: I read the rules the same way you do - ARCs and uncorrected proofs are out. However, we do keep records of unpublished but announced books (these are in scope under the <i>announced but never published (entered as "unpublished")</i> part of ROA) so I would not delete this one as it is under that category. So ARC/uncorrected proof of a book that comes out will not be eligible but if the book never makes it out, adding the notes about it into the 8888 book are fine I think. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 11:22, 7 February 2024 (EST)
−
:: Thanks. Layout supports your interpretation.
 
−
:: That chart of ISFDB Verification Sources will be useful. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 09:03, 13 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
== Fiction series(?): Body Snatchers, The; Invasion of, The ==
+
:: Comparing this publication record with [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3379 other, published, editions of the book], I note that it has a different ISBN in addition to a different publisher name. I typically enter announced-then-canceled ISBNs as 8888-00-00 publication records under the rule referenced by Annie. Their presence in our database helps answer a common question: "Whatever happened to this apparent first edition? Why can't I find any copies for sale?" We all know how obsessed collectors can get when it comes to first editions and our database is frequently the only readily accessible place that explains what happened to a "disappeared" ISBN. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 11:51, 7 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:::I've no argument with a publication record for an announced, but unpublished book.  However, an unpublished book and an uncorrected proof are two different things. The notes on this record confuse the issue as to what the record represents.  The addition of a cover scan and artist further confuses things.  How are we able to display a cover of a book that was never published? I would suggest that the notes be reworked to indicate that a proof was done as evidence of the planned publication.  We could replace the first two sentences with "The Bluejay Books imprint was dissolved late in 1986 just after an uncorrected proof for this planned edition was printed in September of that year."  I would also recommend deleting the cover of the proof and rejecting the addition of an artist.  I do worry that if we were to make an exception and allow a record specifically for an uncorrected proof when the book is never published, it would encourage the addition of other proofs and ARCs especially by those editors who surmise rules by examples of what is already in the database.  If others think this should be a valid exception to allow records for proofs, then we should document it in the scope page as is done with ARCs offered for sale.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 19:00, 7 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:::: That sounds like a plan and the proposed change in the notes sounds fine to me - that will make it clear that the record is here because the book was announced and not because it had an ARC/uncorrected proofs done. I am at two minds about the cover - if it was announced with the book, recording it makes sense as it may help trace it to an artist later on and as it is part of the record after all. But other from that - I agree that we need to be careful not to confuse ARCs and unpublished books per se - although when a publication fails through often varies so there are ARCs out there for books that do not make it - that one being an example. Maybe all we need is to strengthen the language to specify that the exclusion is for books that end up being published - thus allowing the usecase we have here without a concern. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 19:06, 7 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
We have 1955 T{{t|437}} and rewritten 1978 T{{t|186595}} versions of this Jack Finney novel, as distinct parent titles with multiple variants (some under shared titles), presumably because the rewrite has been judged "great enough" (DO NOT MERGE, Mhhutchins, 2008-12-13).
+
:::::I agree that the pub record should stay because it falls under "announced but never published" and agree with Ron that the problem with it as it stands is that the pub note gives the impression that the record has been created for the proof, not the unpublished book. Ron's tweak to the pub note solves this problem.
 +
:::::Further notes and suggestions:
 +
:::::1) I agree that mentioning the proof in the pub note is a good idea. It is evidence that the book was announced.
 +
:::::2) I definitely think the cover image should be deleted. It should either be omitted or of the final cover. The latter assumes the publisher reached that stage and that we could find the image. All very unlikely. The cover image is more than just the artwork; it's also the colouring, wording, layout and typography and those aspects of the proof cover clearly wouldn't reflect the final version.
 +
:::::3) I would delete the OCLC/WorldCat External ID and just mention it in the pub note because it refers specifically to the uncorrected proof and not the unpublished final work.
 +
:::::4) I'm ambivalent about importing the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?950860 coverart record]. It's clear from the cover of the proof that Ron Walotsky was the intended artist so this falls under "announced but never published" but it would need a pub note explaining the source and why there's no image.
 +
:::::5) I'm broadly against making an exception for including ARC's / proofs when the book was unpublished although I do see Annie's point of view. But I think it's an unnecessary complication and veers back towards Ron's point about "encourage the addition of other proofs and ARC's especially by those editors who surmise rules by examples of what is already in the database" which is something I strongly agree we want to avoid. Also, if we do permit this exception, how do we implement it? Does it mean we would have two pub records: one for the unpublished work and one for the proof? [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 07:46, 8 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::::::I've gone ahead and change the notes as discussed above.  I've also moved the Worldcat number and the cover into the notes so that it's clear the record is for the unpublished work and not for the proof.  I'll reject the held edit.  Let me know if someone disagrees with these changes.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 21:47, 12 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
Those need some linkage. (I will need to re-revise the former parent Title note, item 2.) I suggest a Series containing numbered versions 1 and 2. Is there any reason not to link them by a fiction series, rather than multiple cross-reference links? --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 09:16, 13 January 2023 (EST)
+
== N. Carroll ==
  
−
== New Publication -- post-submission page in the process of being updated ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?165703; The stories belong with the other Carroll but that ndp thing doesn't look right to me so maybe some other differing addition should replace it. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:58, 7 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:Author attribution on the three stories, initially credited to Noël Carrol, has been corrected. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 07:57, 8 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::Thanks. I still think it's weird about that (ndp) because there's thousands of nom de plumes on ISFDB but this is the only one that has that added on the end of the name. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:28, 8 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
Post-submission pages for "New Publication" submissions are currently in the process of being updated. The first patch was installed a few minutes ago. It tweaked the way the "Title" section is displayed.
+
::: Well, we have some with (pseudonym) attached, and I'd think that'd be more meaningful (ndp isn't a colloquial abbreviation), or just a (I) attached. Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 11:52, 8 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
Upgrading the software behind this Web page is a delicate process because some of it is shared with other post-submission pages like "Clone Publication". It will take a few patches to get everything updated. In the meantime, if you come across any issues, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:15, 13 January 2023 (EST)
+
::::I don't think we should use any parentheticals if we can avoid it. Since we have the (I) thing we already use extensively, I think that would be the best option for any that are currently using "(pseudonym)" as a disambiguator. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:20, 8 February 2024 (EST)
−
: It does look a little jarring without a label at the top of the first table but I will wait to see where that ends before complaining about it properly. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:30, 13 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
: Oh, one thing - html in the Moderator notes is not resolving. See [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5540454 example] [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:31, 13 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
:: Investigating... [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:05, 13 January 2023 (EST)
+
::::: There are reasons why I chose to set the author up as Noel Carroll (ndp). However, it's not worth our time to debate. I have changed it to [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?373877 Noel Carroll]. Not sure that the standards imply that Roman numerals are the preferred dismbiguator. [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Help:How_to_separate_two_authors_with_the_same_name Here] is the applicable help section. Thanks for your interest, [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 14:06, 8 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
::: OK, the missing header ("Title Data") has been resurrected and "Note to Moderator" has been changed to display HTML correctly. All previously upgraded post-submission pages had the same HTML display issue, but it didn't become obvious until NewPub was upgraded since Fixer uses HTML in moderator notes. Thanks for reporting the problems! [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:32, 13 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Karen Simmons ==
−
:::: Looks good now. Thanks! [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 19:16, 13 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
(unindent) The "Title" section has been further enhanced for AddPub submissions. It now displays all field values for the title record that the new pub is about to be attached to. It doesn't include reviews, tags, a link to the parent title (if there is one), variants or other fancy things that the regular Title page displays, but it's a lot more data than what was displayed before the change. The new format also has a new section header, "Automerge title data", which hopefully makes it easier to tell that the submission is an AddPub and not a NewPub. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:52, 14 January 2023 (EST)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1117998; She's the wife of Dan Simmons, credited for author photograph in the HC which can be seen on eBay, [https://www.picclickimg.com/images/g/04sAAOSw1Mdltkv~/s-l1600.jpg], art is likely by one of the regular Headline cover artists, Chris Moore maybe, but I don't see a signature. So her credit should be removed. I noticed a 2nd printing of the Headline PB on Archive.org which has that same art (and price) but different blurbs on top and bottom so I'm going to enter that now. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:37, 8 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
: The "Publication Metadata" section has been updated to display embedded HTML tags correctly and to allow multiple warnings per field. A few yellow warnings have been tweaked and I plan another pass to upgrade the rest of them once I update ClonePub, Import/Export and EditPub to use the same software. If you come across any issues, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:32, 17 January 2023 (EST)
+
:Hi! There's a primary verification by Faustus. It'd be meaningful if you contact him to shed some light on the actual credit. Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 11:49, 8 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::Hi! There's no credit on the PB because there's no author photo like there is on the back of the HC. 2nd printing PB I just entered has no art credit. I'm sure someone here familiar with UK PB artists will identify it in some artist's book sooner or later but it's certainly not by Dan's wife. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:08, 8 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
:: I suppose that "Post-submission pages" include "Approved ..." among others. Approved New Publication; Approved ClonePub; Approved Publication Update --all retain(?) link label "New record:" in the footer. Approval timestamp 2023-01-17 21:28:23 for the mildly offending PubUpdate. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 12:09, 19 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Wesso ==
  
−
::: Checking [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?928677 this recently created pub]'s [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pub_history.cgi?928677 Edit History], I see that the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5527716 NewPub submission] which created it links to the new record at the bottom of the page, which is as it should be. The subsequent [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5527989 PubUpdate submission] also says "New record" and links to it even though it's no longer a new record.
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5885644; Wiki says 1893. Anyone here who can find proof it's really 1894? I looked for a headstone but couldn't find one. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:49, 8 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
::: It looks like it's an old bug introduced back when Edit History was implemented a couple of years ago. {{Bug|824}} has been created -- thanks for identifying it! [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:14, 19 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Story about the Premiere of Rite of Spring ==
  
−
:::: It should be fixed now. Thanks again. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:36, 20 January 2023 (EST)
+
I'm looking for the short story (probably from 1970s) about recreating the experience of the premiere of The Rite of Spring by giving all of the audience members a new drug. I believe this was in one of the better short story annuals of the era.
  
−
== Looking for a sci-fi title ==
+
Most of my book collection is in storage, alas, so I can't find this by leafing through my old pulp. {{Unsigned2|17:38, February 8, 2024‎| Martycohen36 }}
  
−
Hello everyone, I am looking for the title and author of a SF short story (or novel) in which a NASA-type company sends chronically unlucky people to unknown planets. Since these people are dogged by ill luck, the company figures they will encounter all the problems there are : monsters, eruptions, and so on. And that will be a good way to prepare for the planets’ exploration. Does anybody happen to know, by any chance, the title or/and author of this story ? Yves Lavandier {{unsigned2|07:15, January 18, 2023‎ |Yves Lavandier}}
+
== Black Christmas ==
  
−
: I have no recollection of a plot like this. Can you perhaps give a line of time it might have been published in? (It sounds more like a classic plot: 1940s to 1950s, I'd say). [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 12:15, 18 January 2023 (EST)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?878255; While entering Wikipedia links for tons of novelizations I came across this rare 1976 one for the classic 1974 horror film. The original edition is apparently very rare because I've looked everywhere and can't find a copyright page that doesn't have the word FANGORIA on it because apparently Fangoria Magazine reprinted it in 2008 (although there is very little mention of this online). It does include the original info so I was able to enter the month (February, which is odd because you'd think it would be late in the year to capitalize on the holiday) but if anyone has a 1976 copy can you verify what it says on it? The film was Canadian and book says "Printed in Canada" so possibly it was only published there in which case the price will need a C added to it. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:18, 9 February 2024 (EST)
−
:You can try one of the resources listed [[ISFDB:FAQ#I need help finding a book|here]]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:33, 18 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
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::Sounds like the plot of Robert Sheckley's [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?46023 The Minimum Man]. --[[User:Willem H.|Willem]] ([[User talk:Willem H.|talk]]) 14:07, 18 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Riddle of the Exodus ==
  
−
== Annals of Klepsis ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?185298; Not fiction, religious history book, https://openlibrary.org/works/OL8166080W/The_Riddle_of_the_Exodus?edition=key%3A/books/OL8566162M, probably should be deleted. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:30, 9 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:Deleted. I question if the author of the religious book is the same author as of the BattleTech books. I couldn't find anything on the religious author's sites that connect him to the BattleTech books. I will ping the active verifier for the BattleTech book to see if there is an author blurb. If not (or it indicates it is a different author), I will remove the the current author info from {{A|James D. Long}}. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 12:31, 10 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::Philfreund has confirmed the BattleTech book provides no biographical information on the author. I have removed the author info from {{A|James D. Long}} as it is more than likely a different person. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 08:28, 11 February 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?2779; https://archive.org/details/annalsofklepsis0000laff; Active verifiers, look at this, it's got stuff crossed/whited out on front and back covers, a pasted string of numbers on copyright page, etc. Alternate edition or something, maybe, if anyone wants to enter it. It was added in Feb. 2021, just after the last PV. EDIT: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5547100; This was uploaded in April 2021; I made an attempt at entering it ("borrowing" the phrasing of the price info from other records on ISFDB) but I'm sure editors who enter French books regularly can add some stuff after my edit is approved. I notice someone named AlainLeBris did a lot of them; is he still editing? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:44, 18 January 2023 (EST)
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== Mutant Chronicles ==
  
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: AlainLeBris's last activity date is 2022-01-22, almost a year ago. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:03, 18 January 2023 (EST)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?250352; I replaced the cover; if anyone knows about the old one, whether it was an early one that was rejected or if it belongs to a different edition, a note about early art or a new record for the other edition if it exists would be good. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:09, 11 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Robert Silverberg's "We, the Marauders" and "Invaders from Earth" ==
+
== Lieutenant Teasdale R.O.N. ==
  
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Silverberg's 1958 novella, {{T|67050|name=We, the Marauders}}, came out a few months earlier than his 1958 novel {{T|2798|name=Invaders from Earth}}, although they are basically the same story. As such, it has often been viewed (including in our records) that the novella came first, and was then expanded into the novel. In a post yesterday on the FictionMagsIndex mailing list, Silverberg corrects that impression, writing:<br>
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I need to make several changes to the pub records for [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3126730 Lieutenant Teasdale R.O.N.]. The tp edition has a sole PV by the late Biomassbob but he somehow missed showing that Paula Goodlett is the co-author of the work. Amazon also shows the pub date for that edition as 2023-12-07, not 2023-12-02 as currently shown in the pub record. The 12-07 date makes more sense since all of the other self-published books by Gorg Hoff and Paula Goodlett have the ebook edition published the day prior to the tp edition. Any objection to my making changes? [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 12:21, 12 February 2024 (EST)
−
"After 65 years I don't have a clear recollection of how the changes in INVADERS FROM EARTH came about. I do recall that I wrote the book for Don Wollheim at Ace and then offered it to Bob Lowndes, whose pulp magazine SCIENCE FICTION QUARTERLY could handle long stories. The title "We, the Marauders" on the magazine version was Lowndes', though I liked it. I don't recall whether he or I did the cutting, or how the changes in plot came about. The Ace version was the original one, though."<br>
+
: Mistakes happen :) Go ahead - make sure the notes clarify where the date is coming from. And while you are there, we do not use "Independently published" as a publisher - so can you also fix that (author names are used when there is no publisher). I will sort out the other 2 we have under that publisher later today. Thanks for finding this one! :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 13:44, 12 February 2024 (EST)
−
I have updated the title notes to both the novella and the novel to reflect this information. [[User:Chavey|Chavey]] ([[User talk:Chavey|talk]]) 13:08, 18 January 2023 (EST)
+
::Done. I also corrected the title for the Interiorart maps record to match current standards. [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 15:29, 12 February 2024 (EST)
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: (I reviewed those Title notes but don't know the story.) I submitted update, and noted "hold for User: Chavey", of the NOVEL note as "the same story" ==> "nearly the same story" ... "and the cuts create a different resolution to the main character's personal story." The latter information, from the novella Title note, seems too important to omit from either one. Also I showed strong approval of the paragraph break by replicating it here for the novel, which unfortunately creates a mass of text in the "Differences".
 
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: I would have named the "writer's blog" that is also the "FictionMagsIndex mailing list", if I understand correctly. I won't make the call that it belongs in the Notes but hope you will identify it here with a link. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 11:53, 19 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
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== Ohioana Book Award ==
+
== Locus1 Secondary Verifications ==
  
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Here's another award I found. It's not a specifically genre award, but there are genre winners regularly appearing in its list of winners. [http://www.ohioana.org/programs/ohioana-book-awards/past-award-winners/ Main list], [http://www.ohioana.org/programs/ohioana-book-awards/other-awards/ additional list], [http://www.ohioana.org/programs/ohioana-book-awards/ general info]. They appear to be all juried awards, given out since the early 1940s.
+
Occasionally I come across pubs that have been SVd to Locus1 solely on the basis of their mention as the first edition of a later publication. The first one I encountered, as a very rookie editor, was this one: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?197293 David Brin / Sundiver]. I asked the SVer, Rtrace, about it and received [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/User_talk:Rtrace/Archive15#David_Brin_.2F_Sundiver this explanation]. For the purposes of this thread I shall refer to these as "indirect listings".
 +
<br>
 +
The most recent one I have encountered is [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?191929 David Gerrold / Chess with a Dragon] and it is this pub record that has prompted this thread because there is a clear contradiction between the SV to Locus1 and the pub note "Locus1 fails to list this pub (as of 2010-06-21)."
 +
<br>
 +
So my question is: should these indirect listings be allowed as SVs to Locus1? If I ruled the world I would not permit them because I don't think they conform to a general user's expectation of a Locus1 listing and they can cause confusion and inconsistencies as demonstrated by the Gerrold record. However, I do not feel strongly about this. I accept Ron's point that these indirect listings provide at least as much information as Clute/Nicholls and if the consensus is that they should be allowed then I can live quite happily with this.
 +
<br>
 +
However, if we do allow them then this Help page: [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Reference:Verification_Sources Reference:Verification_Sources] needs amendment. The matrix currently states that Locus1 provides "All" the information for fields such as Pages, Price and others but this is not true for the indirect listings. So either:
 +
<br>
 +
a) The relevant fields for Locus1 should be changed from "All" to "Some" (or maybe "Most").
 +
<br>
 +
or
 +
<br>
 +
b) A note should be added to the page explaining Locus1 indirect listings and clarifying that the values in the matrix for Locus1 only apply to full listings.
 +
<br>
 +
I prefer solution b).
 +
<br>
 +
Opinions please. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 18:38, 15 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
List of categories:
+
: An interesting point. So basically Locus1 has two types of records. One type covers editions published between 1984 and 2007 and includes publication details. The other type covers first editions (including editions published before 1984) and only lists their year and publisher. In an ideal world, we may want to create a separate Secondary Verification type for the latter and call it something like "Locus1-First Edition". Unfortunately, I am not sure it would be feasible since we have over [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/stats.cgi?2 50,000 Locus1 verifications] and separating them would be a very time-consuming project. If we decide not to do it, then I agree that we should update [[Reference:Verification_Sources]] to reflect the fact that not all Locus1-verified publication records can be expected to have publication level data.
−
*Fiction
 
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*Nonfiction
 
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*Middle Grade & Young Adult Literature
 
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*Juvenile Literature
 
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*Poetry
 
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*About Ohio (not sure if there are any genre winners in this one as I haven't had time to look)
 
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*Walter Rumsey Marvin Grant (not sure if there are any genre winners in this one as I haven't had time to look)
 
−
*Readers’ Choice Award (the only non-juried award)
 
−
*Alice Louise Wood Award
 
−
*Anniversary Award
 
−
*Award of Merit
 
−
*Career Award
 
−
*Citation Award
 
−
*Editorial Excellence
 
−
*Head Award
 
−
*Krout Poetry
 
−
*Ohio Favorite Author (not sure if there are any genre winners in this one as I haven't had time to look)
 
−
*Ohio Favorite Book (not sure if there are any genre winners in this one as I haven't had time to look)
 
−
*Pegasus Award
 
−
*Sesquicentennial Award
 
−
*Ohioana Fellowship
 
−
*Ohio Favorite Book
 
−
*Ohio Favorite Author
 
  
−
I can enter them once they're created. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 17:13, 18 January 2023 (EST)
+
: As far as cases like {{A|David Gerrold}}'s [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?191929 Chess with a Dragon] go, I would reword Notes. Instead of saying "Locus1 fails to list this pub (as of 2010-06-21)", I would say something like "Locus1 doesn't have a detailed record for this edition, but multiple records for reprint editions refer to it as the first edition." [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:48, 16 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::Yes, I realised when I started the thread that if we disallow the Locus1 indirect listings there could be a legacy issue of past records SVd to Locus1 that would be difficult to amend. This is often a problem when rules and standards are changed. So although in theory I would vote to disallow these cases, I accept it is not practical to do so. Consequently I am happy with leaving them as they are and updating [[Reference:Verification_Sources]] to reflect the fact that not all Locus1-verified publication records can be expected to have publication level data, which we both agree with.
 +
::I am working on [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?191929 David Gerrold / Chess with a Dragon] and so will incorporate the change to the Locus1 pub note as you suggest. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 17:08, 16 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
: I am not sure how many of their categories have SF awards, but I have found at least a few genre authors: Andre Norton, Lois McMaster Bujold, Virginia Hamilton. If there are no objections, I can create a new award type, which will let moderators create categories as needed. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:01, 18 January 2023 (EST)
+
::: Hearing no objection, I have clarified the "Locus1" row of [[Reference:Verification Sources]]. Thanks for identifying this issue. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:12, 26 February 2024 (EST)
−
::Yup, that's pretty much along the lines of what I found. Edward Eager is in there, too. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 20:00, 18 January 2023 (EST)
+
::::Thank you. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 16:27, 2 March 2024 (EST)
  
−
::: Done. It's our [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/awardtype.cgi?100 100th Award Type]! [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:32, 21 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Necronomicon in Sweden ==
−
::::An auspicious beginning, to be sure. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:12, 23 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
== S.E.P. SF ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=d+bergho&type=Name; First name likely misspelled by PV (or magazine it appeared in) and essay is in second name's record with a much earlier date. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:47, 15 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?29174; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?363483; Likely these 2 records are for the same book, but each contains info the other doesn't. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:39, 19 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Garland Library of SF ==
−
:I agree. I've merged everything to [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?363483 this one]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:13, 19 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
== Amazon cover images in publication records ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?8067; I made a couple of edits adding archived link, LCCN and cover image to Past Master when I noticed that there is 1 book in the series with a UK price and 1 without any price. So if anyone can fill in the missing one and add US one (moving UK to notes) for the other then everything will be uniform. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:44, 16 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
[1] Given some stable image file.jpg under "images/I" at Amazon, do we have any reason to prefer one of the addresses https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/ and https://m.media-amazon.com/ ? Is it valuable to change our URL from one to the other, upon noticing an address change at the Amazon product page?
+
==  Lou J. Berger ==
  
−
[2] Do we have any reason to prefer linking a cover image at Amazon or linking one at Open Library? If not in general, then a match with stated printing number, available via "Look inside" at Amazon or "Preview" at Open Library but not both, is one attractive criterion. Image quality is another. Most recently I chose to [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5545586 link m-media-amazon.com] rather than [https://openlibrary.org/books/OL28305950M/The_particular_sadness_of_lemon_cake Open Library OL28305950M] because the latter image looks "too dark" to me. (Only now I see that "Preview" reveals a 9th printing, and Amazon UK/US provide no "Look inside".)
+
The author has requested we change his canonical name from [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?186596 Lou J. Berger] to "Lou J Berger" (no period after the "J"). See mod note [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5878281 here]. Any objections? [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 15:32, 16 February 2024 (EST)
−
<br>--[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 12:56, 19 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
: Amazon: Either works and points to the same place for EVERY image. If we discover that one of the spaces is discontinued, we can swap them programmatically but for the time being, either can be used (ebooks usually use the media one these days; paper books can use the images-na). As long as the ID at the end is the same, the two domains are identical for all intents and purposes and will always show the same image.
 
−
: As for the OL/Amazon - both are stable (As long as it is an /I/ image in Amazon so use whichever looks better and is of better quality overall. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:37, 19 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
== Clone/Export/Import -- post-submission page updated ==
+
: Checking Amazon.com's Look Inside, I see that the name was spelled "Lou J. Berger" in 2013-2014 and changed to "Lou J Berger" in 2015/2016. By now the majority of the stories use the "Lou J Berger" form of the name, so it should be our canonical name. We just need to make sure that we use the right form for the transitional (2015-2016) period. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:05, 16 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
The "Publication Data" section of the post-submission review page for Clone/Export/Import submissions has been updated. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 20:02, 19 January 2023 (EST)
+
:: Author attributions were reviewed and corrected resulting in compliance with the author's request. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 15:16, 17 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Clive Barker Author Photo ==
+
== Locus on Microfilm ==
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?71; I did some Clive Barker book edits recently and, as far as I can recall, his photo was broken because it was from one of those sites that don't display HTTP images correctly after our server move (or possibly it was just a bad photo and I decided to replace it), so I substituted a color photo from FantLab of Barker in his library that's very recent judging by his appearance, which is not very pleasant these days due to all his medical problems. Today I randomly came across his page again and saw that someone replaced that with a different photo that's not only in black-and-white but very old judging by his youthful appearance, plus it has one of those long WEBP URL's Amazon was using for a while recently. Is there any way to see a history of who edits author records? I'd like to know who changed it. I'm going to re-replace it with the FantLab photo and hopefully it will stay that way this time. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:36, 22 January 2023 (EST)
+
I recently added links to the handful of random print issues of Locus that are on Archive.org, one a very early issue and the others more recent, but I just stumbled on a huge cache of microfilmed 1973-2015 issues uploaded by MicrofilmIssueGenerator so I added a link, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5893289. Not sure if this is known about already but if not I'm sure it will come in handy here for research. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:39, 16 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
: Author records do have Edit History information on file, but only moderators can access it. The reason is that our [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Policy#Data_Deletion_Policy data deletion policy] lets living authors request removal of ''biographical'' (as opposed to ''bibliographic'') data from their author records. Making authors' Edit History publicly available would defeat the purpose of the policy.
+
== Server maintenance 2024-02-18 at 11am EST ==
  
−
: In this case the change was made by [[User:Stonecreek]] in submission [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5527111 5527111] on 2023-01-01. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:13, 22 January 2023 (EST)
+
The server will be down for maintenance later today (2024-02-18) between 11am and 11:10am EST. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 10:20, 18 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
:: Stonecreek, you say? What a shock. Anyway, my edit is pending to change it back. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:40, 22 January 2023 (EST)
+
: The server is back up. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 11:06, 18 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
:::In order to prevent a continuing edit war, I've put the further edit on hold.  Could [[User:Username|Username]] and [[User:Stonecreek|Christian]] as well as any other editors with an opinion on which image should be used please come to an agreement here before we further churn the author image?  Thanks. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 10:21, 23 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Sword of the Samurai ==
  
−
:::: My opinion is a recent image, like the one I added from FantLab seems to be (they have 2 others which are old and B&W), is better because he doesn't look anything like he did in his heyday when he was rather handsome. However, if someone feels like they really need to see an overly bright B&W photo from decades ago on his ISFDB page, so be it. Maybe after he's dead (which may be soon judging by his appearance these days) perhaps a recent photo will be more appropriate then. I doubt I'll be around to add it, but maybe someone else will. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:34, 23 January 2023 (EST)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5894874; I have owned a copy since the 1980s and PV it here in 2022, copy uploaded to Archive.org last summer but not added until a few days ago, I think I got the right page count but if anyone disagrees feel free to tweak it a bit, you don't have to ask me. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:41, 18 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:I see a note in the UK edition's record here says [236] so I think they counted the illustration between the first 19 pages and the start of the novel itself. Should that count? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:44, 18 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::I would count it one way or the other, either as part of the introductory material (so, technically on [20]) or as part of the main material.  A page number on that first page of main text would have been a useful guide.... I found an eBay listing of the Puffin edition that has some interior photographs.  Not of the page in question, but the TOC and other leading material looks identical to what Archive.org shows for the edition you have.  Extrapolating that to content that follows it suggests Reginald did count that illustration as part of the main material. Given the [236] there, what I will do is tweak your count to [236] and add a note about the illustration's appearance relative to the text on the surrounding pages. Just trying to save you an edit cycle; feel free to adjust it to be however you prefer -- I do not mean to insist on anything.  --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 12:07, 18 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:::Sounds good, thanks. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:18, 18 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
::::: There were two reasons for me to change the image: the first is the more handsome look (I do think that we should aim to have no images that would possibly intimidate an author or his/her readers), the second that Amazon seems to be more stable & is somewhat more official. I could live with the other image but do fear that it would lead towards users escaping Barker's summary page as fast as one could. [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 11:48, 23 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Bibliographic impact of the 2023 Hugo Awards ==
  
−
:::::: Pending edit's been sitting in my list for a long time so I just cancelled it. I did, however, make another edit today (pending) replacing the ancient Ramsey Campbell B&W photo on ISFDB with a recent color one on Amazon of him in all his chubby glory, so one Brit horror writer falls, another rises. It's hard to say who looks more unhealthy these days, Barker or Campbell. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:39, 26 January 2023 (EST)
+
The current pre-release cover of {{A|Samantha Mills}}'s debut novel [https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Upon-Her-Back-ebook/dp/B0CVS2RDH8 ''The Wings Upon Her Back''] says "Nebula and Hugo Award Winner". On 2024-02-17 Mills disavowed the award and announced that she would have "Hugo winner" removed from future editions of the book:
  
−
== Australasian Horror ==
+
* [https://samtasticbooks.com/2024/02/17/rabbit-test-unwins-the-hugo/ “Rabbit Test” unwins the Hugo]: ... on Tuesday I’ll send a very awkward email to my agent and editor summarizing the situation ... and figure out the logistics of removing “Hugo winner” from the ebook and future printings. The first print run will be a limited edition novelty, I suppose? Jeez.
  
−
https://australasianhorror.com/competition/ahwa-competition-past-winners/; I was doing some edits for the first issue of Hub Magazine and 1 of the stories by Liam Rands was an honorable mention for this award (he won for another story the next year); there was discussion here recently about awards so this may be something someone would want to enter. Awards are still going as of 2022. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:39, 22 January 2023 (EST)
+
This may not be an isolated occurrence since, as Samantha Mills wrote (among other things):
  
−
: Interesting. It looks like the Australasian Horror Writers Association has two separate/parallel projects:
+
* On February 14, a report written by Jason Sanford and Chris M. Barkley was simultaneously released on the [https://jasonsanford.substack.com/p/the-2023-hugo-awards-a-report-on Genre Grapevine] and [https://file770.com/the-2023-hugo-awards-a-report-on-censorship-and-exclusion/ File770]. ... we also got a look at [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rhCwKLMydCto6HvXvcqjR553DqrhTfBu/view the validation list itself], aka the tables of frontrunner nominees being vetted for the final ballot, and a horrible pattern emerged, especially in the fiction categories: there were a whole lot of Chinese nominees in frontrunner positions who just… vanished, and never made it onto the final ballot. There were so many, in fact, that if I am reading this document correctly: ''not a single fiction winner'' (short story, novelette, novella, novel, or series) would have even been a finalist if those nominees hadn’t been taken off.
−
:* [https://australasianhorror.com/australian-shadows-awards/award-entry-rules/ The Australian Shadows Award] with the usual menagerie of categories like "short story", "novel", "novellete/novella", "collection", etc.
+
* There’s an indicator of why in the apology letter from the admin who leaked the emails and validation tables: “We were told there was collusion in a Chinese publication that had published a nominations list, a slate as it were, and so those ballots were identified and eliminated.”
−
:* [https://australasianhorror.com/competition/ The AHWA Robert N Stephenson Flash Fiction & Short Story Competition], which has two categories for ''unpublished'' horror stories:
 
−
:** ''Flash Fiction'': Stories up to 1000 words in length
 
−
:** ''Short Story'': Stories from 1001 to 7500 words.
 
  
−
: We already have [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/awardtype.cgi?68 the Australian Shadows Award listed], but we don't cover "The AHWA Robert N Stephenson Flash Fiction & Short Story Competition" at this time. One thing to note is that the latter is a true "competition" in the tradition of pulp magazines. To quote their [https://australasianhorror.com/competition/ rules page]:
+
From our perspective, this means that we will need to:
−
:* The winner in each category will receive an engraved plaque and the winning stories will appear in Midnight Echo, and receive the pay rate commensurate with that edition.
+
* Update the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/award_details.cgi?78890 “Rabbit Test” Award record] to indicate that the author disavowed the award, similar to how [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/award_details.cgi?9534 this award record] explains that {{A|Judy-Lynn del Rey}}'s posthumous "Best Professional Editor" award was refused by her husband {{A|Lester del Rey}}.
−
: Runner-ups presumably benefit by being able to claim that their stories were "runner-ups" when they try to sell them to other markets.
+
* Keep an eye on [https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Upon-Her-Back-ebook/dp/B0CVS2RDH8 ''The Wings Upon Her Back''] to make sure that the correct covers are used for the first and any subsequent editions of the novel.
−
: This is a bit unusual, but we do have precedent for including awards given to unpublished texts -- see [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/awardtype.cgi?57 Prix Jean Ray], which is given to "Best unpublished fantasy text by a Belgian writer".
+
* Be on the lookout for possible other announcements of authors disavowing 2023 Hugo awards.
−
: Thoughts? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:59, 22 January 2023 (EST)
+
* Occasionally check "Worldcon Intellectual Property" announcements. On January 30, 2024 they issued [https://www.wsfs.org/2024/01/31/announcements-from-worldcon-intellectual-property/ a statement] censuring multiple people "for actions of the Hugo Administration Committee of the Chengdu Worldcon" and said that "There may be other actions taken or to be taken that are not in this announcement." If and when they make additional statements about the Hugos awarded at the 2023 Worldcon, we may need to update our records.
−
::I'd support adding it. Some of the more prestigious Japanese SF awards are contests where the winner(s) get publishing contracts (as do some of the runners up, often). ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:11, 23 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
::: If there is no objection, I will create a new Award Type tomorrow. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:59, 27 January 2023 (EST)
+
[[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:55, 19 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
:::: A new award type and two award categories [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/awardtype.cgi?101 have been created]. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:58, 28 January 2023 (EST)
+
: Earlier today {{A|Adrian Tchaikovsky}} disavowed his 2023 Hugo award for Best Series on [https://adriantchaikovsky.com/ his Web site]. The [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/award_details.cgi?78915 award record] has been updated. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:56, 21 February 2024 (EST)
−
::::: Jusges?--[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:36, 28 January 2023 (EST)
+
::These notes are exactly the correct action for us, I think.  If we had notes for an award year, it would probably be desirable to add something for the 2023 Hugos.  Although, getting a properly neutral description of the controversy free of personal biases (and I have many in this instance), would be tricky. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 10:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
:::::: Fixed, thanks. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:51, 28 January 2023 (EST)
+
::: One of the challenges that the 2023 Hugos present is that it's still a developing story. What we knew 10 days ago is very different from what we know today. Perhaps we'll learn more in the future.
  
−
== Nick Fox/Bantock Cover ==
+
::: For example, back in late January I came across a re-post/translation of a Chinese fan's comments about the Hugos. The post stated that the fan had been involved in the Hugo process (committee member?) and that he or she had a conflict with Chinese members of the Hugo committee with various accusations flying back and forth. At the time I had trouble parsing the post, in part due to lacking context and in part due to the quality of the translation. In retrospect it may have been related to the following email sent by Dave McCarthy on June 7, 2023 at 6:18pm (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_QqmsxQkACoYcxSx2LVqbxD39-DJI_gS/view), which says:
 +
:::* Tomorrow I have a 4 hour meeting with my chinese counterparts to look at ballot detail and determine if any ballots are to be voided
 +
::: Perhaps either this fan or other members of the 2023 Hugo committee may clarify matters at some point. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:33, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://books.google.com/books?id=GDPwBhpEtAIC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=shadrach&f=false; Nick Bantock's art book The Artful Dodger includes a Silverberg cover, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1139072, which is credited to a studio (and back cover seen online does credit it to that studio) but he says he did it under his Nick Fox name. So what to do? Also, Google Books copy seems to be a 2nd printing of the Chronicle Books edition on ISFDB and there's a Canadian edition from Raincoast on Archive.org which isn't on ISFDB. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:49, 25 January 2023 (EST)
+
:: It would especially be useful to note that the nomination totals and the EPH points appear to be completely unreliable, since those are noted in each nomination award record. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 10:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Inter-author collections of speculative drama ==
+
::: One thing that comes to mind is that we could change the way opening sentences are phrased. Instead of the current "1674 valid ballots cast, 944 valid ballots cast in category" we could say something like "According to the [https://www.thehugoawards.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023-Hugo-Award-Stats-Final.pdf voting statistics] released [https://www.thehugoawards.org/2024/01/2023-nominating-and-final-ballot-statistics-published/?ref=astrolabe.aidanmoher.com on 2024-01-20], there were 1674 valid ballots cast, 944 valid ballots cast in category". It's not much, but it would at least clarify which version of the stats our records use. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:20, 22 February 2024 (EST)
−
Good afternoon, everyone. Are there inter-author collections (Anthology, Almanac) of speculative drama? Thank you in advance. --[[User:Strannik27|Strannik27]] ([[User talk:Strannik27|talk]]) 02:48, 27 January 2023 (EST)
+
::::I've added your suggested text to the records in the Best Novel category. In addition to the ballot count at the head, I've also added it to the nomination numbers at the foot. I think it's more important there as that is where there is evidence of shenanigans. In any case, let me know if it looks good and I can update the remaining records or we tweak it if desired. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 21:26, 27 February 2024 (EST)
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:* [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?30649 "Six Science Fiction Plays"] anthology, edited by Roger Elwood, Washington Square Press, 1976, ISBN 0-671-48766-3.
+
::::: Everything looks good, thanks. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 22:40, 27 February 2024 (EST)
−
:* [http://borealispress.com/BookDetail/rid/913/New%20Canadian%20Drama%20Vol.%208 "New Canadian Drama Vol. 8: Speculative Drama: Roswell, Eden's Moon, Alien Bait"] edited by Scott Kesi Duchesne, Borealis Press, 2002, ISBN 978-0-88887-265-4.
 
−
: --[[User:Zlogorek|Zlogorek]] ([[User talk:Zlogorek|talk]]) 11:01, 27 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
::* Thank you so much, are there more examples? --[[User:Strannik27|Strannik27]] ([[User talk:Strannik27|talk]]) 13:40, 3 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
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== Edit Pub -- post-submission page updated ==
+
:: I recall that award year notes has been suggested before and there may be a feature request, though I suspect that how the award tables are structured may make this difficult. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 10:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
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The Metadata (i.e. top) section of the post-submission review page for Edit Publication submissions has been updated. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 20:02, 19 January 2023 (EST)
+
::: Yes, indeed. {{FR|1086}}, "Change the award year field to a drop-down list", says "Create a new record type for award years. We can call it something like "award year" or "award ceremony". Once we have it, we will be able to add notes to award years. Notes can be used to specify when the awards were announced, when and where they were given, eligibility rules changes, etc." Unfortunately, as you said, it would be fairly time-consuming to implement. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:12, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Robert Bloch Book Duplicate ==
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:: In any case, I do have one suggestion for the del Rey award record.  We currently have the explanation of the non-acceptance of the award noted in the title field of what should be an untitled award.  Perhaps we didn't have award level notes at the point that award was added.  I feel that the verbiage in the title should be moved to notes and replaced with "untitled".  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 10:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1941501; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?551231; I started to enter the HC edition, mentioned in the note by the PV, using FantLab's copy but decided to check further and it's already on ISFDB; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?30351. Both HC and TP were entered many years earlier so I guess nobody checked first before approving PV submission. I've made a (pending) edit adding ID, full cover and cover design note to the HC, but there's a problem. PV did a lot of work entering the contents, which nobody did for the 2 records entered earlier, but he got the format wrong and entered it as a collection instead of non-fiction (it has both fiction and non-fiction, so who knows). So some more astute people here should decide what to do, which to keep, possible merges, etc. I'll leave a brief note on PV page about this; they're still active. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:48, 27 January 2023 (EST)
+
::: I agree. It's exactly as you said -- award records didn't have a Notes field back then. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:12, 22 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::::I've updated [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/award_details.cgi?9534 this] and expanded the comment as a note taking my queue from Judy-Lynn's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy-Lynn_del_Rey Wikipedia article]. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 21:26, 27 February 2024 (EST)
  
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:I still have the TP handy if you want to point me in the right direction. Still mostly a novice at this. I appreciate this resource and like to contribute how I can. [[User:Fenrix1958|Fenrix1958]] ([[User talk:Fenrix1958|talk]]) 21:10, 27 January 2023 (EST)
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::::: Thanks. I have hyper-linked Lester del Rey's name and clarified that he was Judy-Lynn's husband. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 22:40, 27 February 2024 (EST)
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::Thanks for responding so quickly. I randomly came across the Bloch book you entered and thought I'd enter the HC edition you mentioned in your note since FantLab has many photos of it, but I found it hard to believe that nobody ever entered it, and after checking further I found both HC and TP editions which, judging by edit history, were entered in the very early days of public editing here. Yours was in 2015, so I'm not sure why a moderator approved it when it already existed and had the same ISBN, but the problem is that you actually did the hard work of entering the numerous contents, unlike the others, but didn't enter the month, made it a PB instead of a TP, made it a collection with Bloch as author instead of non-fiction with Matheson and Mainhardt as editors (I'm not even sure what's correct because it includes Bloch stories but also essays from many other people about Bloch, so anthology, maybe?). So I was wanting people who, unlike me, have been doing this for a very long time to chime in and suggest what should be done because your hard work shouldn't go to waste, but several different people made edits for the edition you didn't enter so it wouldn't be right to just delete that. I've been editing for just over 2 years but am rapidly losing interest due to a variety of reasons, so I won't be of much help to you, I'm afraid; I just do simple stuff these days. Someone else will respond shortly, I'm sure, and this will be resolved soon. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:03, 27 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
:::This is the most relevant section of [[Help:Screen:NewPub#Publication_Type|the help]]:
 
−
::::''NONFICTION. This type should be used for books that are predominantly or completely non-fiction. This includes book-length works of non-fiction or books containing essays by one or more authors. A publication that contains both non-fiction and fiction should be typed by that which is predominant. A single work of fiction in an Isaac Asimov essay collection does not make it a COLLECTION. A book of fiction (NOVEL, COLLECTION, or ANTHOLOGY) containing a generous, but not predominate, amount of non-fiction, such as introductions, essays, and other non-fiction works, should not be typed as NONFICTION. Mixtures of fiction and non-fiction are more usually found in magazines than they are in books, so the question does not often arise.''
 
−
:::I'd wait a bit to see if there are any opposing viewpoints, but it looks to me like the book is '''''predominantly''''' the Bloch stories and poem, and most of the essays are introductions to those works.  However, it also has more -- and a wider range of -- essays than we would normally see as supplemental material in a typical collection.  So it strikes me as a book assembling Bloch works and a lot of other material, as opposed to a book about Bloch that happens to contain some of his works.  If you have the book, you can make a more informed judgement that I can.  If it's primarily a book of Bloch works, I would use ANTHOLOGY as the least bad fit, with Matheson and Mainhardt as the editors.  If the book is primarily about Bloch, then NONFICTION would be more appropriate. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 07:45, 28 January 2023 (EST)
 
−
::::My edit for the HC was just approved after a long wait (I made a minor error in the note so that new edit still has to be approved), but I think I'm done and so someone should decide what to do with the 2 separate but equal paperback editions now. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:03, 14 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
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== L. R. Giles/Lamar Giles - Canonical Name ==
+
== Kater-Bound ==
  
−
Our canonical name for this author is currently {{A|L. R. Giles}}, presumably because that's how his first three SF stories credited the author back in 2004-2007. However, over the last 6 years he has published 4 SF novels and 2 stories as "Lamar Giles". A 2018 reprint of a 2006 story also used "Lamar Giles".
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?22308; On all of the web there seems to be only 1 mention of Borgo Press and Kater-Bound together, https://www.lawrenceperson.com/?p=22429, although it does get a handful of hits in a text search, https://archive.org/search?query=%22kater-bound%22+%22borgo%22&sin=TXT&sort=-addeddate. This Archive.org page, https://archive.org/search?query=compton+farewell+bliss&sort=-addeddate, shows 2 editions with one being Borgo but with price on front covered and Kater-Bound sticker on back. Could this be the mysterious Borgo HC mentioned in the book's record? Also, the note about artist is wrong because he's credited on copyright page and back cover, the latter of which can be seen in the cover image. TP PV doesn't respond much so I'm asking on this board. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:09, 19 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:The Archive.org copy is a library book, and Kater-Craft does library bindings. I believe it is not uncommon to have a retail hardcover edition and a library-binding hardcover edition of the same book. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 17:44, 19 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::Believe it or not, I have library hardcover versions of Ace Doubles.  All should be listed in my opinion. [[User:MLB|MLB]] ([[User talk:MLB|talk]]) 01:00, 20 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
Are there any objections to changing the canonical name to "Lamar Giles"? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:41, 28 January 2023 (EST)
+
== Miriam Allen de Ford ==
  
−
: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?276372 Done]. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:58, 1 February 2023 (EST)
+
Per the ''Spaces in Names'' subsection of [[:Template:PublicationFields:Author]], Miriam Allen de Ford should be standardized as {{A|Miriam Allen deFord}}. However, we have a {{A|Miriam Allen de Ford}} alternate name which was recently edited so the notes copy the rules saying it should be standardized. Instead, I propose we merge the alternate name to the canonical name in accordance with the rules. As there are a number of verified pubs, I will point the verifiers to the this discussion, If there are any objections, then we should probably have a Rules and standards discussions. Thanks. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 18:28, 19 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:I guess it would be like calling somebody named MacIntosh being called Mac Intosh.  Still, I'll go with the majority. [[User:MLB|MLB]] ([[User talk:MLB|talk]]) 00:58, 20 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::No objection to merging, but I think the actual spelling of the name should be made clear in the notes. [[User:Linguist|Linguist]] ([[User talk:Linguist|talk]]) 04:06, 20 February 2024 (EST).
 +
:::No objection, I had three pubs, two in Croatian language I already corrected, but I have also one in Serbian language. In Serbian language names are written as they are pronounced, in this case same as written. Should I change this one as well? This is publication in question: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2277217 {{unsigned|Debolestis}}
  
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== Page & Spine: Fiction Showcase - call for editors to assist ==
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== Ruben De Anda ==
  
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Hello everybody! As all webzines, including those with mainly non-genre content, are now being indexed following a policy change in October 2022 regarding the Rules of Acquisition (as per [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Rules_and_standards_discussions#Webzines_inclusion:_Proposed_extension_of_ROA this discussion]), I recently started indexing speculative contributions appearing in the last two-and-a-half years of [https://pagespineficshowcase.com/index.html Page & Spine: Fiction Showcase]. This webzine began publication in 2012 and ceased on 6 May 2022. It will be taken offline permanently on or about 6 May 2023, i.e., in about three months or so. My focus on those issues published between January 2020 and May 2022 is mainly because of the addition of a speculative fiction and poetry section called 'Outta This World' from May of 2020. However, some speculative contributions continued to be published in different sections, such as 'Crumbs' (for drabbles, jokes and short-form poetry) and 'Kid Stuff' (stories and art by under-eighteens) and, prior to the establishment of the 'Outta This World' section, speculative stories and poems could be found in other sections across the site (e.g., in 'The Reading Lamp' and 'Stories').
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1476655; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2552505; Can anyone find proof that these are the same artists? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:45, 20 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:I don't know. But [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?107431 The Galaxy Primes] (Ace 1976) appears also to be signed by R. De Anda. [[User:Horzel|Horzel]] ([[User talk:Horzel|talk]]) 08:52, 23 February 2024 (EST)
 +
::Probably is but since last name is mostly covered it's hard to tell. PV Willem H. noted that it may be Rafael M. De Soto but I doubt it because he has no original cover credits on ISFDB after 1964 and this book is from 1976. There's a copy on Archive.org which I've added a link to in a PENDING edit. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:44, 23 February 2024 (EST)
  
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It will be a challenge for me to complete the period from 2020 to 2022 in the three months available but there's no way I can cover the earlier years alone (if at all). Would anyone else be interested in covering the earlier (nine) years? It's possible that after May 2023, most - if not all - of the webzine could continue to be indexed using the Internet Archive but I suspect that lacunae would occasionally be found in the latter's coverage.
+
== Steve Miller: RIP ==
  
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It may be the case that earlier issues contained only a small amount of speculative material so this might facilitate more rapid indexing, though of course the stories, poems and essays will still need to be read to determine their eligibility.
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For those who may not have seen an announcement, [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?214 Steve Miller], co-author of the Liaden Universe, et al., died on February 20, 2024 at his home in Maine. His wife, author [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?418 Sharon Lee], posted [https://korval.com/2024/02/21/steven-richard-miller-1950-2024/ this obituary]. [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 07:41, 22 February 2024 (EST)
 +
:I added photo from FantLab which is a little bigger and shows his face better than Fantastic Fiction's photo. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:42, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
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Note that 'issues' are distributed across different sections and have been archived in different ways (e.g. under a specific section or under a particular author). The final issue appears on the current home page with items shown listed under each section. Each item appearing in the same issue will bear the issue date in brackets after the title. They can be found grouped according to month under most sections, e.g. 'The Reading Lamp' section is indexed for the period December 2013 to May 2020 [https://pagespineficshowcase.com/the-reading-lamp-archives.html here] while that for 'Crumbs' is indexed for the period December 2012 to April 2022 [https://pagespineficshowcase.com/crumbs-index.html here].--[[User:Explorer1000|Explorer1000]] ([[User talk:Explorer1000|talk]]) 12:34, 29 January 2023 (EST)
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== Last User Activity ==
  
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:Oh, and the series page on ISFDB is [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?68935 here].--[[User:Explorer1000|Explorer1000]] ([[User talk:Explorer1000|talk]]) 12:51, 29 January 2023 (EST)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?895338; What does this mean exactly? There was a question of contacting this PV RedDragonBooks about something related to a mod note I made and checking their page the last answer they gave or contribution they made was in spring of 2022 but the activity at the bottom of the record linked above says a few days ago. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:03, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Rozic/Rosick ==
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:There are two databases: The wiki and the bibliographic database. What you see for User Contributions on their user/talk page is just their Wiki edits.  What you see for Last User Activity in the verifiers' list is the date of their last activity in the bibliographic side -- the Wiki software does not know about that, only about the Wiki.  That user did some verifications on 2024-02-18 but hasn't posted anything to the wiki in the past couple of years. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 13:56, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=letter+to+roger&type=Fiction+Titles; I was adding a few links to stories from bloodrosemag.com that are on ISFDB and this dude's name is a mess. He had a story in Pulphouse which was reprinted many years later in a horror anthology under a different name; his story on Blood Rose, https://www.bloodrosemag.com/archives/sep%202001/craziedaze.html, spells his name differently at top and bottom. I did an edit (pending) making Rozic an alternate name of Rosick, but I'm not touching anything else. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:24, 29 January 2023 (EST)
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:: Just a quick note to clarify that the software that displays the Last User Activity date checks both the Wiki side and the database side. It then displays the latest date that it finds. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:36, 22 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Ongoing cleanup of post-submission pages ==
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== Ermengarde Fisk = Evelyn E. Smith? ==
  
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I am in the process of removing obsolete code which was previously used to display post-submission pages and was deactivated last week. I am also making minor improvements to yellow warnings as I go along, e.g. I am currently working on making the "Price" field support multiple yellow warnings. If you come across any issues, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:07, 29 January 2023 (EST)
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One of my friends pointed me at [https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/Oopsla/Oopsla10.pdf#view=Fit issue #10 of the 'zine Oopsla], specifically page 13.  The "SHORT STORIES" section says:
  
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: Catalog ID- and ISBN-specific yellow warnings have been upgraded to support multiple warnings per entered value. Pre-1970 pubs with an ISBN now generate yellow warnings. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:42, 29 January 2023 (EST)
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  Third goes to another brand-new author, [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?1254 Evelyn E. Smith] ... is better known to fandom as the pseudonymous authoress of the "New York Letter" column in Slant--yeah, that's right, she's [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?266764 Ermengarde Fiske].
  
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:: Price-specific yellow warnings for prices now support multiple warnings per entered value. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:04, 29 January 2023 (EST)
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As I don't know what the accuracy of fan writing was like nearly two decades before I was born, I don't know how reliable this info might be.  Any objections to varianting these author records?  [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 13:49, 23 February 2024 (EST)
 +
: We already have a pseudonym there: Evelyn Smythe (intentional corruption of Evelyn Smyth E.?) which I think is based exactly on the note you cited above. I am not sure if we have enough evidence to connect the two Evelyn E. Smith's though - while very very likely, the name is not very uncommon. Maybe add some notes to both accounts until we find a better proof that the two are one and the same? [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 14:50, 23 February 2024 (EST)
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:: Never mind, I looked at the fanzine itself now - you actually missed the smoking gun while quoting - that award over there is for a story that belongs to Evelyn E. Smith (Tea Tray in the Sky) - so yes, they are the same person. Connect them away. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 14:54, 23 February 2024 (EST)
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::: This is now done.  Had a bit of a headscratcher with Ermengarde Fiske having its own alternate names, but I think everything is now correct, with all the authors pointing at Evelyn E. Smith as the canonical, and all of the title records having parent titles with that author record.  However I wouldn't say no if someone wants to double check that everything is now as it should be. Thanks! [[User:ErsatzCulture|ErsatzCulture]] ([[User talk:ErsatzCulture|talk]]) 13:44, 27 February 2024 (EST)
  
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::: Yellow warnings for image URLs now support multiple warnings per entered value. Certain odd Amazon URLs may generate more than one warning because they break more than one of our rules. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:35, 30 January 2023 (EST)
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== J. Watson ==
  
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:::: Yellow warnings about alternate and/or disambiguated names are no longer displayed for submissions which do not change them. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:17, 1 February 2023 (EST)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?224483; What do you suggest is best to add to differ 1966 Thunderbirds artist from Leading Edge writer/artist? He's on Wikipedia so I'll add that link (as Jim Watson). --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:48, 24 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Broken Galactic Central image links ==
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: See [[Help:How_to_separate_two_authors_with_the_same_name]] for ideas.  Looks like "James Watson (1960s)" would work here and might be more helpful than "(I)". The situation is quite similar to the Jame Cooper examples given in that bullet.  In light of the disparity in volume between their bibliographies, I think you could treat the James Watson from the 1980s as "more prominent/widely known in the Spec-Fic world" and leave it with no embedded disambiguation. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 12:04, 25 February 2024 (EST)
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::OK, thanks. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:30, 25 February 2024 (EST)
  
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Can anything be done about this? —[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 13:45, 30 January 2023 (EST)
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== Tem Title ==
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: See [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal/Archive/Archive53#Galactic_Central this post] for an explanation. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 14:04, 30 January 2023 (EST)
 
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::Rats! Thanks for the info. Is there a way I can make Google Chrome show the images, by allowing insecure images? I tried allowing both isfdb.org and philsp.com to show insecure content, but it didn't seem to do anything. —[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 16:33, 30 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
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:::I would tell you to switch to a less arrogant browser, but I did a little research and found you can actually convince Chrome to do what you want in this case:
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?67830; Archived link to recently uploaded Chrysalis 9 HC just added by me in a PENDING edit, PV doesn't respond much, PB has one or two active PV so if they can verify it's Hit-and-Run there, too, not Hit-and-Miss, title should be changed. I vaguely remember asking about this long ago after noticing title was different in Tem's online bibliography. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 15:32, 25 February 2024 (EST)
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:::
 
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:::# Click on the lock icon to the left of isfdb.org in the address bar.
 
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:::# Click on <code>Site settings</code> in the drop-down menu that appears.
 
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:::# If <code>Privacy and security</code> is not already selected in the list at the left, select it.
 
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:::# You should see a list at the right with "www.isfdb.org" at the top.
 
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:::# Scroll way down through the "Permissions" and look for <code>Insecure content</code> with a danger triangle to the left and "Block (default)" to the right.
 
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:::# Click on the little down-arrow next to "Blocked (default)" and switch to "Allow".
 
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:::
 
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:::That's it.  Now if you refresh (or go back to) the ISFDB page with the blocked image, you will see the image.
 
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:::
 
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:::I hope that helps. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 19:25, 30 January 2023 (EST)
 
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::::HOORAY! It works! Thank you so much! —[[User:Rosab618|Rosab618]] ([[User talk:Rosab618|talk]]) 20:33, 30 January 2023 (EST)
 
  
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== Biffignandi ==
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== The Hole of the Pit ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?107101; https://archive.org/details/aless-andro-biffignandi-illustration-art; https://archive.org/details/sex-and-horror-the-art-of-alessandro-biffignandi; Biff apparently did a ton of art but ISFDB, oddly, only has 2 German krimi covers and an American cover for an Anne McCaffrey book (?!?) Anyway, I have a feeling the books linked above may be of use to those who enter all those obscure foreign covers. Be warned, however; there is much, MUCH nudity, including some pretty racy stuff. I do like the cover near the end of the 2nd book, however, where a weird-looking shark is chasing a woman swimming with a BABY in her arms. Is that an Italian thing? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:33, 30 January 2023 (EST)
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https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal/Archive/Archive53#Uncanny_Banquet_and_Leisure; Exactly a year-and-a-half ago I asked about Uncanny Banquet and noted the rare novel contained in it; a copy of the Oleander Press edition including the novel with a short story and a poem was recently added to Archive.org so I've added a link in a PENDING edit. Still waiting for a copy of that anthology to show up somewhere...anywhere. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:55, 25 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Drew S. ==
+
== Series sort order? ==
  
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Drew Struzan is a well-known artist, today I added a link to an Archive.org copy of a novel he did the cover for, credit was to Drew Struzman, searching for that name only hit on that book, I asked PV who entered it as Struzan to check but SFJuggler doesn't always respond, so if anyone else has a copy of the 1991 Bantam Falcon edition of Indiana Jones and the Seven Veils you may want to check the copyright page. Struzan has no alternate names on ISFDB, so this may be the first. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:43, 30 January 2023 (EST)
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I was looking at a [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?2278 page for a series] and couldn't figure out the basis for the order of the sub-series. First come the numbered sub-series, in numerical order. Then the 'loose' items in chronological order. Then come the unnumbered sub-series, which are neither alphabetical or chronological by any of their contained titles. Is there a particular order to them? ../[[User:Holmesd|Doug H]] ([[User talk:Holmesd|talk]]) 09:04, 28 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Creative Guy From Canada ==
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: The only order that the display software enforces is as you described above: all numbered sub-series are displayed first and the rest are displayed randomly. I think it would be fairly easy to display unnumbered sub-series alphabetically. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:36, 28 February 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubs_not_in_series.cgi?23801; I did some editing for Lucy A. Snyder book, publisher is Canadian, my price fix adding the "C" is the only one, should all be "C"? There's also 1 price missing and 1 where editor entered British price for some reason. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:15, 31 January 2023 (EST)
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::: (after edit conflict) A more thorough review discovered that Summary pages were already sorting unnumbered sub-series alphabetically. I have adjusted the software to do the same on Series pages. Thanks for identifying the problem! [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:36, 28 February 2024 (EST)
  
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== Riley Art ==
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::Since series tend to be written in order, displaying the unnumbered titles in chronological order may make more sense.  Although, sub-series wouldn't have a date and extrapolating the date from the earliest contained title would be more complex.  Perhaps, numbered items followed by unnumbered sub-series followed by everything else in chronological order.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 18:34, 28 February 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1468203; Is this, https://fantlab.ru/images/editions/plus/big/220727_19, actually by David A. Riley, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?19937? He has 2 cover art credits, both discovered by me some time ago, and I think this may be another piece of art by him. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:29, 31 January 2023 (EST)
+
::: Could you please clarify what you mean by "items" in this case? Series may contain both title records and sub-series records. They use different, unrelated, numbering systems. For example, a series may contain 3 titles numbered "0.5", "1" and "2", as well as two sub-series numbered "1" and "2". [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:36, 28 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
== French Bardin and Dick ==
+
::::I intended items to mean both title records amd sub-series records, either of which may be numbered.  What I was suggesting is that within a series (parent), each numbered item would display based on the numbering.  In your example, there would be a conflict as there are both titles numbered "1" and "2" and sub-series numbered "1" and "2".  Ideally, we would never assert that both a title and a sub-series should occur first in the parent series. Clearly, numbering only applies within the parent series.  I believe that for numbered "items", I am not suggesting any changes to how things currently work.  I had suggested a chronological sort for the remaining items based on your now corrected statement that they were displayed randomly.  Given that we're already sorting alphabetically, it's probably fine to leave things as they are, unless others think a chronological sort would be preferable. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 21:13, 28 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://archive.org/search?query=%22terrain-vague-pour-la-traduction%22+&sin=TXT&sort=-addeddate; I added Archive.org link to Tor TP of P.K. Dick's The Man Whose Teeth Were All Exactly Alike and added another link to the Paladin edition I did an edit for a long time ago, but there's another edition, a French one, and while searching for other books by the publisher I found they did an edition of Bardin's Deadly Percheron, although the French title is Big Clogs or something similar. So if anyone who regularly enters French editions wants to enter those. Oddly, there are publishers with the same name on ISFDB, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=terrain+vague&type=Publisher, but one published LONG before these 2 books came out and the other I'm not sure about, having published only an art book and a French novel, with no translations of American books. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:36, 31 January 2023 (EST)
+
== BattleTech Universe ==
  
−
== The Big O ==
+
The [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?1991 BattleTech Universe] series and it's sub-series all list having an Issue Grid, which suggests they are Serials / Magazines. They look like books to me. Is it a mistake in the software or entry? Might the existence of one Serial in the series propagate? ../[[User:Holmesd|Doug H]] ([[User talk:Holmesd|talk]]) 09:12, 29 February 2024 (EST)
 +
: Yep - if there is one magazine series somewhere in the sub series inside of a bigger series, the whole set and any sunsets of it shows the grid links. It is how the software is built. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 10:00, 29 February 2024 (EST)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?936; I added a D. Wheatley edition from this publisher and noticed the series, Plus, spells the publisher with a capital O. So should the publisher be spelled with a capital O, too? Also for the other series with A.C. Doyle books? Because on the Wheatley book it does look like they made the O big, since it stands for Oswald and so it makes sense that a person's initial would be capitalized. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:00, 1 February 2023 (EST)
+
:: Good catch. {{Bug|842}}, "Extraneous 'View Issue Grid' links on series pages", has been created. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:15, 29 February 2024 (EST)
−
:That seems appropriate.  I found [https://archive.org/details/untramwaynommemo0000iris this scan] where the cover and title page have a stylized "NéO" logo (where it's hard to tell whether the "O" is capitalized), but title page says "Nouvelles éditions Oswald" and the copyright page says "&copy; Nouvelles éditions Oswald (NéO) 1981".  So it seems they used the big "O".  Two more scans corroborating that: [https://archive.org/details/troissaigneursde0000finn] and [https://archive.org/details/lhopitaletautres0000walt]. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 10:38, 1 February 2023 (EST)
 
−
::Based on that title page, the publisher should be "Nouvelles éditions Oswald" rather than "Néo" or "NéO". ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 11:56, 1 February 2023 (EST)
 
−
:::All three of those scans have: "NéO" [in stylized form] (over) "Nouvelles éditions Oswald" on the title page.  The copyrights use "Nouvelles éditions Oswald (NéO)".  Dates are 1981, 1982, and 1986.  In the 1986 book on the page facing the title page is "Voir liste des libraries NéO en fin de volume." and "Maquette: Studios Knack/NéO" (referring to the cover illustration).  The 1982 book's copyright page's list of other books by the same author has a citation that uses "Nouvelles éditions Oswald/NéO".  Whether it should be "NéO" or spelled out doesn't seem clear-cut to me.  But if the short form is what should be used, then I think it's clear the capitalization should be "NéO", not "Néo". --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 14:53, 1 February 2023 (EST)
 
−
::::Yes, the stylized "NéO" is the logo, and the name of the publisher is "Nouvelles éditions Oswald". If the publisher information is on the title page, we always go with that over anything on the copyright page or elsewhere. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 18:43, 2 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
== Frankenstein Glut ==
+
== Database Backup ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5569772; PV is very gone, as can be seen there's a bunch of messy details I've tried to note/fix, LCCN ID on OL leads to a record which mentions a collector ed. and a paperback but there's only one edition on ISFDB, copyright page also mentions the 1977 Mews edition was shorter and substantially different and so wouldn't it be considered a separate book? Anyway, I noticed somebody made an edit for a Glut book today so they or someone may want to look at this after it's approved and see if they can do anything more with it. Donald N. will need to be made a variant of his real name, anyway. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:53, 1 February 2023 (EST)
+
Can you please save the database with InnoDB utf8mb4 so accented and Chinese characters will show up correctly? As it now with MyISAM utf8, Иван Константинович Айвазовский shows up as &#1048;&#1074;&#1072;&#1085;&#1050;&#1086;&#1085;&#1089;&#1090;&#1072;&#1085;&#1090;&#1080;&#1085;&#1086;&#1074;&#1080;&#1095; &#1040;&#1081;&#1074;&#1072;&#1079;&#1086;&#1074;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;. It makes it hard to work with the database and makes it a lot larger than it has to be. {{unsigned|Catpoolfan}}
  
−
== Making of ROTJ ==
+
: For historical reasons -- the ISFDB project started in 1995 -- ISFDB tables use "latin1_swedish_ci". You can see it if you run "SELECT TABLE_CATALOG, TABLE_SCHEMA, TABLE_NAME, TABLE_COLLATION FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES" in MySQL. Non-Latin-1 Unicode characters are stored in the database as HTML entities. When you see "&#1081;" (i.e. "&#1081") displayed, that's because that's what's stored in the database.
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?957601; $4.25 edition has been here for years, I added $3.50 edition recently, I moved 2 ID over, $4.25 either is Canadian with higher price, later printing, whatever, but both PV are gone, so if anyone here knows what's up a C should be added to price or date should be changed to 0000, etc. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:33, 2 February 2023 (EST)
+
: There are plans to migrate from HTML entities to native Unicode, but it will be a major project with a number of dependencies. There is no ETA at this time. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 10:42, 1 March 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Alien Sex ==
+
== I Stole You ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?192541; Several PV, some active, nobody added Roman numerals to page count, one of the PV should do that. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:32, 3 February 2023 (EST)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisheryear.cgi?60942+2017; A copy of Tripping... was recently uploaded so I added a link and the stories' numbers, there's also supposedly a copy of Ringman's collection but when I saw the red hardcover I knew that couldn't be right and it wasn't; it's a copy of some old romance novel by Jane Aiken Hodge. I checked all the usual sites but can't get contents page of TP so if anyone can or owns a copy fill in the page numbers if you wish. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:40, 1 March 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Self-nomination for self-approver - Pwendt ==
+
== Mandarin ==
  
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Happy New Year (or Groundhog Day)!
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5905095; Is anyone familiar with Mandarin paperbacks who can say why ISBN on back cover doesn't match any other Mandarin PB on ISFDB which (almost) all start with 0-7493? This book's ISBN, 0-09, seems to have been used by Cresset per online searching but there is no mention of them anywhere in it; a couple of Cresset Editions books on ISFDB do have an ISBN which starts with that. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:14, 2 March 2024 (EST)
−
I nominate myself for self-approver. --[[User:Pwendt|Pwendt]]|[[User talk:Pwendt|talk]] 16:20, 3 February 2023 (EST)
 
−
:'''Support'''. [[User:Kraang|Kraang]] ([[User talk:Kraang|talk]]) 21:32, 7 February 2023 (EST)
 
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:'''Support'''. Does a good job. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 12:46, 8 February 2023 (EST)
 
−
: '''Support''' (and changing the title of the thread so it is clear what this is for :) ) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 15:55, 8 February 2023 (EST)
 
−
: '''Support''' -- Apologies for missing this earlier and not responding sooner. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 12:45, 9 February 2023 (EST)
 
−
: '''Comment'''. I haven't worked on Pwendt's submissions lately, so I'll abstain. One issue that I encountered in the past was lack of clarity in Notes. My recommendation would be using shorter complete sentences with a subject, a predicate and an optional object. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:54, 9 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
=== Outcome ===
+
== Donkerste Dag ==
  
−
Self-approver flag set on the account as per the consensus above. Congratulations! [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 11:40, 11 February 2023 (EST)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5905146; Nico Richter has 1 credit on ISFDB for a German Neil Gaiman edition but here he's credited for design. Sheila Metzner is a famed artist and I don't know what Ortikol is so if anyone thinks any of them should be entered as cover artist they can do that. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:12, 2 March 2024 (EST)
  
−
== Disch Ruins ==
+
== Shadow Regions ==
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?285521; I added links to 2 club editions recently, today a link to Arrow edition, Hutchinson edition has no price or cover artist, SFE says Chris Yates, this STAINED eBay copy has a flap photo which is blurry but a 2 seems to be the start of the price, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380896522207, so if anyone can find somewhere that shows better photos or owns a copy then price can be entered and cover artist (on back flap, I assume, although it may just be design) can be entered if warranted. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:43, 3 February 2023 (EST)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?295434; The woman who ran the publisher whose imprint put out this anthology, Tammy Perron, apparently was a crook who didn't pay most of the authors or even give some of them copies which is detailed in the link from Absolute Write that I added some time ago. In September 2023 some mysterious person uploaded a copy on Archive.org and it was finally added a few weeks ago (I stumbled on it completely by accident) so I've added a link in a PENDING edit along with the price and the stories' numbers. Maybe it was one of the authors using their own copy because this seems a very rare book with WorldCat not finding any copies; there's only 1 sad review on Goodreads where one of the authors crows about having a story in it...little did he know. According to ISFDB only 3 of the 20 stories have been reprinted since it came out nearly two decades ago so if anyone was interested in reading it you should do so because you never know if old Tammy may crawl out of the woodwork to have it taken down. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:55, 2 March 2024 (EST)
  
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== The Turner Diaries ==
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== Adam L. G. Nevill canonical name ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1601834; I came across a copy, uploaded to Archive.org a little over a year ago, and while making an edit remembered I had done an edit previously, which turned out to be not long before the copy was uploaded (I hate when that happens). Anyway, after my new edit is approved, there's 2 questions: name's spelled Macdonald, not MacDonald, but when changing that it still looks like MacDonald even though it's in a new column so it sees it as a change even though it doesn't look that way. Is that a quirk of ISFDB? More importantly, there's an essay by someone with the same name who I highly doubt is the same guy who wrote this notoriously violent and racist novel, and none of his 5 wives mentioned on his Wikipedia page were named Gina (I suppose it could be a relative), so I'm sure the essay writer, assuming they're still alive (it's been 40 years), would like their name moved to a separate record if they're not that other guy. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:11, 4 February 2023 (EST)
+
I think it is time to swap the canonical name [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?134040 here] to Adam L. G. Nevill. Any objections? [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 15:18, 4 March 2024 (EST)
  
−
: When you enter or edit an author name, a publisher name, a series name or a publication series name, the ISFDB software first checks the database to see if we already have it on file. The check is not case-sensitive, so "ace books" will find "Ace Books", "george orwell" will find "George Orwell", etc. Once a matching name has been found, the software uses it instead of the form of the name that was actually entered. The process ensures that we don't end up with multiple separate records for the same author/series/publisher/etc due to capitalization mistakes during the data entry process. If we determine that the capitalization of the canonical name/series name/etc is incorrect, as is apparently the case with {{A|Andrew MacDonald}}, we can edit the main record directly.
+
: We have 8 book-length works as by {{A|Adam Nevill}} and 8 book titles as by {{A|Adam L. G. Nevill}}. All books published over the last 5 years have appeared exclusively as by "Adam L. G. Nevill". SHORTFICTION: 8 as by "Adam Nevill" and 27 as by "Adam L. G. Nevill".
  
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: That said, the fact that [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5574438 this submission] shows "Andrew MacDonald" in the "Proposed Changes" column may be a bug. I'll take a closer look tomorrow. Thanks for reporting the issue. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 23:17, 4 February 2023 (EST)
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: Given the numbers and the timeline, I think it's fair to say that "Adam L. G. Nevill" is the most recognizable form of his name within the genre as of 2024. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:19, 4 March 2024 (EST)
  
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:: I have confirmed that this problem affects both Edit Title and Edit Publication. {{Bug|826}}, "Edit Title and Edit Pub do not check for author case properly", has been created. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:23, 5 February 2023 (EST)
+
== The Under-People ==
  
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:::Coincidentally, famous artist LeRoy Neiman has all 4 of his credits on ISFDB as Leroy. Fixing the first one, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5575086, I subbed R but pending edit says r. So I assume it takes a while for your bug fix to start working? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:54, 5 February 2023 (EST)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3046564; https://archive.org/search?query=the-under-people&sort=-addeddate; No reason for this to be here, it's one of dozens of junk science "non-fiction" books by Norman/Steiger published back in the day. I think it should be deleted. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:52, 4 March 2024 (EST)
  
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:::: {{Bug|826}} is just a document describing the reported bug and how to recreate it. I am currently working on a software patch which should fix the problem. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 21:39, 5 February 2023 (EST)
+
== Collection contents question ==
  
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== Red Skelton Book ==
+
When adding contents to a collection which is authored using a variant name, if there is no indication to the contrary, should all the content titles be attributed to the variant author name and then be made a variant of the canonical author name titles if they do not exist? Example: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?804222 The Witching Hour]. The collection author is James Gunn. The copyright page shows the content copyrights as by James Gunn. The included content titles only exist as by the canonical name James E. Gunn. Should these be changed to being authored by James Gunn and then made into variants? [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 09:28, 5 March 2024 (EST)
 +
: Yes. Remove the three fiction titles, add the three new titles and variant to the canonicals. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 09:57, 5 March 2024 (EST)
 +
::Done. Thanks.[[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 11:05, 5 March 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5575145; I asked about this last July 4 on this board, MartyD agreed with adding the "e", neither of us ever fixed it, I came across this randomly today and am finally fixing it. I trust nobody has any objection? PV is gone. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 21:34, 5 February 2023 (EST)
+
== Hautala Covers ==
  
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== Price Of Three Women ==
+
I was entering edits for Rick Hautala books, found Jacobus signature on Moon Walker so Tim Jacobus was entered as the artist; Little Brothers, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?20465, has a name or initials on the lower right, can anyone find out who that is? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:45, 5 March 2024 (EST)
  
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This is a bit complicated. A stray mention of Anne McCaffrey on this site spurred me to see if I could enter anything interesting by her, skipping over her endless Pern books, and I decided to start with her non-genre works. That was a mistake. She published 3 gothic novels in the 70's which were collected by Tor as Three Women and published in either Dec. 1991 or Jan. 1992. So searching ISBN on OL found a record with no book but it did find a copy on Archive.org; searching for their URL, threewomen00mcca, on OL found a record with a link to the copy, so why ISBN doesn't is unknown because it's there on the page. Anyway, the copy is ancient, having been uploaded in 2010, but is missing the copyright page. Noticing the price was higher I created a new record with an "unknown" date and a note about it, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5575697. The problem is that I can't find a single photo online of a cover with the $4.99 price on it; I suspect there is none and the real original price was $5.99. Locus has much incorrect info, and searching ISBN in contents found these, https://archive.org/search?query=0-812-50587-5&sin=TXT; ignoring the 4 unrelated books, that Brown/Contento book is Locus with the same info found on their site, but that YA guide says $5.99. I find it very strange that multiple copies with extensive photos can't be found since most of her books were big sellers with large print runs and many were reprinted. I was going to cancel my edit and just add the copy link and the page numbers to the existing record, but decided not to because there's still a slim possibility it was originally $4.99. So check your shelves or the dark corners of the web, readers, and let me know if you can find a copy with that price. EDIT: My edit was rejected for some reason over my head so if anyone else wants to enter it, go ahead. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:22, 6 February 2023 (EST)
+
== ISFDB Server downtime -- 2024-03-06 at 6pm ==
−
:If you were confused as to why it was rejected, you could have asked.  I rejected it because it was creating an new OMNIBUS record without any content.  Nor was there a moderator note stating that you intended to add the content in a subsequent edit.  There are three ways you could have added this publication record.  You could use the add publication tool, and manually add the contained novels in one edit.  Then you would need to merge each novel separately.  You could also use the add publication and in a subsequent edit import the three novel titles.  If this was your intent, it's a good idea to note this in the Moderator notes, so that we'll know that you intend to finish the edit.  However, the most efficient way to add this publication is with the Clone this Pub tool.  That way, all the contained novels will automatically be copied and it will all be accomplished in a single edit rather than 2 or 4 edits.  Hope that helps.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 18:22, 16 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
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== Stockholders in Death ==
+
The ISFDB server will be down for maintenance on 2024-03-06 between 6:00pm and 6:15pm EST. Both the database and the Wiki will be unavailable. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:13, 6 March 2024 (EST)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?3560; Archive.org copy of #7 since 2010 that nobody ever entered here so I just did in a (pending) edit, but publisher is Warner PL; several entries omit the Warner on ISFDB, so should all of them, including this one, be made Warner PL, too? Did PL, no Warner, publish any of them? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:47, 7 February 2023 (EST)
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: The server is back up. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:05, 6 March 2024 (EST)
  
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== Author name validation enhancements ==
+
== Simulacrum ==
  
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The way the ISFDB software handles author names in Edit Title, New Pub, Add Pub, Clone Pub, and Edit Pub has been enhanced. The following scenarios are now processed correctly:
+
Tonight I accidentally ended up on the archived SpecFicWorld site which used to be a major hub of speculative fiction but seems to have entirely disappeared from the modern web (whatever you do, don't type specficworld.com on Google and click the link whose description is "Daftar Situs Agen Judi Slot Online Terpercaya Resmi 2023"; that will NOT lead you to what you're looking for). Only issue #9 of Simulacrum, edited and published by the guy who ran the site, Doyle Eldon Wilmoth, Jr., has an archived PDF link but while searching, as I usually do, for random text from an archived story on Google to try and find out if there are any modern sites that still include it I got one hit, the late Tanith Lee's site daughterofthenight.com, because that issue included a reprint of a story by her from Interzone Magazine. That led me to this, https://archive.org/details/@zatoichi01?query=simulacrum&sort=title, which, according to Galactic Central, is the entire 14-issue run. I rarely enter magazines but any self-moderators who don't have to wait for approval can probably do these quickly without much trouble since the contents are a mixture of reprints which will need importing and originals (or at least they're not on this site). There are many well-known authors and artists included. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:59, 7 March 2024 (EST)
 +
:I'll take a look at it and see what I can do. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 12:48, 8 March 2024 (EST)
 +
:I have through issue 10 entered. I'll finish up with the remaining four later. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 20:35, 8 March 2024 (EST)
 +
:I've entered all 14 issues now. You can see them [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?72797 here]. I did not combine the years into editor series because there are only 14 issues so leaving them all separate makes it easier to get to them (one less click-through). ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 18:32, 12 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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* The same author name is entered using different capitalization, e.g. "David Weber" is changed to "david weber"
+
== Neglected moderation ==
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* The order of co-author, co-artist, co-interviewee, co-interviewer, co-reviewer or co-reviewee names is changed
 
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* The same author name is entered two or more times (for the same title) using different capitalization, e.g. "David Weber" and then again "david weber"
 
  
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In all of these cases the software now ignores the submitted "change".
+
Last time I changed something in ISFDB it took days to get a single non-controversial change accepted with hundreds of pending changes. Now it takes weeks with thousands of pending changes. When looking a the recent changes I see lots of self acceptance and accepted automatic changes, but only little moderator activity.
  
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Hopefully every permutation has been addressed/fixed. If you come across anything unexpected, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:53, 7 February 2023 (EST)
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Remembering that it takes at least 4 or 5 rounds to add all information for a translated book that amounts to waiting multiple months for a single book.
  
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== Great SF About Doctors ==
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If you don't want contributors anymore then say so clearly! ATM I'd wonder if you find people sticking with ISFDB for a longer time with that situation.
  
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https://archive.org/search?query=%22Great+science+fiction+about+doctors%22; I added a link to original edition, fourth printing is on ISFDB with correct date but wrong printing and date in note, I added a link and fixed the note, cover artist is Don Ivan just like the fifth printing, so there's a lot of confusion, especially since the 2nd printing has no PV and nobody's entered the 3rd. So maybe someone can look into that and unmerge/un-variant; I have a feeling all the editions with that cover have Don Ivan on the back. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:22, 8 February 2023 (EST)
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To give you an indication how this should go: I added a new word to Wiktionary, it took 4 minutes for first reaction and 1:15 to reach the final entry.
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--[[User:Stoecker|Stoecker]] ([[User talk:Stoecker|talk]]) 16:31, 8 March 2024 (EST)
  
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== C. Alexander London canonical name ==
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: Longer approval times have definitely been a problem lately. Currently we have 1976 pending submissions, 1137 of them by [[User:Username]] (many are straightforward additions of archive.org links to publication records), 124 by [[User:Fixer]] (a robot account) and the remaining 715 are by other editors.
  
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Are there any objections to swapping the canonical name [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?231877 here] to Alex London. The longer name had not been used for a long time and all new books use the shorter name. SFE also has the record under Alex London. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 12:46, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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: That said, the ISFDB editing process is very different from what Wikipedia and its offshoot projects use. The latter are much easier to edit, but the quality of the end product varies tremendously. I wrote/rewrote dozens of Wikipedia articles in the mid-2000s, but eventually concluded that trying to keep articles accurate and coherent was going to be prohibitively time-consuming. I occasionally peek to see what has happened to them and their current state is pretty bad. For example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensheviks is full of confused nonsense.
  
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: It's a slightly unusual case in that his first series appeared as by "Alex London", the second one came out as by "C. Alexander London" and the last two went back to "Alex London". Be that as it may, "Alex London" is currently leading 8:3, so I think it should be the canonical name. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:01, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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: We added the ability to self-approve a few years ago and we are slowly expanding the number of editors who can do so. Hopefully it will help matters going forward. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:56, 8 March 2024 (EST)
  
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== Series with non-fiction and short-fiction only ==
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:: Well, my request to do so was simply ignored. --[[User:Stoecker|Stoecker]] ([[User talk:Stoecker|talk]]) 10:10, 16 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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When a series has only non-fiction and short-fiction in it, it shows up in an author list as a "Nonfiction Series" (As the only container title is non-fiction, it kinda makes sense). However, it is factually wrong and we are a fiction DB after all. As novellas/novelettes are popular (both as "juvenile novels under 40K" and as self-published or e-only non-juveniles), this is happening more and more often. As soon as a collection of more than one of the stories show up, the collection title bumps the series into the Fiction category. But in the meantime, it lags under Non-fiction.
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::: Nominations require support from other editors/moderators before they can be approved. If a nomination doesn't gain enough support, it is not approved. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:01, 16 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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Any chance to have these shown up in the Fiction series list? Example: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?37710 this series]. See where it shows on the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?112144 author page]. Thanks!
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:::: Which is an endless loop. Because moderators don't care I want self-moderation. But for that I need moderators to care which they don't. An unreachable goal. --[[User:Stoecker|Stoecker]] ([[User talk:Stoecker|talk]]) 10:05, 23 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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PS: Another related case is a series with only short-fiction. Now these show all the way at the bottom, with the short fiction until they get a collection and then they sail up under Fiction series. Maybe we can solve both usecases together and just treat short fiction entries as the fiction containers and just list all fiction series under the normal series heading. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 13:45, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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== Heide Oberheide ==
  
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: I am looking at the code that drives the Summary Bibliography page and here is what I am seeing.
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?127989; I left a PV a note telling them that a T. Canty credit for Parke Godwin's novel Beloved Exile was actually by Oberheide so that will need fixing but another problem I found is that her page at The Paperback Palette says she was born in Canada in 1957, both very different than what ISFDB says. So does anyone know what the real info is? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 22:48, 9 March 2024 (EST)
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:Found [https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/arts/heidi-oberheide.php this] and [https://www.arts.wa.gov/artist-collection/?request=record;id=2193;type=701 this], which both agree on 1943 and Germany and have enough differences that neither seems to be the source for the other.  They both strike me as fairly authoritative, especially that first one. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 11:23, 10 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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: First, the software organizes all titles by series. Then it builds "series hierarchies" so that embedded series appear under the top series -- note how "Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)" appears under "Star Wars: Clone Wars", which appears under "Star Wars Universe" on {{A|Tracey West}}'s page. Then it checks the title type of each parent title in each "series hierarchy" to determine which section of the Summary page the hierarchy belongs under. The current logic is as follows:
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== Tales of Terror ==
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:* If a "series hierarchy" contains at least one NOVEL, COLLECTION, or SERIAL title, it is displayed in the "Fiction Series" section.
 
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:* OTHERWISE:
 
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:** If it contains at least one ANTHOLOGY title, it is displayed in the "Anthology Series" section.
 
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:** OTHERWISE:
 
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:*** If it contains at least one NONFICTION title, it is displayed in the "Nonfiction Series" section.
 
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:*** OTHERWISE:
 
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:**** If it contains at least one OMNIBUS title, it is displayed in the "Fiction Series" section. (This check is performed after the ANTHOLOGY and NONFICTION checks so that OMNIBUSES with only ANTHOLOGY/NONFICTION titles would appear in their respective Anthology/Nonfiction series sections.)
 
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:**** OTHERWISE:
 
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:***** If it contains at least one SHORTFICTION title, it is displayed in the "Short Fiction Series" section.
 
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:***** OTHERWISE:
 
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:****** If it contains at least one POEM title, it is displayed in the "Poem Series" section.
 
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:****** OTHERWISE:
 
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:******* If it contains at least one ESSAY title, it is displayed in the "Essay Series" section.
 
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:******* OTHERWISE:
 
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:******** If it contains at least one COVERART title, it is displayed in the "Cover Art Series" section.
 
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:******** OTHERWISE:
 
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:********* If it contains at least one INTERIORART title, it is displayed in the "Interior Art Series" section.
 
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:********* OTHERWISE:
 
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:********** If it contains at least one REVIEW title, it is displayed in the "Review Series" section.
 
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:********** OTHERWISE:
 
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:*********** If it contains at least one INTERVIEW title, it is displayed in the "Interview Series" section.
 
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:*********** OTHERWISE:
 
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:************ If it contains at least one title of some other type, it is displayed in the "Other Series" section. (This should never happen because CHAPBOOKs cannot be added to series.)
 
  
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: Once all eligible titles have been placed into series, the displayed order of sections is as follows:
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?291626; I added a link to the back cover image on Bookscans in a PENDING edit and noticed there are some copies on eBay which show the first page, 5, with "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" as a title, which means this shouldn't really be a novel but rather a collection of Poe stories adapted by Sudak. Does anyone own a copy who can verify the page numbers of the other stories so they can all be entered? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:13, 13 March 2024 (EDT)
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:* Fiction Series
 
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:* Standalone novels
 
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:* Standalone collections
 
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:* Standalone omnibuses
 
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:* Standalone serials (should never happen because SERIAL titles are supposed to be turned into variants)
 
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:* EDITOR series
 
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:* Anthology Series
 
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:* Standalone anthologies
 
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:* Standalone chapbooks
 
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:* Nonfiction series
 
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:* Standalone nonfiction
 
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:* Short Fiction series
 
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:* Standalone short fiction
 
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:* Poem series
 
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:* Standalone poems
 
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:* Cover art series
 
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:* Standalone cover art
 
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:* Interior art series
 
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:* Standalone interior art
 
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:* Review series
 
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:* Standalone reviews
 
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:* Interview series
 
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:* Standalone interviews
 
  
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: If we decide that we want to fold the "Short Fiction Series" section into the "Fiction Series" section, it would be easy to add "SHORTFICTION" to the list of title types which trigger placement in the "Fiction Series" series, then delete the "Short Fiction Series" section. It would also take care of the NONFICTION issue since series with a mix of NONFICTION and SHORTFICTION titles would appear in the "Fiction Series" section.
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== Cover artist data entry rules updated ==
  
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: As to whether combining "Fiction Series" and "Shortfiction" would be a desirable change, I'll have to think about it. Annie's example is a good argument in favor of making the change, but then non-series short fiction, which appears below magazines, anthologies, chapbooks and non-fiction, would be treated differently than the other title types which drive inclusion in the "Fiction Series" section. I guess we could move the "[standalone] Short Fiction" section up the page, but then it would be above book-length works like magazines and anthologies. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:43, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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Please note that the "Artist" section of [[Template:PublicationFields:CoverArt]] has been updated to reflect current practices. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:02, 14 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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::What a blast from the past!  I remember working on that code.... The organizational thought behind that evaluation chain was that "books" should be the primary driver of the series type.  But perhaps that's a mistake when it comes to NONFICTION.  It seems reasonable to suppose there might be a NONFICTION work about any series of works, and if we want to put that NONFICTION work into the series, it shouldn't affect the series type, whatever that may be.  So maybe it would be best to move NONFICTION to the bottom of the chain. just before the "Other Series" catch-all.  Then Nonfiction Series would only contain NONFICTION. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 19:04, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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== The Message ==
  
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::: Currently, a series with a mix of NONFICTION, ESSAY, COVERART, INTERIORART, REVIEW and INTERVIEW titles is displayed in the "Nonfiction Series" section. Would you say that it should be displayed in the "Essay Series" section instead? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:24, 13 February 2023 (EST)
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1471825; Obscure author and publisher but not obscure enough that it didn't get a Chinese translation, https://archive.org/search?query=brockman-robin&sort=-addeddate, in case anyone fluent wants to enter that; just don't title it The MASSAGE like the uploader did. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:37, 14 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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::  The one gotcha I see with that is a nonfiction series that happens to contain an OMNIBUS as well (do we allow that?); we wouldn't want that to end up in Fiction Series.  So that evaluation might need a tweak of some sort. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 19:04, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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== YouTube audiobooks in or out? ==
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::: The official [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Help:Screen:NewPub rule is]: "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." So technically - yes, an omnibus can contain 3 NONFICTION items. In practice it is rare but it happens. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 19:10, 10 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
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:::: {{A|H. P. Lovecraft}}'s [https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?309615 ''Collected Essays: Complete''], which collects HPL's essays originally published as 5 NONFICTION volumes, would be one example. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:45, 13 February 2023 (EST)
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I've placed [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5852793 this submission] on hold because I'm unsure if YouTube audiobooks should be included here since they are generally not downloadable (instead being streamed). The [[ISFDB:Policy#Rules of Acquisition|rules]] include audiobooks, but also exclude "[w]orks published in a web-based publication and available exclusively as a Web page" (which is pretty much what a YouTube video is), and they say nothing about podcasts. Thoughts? Should this be a [[RS|Rules and standards]] discussion? ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:42, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
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: They are out under the exclusion as they are not downloadable. However we need to extend the Audio-book section of the inclusion section to match the ebooks/electronic publication one above it a bit - especially around podcasts which are not considered magazines for example. So maybe starting a discussion to clarify what audio-materials we want to index is the best choice (while keeping that one on hold until we decide what we want to do) :). [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 15:09, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
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::Okay, moved it [[ISFDB:RS#Clarifying the Audiobooks entry|over there]]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:33, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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::: Maybe the easiest way will be in the omnibus line to have a secondary check if there is at least one SHORTFICTION or POEM title - everything else on the fiction side is before the Omnibus so we will only reach that case when there are no novels and collections/anthologies.
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== Barcodes with prices hiding in plain sight ==
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::: I won't insist on moving short fiction series higher but... I still think that having fiction series in two different places on the screen is confusing, especially for authors who write on the border between novella and novel and that end up with their series split in weird ways. :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 19:10, 10 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
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=== Outcome ===
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A lot of printed books have prices on their back covers hiding in plain sight. If you look at a barcode on the back cover, next to the ISBN, usually over the smaller barcode next to the ISBN one, there is a number sequence - for example 51595 or 51699. That means $15.95 / $16.99 (5 is the code for $, the rest is the price). The first example is from a book I pulled from my shelf (not genre), the second is from [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982095031 an Amazon book]. As back covers are very often visible in Amazon (separately or as part of Look Inside), that may help with adding prices (with an appropriate note) even when Amazon and other retailer have their own ideas on what the price may be (or at the very least it can serve as a confirmation for the Amazon price). It is not there for all books (90000 is a very common code up there) but for the books that have it, it is as good as the old printed prices.
  
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I have changed the software to display series with a mix of NONFICTION and SHORTFICTION/POEM titles in the "Fiction Series" section. We may want to start another discussion about merging the two "Fiction Series" sections. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:35, 13 February 2023 (EST)
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I propose to add this tidbit of information to the [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Template:PublicationFields:Price Price field help]. Meanwhile, I am leaving it here for information :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 17:21, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Embedded HTML is now displayed correctly ==
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:Good idea to add this to the Help. I have sometimes used this for prices. You might like to expand the note to explain other currencies. The smaller 5 digit barcode is the supplementary section of the barcode and contains a EAN-5 code. The first of the five digits is a currency code. If the first digit is 9, that means the supplementary section does not contain price information. It's explained in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EAN-5 this Wikipedia article]. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 18:28, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
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:: Yep - we should add all the codes when we are adding the note to the help page. Thanks for the link to the Wiki page - I knew it was there, I did not think to look it up earlier today :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 18:41, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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After close to a hundred patches over the course of many months, embedded HTML is now displayed correctly on all ISFDB pages. If you come across any irregularities or bugs, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:51, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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::: I agree that adding a section about EAN-5 codes to [[Template:PublicationFields:Price]] would be useful. We could list  the commonly used first digits:
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:What does embedded HTML mean? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:01, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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:::* 0 and 1 -- UK
 +
:::* 3 - Australia
 +
:::* 4 - New Zealand
 +
:::* 5 - US
 +
:::* 6 - Canada
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::: and explain special pseudo-price values, i.e. that "9999" means "100.00 or more" while "90000" means "no price given". We could then link to the Wikipedia article or an industry Web page for other scenarios. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:06, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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:: Consider [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2145123 this record] whose title is "<sarcasm>Adventures in Gaming</sarcasm>". It could just as easily be "<nowiki><b>Adventures in Gaming</b></nowiki>". Angle brackets like "<" and ">" are the building blocks of HTML tags, so browsers interpret them as HTML commands to use bold, italics, underlining, etc. Or, in the case of "<sarcasm>" just stand around looking very confused :-) That's what "embedded HTML" is.
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== Webzines to include? ==
  
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:: In order to prevent browser confusion, the ISFDB software needs to do something special to tell the browser that these particular angle brackets should be simply displayed "as is" instead of being interpreted as HTML commands. It took me a while to get everything updated, but I think I am finally done. I think I'll go have a tankard of non-alcoholic Klingon ale to celebrate :-) [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:45, 9 February 2023 (EST)
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Hello. I have two new pub submissions on hold as they pertain to new webzine entries. Do we want to include these?
 +
* Small World City: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5776649], [https://smallworldcity.com/ website].
 +
* Kalpabishwa: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5884972], [https://www.kalpabiswa.in/ website].
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Looking through the contents, I say we can include those. Not sure how long-lived these are going to be though... Comments/suggestions from other editors & moderators whether to include or not? (didn't look for past discussion where webzine inclusions were debated...) [[User:MagicUnk|MagicUnk]] ([[User talk:MagicUnk|talk]]) 15:35, 21 March 2024 (EDT)
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: Both produce issues and both are genre -zines. So they are eligible under the "Webzines, which are defined as online periodicals with distinct issues (note that online periodicals without distinct issues are not considered webzines)." rule. How long they survive is irrelevant - even if they produce a single issue, they are in. However, these records will need some massaging post approval :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 15:41, 21 March 2024 (EDT)
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:: Thought so. The help text says to post and query the editor community - we may want to update that and instead clarify that if a webzine has distinct issues, it is in by default? [[User:MagicUnk|MagicUnk]] ([[User talk:MagicUnk|talk]]) 16:09, 21 March 2024 (EDT)
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::: Probably an oversight (we forgot it was there?) after we changed the ROA awhile back to include these. Which of the help pages?
 +
::: PS: Note that awhile back we even dropped the requirement for the webzine to be genre allowing non-genre ones to be added as any other non-genre periodical (with only genre contents indexed). So yep - a webzine with issues is always in under the genre magazine rules or the non-genre periodical ones. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 16:22, 21 March 2024 (EDT)
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:::: [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Help:Screen:NewPub#Format Here] - see '''webzine''' in that section. [[User:MagicUnk|MagicUnk]] ([[User talk:MagicUnk|talk]]) 11:00, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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::::: Ah, the one place I did not look at. :) Yep - that needs an update. I will start a discussion so we can get the language crafted. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 11:08, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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::::: [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Rules_and_standards_discussions#Formats_help_pages Here we go] - the proposed new language. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 11:26, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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:::: [https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Policy#Rules_of_Acquisition Rules of Acquisition] has it as you mention above - we may want to add non-genre periodicals role there explicitly. [[User:MagicUnk|MagicUnk]] ([[User talk:MagicUnk|talk]]) 11:00, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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::::: We do not have them called out in the print periodicals section either but if you think we should clarify that across the board, I won't object. Let's finish the audio-formats discussion we are currently having about changes in the same section of the ROA over in R&S and then I will initiate a discussion about this. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 11:08, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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:::: As an aside, I must say that I couldn't find the ROA immediately - I think it is an important section of the rules. Shouldn't we be adding a link on the main help page? [[User:MagicUnk|MagicUnk]] ([[User talk:MagicUnk|talk]]) 11:00, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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::::: I know to look under Policy but you are right, it needs to be a lot more visible [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page here] - either as a sublink under the ISFDB Policy link or on its own in the same section. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 11:08, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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::::::I've added a specific link to it on [[Help:Contents]], which is found at the top of most help pages. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:18, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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:::<clanks tankard/> For the Empire! ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:29, 10 February 2023 (EST)
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== ISFDB:Verification requests ==
  
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== MV of SK ==
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The [[ISFDB:Verification requests]] board is not used much anymore. It seems [[ISFDB:Help desk]] and this board have pretty much supplanted it. Do we want to discontinue it? ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:17, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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: How about we can turn it into a broader board instead: "Assistance needed/Project Assistance Required/Something along these lines" for example - when an editor starts a project and notices other things that need adding/fixing or finds a source that may be useful and is unable/unwilling to work through it, they can request assistance there. Looking at CS, about half of the posts there in the last couple of years are from that nature and they choke the actual discussion threads and make it very hard for people to notice that something was posted in the discussions. It will be the counter-part of the Help Desk - come to the Help Desk if you want help getting the work done and learning how to do it; come to this board to post a project that needs work but you cannot/don't want to work on. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 14:59, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
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::I'd be fine with that. I agree this board has gotten rather full lately, making it hard to keep track of things. So maybe change the title to [[ISFDB:Assistance requests]] or something? ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:11, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5579477; It says 19.95 on back, librarian typed 21.95 on first page like ISFDB says, Locusmag says 19.95 but also says 1989 is the date yet they didn't see it until Aug. '90 for some reason, after this is approved someone more hip to these tangled Starmont/Borgo things may know more about if this is a 2nd printing, if they suddenly decided to raise the price before the 1st printing, etc. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:44, 10 February 2023 (EST)
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::: I like the idea. "Assistance requests" may be a bit too narrow for what we are trying to define, but it's the closest that I can think of at the moment. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:46, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
 +
:::: I like "Assistance Requests". If we ever come up with a better name, we can rename and forward. And we have the text under it to add a sentence that describes the scope better. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 15:53, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
 +
::::: "Help Wanted" ? ../[[User:Holmesd|Doug H]] ([[User talk:Holmesd|talk]]) 09:47, 23 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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== HELP! A Bear Is Eating Me! ==
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:::::: I think that there is potential for confusion between "Help desk" and "Help Wanted". Ideally, whatever name we come up with should clearly differentiate between the two boards. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 10:08, 23 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL9881165A/Mykle_Hansen; English edition just uploaded to Archive.org, I added a link, but French version uploaded back in 2021 in case anyone wants to enter that. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:13, 12 February 2023 (EST)
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:::::::Maybe "Research Requests" or "Research Assistance"? ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:45, 24 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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== SFE Clute ==
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:::::::: I like "Research Assistance". [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:13, 24 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5581010; Why is this happening now? Did they change again? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:09, 12 February 2023 (EST)
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(unindent) Are there any objections to changing [[ISFDB:Verification requests]] to [[Research Assistance]]? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:12, 4 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
: I'm okay with that. [[User:MagicUnk|MagicUnk]] ([[User talk:MagicUnk|talk]]) 06:10, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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: This is the first "clute_uk" URL that I have seen. I am going to ask the SFE administrator whether it's a typo or a new part of their URL structure. Thanks for reporting the issue. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:31, 12 February 2023 (EST)
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:: If there are no objections, I will ask Nihonjoe to make the change tomorrow. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:50, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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:: It turns out that "clute_uk" is a new publicly "linkable" subdirectory. I have updated the software to recognize it as legitimate. Thanks. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:48, 12 February 2023 (EST)
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:::De we want it to be [[ISFDB:Research Assistance]] to [[Research Assistance]]? The other can be a redirect. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 17:54, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Bradbury's Twice Twenty-Two ==
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:::: Probably [[ISFDB:Research Assistance]] in order to stay consistent with the majority of other "major" pages. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 18:05, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?38262; Search on Archive.org only brings up 1 copy but as can be seen at the OL link, https://openlibrary.org/books/OL5981610M/Twice_twenty-two, there's 1 of those weird "preview" copies; it doesn't really have the cover art like the thumbnail shows, just red cloth binding like the other copy, but it's a different copy. So if anybody knows which edition they belong in, if it's one of those later ones mentioned in the ISFDB notes, etc., then link(s) can be added; note also that OL mentions a 1994 Buccaneer edition. Also, Mugnaini's cover art was missing the month and his frontispiece was only included and dated based on the book club edition, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=twice+twenty&type=All+Titles, so I've fixed all that in (pending) edits; note also the last entry with a month that matches neither edition and is from a Virgil Finlay book. What's that about? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:47, 14 February 2023 (EST)
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::::: Since there are no objections, please feel free to go ahead and move [[ISFDB:Verification requests]] to [[ISFDB:Research Assistance]] when you get a chance. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:45, 6 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Tainaron ==
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::::::Moved! ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 11:31, 8 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1440471; https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/holdingsInfo?searchId=13630&recCount=25&recPointer=3&bibId=3359893; The original Finnish edition is not on ISFDB but it is on the Library of Congress site in case anyone fluent wants to enter it. I just added an Archive.org link to the Prime Books edition. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:17, 14 February 2023 (EST)
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::::::: Thanks! I have updated the main Wiki page and everything looks good. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 11:37, 8 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:::::::: The Description up in the panel at the top of all the community boards still say "Help with bibliographic, image credit, and other questions which require a physical check of the work in question.". [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 11:49, 8 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Grindhouse ==
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::::::::: Updated, thanks! The new wording is "Help with bibliographic projects", which is a bit bland and non-specific, but I couldn't think of a better way to summarize the purpose of the new board. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 12:49, 8 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://archive.org/details/grindhousethesle0000unse; Would the inclusion of the entire screenplay for Planet Terror qualify this for entry here? I've been wanting to find something with Tarantino's name on it so I can add his bio and find the most unflattering photo of him possible. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:57, 15 February 2023 (EST)
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== Jim/James Burns ==
  
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== Richard Morris ==
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I just added a link and did a few other things for the 33rd YBSF edition, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2012677, and searched for others with James Burns as cover artist; only 34th came up, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2209443, but as can be seen PV of TP and HC entered it differently. So maybe consensus about which is "better" should be reached and credits merged. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:45, 27 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?147497; Interview is with this guy, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0606889/, not the guy from the 1800's, but does that interview about a movie really belong here? If it does, some addition to interviewee's name is needed to differ him from the dead guy. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 15:50, 15 February 2023 (EST)
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== Lovecraft Collaborations Book ==
  
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: I'll differentiate the name: thanks for finding this. The interview does belong here because it was published in a genre magazine. Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 01:36, 16 February 2023 (EST)
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I was starting to add the audio book edition of {{T|2610309|this title}} and discovered that publisher has provided a copy of the pdf version of the book.  While we don't have a record for the pdf (it has a different ISBN than the eBook), there are several discrepancies between it and our records.  I also have questions other questions about how this title is reflected and while none of the publications are primarily verified, there have been several editors who have touched these records.  I thought I'd reach out for comments before proceeding with changes.
 +
# We have the title as an ANTHOLOGY and list both the editor and Lovecraft. All the stories are credited to Lovecraft with various co-authors.  Personally, I feel that these sorts of collection of collaborations are better typed as COLLECTION as was done with {{T|34634|this title}}.
 +
# The title page lists the credits as "By H.P. Lovecraft" over "Edited and Annotated by Finn J.D. John" in smaller type.  We have both names in the author field.  Since we have this as an ANTHOLOGY, this labels them both as "Editors".  Lovecraft clearly didn't edit this book.  As I feel this should be listed as a COLLECTION, I also feel that only Lovecraft should be listed in the author field.  If the consensus is that it's an ANTHOLOGY, then we only list John.
 +
# The stories are listed with both Lovecraft and his co-author on their title pages, whereas we have them all listed by the collaborating author alone.  So I intend to swap out which variant of these titles is included.  I don't thin this is controversial.
 +
# There is a short essay before each section giving biographical details of each co-author.  I intend to add these.  While not signed, I think we can safely attribute them to John by virtue of his annotation credit.
 +
#The PDF lists 5 different formats each with their own ISBN including the "Interactive PDF".  Should we add the PDF as a separate title record, or should the PDF ISBN be added in the notes for the {{P|765112|ebook}} edition?  I'll also note, that my understanding is that we do list page numbers for pdfs whereas we do not for ebooks.
 +
# I'm fairly comfortable that these changes should apply to the 2018 publications based on the 2018 pdf.  I'm less certain whether I should make changes to the 2017 edition, or the 2019 omnibus, i.e should we assume the story credits and biographical essays are present in the other editions not listed in the pdf?
 +
# I assume adding a note about the PDF being included with the audio book is sufficient rather than duplicating the contents showing the story exists twice (audio and text).
 +
I'd appreciate other's thoughts on these questions.  Thanks. --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 07:29, 28 March 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Whimper of Whipped Dogs ==
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:My mild opinion is that both this and the example you cited should be ANTHOLOGY.  They are different from the case where most of the stories are written by Lovecraft alone, with one or two written by him and someone else.  While both are Locvecraft-centric, they are primarily showcasing the work of a wide variety of authors.  I agree with everything else in your list. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 19:55, 31 March 2024 (EDT)
 +
::I'm afraid I would still prefer these as COLLECTIONs.  If we were to convert them to ANTHOLOGY, we would need to list the editor as the sole author which would move these collections out of Lovecraft's bibliography.  I had only cited one example, but there are many similar collections, many of which are verified.  For example, see which collections containing the story {{T|1035316|The Green Meadow}}.  It is contained in two true anthologies.  Aside from the 4 editions of the title we're discussing, there is but one other {{P|848648|publication} typed as a ANTHOLOGY. All other publications were entered as COLLECTION or OMNIBUS.  In some of these cases, we don't necessarily have the editor and would likely need to move these titles to the uncredited bibliography page instead of Lovecraft's.  {{P|280465|Beyond the Wall of Sleep}} is another interesting example.  There about 10 "collaborations" in this collection which is a minority, but it is more than one or two stories. If we decide to type these sorts of books as ANTHOLOGY, where would we draw that line?  My last point is that it appears to me that these books are published to appear as Lovecraft collections with his name listed more prominently than any editors (if they are listed at all).  If we are to reclassify these publication, I'd like to hear from some of the other verifiers.  Thanks.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 19:23, 1 April 2024 (EDT)
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:::Since there have been no further responses to this, and the one objection was "mild", I'm going to proceed with these changes.  Thanks.  --Ron ~ [[User:Rtrace|Rtrace]]<sup>[[User talk:Rtrace|Talk]]</sup> 12:34, 13 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=whipped+dogs&type=All+Titles; Today is the anniversary of 911 calls here in America, starting in 1968 and prompted by the murder of Kitty Genovese a few years earlier which was the inspiration for this story by Harlan Ellison. I was looking for an online PDF and found this, https://xpressenglish.com/whipped-dogs/. I'm going to add the link but I'm curious where that drawing came from. Anyone recognize it? also, at the link above, the 2 essays seem like the same thing but there's no variant. Are they the same? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:24, 16 February 2023 (EST)
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== "Publication Title-Reference Title Mismatches" enhanced ==
  
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== Lester Dent Bibliography ==
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As per the recent Rules and Standards discussion, the cleanup report "Publication Title-Reference Title Mismatches" has been enhanced to require an exact match between publication titles and their reference title records' titles. New data will become available tomorrow morning.
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=lester+dent+bibliography&type=All+Titles; https://archive.org/details/lester_dent_bibliography; 1996 date doesn't match either version on ISFDB and it seems to have been published as an e-book or something. Lots of Doc Savage work done recently here so maybe somebody wants to enter this or at least knows where it originally came from. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:52, 16 February 2023 (EST)
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We are looking at around 10,000 mismatches, so the cleanup effort will be significant, especially considering the fact that many affected publication records have been primary-verified. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 17:07, 4 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Squires Knight ==
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== Canonical name change Charles Eugene Anderson from Chuck Anderson ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?834417; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?173963; I added an Archive.org link to the Leisure edition by Knight and checked his real name and found that he originally published What Rough Beast under that name. What's the variant rules here? Who's the parent? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 00:45, 17 February 2023 (EST)
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Any objections to making [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?273059 Charles Eugene Anderson] the canonical name and [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?108390 Chuck Anderson] the alternate?
 +
*17 titles credited to Charles Eugene Anderson.
 +
*09 titles credited to Chuck Anderson.
 +
*01 title has publications credited to each.
 +
Thanks, [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 07:51, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
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: Go ahead, obvious case where the switch can/need to happen [[User:MagicUnk|MagicUnk]] ([[User talk:MagicUnk|talk]]) 09:28, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
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:: Hearing no objections, done. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 18:45, 9 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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:Where it's only one title under each name, it doesn't matter much.  But I found an archived copy of his website http://www.harrysquires.com/ in the Wayback Machine, and in a 2012 version there is: "Now writing horror as H.R. Knight, Harry...".  So it seems he deliberately changed his horror-writing identity from Squires to Knight.  So I'd make Knight the canonical (which also works well because the publications under that name are more recent and more plentiful). --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 10:01, 17 February 2023 (EST)
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== David (B.) Mattingly ==
  
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== Post-submission display of Contents sections improved ==
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Looking through the works credited to [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?37498 Mattingly], it seems to me that "David Mattingly" is the most common (by far), and has been for a long time. There are so many entries, though, this opinion is based only on quickly scanning through the list. Is there a way to get a count of each through database queries? I don't think any of the other aliases are used in a significant amount. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 17:58, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
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: Just with search and a browser search: 510 with the name David Mattingly; 747 under the canonical; 198 of these 747 of them are "only as by David Mattingly". Just based on that, how we record the names from secondary sources for artists and the fact that the new ones are always without the B. when we get access to the book, I would say it is time to flip the names. I am not volunteering to do it though. :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 18:58, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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The way Contents sections are displayed on post-submission pages is in the process of being changed. At this point NewPub and AddPub submissions have been upgraded. Their Contents sections now properly display multiple yellow warnings when warranted. They also indicate which submitted author name is new, which one is an alternate name or which one is a disambiguated name. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:55, 17 February 2023 (EST)
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(after edit conflict)
  
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== Filaria ==
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: The easiest way that I can think of is to run a few Advanced Title Searches using "Author's Name is exactly David Mattingly". Make sure to click "Get Count" instead of "Get Results". Here are the results that I see:
 +
:* David B. Mattingly: 747
 +
:* David Mattingly: 510
 +
:* Dave Mattingly: 12
 +
:* D. B. Mattingly: 7
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:* Dave Maddingly: 1
 +
:* D. Matingly: 1
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:* Mattingly: 2
 +
:* David Burroughs Mattingly: 1
 +
: Since {{A|David B. Mattingly}} is the current canonical name, it's over-represented. Every "David Mattingly" COVERART/INTERIORART title has a "David B. Mattingly" parent title, but only some of the latter have actual publications associated with them. Firefox tells me that the Summary Bibliography page has:
 +
:* 79 instances of "also appeared"
 +
:* 8 instances of "also as"
 +
:* 132 instances of "only appeared"
 +
:* 207 instances of "only as"
 +
: What this means is that 339 canonical titles have only appeared under an alternate name. Another 87 have been credited at least 2 different ways. 339+87-12-7-1-1-2 is 403, which, unless I am missing something, gives us a rough count. I'd need to run database queries to get a better idea, but it looks like "David Mattingly" is slightly ahead of "David B. Mattingly".
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1258490; A copy was uploaded a few months ago on Archive.org; it revealed that the page count and the price here were wrong, I fixed those and added the link, but the review at Strange Horizons calls this the first book from Chizine and says 2008, as do all copyrights in the book itself. Why it has a late 2009 date here I don't know, and I also don't know why there's such a big gap between the first Chizine book here, January 2009, and the rest of their 2009 books. So real date is needed for this book and probably others from this publisher. Also, while researching this I saw an expired eBay sale for a 100-copy HC, which I believe Chizine did for many of their books, often including extra material, but very few seem to have been entered here, so there's that, too. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:42, 20 February 2023 (EST)
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: P.S. Perhaps what we need is a new menu options to generate this kind of data on demand. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:03, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Earthman, Come Home ==
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::That would be cool. Another cool thing would be if we could figure out a way to programatically automate the process of changing canonical names (maybe have a side menu link that appears whenever viewing an author entry). The link would take you to a page where you'd enter the current author ID and the target author ID. We'd have to account for variants on the author name, title variants, and translations (and probably a lot of other things that I'm not thinking of off the top of my head). For situations like this, it would save tons of time in the long run. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:37, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?229485; I noticed a M. Ayme Mayflower edition said Dell on cover and Google Books had it with Mayflower-Dell on copyright page so I fixed that but this isn't on Google. It says Dell on cover, both PV haven't been around for years, but knowing these old paperbacks I hesitate to fix it without someone seeing a copyright page. So if anyone owns this edition can you check and see what it says inside the book. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 16:17, 20 February 2023 (EST)
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::: This functionality has been requested a couple of times. Unfortunately, it would be very difficult to implement in a way that would guarantee completeness and accuracy. Not only would the software need to change the way VTs and Alternate Names are configured, but it would also need to change dates (for some titles) and Notes.
 +
::: Perhaps we could implement something less ambitious but still useful. For example, "Undo all Variants for This Author"? [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:22, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
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::::Yeah, it's definitely very complex. I like the "Undo all Variants for This Author" idea, though. What about a "swap canonical authors" option on individual titles? That would be a lot less complex and allow for easier catching of potential issues. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:48, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Come Softly, Come Sweetly... ==
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::::: I don't see the benefit of an "Undo all Variants for This Author" tool. A variant title only needs to be broken if both the canonical title and the variant tiles have publications attributed. If all the publication(s) are associated with the variant title, a simple merge is the best option. Not only does it save a step by not having to delete the old canonical, but it saves all the information. Some data is only stored in the "parent title", plus any edit history. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 15:38, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?362038; I added info to the only issue of D. Sutton's British Shadow fanzine, from 1971, that's on ISFDB and Eddy C. Bertin has a story, "Come Softly, Come Sweetly", in it which isn't on ISFDB but his 1971 Dutch collection, linked above, has a title which translates to the English title, just with added words, so any Dutch people who are familiar with his extensive bibliography will probably know which came first and can variant as needed. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 16:36, 20 February 2023 (EST)
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::I'm slowly working through all of them. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:42, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Mark ==
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:::I have completed moving all the records to [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?1814 David Mattingly]. I think someone else was moving them, too, so thanks to them, too. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:32, 22 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?325553; Does that seem right? It should be other people named Mark Williams, shouldn't it? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:04, 20 February 2023 (EST)
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:::: Joe, thanks for sorting this out. I noticed [[User:Zapp|Zapp]] was helping you. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 19:38, 22 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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:Two things: (1) That "Mark (Wills) Williams" is matched up with forms of "Mark" is a bug.  I would bet the issue is the "(".  The ambiguity matching logic probably isn't paying attention to whether the parenthesized expression is at the end or is embedded in the middle. (2) That "Mark (Wills) Williams" is not matched up with forms of "Mark Williams" is a limitation/feature of the current matching, which doesn't consider names containing middle names (or initials, etc.) to be ambiguous vis-a-vis the same combination of first and last name without any middle name.  I don't think we'd want "Mark XYZ Williams" to be shown as ambiguous with "Mark Williams", but I guess I could see showing "Mark Williams" as ambiguous with "Mark ABC Williams" and "Mark XYZ Williams".  You'd have to lobby Ahasuerus on that one.  --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 09:41, 22 February 2023 (EST)
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== Server downtime -- 2024-04-06 at 2pm ==
  
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:: Good catch. {{Bug|827}}, "'Same name' logic fails for records with embedded parentheses", has been created. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 09:50, 22 February 2023 (EST)
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The ISFDB server will be down for maintenance between 2:00pm and 2:10pm. Both the database side and the Wiki side will be unavailable. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 13:28, 6 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Created By Matheson ==
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: The server is back up. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:05, 6 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?8191; The advance reading copy, https://archive.org/details/createdby00math, says 352 pages on the first page, it's actually 344, ISFDB says 324. Anyone own a copy who can verify what the actual page count is? There are also Roman numerals at the front; no editions here have them. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:30, 21 February 2023 (EST)
+
== The Prequel Trilogy ==
  
−
== Brutarian ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934500; I have a question about the publisher of this 2007 Star Wars omnibus; there is no mention of Ballantine in the book so it should be similar to the last one on this list, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=del+rey&type=Publisher, but without the SFBC. Should I change publisher to LucasBooks / Del Rey? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:30, 7 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934540; I changed publisher on this one since they were still with Ballantine in 2000. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:22, 7 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
::https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934546; Another change from 2005 when they were still together. I don't see any cover artist credited that someone entered here or any sign of the excerpt mentioned on the book's copyright page. EDIT: One of the earlier editions has a note here saying they got artist from his site. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 12:31, 7 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:::https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934585; Another one from 2006; this one actually has a PV so I'll leave them a message. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:12, 7 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
::::And a final one, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934586, 2005 HC, PV is gone so no need for a note. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:18, 7 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
https://archive.org/search?query=brutarian&sort=-addeddate&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22; Heads up that someone, after uploading 3 random issues years ago, started uploading more issues recently. This was not strictly a genre magazine but included some genre fiction/non-fiction, especially in later issues, some of it by big names. ISFDB only has a few late issues entered; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=brutarian&type=Magazine. I distinctly remember seeing issues on the newsstand at some store in New York City back in the 1990's or maybe a bit later, so it got some distribution, I guess. I got an R. Crumb vibe from it, though, probably due to the type of cover art they used, and didn't really peruse it. Crumb's art always made me nervous for some reason. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:27, 21 February 2023 (EST)
+
== Semaphore ==
  
−
== Bonus fiction in novels ==
+
https://www.lulu.com/fr/search?contributor=Marie+Hodgkinson; While adding PDF story links from Tartarus Press at their old freepages.pavilion.net site the last one I linked was a story by Rebecca Lloyd that was entered here as original to her 2014 collection but was actually published in 2007 in a magazine called Semaphore, no issues of which are on ISFDB, but I found that Lulu page above so anyone who likes entering magazines can add a lot from that. The editor has a page here, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?143960. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:41, 9 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:https://web.archive.org/web/20240000000000*/semaphoremagazine.com; PDF of some (all?) issues at this site. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:50, 9 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
::Looks like it has archived PDFs of all but the last issue (issue 15) from June 2011. I'll work on these. The first issue is now [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?1002803 here]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:32, 9 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:::Okay, I think they're [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?73131 all entered] (15 issues in total). I also found a [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?73148 couple anthologies] collecting the stories and poems voted best by readers of the magazine. I don't know if there were more than the two anthologies. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 13:33, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
::::Excellent. Only thing I think you forgot is June 2008's cover artist. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 14:07, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:::::Fixed! ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 14:11, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
Why is a 'bonus' short fiction title allowed in a novel, but a serial installment is specifically excluded? There are a number of publications, [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?714319 example 1], [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?714583 example 2], [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?714262 example 3], where we're forced to misclassify what is clearly a serial installment. I don't see a downside to lifting the exclusion. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 19:05, 22 February 2023 (EST)
+
== David Ireland ==
−
: Because allowing SERIALs in books at all is a relatively new development. It used to be magazines and fanzines only. Then we allowed chapbooks. I think we should allow it in anthologies, novels and collections as well - especially because Magazines reprints are added as anthologies/collections AND because in our digital world, serials are used as bonus almost anywhere. Post over on R&S and we can hash it out and change the rules for serials. One thing to make sure we clearly separate - excerpts vs serials (it is intent that separates them essentially) :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] ([[User talk:Anniemod|talk]]) 19:13, 22 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
== Moonchasers TP ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?3106; I just made edits adding the Allen Lane HC of City of Women and adding a link to Mortal Fire where the 1982 short story is from and noticed that the Wiki page makes no mention of any art so I think the famed Australian novelist and the artist are 2 different people. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:28, 11 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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I've done a lot of Ed Gorman edits recently and this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?284334, is a problem because the HC is & on the title page but no photos of the TP title page can be found. Does anyone own the TP? I've got a half-dozen edits on hold because mod won't change unless I show that it's & in the TP title, too. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:09, 23 February 2023 (EST)
+
== Canonical name change Jody A. Lee from Jody Lee ==
  
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== Sword & Fantasy ==
+
The [https://www.jodylee.org/ artist's website] and [https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/lee_jody_a SFE] use Jody A. Lee. While the majority of her early work was credited to 'Jody Lee', the shift to 'Jody A. Lee' is clear. Here are the current statistics.
 +
*111 titles credited to Jody A. Lee.
 +
*73 titles credited to Jody Lee.
 +
*26 titles hasve publications credited to each.
 +
Are there any objections to making [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?25820 Jody A. Lee] the canonical name and [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?25602 Jody Lee] the alternate? [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 14:24, 11 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:Sounds good to me. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:41, 11 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?33789; Some weeks-old edit of mine was finally approved, fixing an artist's name in one of these issues, but now that I look at the series page something's not right. Why do only the last 2 issues have a comma after the issue #? Also, is the # really supposed to be in any of them instead of in the notes? Isn't that magazine policy there? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:13, 23 February 2023 (EST)
+
:: No objections here. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 15:47, 11 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
: The title records reflected the individual publication titles since they hadn't been 'rolled up' by year. I took care of that.
+
::: Hearing no objections, done. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 17:47, 15 April 2024 (EDT)
−
: Regarding the comma:
+
::::https://ixgallery.com/artists/jodylee/; Here's her photo in case someone wants to upload it to the wiki. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:58, 15 April 2024 (EDT)
−
:* The placement of the comma, in a periodical title, controls what is displayed in the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/seriesgrid.cgi?33789 issue grid]. Basically, everything after the first comma appears in the grid except the year as long as it matches the date field. If the year differs, it will also be displayed. Notice how the issue number doesn't appear in the two titles you question.
+
:::::{{done}}Done! ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 12:28, 17 April 2024 (EDT)
−
:* Yes, current policy is to show the issue number in the publication notes. 21:57, 23 February 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
== Flashing Swords! Help ==
+
== ISBN hyphenation changed ==
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?8495; I've just added Archive.org links in (pending) edits to #1 (2 Doubleday), #2 (Mayflower), #3 (2 Dell), #4 (2 1977 Doubleday), and #5 (Doubleday). Now there are some issues. Some people unnecessarily entered the series title in the book title, others didn't; some people entered Roman numerals in the page count, others didn't; some people entered the book title as it appears on the title page, others didn't. Also, #3 doesn't have the Doubleday book club edition entered; #'s 1, 2, and 4 have the book club dates as earlier than the Dell PB dates but #5 has both as the same date, so it's possible that the story dates for #3 are wrong because the book club edition was probably published earlier. There are many PV for all volumes so if any of them would like to add/fix anything it would help. EDIT: The only thing I fixed was importing Carter's essay in #1, "A Last Word", to the Doubleday edition; it was only entered here in the Dell edition. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:30, 25 February 2023 (EST)
+
As I am sure most of you know, different publishers' ISBNs are hyphenated differently. Possible permutations include:
 +
* 978-1-64973-127-2
 +
* 978-1-9821-9317-1
 +
* 979-8-200-29585-2
 +
* 979-10-281-0150-3
 +
* 979-8-9856919-6-2
  
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== Backward(s) ==
+
"The International ISBN Agency" maintains [https://www.isbn-international.org/range_file_generation a list of rules] which determine in which positions hyphens are supposed to appear. Almost all publishers follow them, although there have been some exceptions, notably Tor prior to 2007.
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?93690; I just stumbled across a copy of Mitchell's Crystal Man which was uploaded in June of 2022 so I added a link and the missing page numbers to the many stories included in that book, but I noticed 1 story, "The Clock That Went Backwards", is actually "Backward". According to ISFDB the only instances of the singular title are the original, uncredited appearance in a newspaper and reprints in various books starting in 2013. So when my edit is approved that story needs merging with the singular or removing/adding the singular or whatever needs doing; the question now is if it really was the plural in the many books it appeared in between the above collection in 1973 and 2013. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:16, 25 February 2023 (EST)
+
When ISFDB 2.0 was developed in 2004-2006, the rules -- as they existed back then -- were manually incorporated in the ISFDB software. What we didn't realize at the time was how complex the rules would become over the course of the following 20 years. As the number of publishers (and self-publishers) exploded, the International ISBN Agency had to create more and more rules to accommodate the growth and the ISBN handling part of the ISFDB software, which was last updated in 2010, fell hopelessly behind. The result was that many ISBNs were hyphenated incorrectly when displayed on ISFDB pages.
  
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== Secret Asia's Blackest Heart ==
+
Earlier today I deployed a fairly big patch which changed the way the ISFDB software determines where hyphens are displayed. We now follow the International ISBN Agency's current rules to the letter. There is also a way to update our rules programmatically whenever the Agency rolls out new rules. I expect that we will be doing it a few times a year, which will let us stay more or less in sync with the Agency. (We also have special exceptions for Tor and the other 2 publishers which didn't follow the rules prior to 2007.)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?855765; Something in the recent edits accidentally led me to this and some of those titles are already on ISFDB, specifically the Webb which was published in 2014 as "U-PAO. The Black Sutra", the Blackmore which is in 3 separate books on ISFDB starting in 2007, not 2009, and the Carter/Cornford story which is under the same title in 3 merged publications but its appearance in this book wasn't merged even though the editor did at least date it correctly as 1997. Person who entered it hasn't responded to anything for a long time so if anyone owns a copy a lot of re-dating/re-titling/merging is probably in order. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 19:21, 25 February 2023 (EST)
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As always, if you come across any issues with this software change, please let me know. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 14:07, 16 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:Thanks for all your hard work behind the scenes on stuff like this. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 15:03, 16 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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== Borgo Question ==
+
:: To quote Damon Knight, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Serve_Man_(The_Twilight_Zone) I am here to serve man!] :-) {{unsigned|Ahasuerus}}
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5592414; One of those annoying situations where they include both editions but don't specify which it is. Was it Borgo's style to print the correct barcode in red as it appears on the back cover in the Archive.org copy or is that totally unrelated and somebody just felt like coloring it? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:40, 25 February 2023 (EST)
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== Publication Title Without a Related Title Record ==
  
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== O.J.'s Nightmare ==
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I am about to create a new pub record under [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1034 That Hideous Strength] by C. S. Lewis.  There is a subtitle on the title page so the full, correct publication title is: <i>That Hideous Strength: A Modern Fairy-Tale for Grown-Ups</i>. Looking at the title record I see there are five publications (three of which have been PVd) with this subtitle. However, they do not have a related title record "That Hideous Strength: A Modern Fairy-Tale for Grown-Ups" and consequently there is no varianting. Is this correct and if so why? [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 18:42, 17 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
: It is not correct. The publication title should match the reference title. [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/edit/cleanup_report.cgi?93 This report] highlights 1000 exceptions each day (I don't know the selection algorithm). First determine, subtitle or no subtitle, which should be the canonical? It's also a good idea to review the publications and make sure they are recorded correctly. Whichever you determine, it will be a multi-step edit. Ask if you have questions.  If I'm online, ping me and I'll approve as you submit. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 20:14, 17 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
::You have confirmed my suspicions. The cleanup report to which you refer does not include "That Hideous Strength" so I guess it's because it is limited to 1000 records. I'm happy to clean up this title. I'm satisfied that "That Hideous Strength" (without subtitle) is the more appropriate canonical title. I have inspected the five pub records with the subtitle and each looks internally consistent. Three of these have PVs. Do I need to consult with PVs or can this sort of housekeeping be performed without PVs' consent? [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 12:42, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
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::: It's not necessary to contact the PV's. You're merely correcting the reference title. I know you intend to perform all the steps and will indicate such in the note to moderator. I noticed this title wasn't on the report. Perhaps [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] will chime in and explain the algorithm determining which titles to report. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 15:45, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
::::First step submitted: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5944215 Unmerge titles]. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 16:26, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:::::Approved, [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 16:33, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
::::::Step 2 submitted: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5944273 merge the 5 reference titles of the subtitled version]. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 17:12, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:::::::Approved, [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 17:17, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
::::::::Step 3 submitted: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5944284 make subtitled version a variant of canonical title].
 +
::::::::Think that's it for the pubs but I can see there's more work to do:
 +
::::::::A) These two pubs: [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?900677 Macmillan 1966] and [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?262760 Macmillan 1977] have the variant title but the same canonical coverart title records. So I'm pretty sure these need to be changed. The only way I can see to do this involves five more edits:
 +
::::::::Step 4) edit one of the pubs (1966, say) and create a second coverart record under the variant title
 +
::::::::Step 5) variant the coverart record
 +
::::::::Step 6) import the variant coverart record to the 1977 pub
 +
::::::::Step 7) remove the canonical coverart record from the 1966 pub
 +
::::::::Step 8) remove the canonical coverart record from the 1977 pub
 +
::::::::Is there a more efficient way to do this?
 +
::::::::B) Those same two pubs contain an essay [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?965984 Preface (That Hideous Strength)] which has a disambiguator under the canonical title. Does the disambiguator have to be changed to the variant title. I'm unsure about this because the phrase is only a disambiguator; it's not actually part of the title of the essay. Can you please advise.
 +
::::::::My goodness, this is long-winded! [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 18:11, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1706087; Willem and Bob PV separate editions, pretty sure it should be David, also could be related to other artists named Bowers, first name starts with D, here. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 18:18, 26 February 2023 (EST)
+
(unindent)<br>
 +
Submit two edits for each pub. (All four at once)
 +
*Submission 1 - Add the new variant titles, COVERART and preface.
 +
*Submission 2 - Remove the canonicals.
 +
Since these submissions will generate change notices, reference this conversation in the note to moderator.
 +
After I approve all four, I'll perform the two merges. You will just need to link the variants. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 18:48, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
== Maelstrom ==
+
::Yes, I see where you're going with this. About the same number of edits but fewer Wait For Approval stages. Four edits submitted. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 07:12, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:::Approved, [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 07:22, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5593175; A challenge to anyone who can find a bigger cover image and replace mine. This anthology has been on ISFDB for years and there are a few online mentions of it including Locus where the contents came from but, as can be seen in the notes, it seems to have either been barely published or not at all. While on an archived author's site I was trying to get info from there was an image in her bibliography of this book so I uploaded the .jpg, but it was very tiny and after blowing it up as big as allowable here the author names are illegible. The title and cover art still come through nicely, though. Maybe someone here actually owns a copy (HA!)? --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 20:56, 26 February 2023 (EST)
+
::::Two Make Variants submitted. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 07:52, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
== Further Adventures of Batman Printing Dates ==
+
:::::I've checked all the affected records and everything looks good to me apart from one error that must have been present before we started the cleanup: the date of the canonical title of the Preface ([https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5944959 correction submitted]). So I think we've finally reached the end. If there's anything I've missed, let me know. Many thanks for all your assistance with this John. Much appreciated. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 16:34, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?34733; https://archive.org/details/furtheradventure00gree; There's a bit of confusion here. The original printing was July, PV Vasha77 did the 2nd printing but made an error by entering the month based on an ad on the last page which says 10/87 when the book was obviously published in '89, Archive copy above is a 3rd printing not on ISFDB with that same ad but 2 pages before it is an ad for G.R.R. Martin's Wild Cards with 7/89 on it. So since PV is gone and it was transient anyway I suggest we change month of 2nd to July also and then enter the 3rd with that month, too. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 23:38, 27 February 2023 (EST)
+
::::::Fortunately, there is a scan of the first edition in the internet archive. I added the preface and a link to the scan [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?87759 here]. As you know, the canonical is dated to the first appearance, even if it is as a variant. I put your submission on hold, assuming you would rather cancel than have me reject it. I enjoyed working on this with you. Ping me anytime. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 18:43, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
== Goldstrom ==
+
:::::::Oh, that's interesting. It hadn't occurred to me to look for an archive of the first ed because I had looked in Currey who states the following regarding the first Pan pb (1955): 'adds new author's "preface"'. So it's possible that there are two different prefaces. This requires more research which I don't have time to do now and may not have the resources anyway. But it's fine to leave the ISFDb records as they are for now; they are all self consistent. I have cancelled my submission. [[User:Teallach|Teallach]] ([[User talk:Teallach|talk]]) 04:46, 20 April 2024 (EDT)
  
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https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?25621; My edit making R. Goldstrom an alternate of Robert was just approved but I see there's 2 separate credits for Skeleton-in-Waiting. I think they need merging or something. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 11:23, 28 February 2023 (EST)
+
== Trademark markings in titles ==
−
: Merged, as you correctly pointed out. [[User:Scifibones|<b>John</b> <small>Scifibones</small>]] 11:05, 1 March 2023 (EST)
 
  
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== Davis Grubb Stories ==
+
My understanding is that we generally don't include symbols like ® and <sup>TM</sup> in titles because they usually indicate information ''about'' the title but are not usually ''part'' of the title. As JLaTondre [[ISFDB:Community Portal/Archive/Archive28#Shadowkeep|wrote in 2012]], "There is distinction between a title that has a '®' or 'TM' as part of the title and a title that adds the '®' or 'TM' for legal reasons." I'm asking because I ran across [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2720942 this title] that has one as part of the title, and I don't think it's actually part of the title itself, but rather added for legal reasons. This might be something we should clarify on [[Help:Screen:Title]]. This was discussed [https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Rules_and_standards_discussions/Archive/Archive03#One_for_the_.22EXACT_title.2C_including_all_punctuation_and_special_characters.22_crowd way back in 2007], but I haven't yet found any more recent discussions (outside of the 2012 one I mentioned above). Thoughts? ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 12:51, 23 April 2024 (EDT)
 +
:I'm the editor with the sole PV for that ebook pub. I have no objection to removing it since the trademark symbol really only applies to the "Liaden Universe" portion of the title. It is on the title page and cover that way. Clarification of the rule would be a good idea. [[User:Philfreund|Phil]] ([[User talk:Philfreund|talk]]) 13:44, 23 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?5783; I've done a few edits for his rare 1978 collection Siege of 318 and recently stumbled on the fact that the title story was a retitled reprint of "Cry Havoc", which is why both have a 1976 date here. I've made a variant but I am suspicious that "The Idiots" from the 1976 horror anthology Frights and "The Idiot" are the same, too. Does anyone own a copy who can compare the 2 stories? Frights has an Archive.org link so story is readable. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 17:12, 28 February 2023 (EST)
+
== Supermonsters ==
  
−
== Content sections of Clone/Import/Export upgraded ==
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2600565; I added Supermonsters as a variant (and subbed a better cover image) but it's from 1986 like the German parent so if anyone can find a copyright page scan which verifies the month is earlier the American cover would become the parent; I couldn't find one, but I do see on eBay that Archway released a much earlier PB in Sep. '78 with a photo of the cool American-added demon from the 1950s film Night/Curse of the Demon on the cover but the 2 sellers that showed the copyright page have editions that say 1 2 9 8 below the printing info; whether that's a number line or what I don't know but if anyone owns a copy you may want to enter yours. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:47, 24 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
The Content sections of Clone/Import/Export Publication post-submission pages have been upgraded. Rows can now display multiple yellow warnings per row. Yellow warnings are now more specific, telling you which authors they refer to. Auto-merge rows no longer warn you about disambiguated/alternate author/artist names. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 19:44, 28 February 2023 (EST)
+
== Ray Daley possible death ==
  
−
== The Changing ==
+
It's possible [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?235688 Ray Daley] has died, though I haven't found an obituary or any other official report. He was in the hospital since the end of March due to a heart attack, and a number of people are posting condolences on an open call group on Facebook as well as on [https://www.facebook.com/raymond.daley.10/ his profile there]. I'll try to keep an eye on it and keep looking for an obituary or other official report. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 11:01, 24 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?36975; I added LCCN ID and noticed 244 pages which is a lot different than 320. No online copies I can see so if anyone owns this can you check page count and fix if needed. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 08:52, 1 March 2023 (EST)
+
== 日本SFファンドム賞 (Japan SF Fandom Award) entry completed ==
  
−
== Derek Neville ==
+
It took me almost a year to do it (due to various things distracting me from it), but [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/awardtype.cgi?105 it's done]. Please let me know if anyone has any questions. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 19:51, 24 April 2024 (EDT)
  
−
https://kylerader.net/2014/12/30/ghost-box-a-discussion-with-author-derek-neville/; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?161858; I suspected the short story was not by the old Neville; there's a guy with the same name who self-published Ghost Box, which isn't on ISFDB but should be, but the only mentions of that name and the short story's title are our site and this, https://kristipetersenschoonover.com/2015/01/12/shitty-almonds-now-available-in-bugs-teaser-toc-here/. So story author should probably get a (I) after their name or something to differ them but unsure whether the same Neville wrote Ghost Box, although it seems likely. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 10:56, 1 March 2023 (EST)
+
:And related, I've completed entering the recipients of the [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/awardtype.cgi?107 Takumi Shibano Award]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 20:42, 24 April 2024 (EDT)
−
:[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?359885 Done]. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 17:57, 1 March 2023 (EST)
 
  
−
== 1995 SPGA Showcase ==
+
== Shadow People ==
  
−
http://www.locusmag.com/index/t742.htm#A37177; The Goldman story has the right original date on ISFDB but no mention of where it came from so I entered the info that it originally came from this anthology; the Everson story has the wrong date (2007), a different title ("Warming the Women"), and no mention of where it came from, so I added where it came from but didn't change date or title because it may have the same title in the anthology and should be merged or it really is different in which case it would be a variant; the Jacob story already has a note here about where it first came from. The Danley work being a story is suspicious because all his works (as Robert C. Danley) on ISFDB are poems; it's also weird that Locus listed all the poems after the stories instead of listing everything in order. So on the very slim chance that anyone owns the anthology some fixes would probably be needed after entering it. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 13:27, 1 March 2023 (EST)
+
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3356; Long-gone PV of C$ Dell ed. entered just "Jones" as artist here, one or the other should be decided on and the 2 merged. --[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]]) 09:43, 26 April 2024 (EDT)
−
:I've added [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?938058 that anthology here]. If it turns out the Danley work is actually a poem, we can easily change it. In the meantime, it's listed now. I also varianted the Everson story. ···[[User:Nihonjoe|<font color="darkgreen">日本穣</font>]] · <small>[[Special:Contributions/Nihonjoe|<font color="blue">投稿</font>]] · [[User talk:Nihonjoe|Talk to Nihonjoe]]</small> 17:37, 1 March 2023 (EST)
 

Latest revision as of 09:43, 26 April 2024


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Through the Budgerigar

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?925198; While adding LCCN to Jones novel Transplant I noticed this book was added not long ago and while SFE mentions it and even a cover artist there seems to be no evidence of a cover online; can anyone find one? --Username (talk) 18:06, 3 January 2024 (EST)

To the Sound of Freedom II

https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal/Archive/Archive53#To_the_Sound_of_Freedom; I came across this record again today; should it get an all-8's date? --Username (talk) 18:24, 4 January 2024 (EST)

HG Wells and His Critics

https://archive.org/search?query=wells-and-his-critics; Anyone know a way to tell which of the 3 publishers these copies are from so I can add links? The USA one has no record; maybe it was never actually published by them. --Username (talk) 22:38, 5 January 2024 (EST)

Top Science Fiction

https://archive.org/search?query=pachter-josh+top&sort=-addeddate; Someone added intros to this anthology recently, I added archived link long ago, just noticed a Spanish-language edition, La crema de la ciencia ficción, was upped to Archive.org in 2013 in case anyone fluent wants to enter that. EDIT: From the same publisher is La Crema del crimen, https://archive.org/search?query=crema-del-crimen, which includes a few stories from ISFDB judging by back cover. --Username (talk) 09:40, 6 January 2024 (EST)

I will add the Spanish one. What the heck. --MartyD (talk) 13:12, 6 January 2024 (EST)

Pachter

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1914279; Josh Pachter is credited as "with" on title page of 2015 English edition on Archive.org. Should he be added as co-author? --Username (talk) 10:21, 6 January 2024 (EST)

I didn't check the Archive.org copy, but the Look Inside on Amazon shows that "with" citation, but then on the copyright page it says the English translation is copyright 2015 Dhooge and Pachter. There is also a copyright 2014 for Dhooge and the original publisher. I interpret that to mean Pachter's role was (co-?)translator. I found Pachter's bibliography page, and this listed in the "Translations" section. But just to avoid having anything be too clear, he also has this, where he talks about previously translating another Dhooge work and being asked to "collaborate on an American version" of this one. So does that mean this isn't a translation but is actually a major revision? Dunno. Given that Pachter only takes credit for translating it, I think noting him as translator and documenting the "with" citation and the copyright statements (could throw in the Pachter site references as a bonus) should be sufficient. --MartyD (talk) 13:30, 6 January 2024 (EST)

Star Gors

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5851689; I was adding links and adding/fixing other stuff in some Gor editions, mostly UK Star PB, when I noticed an artist's signature for Players of Gor, Star edition, is on the cover but ISFDB had no credit. I tried several names I thought it could be and finally got Tony Masero who, as far as I can tell, is credited exactly once on the entire net for doing this cover, an AbeBooks/Biblio seller's description, but AbeBooks show the wrong (Daw Books) cover and Biblio's scan of the right cover is much too small to see the signature clearly. So I think I got a rare one. As can be seen here, [1], there are 5 other Star editions with no cover credit; if anyone can find a signature on any of them, beat me to it and enter them yourselves. --Username (talk) 21:49, 6 January 2024 (EST)

Night Mayor Cover Art

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?474; I noticed that the cover art for the original UK HC and the US C&G HC, which is the same, is credited to 2 different artists here. It's easy to find photos of the back flap of US online which does say design by Roy Colmer but of the several eBay sellers who offer the UK none thought to show the back flap. There are many C&G Colmer design credits online so I'm thinking Kemp did the art and US just didn't credit him, only their designer. So should we make C&G artist Jon Kemp with a note about him not being credited? --Username (talk) 19:11, 10 January 2024 (EST)

I have the UK hc of Kim Newman / The Night Mayor. The rear flap of the dust jacket states: "Jacket Illustration: Jon Kemp" and "Jacket Design: Bostock & Pollitt Ltd." Teallach (talk) 18:44, 18 January 2024 (EST)

Darrah Chavey's Passing

I was saddened to read this morning of Chavey's passing in File 770 (Number 7 in the Pixel Scroll). It was always a pleasure to work with him here and he will be missed. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 06:49, 11 January 2024 (EST)

I replaced link on his page with an updated one; also, while adding a link to the issue of the zine, Aurora, where his Walton essays appeared I discovered that most issues of Aurora and its predecessor Janus are on Archive.org, he PV most (all?) of them, but some have full contents while others have nothing. I imported a few poems from Robert Frazier, Steven M. Tymon, etc. but there's a ton of other book reviews and articles and stuff for anyone who's interested. --Username (talk) 19:15, 11 January 2024 (EST)
Sad news indeed. He had a heart attack a few years ago and has been less active since then, but he was only 69, so it was unexpected. Thanks for updating his User and Talk pages. I have updated user rights on his account. Ahasuerus (talk) 23:11, 12 January 2024 (EST)
Rtrace, thanks for letting us all know. I echo your sentiments. -- JLaTondre (talk) 08:47, 13 January 2024 (EST)

Barn Owl

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisher.cgi?4296; I made an edit for City of Hermits long ago and today added some more stuff; I think this Barn Owl is not the same as the other that published much later. Ann Jungman who wrote a few of the later ones has a Wiki page where it says she founded Barn Owl in 1999 so I think the 1983 one should get a USA or California or something added to it. Whoever wrote the note about Frances Lincoln here seems to have conflated the 2 publishers; the England location probably belongs with the later publisher. --Username (talk) 08:27, 11 January 2024 (EST)

I separated out Barn Owl Books (UK) and Barn Owl Books (USA) based on the ISBN's. I also updated the notes for Barn Owl Books (UK) based on this article. When untangling publishers, the Global Register of Publishers can be of help. -- JLaTondre (talk) 09:11, 13 January 2024 (EST)

Pat Frank Title

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5856366; I added cover image long ago; just came across archived copy which was there years before my edit so I'm not sure why I didn't add it back then but I did now and also added dash in title, H-Bomb, but I noticed there's another part of the title that people can't decide on. Mhhutchins entered it with 3 dots but title page has one GIANT dot while facing page has long dash and LOC/WorldCat has comma. So what's the consensus? --Username (talk) 11:44, 11 January 2024 (EST)

Sue Robinson

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?16675; I added archived link and a few other things to the HC of Amendment; author is a respected American newsperson. She should be differed from the Australian author. 1992 story in Weird Tales may be by either of them or another person since there's no bio in that issue. Also, does anyone own Amendment PB? It has nice cover art but there's no back cover photo online where I assume the artist would be credited. I see some weird blocks in the lower right, P and another letter, maybe initials or maybe just part of the art. --Username (talk) 19:10, 11 January 2024 (EST)

I separated out The Amendment to Sue Robinson (I). The author blurb for The Amendment does not align with the bio for the more prominent newspaper reporter of the same name, nor does that person list The Amendment as one of their works on their personal or faculty website. So probably two different reporters with same name. -- JLaTondre (talk) 09:55, 13 January 2024 (EST)

Peter Goodfellow

http://petergoodfellow.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/18-misc2; I added a few credits for this artist but the last one has me stumped because the 1992 edition had the same cover as the last image here, http://petergoodfellow.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/18-misc2, but that was wrong because archived copy has the same Posen cover as the later printing on ISFDB. Goodfellow cover has an M for Mammoth so was it an earlier or later edition and why can't I find the original Methuen cover anywhere? --Username (talk) 12:54, 12 January 2024 (EST)

French Swastika

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5857839; French speakers, I made my usual shaky attempt at entering a foreign-language edition but I felt a book of such fame probably deserved it; after approval if anyone cares to look it over I'm sure it can be improved. I also made a follow-up edit changing date of French variant to a year earlier to match the date of this book. Also, those Feminist Press editions, https://archive.org/search?query=swastika-night&sort=-addeddate&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22, are a mess, the one with the white cover matches the UK Lawrence & Wishart edition's cover but has the info of the '85 Feminist edition, while the other 2 with the face on the cover either a) have no price on the back and totally different back cover text but copyright page is the same or b) are a 4th printing from 2003, I think, with cover info on copyright page the '85 edition doesn't have and a missing back cover so no way to tell what was on there. If anyone cares to figure all that out. For some reason the French edition I mentioned above is in English according to Archive.org which is obviously wrong. --Username (talk) 18:59, 12 January 2024 (EST)

UK Omni

https://fantlab.ru/edition356174; I added archived links to the 6 volumes of Best of Omni and noticed FantLab has a photo of #6 with a UK price on it in case anyone knows more about that; maybe all 6 were published there but, if so, none are on ISFDB. --Username (talk) 10:23, 14 January 2024 (EST)

Tiret-Bognet

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=bognet&type=Name; same Verne illustrator, same book in different languages, one should be parent and maybe some of the art needs merging, Holmesd worked on many of these Verne books so he'd probably know. --Username (talk) 19:48, 14 January 2024 (EST)

Server maintenance 2024-01-15 at 3pm EST

The ISFDB server will be down for maintenance on 2024-01-15 (today) between 3pm and 3:10pm EST. The database and the Wiki will be unavailable. Ahasuerus (talk) 14:09, 15 January 2024 (EST)

The server is back up. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:06, 15 January 2024 (EST)

N. Katerli

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=katerli&type=Name; I found a huge (380+ pages) thread on FantLab's message boards with people who have died, many of which were never entered on ISFDB (not all genre, though, some footballers and other non-genre people are included, too) and while adding many dates and photos I came across Katerli; I added Wiki link, day of death, and photo to Nina's record but is that other spelling the same person? If so, some variant would probably be needed. --Username (talk) 12:25, 17 January 2024 (EST)

It's very possible, given how things get romanized from Eastern European languages. Perhaps one of our Eastern European language people can do a little digging? ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 13:30, 17 January 2024 (EST)
Looking into it a bit myself, I'm 100% sure they are the same person. Working on connecting them. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 13:57, 17 January 2024 (EST)
Okay, everything is here, now. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:27, 17 January 2024 (EST)
Thanks for working on her stories. I have added dates and updated the author record. Ahasuerus (talk) 21:51, 17 January 2024 (EST)

Terry Venables

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5861442; Is this the famous footballer (or soccer, as we Yanks call it)? There seem to be a lot of photos of him but some of them look like a different person so just making sure this is the right guy (he wrote some novels including Bornless Keeper which is on ISFDB but online info seems to suggest he didn't actually write any of it, Gordon Williams did). --Username (talk) 12:44, 17 January 2024 (EST)

Yes, things like that do happen: there are several titles in the database for which it is doubtful if the featured prominent author did actually write them; and so, jugig from the photo and the theme of the listed title it is the Terry Venables. Christian Stonecreek (talk) 07:38, 18 January 2024 (EST)
I can confirm that the photo in your submission is indeed of the English footballer Terry Venables. Teallach (talk) 18:42, 18 January 2024 (EST)

Alchemy Magazine

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/seriesgrid.cgi?35135; Luminist.org has a lot of magazines not on Archive.org and while replacing cover and adding link to Alchemy #2 I noticed all 3 issues have a different format, TP/unknown/pulp. Those who know about such things may want to adjust those since I'm assuming they all should be the same format. --Username (talk) 01:11, 18 January 2024 (EST)

Dinotopia Digest Novels

I just made about 20 edits for this series (https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5862661 through https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5862859) and as usual with series books it's a nightmare; I think I did as much as I could with what's available (oddly, only 1 book, Survive!, didn't have its original Random House edition entered on ISFDB so I had to scrounge up a copy on Google Books to enter info from). I think only one thing may raise questions and that's this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2230051, where an editor here in 2017 entered James Gurney as cover artist but even though he's mentioned on all copyright pages because he's the creator/owner of Dinotopia it was actually Michael Welply who did all the covers. Problem is after I removed cover credit (I didn't enter Welply because while it does say that in archived 3rd printing copy there are some 1st printings of books in the series that misspelled it as Welpley and then corrected that in later printings) I noticed the nomination for best cover in the art record. So I don't know what to make of that; was Gurney nominated because he's the creator or did someone make a mistake and not nominate the real artist, Welply? --Username (talk) 12:58, 18 January 2024 (EST)

Pratchett's Eric - converting into novella?

I did a word count on a digital version of Eric, and it's around 35000 words, i.e. clearly a novella. Comments on the title and various publication records point out how unusually short it is. Locus calls the first edition a novella, but later editions a novel. I think the novella classification is correct, but am hesitant in converting such a high-profile title. Any opinions? TerokNor (talk) 08:01, 19 January 2024 (EST)

My electronic copy contains 34.2K words, so it's a novella. That said, I wonder about Locus changing its classification after the first edition. Is there any indication that later editions may have been longer? Ahasuerus (talk) 11:43, 19 January 2024 (EST)
I can find no indication of there being different editions of the text. I noticed however that after the original illustrated edition (which was billed "A Discworld Story"), it usually says "A Discworld Novel" on the covers, so Locus might have just gone with that. TerokNor (talk) 13:59, 19 January 2024 (EST)
It sounds like it's a novella whose subtitle (but not the word count) was changed in later editions. I suggest we wait for other editors to share their thoughts before we change the type from NOVEL to SHORTFICTION. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:49, 19 January 2024 (EST)
I added an Archive.org link in a PENDING edit to The Illustrated Eric, 2010 Gollancz HC, so that may help with the counting; page count said 144 but it is actually 131. --Username (talk) 12:26, 19 January 2024 (EST)
I have approved the submission that corrected the page count and updated the Note field to indicate where the corrected page count comes from. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:49, 19 January 2024 (EST)
(Chime) Not surprised, don't care, go ahead. ../Doug H (talk) 21:26, 19 January 2024 (EST)

(unindent) Hearing no objection, I have left a message on TerokNor's Talk page asking him to proceed with the proposed changes. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:38, 24 January 2024 (EST)

Thank you. I have submitted the first edit to begin the process. TerokNor (talk) 05:19, 2 February 2024 (EST)

Late Mods

I had a thought while adding FantLab ID to a PV Brian Lumley book today; is there a way to remove the necessity of adding a note to the mod about what changes you made if the mod is deceased? There have been several mod losses recently, most of whom PV countless books, so it would save time to not have to write anything if the only PV's are ones who are not going to read those notes. --Username (talk) 12:23, 19 January 2024 (EST)

I think there are two sides to this issue.
The first one is technical, i.e. whether it would be possible to modify the software to check each primary verifier's Talk page to see if it starts with the "Deceased user" template. The short answer is "Yes, it would be possible, although it would also make our core software more closely intertwined with the Wiki software, which may become a minor nuisance during the next Wiki upgrade".
The second one is functional, i.e. whether making this kind of change would be desirable. I am not sure it would. It would save some keystrokes, but there is value to having more detailed Edit History for primary verified publications even if their verifiers are no longer available. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:42, 19 January 2024 (EST)

Moll/Head Virgin Planet

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5864268; I added cover and prices but I think publisher should be changed to Wyndham, either Star or Tandem or Target which are all on ISFDB related to Wyndham, since their logo is on front and back covers, https://www.ebay.com/itm/143869122299. The other issue is the cover is the same Charles Moll art as earlier US paperbacks; Michael Head was a designer with 1 other ISFDB credit that notes say is just a photo and a Mike Head I noted in an edit earlier today as the designer for Piatkus edition of M. Bingley's Waiting Darkness did a cover which is just a photo of a fist. So where Head credit came from for Virgin Planet I don't know but I think Moll credit should replace it. --Username (talk) 23:09, 19 January 2024 (EST)

One Hundred Years of Science Fiction

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5864915; I'm guessing this Gollancz edition is rare judging by the fact there's almost no photos of the cover online. As can be seen in my edit, notes about year (probably very old and entered by the long-gone Bluesman) are obsolete now because the year is on the title page. Also, the price was entered by Mellotronman from his copy but for a 1969 UK book the pre-decimal price should be entered so that's what I did; problem is in his note to mod in edit history he says other price is 32s, not 30. So if he's still around he may want to PV and add a note about the alternate price (I'm assuming the archived copy's flap is badly framed which is why the other price is not visible) and delete year notes and add a new one saying the date is on the title page. --Username (talk) 12:31, 20 January 2024 (EST)

It doesn't help that two different printings share the same ISBN. Mine says 1970 on the front of the title page and 'second impression 1970' on the back of the same page. The price is most definitely listed on the dust jacket as '32s', an unusual way of writing 'shillings'. The more usual way would be '32/-'. Perhaps the first impression was 30s and the second 32? Mellotronman (talk) 16:55, 20 January 2024 (EST)
OK, I think it makes sense now, copy on Archive.org is '69 1st pr. with just s-price while your 1970 2nd pr. has both s-price and pounds. So after my edit is approved you may want to clone it and enter yours with new date and prices and PV it, too. --Username (talk) 19:07, 20 January 2024 (EST)

Tom Palmer

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?98449; 2 or 3 different Palmers here; novels are by the guy pictured but the art credits are by the recently deceased (2022) famous comic artist who had a still-online site, tompalmerillustration, and a Wiki page as Tom Palmer (comics); the poem, judging by the bio at the archived Aphelion link, is by another likely American Palmer. --Username (talk) 21:58, 20 January 2024 (EST)

Lone Star Law

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?80404; Anyone think this should be deleted? --Username (talk) 17:34, 21 January 2024 (EST)

The Note field says:
  • Western story anthology. It may have some spec-fic stories, but otherwise, there's no reason for it to be in the database.
Have we been able to find this anthology's table of contents and determine whether any of the stories are SF? Ahasuerus (talk) 15:23, 24 January 2024 (EST)
I was able to look at the ToC via the Amazon Look Inside feature for the pb edition (ISBN 978-1982153069) and I don't see anything there that looks like SF. Phil (talk) 15:38, 24 January 2024 (EST)
Reading the editor's introductions to each story I noticed that two stories were called "eerie". After reading them, I can confirm that one is an unambiguous ghost story while the other one is an ambiguous "curse" story. I have added them to the publication record and updated Notes. Ahasuerus (talk) 22:13, 24 January 2024 (EST)

Recording plagiarized work

A couple of days ago File 770 reported (item 5) that "After the Flood" by John Kucera was plagiarised from another author. I've added a note to that title record, but I'm wondering whether anything else should be done, e.g. making it a variant? ErsatzCulture (talk) 01:36, 22 January 2024 (EST)

Unless the poem uses the same wording I'd think the only thing we can do is to add notes to the title (and likely the publications the plagiat was published in). Christian Stonecreek (talk) 01:32, 22 January 2024 (EST)
All three of the works "by" this author that are listed on ISFDB appear to have been plagiarized. I've added notes to the title entries as well as the publication entries. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:59, 22 January 2024 (EST)
Thanks all! ErsatzCulture (talk) 15:22, 22 January 2024 (EST)
At some point, we should probably make them variants since (in all the reports I've read) only the title were changed by the plagiarizer. Similar to this one. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 15:34, 22 January 2024 (EST)
I've added the variants for the two I could figure out. Still unsure who originally wrote "Summer 1993" and what the original title was. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 16:15, 22 January 2024 (EST)
How about this one, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2951283? --Username (talk) 16:29, 22 January 2024 (EST)
Looks like it's the same guy per a Google search that brought up this (archive), which is the same thing but under his Kucera name. Now to try to figure out who really wrote it. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 19:06, 22 January 2024 (EST)
Some additional archive links to help us figure out all of this: Wild Word, Lothlorien Poetry Journal (archive), One Art Poetry on X, One Art Poetry, The Fictional Cafe, Sparks of Calliope (see also this page), New Reader Magazine (archive), Wendy N. Wagner loves pie on BlueSky, and I'll add more later. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 20:31, 22 January 2024 (EST)

(unindent) I suspect that the issue of plagiarized works is going to become harder to deal with in the near future. In the past we had to deal with two types of scenarios:

  • word-for-word reprints with the title/credits changed, usually by shady publishers or self-publishers
  • more elaborate schemes whose perpetrators plagiarized sections of other authors' works

The first type is fairly straightforward, but the second type is hard to catch. For example, volumes 29 and 33 in the Casca series were retroactively removed from the series over allegations of plagiarism in April-June 2013. It happened 3-5 years after their original publication even though the Casca fandom is very active. It's not something that we, bibliographers, can realistically identify on our own.

Over the last few months I have seen a number of reports of plagiarists using software to scrape Web-published stories, massage them using ChatGPT and put them on Amazon, e.g. this episode over the Christmas holidays. I suspect it's going to be a pain to deal with. Ahasuerus (talk) 22:29, 24 January 2024 (EST)

Bard II

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?291859; Wrong cover, it has price and ISBN of earlier printing, I can't find right cover, if anyone else can, can you upload it and replace this one? --Username (talk) 10:47, 22 January 2024 (EST)

Also, The First Long Ship (or Longship on some sites) which has no cover online I can find so if it exists and someone can find it that needs uploading, too. --Username (talk) 11:03, 22 January 2024 (EST)

Galactic Central Images

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5867682; The only other site I can find that has this cover is Camelot Books; I was going to upload it when I thought of checking Philsp and found it hiding there. Is the owner(s) of that site ever going to upgrade to HTTPS? Right-click and "open image in new tab" does show the image but it still would be better if that didn't have to be done. --Username (talk) 12:43, 22 January 2024 (EST)

Last I heard, the owner said that he had no plans to upgrade to HTTPS. That said, browser vendors have been making it harder to access HTTP sites, which puts pressure on site owners to upgrade. It remains to be seen how it may affect Galactic Central in the future. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:21, 24 January 2024 (EST)

German Playboy

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?757; While replacing sideways Amazon cover with better straight cover for one of these books I noticed there are 8 or 9 that don't have cover credits (last book was unpublished so likely no cover exists); since most covers in the series were originally on English-language books it's likely the missing ones were, too, so if anyone can recognize the art then artists can be entered and variants can be made. --Username (talk) 09:08, 24 January 2024 (EST)

Brian Ames Title

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?119003; I added a link to a MOTA anthology over a year ago and there's a 2002 story by Brian Ames which editors before me seemed to have trouble deciding how to enter (see extensive title edit history), eventually settling on a symbol; however, in his collection someone entered the title as "grey blob", which is what it actually looks like in the anthology. So the 2 stories are the same and should be merged but what should the title be entered as? This reminds me of that David J. Schow horror story where nobody can ever decide how to enter it and eventually settled on "scribbled graffiti" or this, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?76213, but at least Oates can get away with that because most of her work is pretentious "literary" stuff, anyway. --Username (talk) 12:22, 24 January 2024 (EST)

Merged here. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 17:39, 24 January 2024 (EST)

Duplicate finder -- NOVEL/CHAPBOOK?

The "Duplicate Finder" program, which exists in three incarnations -- one for Author pages, one for Title pages and one for Publication pages -- searches for potential duplicate titles and then lets you merge them. Its default mode of operations is "exact", which means that two (or more) titles need to have the exact same spelling as well as the same authors in order to be considered potential duplicates.

The "exact" mode also ignores unlikely title type mismatches. For example, if one title record is SHORTFICTION and another one is NOVEL, they won't be flagged as potential duplicates. However, the "exact" mode currently flags NOVEL and CHAPBOOK titles with identical titles and authors as potential duplicates. I am thinking that this is likely more harmful than useful and would like to propose that we change the behavior of the "exact" mode to skip identical NOVEL/CHAPBOOK pairs. Ideas? Ahasuerus (talk) 17:35, 24 January 2024 (EST)

I agree. As it is currently, we could accidentally merge titles incorrectly. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 17:40, 24 January 2024 (EST)
I also agree. --MartyD (talk) 13:21, 25 January 2024 (EST)
I use that one a lot especially when adding juvenile chapbooks to prolific authors (mainly Fixer's) - because of how Amazon has these, they rarely make it to addPubs and not having the duplicate finder highlight the previously entered novel (a lot of these are stored as novels and need conversion) makes it more likely not to see the other version on the page. So I would rather not lose it... Annie (talk) 18:43, 25 January 2024 (EST)
Let me clarify that the Duplicate Finder's "similar" mode would continue to flag NOVEL, SHORTFICTION and CHAPBOOK titles as potential duplicates after the proposed change. Would it be sufficient for Fixer-originated use cases? Ahasuerus (talk) 21:41, 25 January 2024 (EST)
But we do not have a similar mode in the pubs/titles Duplicate finder. The one I use is the one that triggers when you click on "Check for Duplicate Titles" after a Pub/Title Edit. Which I believe is "exact". If I need to go to the author page every time to run a separate similar mode check, it will add steps. Plus in some of these authors, it will highlight a lot of things which is different from the current case where it is a quick check that finds usually a single match when it does. I can make it work - but it will add to the workflow. One option may be to allow the similar as an option on pub/title duplicate finder - keep the exact as a default but allow a similar to be run with a click how we do it on author page's find duplicates? A separate click which is right there will help.
And this is not just for Fixer usecases - I've needed it when moderating as well often enough in a similar usecase - we have chapbook/novel and a new(ish) member adds the same as the other.
If the proposal is to remove it from the 'Author' exact duplicate finder only with no change for the pub/title duplicate finder, then I am fine with removing it there. But the way the proposal reads, it sounds like we are not going to show it in the default mode in either :) Annie (talk) 10:45, 26 January 2024 (EST)
Thanks for the clarification. I forgot about the fact that the versions of the Duplicate Finder software used on Publication and Title pages do not support "similar" and "aggressive" modes. If memory serves, the reason was performance -- there can be thousands of titles with "similar" spellings where "similar" is defined as an 85% overlap, the current threshold value.
It sounds like what we may need is a new Duplicate Finder mode. Something that would be the same as the "exact" mode except that it would also flag identical CHAPBOOK/NOVEL title pairs. It would be made available on all three Duplicate Finder pages.
If it sounds workable, I can look into what it would take to implement it. I suspect that it should be a fairly straightforward change, but I am not 100% sure. We'll also need to come up with an intuitive name for the new mode. Ahasuerus (talk) 12:11, 26 January 2024 (EST)
That will work for me. And if you are going to do it, we may think about throwing an anthology/collection/omnibus format mix in the same mode (same usecase essentially - especially around juveniles and novellas previously added as novels). And even poem/shortfiction? Maybe simply pull all the format discrepancy matches out from Exact (requiring a format match in it) and move them to their own type of duplicate finder mode. That will also make it less likely for someone to merge by mistake based on the standard duplicate find.Annie (talk) 12:27, 26 January 2024 (EST)
You could have "type" be an independent modifier applied to any of the three modes. Something like "Match identical types only", on by default. That would also be easy to extend to other criteria (e.g., language) in the future without having a cross product of mode choices. --MartyD (talk) 14:26, 26 January 2024 (EST)
Good point! Ahasuerus (talk) 14:43, 26 January 2024 (EST)

(unindent) After experimenting on the development server and paying closer attention when working on the Clean Authors cleanup, I think I have a better appreciation for Annie's concerns. At this point clicking "Check for Duplicate Titles" post-approval is second nature for moderators and self-approvers. When a submission adds a NOVEL publication, it's very helpful to know that a CHAPBOOK pub with the same title already exists in the database, especially if the submitter is a robot. Requiring the approving moderator to click yet another link/button would mess with the workflow.

I suppose we could change the Duplicate Finder logic to ignore CHAPBOOK/NOVEL duplicates by default, but display a yellow warning -- and a link to the more relaxed version of the Duplicate Finder -- if they exist. I am not sure it would be ideal, though. Ahasuerus (talk) 11:34, 31 January 2024 (EST)

As long as it is a link and not a need to go elsewhere or to go to the author level, that will work for me.
I'd also want to ask for the anthology/collection/omnibus and the poem/short fiction checks to be added to the chapbook/novel both for the yellow warning and the more relaxed one - both of these happen often enough to be annoying if we lose the ability to see them on the duplicate finder. Unless the plan is to leave these into the default one - in which case, we are fine. Annie (talk) 11:45, 31 January 2024 (EST)
After thinking some more about this issue, it occurs to me that there may be another way to approach this issue. Currently, most post-approval Web pages display links that let you view/edit the updated/added record or, for some submission types like Make Variant, multiple records. A few post-submission pages also link to the Duplicate Finder or other pages.
However, there is nothing preventing the post-approval software from quietly checking the status of the added/updated record(s) and displaying appropriate warnings. For example, the post-approval page for NewPubs could run the Duplicate Finder behind the scenes and then display a message like:
  • The added publication record includes a title record with the same title and authors as another title record. Use the Duplicate Finder link above to see the details.
This warning message would be easy to implement and moderators would no longer have to worry about forgetting to click "Duplicate Finder" after approving NewPub submissions. Does this sound useful?
If we choose to add this warning message, we could still decide to tweak the Duplicate Finder logic later, but I think the message should be implemented first since it changes the workflow. Ahasuerus (talk) 16:53, 2 February 2024 (EST)
That will be useful -- I am not sure how many false alerts will show up and how they will be treated (especially from the less experienced moderating users - usually the self-approvers) but other from that, any checks the software can do for me are always welcome. Annie (talk) 14:08, 6 February 2024 (EST)
OK, FR 1592, "Warning after approving NewPub submissions which create potential duplicates", has been created. We'll see how useful it will be. Ahasuerus (talk) 14:48, 6 February 2024 (EST)

Duplicate Finder enhancements -- Outcome

FR 1592 has been implemented. After approving NewPub/AddPub/ClonePub/EditPub submissions, moderators and self-approvers will now see a yellow warning and a link to the Duplicate Finder if the created/affected publication record contains one (or more) title records which have the same title(s) and author(s) as other title records in the database. Ahasuerus (talk) 14:58, 8 February 2024 (EST)

Moondust

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?22737; I added a whole bunch of edits for Rosemary Harris books and also found a PDF link for her early uncollected story "Hamlin" at Galactic Journey. Looking through their list of PDF's I noticed a Swann link and, thinking it would be a short story, I clicked it and it turned out to be the full original edition of his novel Moondust which has no copies at the usual places like Internet Archive or Luminist. I'm guessing there's more novels hiding in that list but for now I'll just ask if anyone owns the book and wouldn't mind transcribing the text on the last 2 pages and adding it to the record because those are missing in the PDF. I'm not sure what copyright rules are for a 50+-year-old book but I think a page or two would count as an excerpt and wouldn't bother anyone, right? --Username (talk) 11:43, 25 January 2024 (EST)

That can get complicated. Since this was first published in 1968 in the United States, and if it was published with a copyright notice, the copyright expires at the end of 2063 (meaning it becomes public domain on January 1, 2064). If it was published without a copyright notice, since it was published between 1964 and 1977, it is now in the public domain. See here for more details. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:27, 25 January 2024 (EST)
Looking at the PDF copy from the link you submitted, the copyright notice is very clear on the back of the title page. This means the copyright doesn't expire until 2064, so we shouldn't be linking to a pirated PDF copy. I rejected the link addition. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:30, 25 January 2024 (EST)
So does that mean that all the 330 or so Luminist.org PDF's currently linked on ISFDB are pirated, too? Because I don't think most of those are public domain; I would know because I'm the one who added most of the links. Has any mod in the history of this site ever gotten a request from anyone to remove a Luminist PDF? I'd be curious to know. When someone pirates something and uploads it, they love to add their name, fake as it may be, to the upload, similar to how computer game crackers decades ago loved to add their names to the crack, usually with some animation and music (which were sometimes better than those in the game itself); believe me, I could easily add hundreds of Internet Archive links to rare books right now except for the fact that the uploaders converted them to crap e-editions with removed page numbers. I don't see anything like that in Moondust so it's likely someone's personal copy they converted to a PDF; it's clearly the original paperback with page numbers and a bookstore sticker on the cover and everything. Since Swann died in 1976 and the last reprint as far as ISFDB (and WorldCat) say was in 1977 I doubt anyone would care if a PDF was linked to here; any serious collector would want a physical copy. My suggestion would be to un-reject it. Barring that, I'll just go ahead and make a note with the address of the PDF but not hot-linked so people know where it is but actually have to paste the URL into the address bar themselves in order to get it. --Username (talk) 17:47, 25 January 2024 (EST)
This guy, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?286234, runs the site. Looks legit to me; he even published a magazine of the same title. --Username (talk) 18:08, 25 January 2024 (EST)
The question about the status of Luminist-hosted PDF files is an interesting one. I should first note that I became aware of the Luminist Web site back in 2010 when we were given permission to link to Luminist-hosted images. I was under the impression that the files that they host were similar to Gutenberg-hosted "copyright-cleared" files, which is why I have been approving their addition for the last few years.
However, reading the copyright statement on the main Luminist page:
  • This collection may contain copyrighted material which has not been specifically authorized for our use. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) provides for making “fair use” copies of copyrighted materials under certain conditions, including that that the reproduction is not to be used commercially or “for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” By accessing files linked to this site you are agreeing to abide by these restrictions. If you do not agree, do not download. If any copyright owner objects to our inclusion of their material on this web site, please do not harass our hosting providers; just contact us with the pertinent information. We will remove contested content promptly upon receipt of legitimate requests. Readers who wish to obtain a permanent copy of any item are encouraged to acquire one from a bookseller of their choice. Readers may contact us for assistance in locating copies for purchase.
I see that they expect their users to download PDF files for "private study, scholarship, or research" purposes and, apparently, not for permanent use. This relies on an interpretation of the "fair use" doctrine which seems a bit too stretchy to me, but I am not an expert in the field. Ahasuerus (talk) 18:09, 25 January 2024 (EST)
OK, sounds good to me, "private study" clearly can mean reading the book and since they're being linked at ISFDB that covers the scholarship/research part. Also, what I took to be a Galactic Journey magazine is just a few random pages from the webzine with a couple of essay links, 1 of which is movie-related and probably doesn't qualify, but there's some Hugo Award nomination so I guess they count; the first entry is totally blank and was actually entered by user "galacticjourney" himself with mods questioning on his page why he entered it since it's a webzine. The site is still running currently and has hundreds of essays, many of which would be suitable for entry here, I'm sure. --Username (talk) 18:25, 25 January 2024 (EST)
Let me clarify what I meant by "a bit too stretchy". The part of the Copyright Law that they cite -- "for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research" -- doesn't come from the "fair use" clause (Section 107 of the Copyright Act.) Instead it comes from Section 108, "Reproduction by libraries and archives". Section 108 is a lengthy section with a set of provisions that are completely different from the "fair use" provisions in Section 107. It's odd that the Luminist Web site cites Section 108 ("libraries and archives") language to support what they state is a Section 107 ("fair use") exception.
I should add that both Section 107 and Section 108 lawsuits can get complex and technical as we saw during Hachette v. Internet Archive in 2020-2023. My knowledge of these topics is very limited, but hopefully other editors may have more in-depth knowledge and/or relevant experience in this field. Ahasuerus (talk) 21:38, 25 January 2024 (EST)
I have started a Rules and Standards discussion to see if we can come up with unambiguous rules for linking to third party-hosted texts. Ahasuerus (talk) 20:50, 26 January 2024 (EST)

Reactor?!?

I was at my awful local public library printing out various articles and short stories for free which is the only positive thing about libraries these days and after my hour was up I realized I forgot to check Tor.com to see if they published any new fiction (horror only, please, no SF or fantasy) so I checked when I got home and got a scary-looking page which made me think a computer virus had finally taken hold of my laptop after not having one for many years but it turns out that Tor apparently has re-named themselves Reactor. Is anyone else aware of this? --Username (talk) 17:08, 26 January 2024 (EST)

Yes, they announced it a few weeks ago. New site, new name (to differentiate them from the Tor.com publisher), same team, same contents. All the old links to their old site should be forwarding cleanly to the new one. Annie (talk) 17:30, 26 January 2024 (EST)
And the announcement and Q&A about it. Annie (talk) 17:31, 26 January 2024 (EST)
I suspect that the part of the FAQ that is most likely to affect us is this:
  • SFF literature is still the heart of what we do, and that’s our priority. We’ll just also be open to related subjects of interest, from nonfic to romantasy, pirates to gardening, and so on.
So it looks like they will have more non-genre content going forward, but they expect to remain primarily SF-oriented for the foreseeable future. Ahasuerus (talk) 18:23, 26 January 2024 (EST)

Chinese Godzilla?

https://archive.org/search?query=%E6%80%AA%E7%8D%A3%E3%82%B4%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A9&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22; If anyone knows what this is about and decides it warrants entering, thanks. --Username (talk) 18:18, 29 January 2024 (EST)

Magic German Cats

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?33710; There was a 1999 German edition under a new title, https://archive.org/details/katmagie13katten0000unse, in case anyone fluent wants to enter that. --Username (talk) 10:02, 30 January 2024 (EST)

ZOLTAR

[2]; Polish primary verifier seemed to be very active in 2012 and then nothing, they left a lot of their 300+ PV unfinished with missing info, mentioning this in case anyone fluent in Polish wants to follow up on any of them and add or fix anything. I thought of this before but remembered it today after finding a photo for Jerzy Sosnowski on FantLab and an archived copy of the anthology PL +50 which his story on ISFDB appears in. --Username (talk) 12:45, 30 January 2024 (EST)

verification email

I have tried several times to elicit a verification email but nothing has arrived. I've checked junk & trash as well. Is this simply not working? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Starman99 (talk • contribs) .

I am afraid this is a common occurrence, which we discuss in the ISFDB FAQ:
  • Different email servers have different automated rules which may block email coming from certain Web sites, which makes it hard to tell what's preventing ISFDB confirmation email from being delivered to your mailbox.
  • Note, however, that confirmation emails are optional as far as ISFDB is concerned. As long as you can log in, you have full access to all ISFDB features including Advanced Search, display preferences, submission creation etc.
Since you were able to post the message above, you should be all set :-) Ahasuerus (talk) 18:11, 30 January 2024 (EST)

Ace Dates

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5872024; Can someone on the long list of editors find out where someone got month from? Whoever entered many of these old PB long ago was very random about noting where they got the month, but I remember it was a checklist or something so that's likely where this one came from, too. I thought it would be obvious why I added the month since it's there throughout the contents but I guess not. --Username (talk) 23:27, 30 January 2024 (EST)

Berthon

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=theodore+le&type=Name; Space in first entry separates same essay from its appearances elsewhere; no essay title page I can find but I did see a contents page of Frankenstein File that says, um, Ted Le Berthon, https://www.ebay.com/itm/334647759422. So, if anyone can verify, a merge or variant will be needed. --Username (talk) 00:08, 31 January 2024 (EST)

I'm looking for a book title

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a book title. I read the book years ago probably in the 80s. A quick summary the world is divided by a massive mountain range. I think that the protagonist must climb the mountain range in order to become the ruler. They climb the mountain only to find a deep valley on the other side with an even higher mountain range behind it. The protagonist ultimately climbs the second mountain range where they find another land on the far side with another intelligent species. This has been driving me batty and I would appreciate it if anyone knows what this books title is and who wrote it. Thank you. —The preceding unsigned comment added by Firefighterbgrg (talk • contribs) 19:21, February 1, 2024‎

If no one here is able to help you, we have a section in our FAQ that gives several places where you can ask for help finding the book. Good luck! ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 15:15, 2 February 2024 (EST)

Darrah Chavey

I learn via Ansible today that Darrah Chavey left this mortal coil on 6 January. He was always a learned and consistent editor to work alongside at the ISFDB... Happy trails Darrah, Rest In Peace. :( PeteYoung (talk) 10:39, 2 February 2024 (EST)

Yes, indeed. There was a brief Community Portal discussion on 2024-01-11 and Darrah's database record was updated. RIP. Ahasuerus (talk) 12:01, 2 February 2024 (EST)

Gardner F. Fox's text story in "Strange Adventures"

Earlier today a Usenet poster pointed out that Gardner F. Fox published "The Magic Maker of Rann", a text story, in the comic Strange Adventures #226. The story is lavishly illustrated, but the text works just fine even if you were to reprint it without illustrations, which is how we determine whether a story is "graphic".

The whole thing is available online, illustrations included. Should we treat Strange Adventures as a non-genre periodical and list this story? Ahasuerus (talk) 16:32, 2 February 2024 (EST)

I've entered a number of Eando Binder stories from the Lieutenant Jon Jarl of the Space Patrol series that originally appeared in Captain Marvel Adventures comic, and I entered them in exactly the manner you suggest. I believe some of these stories have been reprinted as text alone, so I felt I was on pretty safe ground. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 16:43, 2 February 2024 (EST)

Lost Ark Storybook

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5880702; ISBN belongs to Scholastic edition judging by a back cover I saw online. There's a later (3rd) trade printing on Archive.org with trade and library ISBN on the copyright page so either this record should be made Scholastic or a new record created for Random House edition(s). I've been adding dozens of Wikipedia links to novelizations recently and I've come across some other issues like this (only one I can remember is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade by Anne Digby which has pub. series as Hippo Books but that actually belongs to the UK edition which I made a new record for) so when these are approved a check and some fixing/adding is probably needed for at least a few of them. --Username (talk) 12:50, 3 February 2024 (EST)

Rise of the Silver Surfer

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?346021; I made an edit fixing typo "udpated" to "updated", surprisingly the only such error on all of ISFDB, and realized that this edition was likely never published with AbeBooks having a weird "cover to be unveiled" photo. So unless someone can find evidence of a copy I think this should get the unpublished date. --Username (talk) 19:30, 3 February 2024 (EST)

Parnassus Wizard of Earthsea

https://archive.org/details/wizardofearthsea00ursu; I added a link to a Parnassus edition based on someone's extensive notes here (no number line or smudge on title page) but there are some editions of this book only linked from Open Library including the one above which has a price much higher than any other book from the publisher on ISFDB but copyright page has same info as 1969 2nd printing so if anyone knows a way to determine the date a new edition can be added. There's an ancient ISFDB bibliography from 2006 by Ahasuerus, https://isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/Author:Ursula_K._Le_Guin, which could probably use some updating unless it's been updated somewhere else. --Username (talk) 20:08, 4 February 2024 (EST)

Pranks

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?17626; I've made edits for all editions before, original 1983 Amazon cover seems to have disappeared leading to a broken image so I replaced it, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5882029, then I replaced OL/Archive cover which is too dark with an Amazon cover, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5882020, that isn't great but is brighter and still retains the sparkly stuff on the title that Leisure used to attract people to buy their books which then led to disappointment when the buyers realized the novels themselves were usually crap, the latest edition is fine as is, so now I think the 1983 edition with the wrong price and ISBN should be deleted and the image uploaded by Chris J. should be removed from the Wiki since it seems to be the badly creased cover that's still on Amazon with unnecessary back cover included. --Username (talk) 11:17, 5 February 2024 (EST)

Felix Kelly

I entered new records for Faber anthologies Best Murder Stories and Best Murder Stories 2 which are mostly genre or by genre authors; I also looked at Best Tales of Terror, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?4213, and even though I know I've seen that cover many times I never noticed until seeing it full-sized on FantLab that there's a very clear signature lower right, FELIX KELLY. I entered that in an edit but the problem is that the record for him, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?255975, might be the same artist who did the 1956 art but can't be the guy from 1879. So there may be 2 Felix Kellys in case anyone can find out more and separate them into 2 records; it's also possible that the 1956 art was not new but taken from something drawn by the older Kelly. --Username (talk) 10:09, 6 February 2024 (EST)

Also added Margaret Wolpe as cover artist for Best Tales of Terror 2; no signature I can see but FantLab credits her + there's a copy on Dalby's site whose front flap says she did "jacket design" and the art does look like many of her other Faber covers. Also greatly updated her record with lots of bio info and noted she was married to Berthold, also an artist, and updated his record as well. Dalby's copy has a pounds price sticker covering another pound price so I'm getting the impression Faber reprinted their anthologies many times with no way to tell except the prices kept getting higher; lots of printings are probably missing so if anyone has any not on ISFDB it would be good to enter them. --Username (talk) 11:03, 6 February 2024 (EST)

The Adventure of the Peerless Peer

Are there any objections to converting this to a novella? The recent ebook reprint is marked as 27k words by Kobo USA and looking at the page numbers and some of the other editions, it does feel too small to be a novel. Thanks! Annie (talk) 17:41, 6 February 2024 (EST)

It's definitely a novella. The Titan Books edition (2011) is well over 200 pages and looks like a bona fide novel, but its apparent length is due to the addition of a very long promotional excerpt from Kim Newman's Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles. Ahasuerus (talk) 12:16, 7 February 2024 (EST)

Termush - convert to novella

Another recent reprint shows this one as 25k words in English (Kobo USA count) which will leave it well short of 40K in its original Danish as well. Any objections to converting this to a novella? Annie (talk) 18:27, 6 February 2024 (EST)

John Stanley

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5883789; See my note about artist, that Little Lulu credit in the original Stanley record belongs with I's record because, as my note in the original says, he was born in '39 or '40 so he would only have been 9 or 10 if he did that art which is unlikely; this is the right Stanley, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stanley_(cartoonist). The Melvin Monster credits belong with I, too. I have to assume the Fengriffen Stanley is not the same as I because it's a UK edition and he's American plus it's a photograph, not drawn. --Username (talk) 00:10, 7 February 2024 (EST)

Doolin

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?431777; Late PV entered James Doolin based on signature but there is none, FantLab photo has initials JPD, it's actually Joseph Doolin, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?27894, and he has an entry for the same art, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1590968. --Username (talk) 10:48, 7 February 2024 (EST)

Uncorrected Proofs

I'm holding this submission to update this record. I noticed that the record states that it was unpublished (8888-00-00), yet there appears to be a cover that was just added. More importantly it also describes this as an "uncorrected proof" and I had thought that proofs were outside of our scope. The policy specifically excludes Advance Reading Copies unless available for sale to the public. Do uncorrected proofs differ from ARCs in terms of determining scope? This seems straightforward to me and I believe the publication should be deleted. If others disagree and this requires a full discussion, we can move this the the Rules and Standards board. Thoughts? Thanks. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 10:59, 7 February 2024 (EST)

I read the rules the same way you do - ARCs and uncorrected proofs are out. However, we do keep records of unpublished but announced books (these are in scope under the announced but never published (entered as "unpublished") part of ROA) so I would not delete this one as it is under that category. So ARC/uncorrected proof of a book that comes out will not be eligible but if the book never makes it out, adding the notes about it into the 8888 book are fine I think. Annie (talk) 11:22, 7 February 2024 (EST)
Comparing this publication record with other, published, editions of the book, I note that it has a different ISBN in addition to a different publisher name. I typically enter announced-then-canceled ISBNs as 8888-00-00 publication records under the rule referenced by Annie. Their presence in our database helps answer a common question: "Whatever happened to this apparent first edition? Why can't I find any copies for sale?" We all know how obsessed collectors can get when it comes to first editions and our database is frequently the only readily accessible place that explains what happened to a "disappeared" ISBN. Ahasuerus (talk) 11:51, 7 February 2024 (EST)
I've no argument with a publication record for an announced, but unpublished book. However, an unpublished book and an uncorrected proof are two different things. The notes on this record confuse the issue as to what the record represents. The addition of a cover scan and artist further confuses things. How are we able to display a cover of a book that was never published? I would suggest that the notes be reworked to indicate that a proof was done as evidence of the planned publication. We could replace the first two sentences with "The Bluejay Books imprint was dissolved late in 1986 just after an uncorrected proof for this planned edition was printed in September of that year." I would also recommend deleting the cover of the proof and rejecting the addition of an artist. I do worry that if we were to make an exception and allow a record specifically for an uncorrected proof when the book is never published, it would encourage the addition of other proofs and ARCs especially by those editors who surmise rules by examples of what is already in the database. If others think this should be a valid exception to allow records for proofs, then we should document it in the scope page as is done with ARCs offered for sale. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 19:00, 7 February 2024 (EST)
That sounds like a plan and the proposed change in the notes sounds fine to me - that will make it clear that the record is here because the book was announced and not because it had an ARC/uncorrected proofs done. I am at two minds about the cover - if it was announced with the book, recording it makes sense as it may help trace it to an artist later on and as it is part of the record after all. But other from that - I agree that we need to be careful not to confuse ARCs and unpublished books per se - although when a publication fails through often varies so there are ARCs out there for books that do not make it - that one being an example. Maybe all we need is to strengthen the language to specify that the exclusion is for books that end up being published - thus allowing the usecase we have here without a concern. Annie (talk) 19:06, 7 February 2024 (EST)
I agree that the pub record should stay because it falls under "announced but never published" and agree with Ron that the problem with it as it stands is that the pub note gives the impression that the record has been created for the proof, not the unpublished book. Ron's tweak to the pub note solves this problem.
Further notes and suggestions:
1) I agree that mentioning the proof in the pub note is a good idea. It is evidence that the book was announced.
2) I definitely think the cover image should be deleted. It should either be omitted or of the final cover. The latter assumes the publisher reached that stage and that we could find the image. All very unlikely. The cover image is more than just the artwork; it's also the colouring, wording, layout and typography and those aspects of the proof cover clearly wouldn't reflect the final version.
3) I would delete the OCLC/WorldCat External ID and just mention it in the pub note because it refers specifically to the uncorrected proof and not the unpublished final work.
4) I'm ambivalent about importing the coverart record. It's clear from the cover of the proof that Ron Walotsky was the intended artist so this falls under "announced but never published" but it would need a pub note explaining the source and why there's no image.
5) I'm broadly against making an exception for including ARC's / proofs when the book was unpublished although I do see Annie's point of view. But I think it's an unnecessary complication and veers back towards Ron's point about "encourage the addition of other proofs and ARC's especially by those editors who surmise rules by examples of what is already in the database" which is something I strongly agree we want to avoid. Also, if we do permit this exception, how do we implement it? Does it mean we would have two pub records: one for the unpublished work and one for the proof? Teallach (talk) 07:46, 8 February 2024 (EST)
I've gone ahead and change the notes as discussed above. I've also moved the Worldcat number and the cover into the notes so that it's clear the record is for the unpublished work and not for the proof. I'll reject the held edit. Let me know if someone disagrees with these changes. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 21:47, 12 February 2024 (EST)

N. Carroll

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?165703; The stories belong with the other Carroll but that ndp thing doesn't look right to me so maybe some other differing addition should replace it. --Username (talk) 23:58, 7 February 2024 (EST)

Author attribution on the three stories, initially credited to Noël Carrol, has been corrected. John Scifibones 07:57, 8 February 2024 (EST)
Thanks. I still think it's weird about that (ndp) because there's thousands of nom de plumes on ISFDB but this is the only one that has that added on the end of the name. --Username (talk) 08:28, 8 February 2024 (EST)
Well, we have some with (pseudonym) attached, and I'd think that'd be more meaningful (ndp isn't a colloquial abbreviation), or just a (I) attached. Christian Stonecreek (talk) 11:52, 8 February 2024 (EST)
I don't think we should use any parentheticals if we can avoid it. Since we have the (I) thing we already use extensively, I think that would be the best option for any that are currently using "(pseudonym)" as a disambiguator. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 13:20, 8 February 2024 (EST)
There are reasons why I chose to set the author up as Noel Carroll (ndp). However, it's not worth our time to debate. I have changed it to Noel Carroll. Not sure that the standards imply that Roman numerals are the preferred dismbiguator. Here is the applicable help section. Thanks for your interest, John Scifibones 14:06, 8 February 2024 (EST)

Karen Simmons

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1117998; She's the wife of Dan Simmons, credited for author photograph in the HC which can be seen on eBay, [3], art is likely by one of the regular Headline cover artists, Chris Moore maybe, but I don't see a signature. So her credit should be removed. I noticed a 2nd printing of the Headline PB on Archive.org which has that same art (and price) but different blurbs on top and bottom so I'm going to enter that now. --Username (talk) 10:37, 8 February 2024 (EST)

Hi! There's a primary verification by Faustus. It'd be meaningful if you contact him to shed some light on the actual credit. Christian Stonecreek (talk) 11:49, 8 February 2024 (EST)
Hi! There's no credit on the PB because there's no author photo like there is on the back of the HC. 2nd printing PB I just entered has no art credit. I'm sure someone here familiar with UK PB artists will identify it in some artist's book sooner or later but it's certainly not by Dan's wife. --Username (talk) 12:08, 8 February 2024 (EST)

Wesso

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5885644; Wiki says 1893. Anyone here who can find proof it's really 1894? I looked for a headstone but couldn't find one. --Username (talk) 13:49, 8 February 2024 (EST)

Story about the Premiere of Rite of Spring

I'm looking for the short story (probably from 1970s) about recreating the experience of the premiere of The Rite of Spring by giving all of the audience members a new drug. I believe this was in one of the better short story annuals of the era.

Most of my book collection is in storage, alas, so I can't find this by leafing through my old pulp. —The preceding unsigned comment added by Martycohen36 (talk • contribs) 17:38, February 8, 2024‎

Black Christmas

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?878255; While entering Wikipedia links for tons of novelizations I came across this rare 1976 one for the classic 1974 horror film. The original edition is apparently very rare because I've looked everywhere and can't find a copyright page that doesn't have the word FANGORIA on it because apparently Fangoria Magazine reprinted it in 2008 (although there is very little mention of this online). It does include the original info so I was able to enter the month (February, which is odd because you'd think it would be late in the year to capitalize on the holiday) but if anyone has a 1976 copy can you verify what it says on it? The film was Canadian and book says "Printed in Canada" so possibly it was only published there in which case the price will need a C added to it. --Username (talk) 09:18, 9 February 2024 (EST)

Riddle of the Exodus

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?185298; Not fiction, religious history book, https://openlibrary.org/works/OL8166080W/The_Riddle_of_the_Exodus?edition=key%3A/books/OL8566162M, probably should be deleted. --Username (talk) 11:30, 9 February 2024 (EST)

Deleted. I question if the author of the religious book is the same author as of the BattleTech books. I couldn't find anything on the religious author's sites that connect him to the BattleTech books. I will ping the active verifier for the BattleTech book to see if there is an author blurb. If not (or it indicates it is a different author), I will remove the the current author info from James D. Long. -- JLaTondre (talk) 12:31, 10 February 2024 (EST)
Philfreund has confirmed the BattleTech book provides no biographical information on the author. I have removed the author info from James D. Long as it is more than likely a different person. -- JLaTondre (talk) 08:28, 11 February 2024 (EST)

Mutant Chronicles

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?250352; I replaced the cover; if anyone knows about the old one, whether it was an early one that was rejected or if it belongs to a different edition, a note about early art or a new record for the other edition if it exists would be good. --Username (talk) 20:09, 11 February 2024 (EST)

Lieutenant Teasdale R.O.N.

I need to make several changes to the pub records for Lieutenant Teasdale R.O.N.. The tp edition has a sole PV by the late Biomassbob but he somehow missed showing that Paula Goodlett is the co-author of the work. Amazon also shows the pub date for that edition as 2023-12-07, not 2023-12-02 as currently shown in the pub record. The 12-07 date makes more sense since all of the other self-published books by Gorg Hoff and Paula Goodlett have the ebook edition published the day prior to the tp edition. Any objection to my making changes? Phil (talk) 12:21, 12 February 2024 (EST)

Mistakes happen :) Go ahead - make sure the notes clarify where the date is coming from. And while you are there, we do not use "Independently published" as a publisher - so can you also fix that (author names are used when there is no publisher). I will sort out the other 2 we have under that publisher later today. Thanks for finding this one! :) Annie (talk) 13:44, 12 February 2024 (EST)
Done. I also corrected the title for the Interiorart maps record to match current standards. Phil (talk) 15:29, 12 February 2024 (EST)

Locus1 Secondary Verifications

Occasionally I come across pubs that have been SVd to Locus1 solely on the basis of their mention as the first edition of a later publication. The first one I encountered, as a very rookie editor, was this one: David Brin / Sundiver. I asked the SVer, Rtrace, about it and received this explanation. For the purposes of this thread I shall refer to these as "indirect listings".
The most recent one I have encountered is David Gerrold / Chess with a Dragon and it is this pub record that has prompted this thread because there is a clear contradiction between the SV to Locus1 and the pub note "Locus1 fails to list this pub (as of 2010-06-21)."
So my question is: should these indirect listings be allowed as SVs to Locus1? If I ruled the world I would not permit them because I don't think they conform to a general user's expectation of a Locus1 listing and they can cause confusion and inconsistencies as demonstrated by the Gerrold record. However, I do not feel strongly about this. I accept Ron's point that these indirect listings provide at least as much information as Clute/Nicholls and if the consensus is that they should be allowed then I can live quite happily with this.
However, if we do allow them then this Help page: Reference:Verification_Sources needs amendment. The matrix currently states that Locus1 provides "All" the information for fields such as Pages, Price and others but this is not true for the indirect listings. So either:
a) The relevant fields for Locus1 should be changed from "All" to "Some" (or maybe "Most").
or
b) A note should be added to the page explaining Locus1 indirect listings and clarifying that the values in the matrix for Locus1 only apply to full listings.
I prefer solution b).
Opinions please. Teallach (talk) 18:38, 15 February 2024 (EST)

An interesting point. So basically Locus1 has two types of records. One type covers editions published between 1984 and 2007 and includes publication details. The other type covers first editions (including editions published before 1984) and only lists their year and publisher. In an ideal world, we may want to create a separate Secondary Verification type for the latter and call it something like "Locus1-First Edition". Unfortunately, I am not sure it would be feasible since we have over 50,000 Locus1 verifications and separating them would be a very time-consuming project. If we decide not to do it, then I agree that we should update Reference:Verification_Sources to reflect the fact that not all Locus1-verified publication records can be expected to have publication level data.
As far as cases like David Gerrold's Chess with a Dragon go, I would reword Notes. Instead of saying "Locus1 fails to list this pub (as of 2010-06-21)", I would say something like "Locus1 doesn't have a detailed record for this edition, but multiple records for reprint editions refer to it as the first edition." Ahasuerus (talk) 12:48, 16 February 2024 (EST)
Yes, I realised when I started the thread that if we disallow the Locus1 indirect listings there could be a legacy issue of past records SVd to Locus1 that would be difficult to amend. This is often a problem when rules and standards are changed. So although in theory I would vote to disallow these cases, I accept it is not practical to do so. Consequently I am happy with leaving them as they are and updating Reference:Verification_Sources to reflect the fact that not all Locus1-verified publication records can be expected to have publication level data, which we both agree with.
I am working on David Gerrold / Chess with a Dragon and so will incorporate the change to the Locus1 pub note as you suggest. Teallach (talk) 17:08, 16 February 2024 (EST)
Hearing no objection, I have clarified the "Locus1" row of Reference:Verification Sources. Thanks for identifying this issue. Ahasuerus (talk) 14:12, 26 February 2024 (EST)
Thank you. Teallach (talk) 16:27, 2 March 2024 (EST)

Necronomicon in Sweden

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=d+bergho&type=Name; First name likely misspelled by PV (or magazine it appeared in) and essay is in second name's record with a much earlier date. --Username (talk) 23:47, 15 February 2024 (EST)

Garland Library of SF

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?8067; I made a couple of edits adding archived link, LCCN and cover image to Past Master when I noticed that there is 1 book in the series with a UK price and 1 without any price. So if anyone can fill in the missing one and add US one (moving UK to notes) for the other then everything will be uniform. --Username (talk) 09:44, 16 February 2024 (EST)

Lou J. Berger

The author has requested we change his canonical name from Lou J. Berger to "Lou J Berger" (no period after the "J"). See mod note here. Any objections? John Scifibones 15:32, 16 February 2024 (EST)

Checking Amazon.com's Look Inside, I see that the name was spelled "Lou J. Berger" in 2013-2014 and changed to "Lou J Berger" in 2015/2016. By now the majority of the stories use the "Lou J Berger" form of the name, so it should be our canonical name. We just need to make sure that we use the right form for the transitional (2015-2016) period. Ahasuerus (talk) 16:05, 16 February 2024 (EST)
Author attributions were reviewed and corrected resulting in compliance with the author's request. John Scifibones 15:16, 17 February 2024 (EST)

Locus on Microfilm

I recently added links to the handful of random print issues of Locus that are on Archive.org, one a very early issue and the others more recent, but I just stumbled on a huge cache of microfilmed 1973-2015 issues uploaded by MicrofilmIssueGenerator so I added a link, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5893289. Not sure if this is known about already but if not I'm sure it will come in handy here for research. --Username (talk) 19:39, 16 February 2024 (EST)

Server maintenance 2024-02-18 at 11am EST

The server will be down for maintenance later today (2024-02-18) between 11am and 11:10am EST. Ahasuerus (talk) 10:20, 18 February 2024 (EST)

The server is back up. Ahasuerus (talk) 11:06, 18 February 2024 (EST)

Sword of the Samurai

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5894874; I have owned a copy since the 1980s and PV it here in 2022, copy uploaded to Archive.org last summer but not added until a few days ago, I think I got the right page count but if anyone disagrees feel free to tweak it a bit, you don't have to ask me. --Username (talk) 11:41, 18 February 2024 (EST)

I see a note in the UK edition's record here says [236] so I think they counted the illustration between the first 19 pages and the start of the novel itself. Should that count? --Username (talk) 11:44, 18 February 2024 (EST)
I would count it one way or the other, either as part of the introductory material (so, technically on [20]) or as part of the main material. A page number on that first page of main text would have been a useful guide.... I found an eBay listing of the Puffin edition that has some interior photographs. Not of the page in question, but the TOC and other leading material looks identical to what Archive.org shows for the edition you have. Extrapolating that to content that follows it suggests Reginald did count that illustration as part of the main material. Given the [236] there, what I will do is tweak your count to [236] and add a note about the illustration's appearance relative to the text on the surrounding pages. Just trying to save you an edit cycle; feel free to adjust it to be however you prefer -- I do not mean to insist on anything. --MartyD (talk) 12:07, 18 February 2024 (EST)
Sounds good, thanks. --Username (talk) 12:18, 18 February 2024 (EST)

Bibliographic impact of the 2023 Hugo Awards

The current pre-release cover of Samantha Mills's debut novel The Wings Upon Her Back says "Nebula and Hugo Award Winner". On 2024-02-17 Mills disavowed the award and announced that she would have "Hugo winner" removed from future editions of the book:

  • “Rabbit Test” unwins the Hugo: ... on Tuesday I’ll send a very awkward email to my agent and editor summarizing the situation ... and figure out the logistics of removing “Hugo winner” from the ebook and future printings. The first print run will be a limited edition novelty, I suppose? Jeez.

This may not be an isolated occurrence since, as Samantha Mills wrote (among other things):

  • On February 14, a report written by Jason Sanford and Chris M. Barkley was simultaneously released on the Genre Grapevine and File770. ... we also got a look at the validation list itself, aka the tables of frontrunner nominees being vetted for the final ballot, and a horrible pattern emerged, especially in the fiction categories: there were a whole lot of Chinese nominees in frontrunner positions who just… vanished, and never made it onto the final ballot. There were so many, in fact, that if I am reading this document correctly: not a single fiction winner (short story, novelette, novella, novel, or series) would have even been a finalist if those nominees hadn’t been taken off.
  • There’s an indicator of why in the apology letter from the admin who leaked the emails and validation tables: “We were told there was collusion in a Chinese publication that had published a nominations list, a slate as it were, and so those ballots were identified and eliminated.”

From our perspective, this means that we will need to:

  • Update the “Rabbit Test” Award record to indicate that the author disavowed the award, similar to how this award record explains that Judy-Lynn del Rey's posthumous "Best Professional Editor" award was refused by her husband Lester del Rey.
  • Keep an eye on The Wings Upon Her Back to make sure that the correct covers are used for the first and any subsequent editions of the novel.
  • Be on the lookout for possible other announcements of authors disavowing 2023 Hugo awards.
  • Occasionally check "Worldcon Intellectual Property" announcements. On January 30, 2024 they issued a statement censuring multiple people "for actions of the Hugo Administration Committee of the Chengdu Worldcon" and said that "There may be other actions taken or to be taken that are not in this announcement." If and when they make additional statements about the Hugos awarded at the 2023 Worldcon, we may need to update our records.

Ahasuerus (talk) 12:55, 19 February 2024 (EST)

Earlier today Adrian Tchaikovsky disavowed his 2023 Hugo award for Best Series on his Web site. The award record has been updated. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:56, 21 February 2024 (EST)
These notes are exactly the correct action for us, I think. If we had notes for an award year, it would probably be desirable to add something for the 2023 Hugos. Although, getting a properly neutral description of the controversy free of personal biases (and I have many in this instance), would be tricky. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 10:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
One of the challenges that the 2023 Hugos present is that it's still a developing story. What we knew 10 days ago is very different from what we know today. Perhaps we'll learn more in the future.
For example, back in late January I came across a re-post/translation of a Chinese fan's comments about the Hugos. The post stated that the fan had been involved in the Hugo process (committee member?) and that he or she had a conflict with Chinese members of the Hugo committee with various accusations flying back and forth. At the time I had trouble parsing the post, in part due to lacking context and in part due to the quality of the translation. In retrospect it may have been related to the following email sent by Dave McCarthy on June 7, 2023 at 6:18pm (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_QqmsxQkACoYcxSx2LVqbxD39-DJI_gS/view), which says:
  • Tomorrow I have a 4 hour meeting with my chinese counterparts to look at ballot detail and determine if any ballots are to be voided
Perhaps either this fan or other members of the 2023 Hugo committee may clarify matters at some point. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:33, 22 February 2024 (EST)
It would especially be useful to note that the nomination totals and the EPH points appear to be completely unreliable, since those are noted in each nomination award record. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 10:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
One thing that comes to mind is that we could change the way opening sentences are phrased. Instead of the current "1674 valid ballots cast, 944 valid ballots cast in category" we could say something like "According to the voting statistics released on 2024-01-20, there were 1674 valid ballots cast, 944 valid ballots cast in category". It's not much, but it would at least clarify which version of the stats our records use. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:20, 22 February 2024 (EST)
I've added your suggested text to the records in the Best Novel category. In addition to the ballot count at the head, I've also added it to the nomination numbers at the foot. I think it's more important there as that is where there is evidence of shenanigans. In any case, let me know if it looks good and I can update the remaining records or we tweak it if desired. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 21:26, 27 February 2024 (EST)
Everything looks good, thanks. Ahasuerus (talk) 22:40, 27 February 2024 (EST)
I recall that award year notes has been suggested before and there may be a feature request, though I suspect that how the award tables are structured may make this difficult. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 10:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
Yes, indeed. FR 1086, "Change the award year field to a drop-down list", says "Create a new record type for award years. We can call it something like "award year" or "award ceremony". Once we have it, we will be able to add notes to award years. Notes can be used to specify when the awards were announced, when and where they were given, eligibility rules changes, etc." Unfortunately, as you said, it would be fairly time-consuming to implement. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:12, 22 February 2024 (EST)
In any case, I do have one suggestion for the del Rey award record. We currently have the explanation of the non-acceptance of the award noted in the title field of what should be an untitled award. Perhaps we didn't have award level notes at the point that award was added. I feel that the verbiage in the title should be moved to notes and replaced with "untitled". --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 10:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
I agree. It's exactly as you said -- award records didn't have a Notes field back then. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:12, 22 February 2024 (EST)
I've updated this and expanded the comment as a note taking my queue from Judy-Lynn's Wikipedia article. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 21:26, 27 February 2024 (EST)
Thanks. I have hyper-linked Lester del Rey's name and clarified that he was Judy-Lynn's husband. Ahasuerus (talk) 22:40, 27 February 2024 (EST)

Kater-Bound

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?22308; On all of the web there seems to be only 1 mention of Borgo Press and Kater-Bound together, https://www.lawrenceperson.com/?p=22429, although it does get a handful of hits in a text search, https://archive.org/search?query=%22kater-bound%22+%22borgo%22&sin=TXT&sort=-addeddate. This Archive.org page, https://archive.org/search?query=compton+farewell+bliss&sort=-addeddate, shows 2 editions with one being Borgo but with price on front covered and Kater-Bound sticker on back. Could this be the mysterious Borgo HC mentioned in the book's record? Also, the note about artist is wrong because he's credited on copyright page and back cover, the latter of which can be seen in the cover image. TP PV doesn't respond much so I'm asking on this board. --Username (talk) 13:09, 19 February 2024 (EST)

The Archive.org copy is a library book, and Kater-Craft does library bindings. I believe it is not uncommon to have a retail hardcover edition and a library-binding hardcover edition of the same book. --MartyD (talk) 17:44, 19 February 2024 (EST)
Believe it or not, I have library hardcover versions of Ace Doubles. All should be listed in my opinion. MLB (talk) 01:00, 20 February 2024 (EST)

Miriam Allen de Ford

Per the Spaces in Names subsection of Template:PublicationFields:Author, Miriam Allen de Ford should be standardized as Miriam Allen deFord. However, we have a Miriam Allen de Ford alternate name which was recently edited so the notes copy the rules saying it should be standardized. Instead, I propose we merge the alternate name to the canonical name in accordance with the rules. As there are a number of verified pubs, I will point the verifiers to the this discussion, If there are any objections, then we should probably have a Rules and standards discussions. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 18:28, 19 February 2024 (EST)

I guess it would be like calling somebody named MacIntosh being called Mac Intosh. Still, I'll go with the majority. MLB (talk) 00:58, 20 February 2024 (EST)
No objection to merging, but I think the actual spelling of the name should be made clear in the notes. Linguist (talk) 04:06, 20 February 2024 (EST).
No objection, I had three pubs, two in Croatian language I already corrected, but I have also one in Serbian language. In Serbian language names are written as they are pronounced, in this case same as written. Should I change this one as well? This is publication in question: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2277217 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Debolestis (talk • contribs) .

Ruben De Anda

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1476655; https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2552505; Can anyone find proof that these are the same artists? --Username (talk) 19:45, 20 February 2024 (EST)

I don't know. But The Galaxy Primes (Ace 1976) appears also to be signed by R. De Anda. Horzel (talk) 08:52, 23 February 2024 (EST)
Probably is but since last name is mostly covered it's hard to tell. PV Willem H. noted that it may be Rafael M. De Soto but I doubt it because he has no original cover credits on ISFDB after 1964 and this book is from 1976. There's a copy on Archive.org which I've added a link to in a PENDING edit. --Username (talk) 09:44, 23 February 2024 (EST)

Steve Miller: RIP

For those who may not have seen an announcement, Steve Miller, co-author of the Liaden Universe, et al., died on February 20, 2024 at his home in Maine. His wife, author Sharon Lee, posted this obituary. Phil (talk) 07:41, 22 February 2024 (EST)

I added photo from FantLab which is a little bigger and shows his face better than Fantastic Fiction's photo. --Username (talk) 17:42, 22 February 2024 (EST)

Last User Activity

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?895338; What does this mean exactly? There was a question of contacting this PV RedDragonBooks about something related to a mod note I made and checking their page the last answer they gave or contribution they made was in spring of 2022 but the activity at the bottom of the record linked above says a few days ago. --Username (talk) 09:03, 22 February 2024 (EST)

There are two databases: The wiki and the bibliographic database. What you see for User Contributions on their user/talk page is just their Wiki edits. What you see for Last User Activity in the verifiers' list is the date of their last activity in the bibliographic side -- the Wiki software does not know about that, only about the Wiki. That user did some verifications on 2024-02-18 but hasn't posted anything to the wiki in the past couple of years. --MartyD (talk) 13:56, 22 February 2024 (EST)
Just a quick note to clarify that the software that displays the Last User Activity date checks both the Wiki side and the database side. It then displays the latest date that it finds. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:36, 22 February 2024 (EST)

Ermengarde Fisk = Evelyn E. Smith?

One of my friends pointed me at issue #10 of the 'zine Oopsla, specifically page 13. The "SHORT STORIES" section says: 

 Third goes to another brand-new author, Evelyn E. Smith ... is better known to fandom as the pseudonymous authoress of the "New York Letter" column in Slant--yeah, that's right, she's Ermengarde Fiske.

As I don't know what the accuracy of fan writing was like nearly two decades before I was born, I don't know how reliable this info might be. Any objections to varianting these author records? ErsatzCulture (talk) 13:49, 23 February 2024 (EST)

We already have a pseudonym there: Evelyn Smythe (intentional corruption of Evelyn Smyth E.?) which I think is based exactly on the note you cited above. I am not sure if we have enough evidence to connect the two Evelyn E. Smith's though - while very very likely, the name is not very uncommon. Maybe add some notes to both accounts until we find a better proof that the two are one and the same? Annie (talk) 14:50, 23 February 2024 (EST)
Never mind, I looked at the fanzine itself now - you actually missed the smoking gun while quoting - that award over there is for a story that belongs to Evelyn E. Smith (Tea Tray in the Sky) - so yes, they are the same person. Connect them away. Annie (talk) 14:54, 23 February 2024 (EST)
This is now done. Had a bit of a headscratcher with Ermengarde Fiske having its own alternate names, but I think everything is now correct, with all the authors pointing at Evelyn E. Smith as the canonical, and all of the title records having parent titles with that author record. However I wouldn't say no if someone wants to double check that everything is now as it should be. Thanks! ErsatzCulture (talk) 13:44, 27 February 2024 (EST)

J. Watson

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?224483; What do you suggest is best to add to differ 1966 Thunderbirds artist from Leading Edge writer/artist? He's on Wikipedia so I'll add that link (as Jim Watson). --Username (talk) 19:48, 24 February 2024 (EST)

See Help:How_to_separate_two_authors_with_the_same_name for ideas. Looks like "James Watson (1960s)" would work here and might be more helpful than "(I)". The situation is quite similar to the Jame Cooper examples given in that bullet. In light of the disparity in volume between their bibliographies, I think you could treat the James Watson from the 1980s as "more prominent/widely known in the Spec-Fic world" and leave it with no embedded disambiguation. --MartyD (talk) 12:04, 25 February 2024 (EST)
OK, thanks. --Username (talk) 12:30, 25 February 2024 (EST)

Tem Title

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?67830; Archived link to recently uploaded Chrysalis 9 HC just added by me in a PENDING edit, PV doesn't respond much, PB has one or two active PV so if they can verify it's Hit-and-Run there, too, not Hit-and-Miss, title should be changed. I vaguely remember asking about this long ago after noticing title was different in Tem's online bibliography. --Username (talk) 15:32, 25 February 2024 (EST)

The Hole of the Pit

https://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Community_Portal/Archive/Archive53#Uncanny_Banquet_and_Leisure; Exactly a year-and-a-half ago I asked about Uncanny Banquet and noted the rare novel contained in it; a copy of the Oleander Press edition including the novel with a short story and a poem was recently added to Archive.org so I've added a link in a PENDING edit. Still waiting for a copy of that anthology to show up somewhere...anywhere. --Username (talk) 18:55, 25 February 2024 (EST)

Series sort order?

I was looking at a page for a series and couldn't figure out the basis for the order of the sub-series. First come the numbered sub-series, in numerical order. Then the 'loose' items in chronological order. Then come the unnumbered sub-series, which are neither alphabetical or chronological by any of their contained titles. Is there a particular order to them? ../Doug H (talk) 09:04, 28 February 2024 (EST)

The only order that the display software enforces is as you described above: all numbered sub-series are displayed first and the rest are displayed randomly. I think it would be fairly easy to display unnumbered sub-series alphabetically. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:36, 28 February 2024 (EST)
(after edit conflict) A more thorough review discovered that Summary pages were already sorting unnumbered sub-series alphabetically. I have adjusted the software to do the same on Series pages. Thanks for identifying the problem! Ahasuerus (talk) 18:36, 28 February 2024 (EST)
Since series tend to be written in order, displaying the unnumbered titles in chronological order may make more sense. Although, sub-series wouldn't have a date and extrapolating the date from the earliest contained title would be more complex. Perhaps, numbered items followed by unnumbered sub-series followed by everything else in chronological order. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 18:34, 28 February 2024 (EST)
Could you please clarify what you mean by "items" in this case? Series may contain both title records and sub-series records. They use different, unrelated, numbering systems. For example, a series may contain 3 titles numbered "0.5", "1" and "2", as well as two sub-series numbered "1" and "2". Ahasuerus (talk) 19:36, 28 February 2024 (EST)
I intended items to mean both title records amd sub-series records, either of which may be numbered. What I was suggesting is that within a series (parent), each numbered item would display based on the numbering. In your example, there would be a conflict as there are both titles numbered "1" and "2" and sub-series numbered "1" and "2". Ideally, we would never assert that both a title and a sub-series should occur first in the parent series. Clearly, numbering only applies within the parent series. I believe that for numbered "items", I am not suggesting any changes to how things currently work. I had suggested a chronological sort for the remaining items based on your now corrected statement that they were displayed randomly. Given that we're already sorting alphabetically, it's probably fine to leave things as they are, unless others think a chronological sort would be preferable. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 21:13, 28 February 2024 (EST)

BattleTech Universe

The BattleTech Universe series and it's sub-series all list having an Issue Grid, which suggests they are Serials / Magazines. They look like books to me. Is it a mistake in the software or entry? Might the existence of one Serial in the series propagate? ../Doug H (talk) 09:12, 29 February 2024 (EST)

Yep - if there is one magazine series somewhere in the sub series inside of a bigger series, the whole set and any sunsets of it shows the grid links. It is how the software is built. Annie (talk) 10:00, 29 February 2024 (EST)
Good catch. Bug 842, "Extraneous 'View Issue Grid' links on series pages", has been created. Ahasuerus (talk) 14:15, 29 February 2024 (EST)

Database Backup

Can you please save the database with InnoDB utf8mb4 so accented and Chinese characters will show up correctly? As it now with MyISAM utf8, Иван Константинович Айвазовский shows up as ИванКонстантинович Айвазовский. It makes it hard to work with the database and makes it a lot larger than it has to be. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Catpoolfan (talk • contribs) .

For historical reasons -- the ISFDB project started in 1995 -- ISFDB tables use "latin1_swedish_ci". You can see it if you run "SELECT TABLE_CATALOG, TABLE_SCHEMA, TABLE_NAME, TABLE_COLLATION FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES" in MySQL. Non-Latin-1 Unicode characters are stored in the database as HTML entities. When you see "й" (i.e. "&#1081") displayed, that's because that's what's stored in the database.
There are plans to migrate from HTML entities to native Unicode, but it will be a major project with a number of dependencies. There is no ETA at this time. Ahasuerus (talk) 10:42, 1 March 2024 (EST)

I Stole You

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/publisheryear.cgi?60942+2017; A copy of Tripping... was recently uploaded so I added a link and the stories' numbers, there's also supposedly a copy of Ringman's collection but when I saw the red hardcover I knew that couldn't be right and it wasn't; it's a copy of some old romance novel by Jane Aiken Hodge. I checked all the usual sites but can't get contents page of TP so if anyone can or owns a copy fill in the page numbers if you wish. --Username (talk) 17:40, 1 March 2024 (EST)

Mandarin

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5905095; Is anyone familiar with Mandarin paperbacks who can say why ISBN on back cover doesn't match any other Mandarin PB on ISFDB which (almost) all start with 0-7493? This book's ISBN, 0-09, seems to have been used by Cresset per online searching but there is no mention of them anywhere in it; a couple of Cresset Editions books on ISFDB do have an ISBN which starts with that. --Username (talk) 13:14, 2 March 2024 (EST)

Donkerste Dag

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5905146; Nico Richter has 1 credit on ISFDB for a German Neil Gaiman edition but here he's credited for design. Sheila Metzner is a famed artist and I don't know what Ortikol is so if anyone thinks any of them should be entered as cover artist they can do that. --Username (talk) 14:12, 2 March 2024 (EST)

Shadow Regions

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?295434; The woman who ran the publisher whose imprint put out this anthology, Tammy Perron, apparently was a crook who didn't pay most of the authors or even give some of them copies which is detailed in the link from Absolute Write that I added some time ago. In September 2023 some mysterious person uploaded a copy on Archive.org and it was finally added a few weeks ago (I stumbled on it completely by accident) so I've added a link in a PENDING edit along with the price and the stories' numbers. Maybe it was one of the authors using their own copy because this seems a very rare book with WorldCat not finding any copies; there's only 1 sad review on Goodreads where one of the authors crows about having a story in it...little did he know. According to ISFDB only 3 of the 20 stories have been reprinted since it came out nearly two decades ago so if anyone was interested in reading it you should do so because you never know if old Tammy may crawl out of the woodwork to have it taken down. --Username (talk) 18:55, 2 March 2024 (EST)

Adam L. G. Nevill canonical name

I think it is time to swap the canonical name here to Adam L. G. Nevill. Any objections? Annie (talk) 15:18, 4 March 2024 (EST)

We have 8 book-length works as by Adam Nevill and 8 book titles as by Adam L. G. Nevill. All books published over the last 5 years have appeared exclusively as by "Adam L. G. Nevill". SHORTFICTION: 8 as by "Adam Nevill" and 27 as by "Adam L. G. Nevill".
Given the numbers and the timeline, I think it's fair to say that "Adam L. G. Nevill" is the most recognizable form of his name within the genre as of 2024. Ahasuerus (talk) 16:19, 4 March 2024 (EST)

The Under-People

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3046564; https://archive.org/search?query=the-under-people&sort=-addeddate; No reason for this to be here, it's one of dozens of junk science "non-fiction" books by Norman/Steiger published back in the day. I think it should be deleted. --Username (talk) 23:52, 4 March 2024 (EST)

Collection contents question

When adding contents to a collection which is authored using a variant name, if there is no indication to the contrary, should all the content titles be attributed to the variant author name and then be made a variant of the canonical author name titles if they do not exist? Example: The Witching Hour. The collection author is James Gunn. The copyright page shows the content copyrights as by James Gunn. The included content titles only exist as by the canonical name James E. Gunn. Should these be changed to being authored by James Gunn and then made into variants? Phil (talk) 09:28, 5 March 2024 (EST)

Yes. Remove the three fiction titles, add the three new titles and variant to the canonicals. John Scifibones 09:57, 5 March 2024 (EST)
Done. Thanks.Phil (talk) 11:05, 5 March 2024 (EST)

Hautala Covers

I was entering edits for Rick Hautala books, found Jacobus signature on Moon Walker so Tim Jacobus was entered as the artist; Little Brothers, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?20465, has a name or initials on the lower right, can anyone find out who that is? --Username (talk) 10:45, 5 March 2024 (EST)

ISFDB Server downtime -- 2024-03-06 at 6pm

The ISFDB server will be down for maintenance on 2024-03-06 between 6:00pm and 6:15pm EST. Both the database and the Wiki will be unavailable. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:13, 6 March 2024 (EST)

The server is back up. Ahasuerus (talk) 18:05, 6 March 2024 (EST)

Simulacrum

Tonight I accidentally ended up on the archived SpecFicWorld site which used to be a major hub of speculative fiction but seems to have entirely disappeared from the modern web (whatever you do, don't type specficworld.com on Google and click the link whose description is "Daftar Situs Agen Judi Slot Online Terpercaya Resmi 2023"; that will NOT lead you to what you're looking for). Only issue #9 of Simulacrum, edited and published by the guy who ran the site, Doyle Eldon Wilmoth, Jr., has an archived PDF link but while searching, as I usually do, for random text from an archived story on Google to try and find out if there are any modern sites that still include it I got one hit, the late Tanith Lee's site daughterofthenight.com, because that issue included a reprint of a story by her from Interzone Magazine. That led me to this, https://archive.org/details/@zatoichi01?query=simulacrum&sort=title, which, according to Galactic Central, is the entire 14-issue run. I rarely enter magazines but any self-moderators who don't have to wait for approval can probably do these quickly without much trouble since the contents are a mixture of reprints which will need importing and originals (or at least they're not on this site). There are many well-known authors and artists included. --Username (talk) 23:59, 7 March 2024 (EST)

I'll take a look at it and see what I can do. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 12:48, 8 March 2024 (EST)
I have through issue 10 entered. I'll finish up with the remaining four later. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 20:35, 8 March 2024 (EST)
I've entered all 14 issues now. You can see them here. I did not combine the years into editor series because there are only 14 issues so leaving them all separate makes it easier to get to them (one less click-through). ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 18:32, 12 March 2024 (EDT)

Neglected moderation

Last time I changed something in ISFDB it took days to get a single non-controversial change accepted with hundreds of pending changes. Now it takes weeks with thousands of pending changes. When looking a the recent changes I see lots of self acceptance and accepted automatic changes, but only little moderator activity.

Remembering that it takes at least 4 or 5 rounds to add all information for a translated book that amounts to waiting multiple months for a single book.

If you don't want contributors anymore then say so clearly! ATM I'd wonder if you find people sticking with ISFDB for a longer time with that situation.

To give you an indication how this should go: I added a new word to Wiktionary, it took 4 minutes for first reaction and 1:15 to reach the final entry. --Stoecker (talk) 16:31, 8 March 2024 (EST)

Longer approval times have definitely been a problem lately. Currently we have 1976 pending submissions, 1137 of them by User:Username (many are straightforward additions of archive.org links to publication records), 124 by User:Fixer (a robot account) and the remaining 715 are by other editors.
That said, the ISFDB editing process is very different from what Wikipedia and its offshoot projects use. The latter are much easier to edit, but the quality of the end product varies tremendously. I wrote/rewrote dozens of Wikipedia articles in the mid-2000s, but eventually concluded that trying to keep articles accurate and coherent was going to be prohibitively time-consuming. I occasionally peek to see what has happened to them and their current state is pretty bad. For example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensheviks is full of confused nonsense.
We added the ability to self-approve a few years ago and we are slowly expanding the number of editors who can do so. Hopefully it will help matters going forward. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:56, 8 March 2024 (EST)
Well, my request to do so was simply ignored. --Stoecker (talk) 10:10, 16 March 2024 (EDT)
Nominations require support from other editors/moderators before they can be approved. If a nomination doesn't gain enough support, it is not approved. Ahasuerus (talk) 12:01, 16 March 2024 (EDT)
Which is an endless loop. Because moderators don't care I want self-moderation. But for that I need moderators to care which they don't. An unreachable goal. --Stoecker (talk) 10:05, 23 March 2024 (EDT)

Heide Oberheide

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?127989; I left a PV a note telling them that a T. Canty credit for Parke Godwin's novel Beloved Exile was actually by Oberheide so that will need fixing but another problem I found is that her page at The Paperback Palette says she was born in Canada in 1957, both very different than what ISFDB says. So does anyone know what the real info is? --Username (talk) 22:48, 9 March 2024 (EST)

Found this and this, which both agree on 1943 and Germany and have enough differences that neither seems to be the source for the other. They both strike me as fairly authoritative, especially that first one. --MartyD (talk) 11:23, 10 March 2024 (EDT)

Tales of Terror

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?291626; I added a link to the back cover image on Bookscans in a PENDING edit and noticed there are some copies on eBay which show the first page, 5, with "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" as a title, which means this shouldn't really be a novel but rather a collection of Poe stories adapted by Sudak. Does anyone own a copy who can verify the page numbers of the other stories so they can all be entered? --Username (talk) 12:13, 13 March 2024 (EDT)

Cover artist data entry rules updated

Please note that the "Artist" section of Template:PublicationFields:CoverArt has been updated to reflect current practices. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:02, 14 March 2024 (EDT)

The Message

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1471825; Obscure author and publisher but not obscure enough that it didn't get a Chinese translation, https://archive.org/search?query=brockman-robin&sort=-addeddate, in case anyone fluent wants to enter that; just don't title it The MASSAGE like the uploader did. --Username (talk) 18:37, 14 March 2024 (EDT)

YouTube audiobooks in or out?

I've placed this submission on hold because I'm unsure if YouTube audiobooks should be included here since they are generally not downloadable (instead being streamed). The rules include audiobooks, but also exclude "[w]orks published in a web-based publication and available exclusively as a Web page" (which is pretty much what a YouTube video is), and they say nothing about podcasts. Thoughts? Should this be a Rules and standards discussion? ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:42, 20 March 2024 (EDT)

They are out under the exclusion as they are not downloadable. However we need to extend the Audio-book section of the inclusion section to match the ebooks/electronic publication one above it a bit - especially around podcasts which are not considered magazines for example. So maybe starting a discussion to clarify what audio-materials we want to index is the best choice (while keeping that one on hold until we decide what we want to do) :). Annie (talk) 15:09, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
Okay, moved it over there. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 15:33, 20 March 2024 (EDT)

Barcodes with prices hiding in plain sight

A lot of printed books have prices on their back covers hiding in plain sight. If you look at a barcode on the back cover, next to the ISBN, usually over the smaller barcode next to the ISBN one, there is a number sequence - for example 51595 or 51699. That means $15.95 / $16.99 (5 is the code for $, the rest is the price). The first example is from a book I pulled from my shelf (not genre), the second is from an Amazon book. As back covers are very often visible in Amazon (separately or as part of Look Inside), that may help with adding prices (with an appropriate note) even when Amazon and other retailer have their own ideas on what the price may be (or at the very least it can serve as a confirmation for the Amazon price). It is not there for all books (90000 is a very common code up there) but for the books that have it, it is as good as the old printed prices.

I propose to add this tidbit of information to the Price field help. Meanwhile, I am leaving it here for information :) Annie (talk) 17:21, 20 March 2024 (EDT)

Good idea to add this to the Help. I have sometimes used this for prices. You might like to expand the note to explain other currencies. The smaller 5 digit barcode is the supplementary section of the barcode and contains a EAN-5 code. The first of the five digits is a currency code. If the first digit is 9, that means the supplementary section does not contain price information. It's explained in this Wikipedia article. Teallach (talk) 18:28, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
Yep - we should add all the codes when we are adding the note to the help page. Thanks for the link to the Wiki page - I knew it was there, I did not think to look it up earlier today :) Annie (talk) 18:41, 20 March 2024 (EDT)
I agree that adding a section about EAN-5 codes to Template:PublicationFields:Price would be useful. We could list the commonly used first digits:
  • 0 and 1 -- UK
  • 3 - Australia
  • 4 - New Zealand
  • 5 - US
  • 6 - Canada
and explain special pseudo-price values, i.e. that "9999" means "100.00 or more" while "90000" means "no price given". We could then link to the Wikipedia article or an industry Web page for other scenarios. Ahasuerus (talk) 19:06, 20 March 2024 (EDT)

Webzines to include?

Hello. I have two new pub submissions on hold as they pertain to new webzine entries. Do we want to include these?

Looking through the contents, I say we can include those. Not sure how long-lived these are going to be though... Comments/suggestions from other editors & moderators whether to include or not? (didn't look for past discussion where webzine inclusions were debated...) MagicUnk (talk) 15:35, 21 March 2024 (EDT)

Both produce issues and both are genre -zines. So they are eligible under the "Webzines, which are defined as online periodicals with distinct issues (note that online periodicals without distinct issues are not considered webzines)." rule. How long they survive is irrelevant - even if they produce a single issue, they are in. However, these records will need some massaging post approval :) Annie (talk) 15:41, 21 March 2024 (EDT)
Thought so. The help text says to post and query the editor community - we may want to update that and instead clarify that if a webzine has distinct issues, it is in by default? MagicUnk (talk) 16:09, 21 March 2024 (EDT)
Probably an oversight (we forgot it was there?) after we changed the ROA awhile back to include these. Which of the help pages?
PS: Note that awhile back we even dropped the requirement for the webzine to be genre allowing non-genre ones to be added as any other non-genre periodical (with only genre contents indexed). So yep - a webzine with issues is always in under the genre magazine rules or the non-genre periodical ones. Annie (talk) 16:22, 21 March 2024 (EDT)
Here - see webzine in that section. MagicUnk (talk) 11:00, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
Ah, the one place I did not look at. :) Yep - that needs an update. I will start a discussion so we can get the language crafted. Annie (talk) 11:08, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
Here we go - the proposed new language. Annie (talk) 11:26, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
Rules of Acquisition has it as you mention above - we may want to add non-genre periodicals role there explicitly. MagicUnk (talk) 11:00, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
We do not have them called out in the print periodicals section either but if you think we should clarify that across the board, I won't object. Let's finish the audio-formats discussion we are currently having about changes in the same section of the ROA over in R&S and then I will initiate a discussion about this. Annie (talk) 11:08, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
As an aside, I must say that I couldn't find the ROA immediately - I think it is an important section of the rules. Shouldn't we be adding a link on the main help page? MagicUnk (talk) 11:00, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
I know to look under Policy but you are right, it needs to be a lot more visible here - either as a sublink under the ISFDB Policy link or on its own in the same section. Annie (talk) 11:08, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
I've added a specific link to it on Help:Contents, which is found at the top of most help pages. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:18, 22 March 2024 (EDT)

ISFDB:Verification requests

The ISFDB:Verification requests board is not used much anymore. It seems ISFDB:Help desk and this board have pretty much supplanted it. Do we want to discontinue it? ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:17, 22 March 2024 (EDT)

How about we can turn it into a broader board instead: "Assistance needed/Project Assistance Required/Something along these lines" for example - when an editor starts a project and notices other things that need adding/fixing or finds a source that may be useful and is unable/unwilling to work through it, they can request assistance there. Looking at CS, about half of the posts there in the last couple of years are from that nature and they choke the actual discussion threads and make it very hard for people to notice that something was posted in the discussions. It will be the counter-part of the Help Desk - come to the Help Desk if you want help getting the work done and learning how to do it; come to this board to post a project that needs work but you cannot/don't want to work on. Annie (talk) 14:59, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
I'd be fine with that. I agree this board has gotten rather full lately, making it hard to keep track of things. So maybe change the title to ISFDB:Assistance requests or something? ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 15:11, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
I like the idea. "Assistance requests" may be a bit too narrow for what we are trying to define, but it's the closest that I can think of at the moment. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:46, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
I like "Assistance Requests". If we ever come up with a better name, we can rename and forward. And we have the text under it to add a sentence that describes the scope better. Annie (talk) 15:53, 22 March 2024 (EDT)
"Help Wanted" ? ../Doug H (talk) 09:47, 23 March 2024 (EDT)
I think that there is potential for confusion between "Help desk" and "Help Wanted". Ideally, whatever name we come up with should clearly differentiate between the two boards. Ahasuerus (talk) 10:08, 23 March 2024 (EDT)
Maybe "Research Requests" or "Research Assistance"? ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:45, 24 March 2024 (EDT)
I like "Research Assistance". Ahasuerus (talk) 15:13, 24 March 2024 (EDT)

(unindent) Are there any objections to changing ISFDB:Verification requests to Research Assistance? Ahasuerus (talk) 17:12, 4 April 2024 (EDT)

I'm okay with that. MagicUnk (talk) 06:10, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
If there are no objections, I will ask Nihonjoe to make the change tomorrow. Ahasuerus (talk) 16:50, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
De we want it to be ISFDB:Research Assistance to Research Assistance? The other can be a redirect. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 17:54, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
Probably ISFDB:Research Assistance in order to stay consistent with the majority of other "major" pages. Ahasuerus (talk) 18:05, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
Since there are no objections, please feel free to go ahead and move ISFDB:Verification requests to ISFDB:Research Assistance when you get a chance. Ahasuerus (talk) 13:45, 6 April 2024 (EDT)
Moved! ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 11:31, 8 April 2024 (EDT)
Thanks! I have updated the main Wiki page and everything looks good. Ahasuerus (talk) 11:37, 8 April 2024 (EDT)
The Description up in the panel at the top of all the community boards still say "Help with bibliographic, image credit, and other questions which require a physical check of the work in question.". Annie (talk) 11:49, 8 April 2024 (EDT)
Updated, thanks! The new wording is "Help with bibliographic projects", which is a bit bland and non-specific, but I couldn't think of a better way to summarize the purpose of the new board. Ahasuerus (talk) 12:49, 8 April 2024 (EDT)

Jim/James Burns

I just added a link and did a few other things for the 33rd YBSF edition, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2012677, and searched for others with James Burns as cover artist; only 34th came up, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2209443, but as can be seen PV of TP and HC entered it differently. So maybe consensus about which is "better" should be reached and credits merged. --Username (talk) 18:45, 27 March 2024 (EDT)

Lovecraft Collaborations Book

I was starting to add the audio book edition of this title and discovered that publisher has provided a copy of the pdf version of the book. While we don't have a record for the pdf (it has a different ISBN than the eBook), there are several discrepancies between it and our records. I also have questions other questions about how this title is reflected and while none of the publications are primarily verified, there have been several editors who have touched these records. I thought I'd reach out for comments before proceeding with changes.

  1. We have the title as an ANTHOLOGY and list both the editor and Lovecraft. All the stories are credited to Lovecraft with various co-authors. Personally, I feel that these sorts of collection of collaborations are better typed as COLLECTION as was done with this title.
  2. The title page lists the credits as "By H.P. Lovecraft" over "Edited and Annotated by Finn J.D. John" in smaller type. We have both names in the author field. Since we have this as an ANTHOLOGY, this labels them both as "Editors". Lovecraft clearly didn't edit this book. As I feel this should be listed as a COLLECTION, I also feel that only Lovecraft should be listed in the author field. If the consensus is that it's an ANTHOLOGY, then we only list John.
  3. The stories are listed with both Lovecraft and his co-author on their title pages, whereas we have them all listed by the collaborating author alone. So I intend to swap out which variant of these titles is included. I don't thin this is controversial.
  4. There is a short essay before each section giving biographical details of each co-author. I intend to add these. While not signed, I think we can safely attribute them to John by virtue of his annotation credit.
  5. The PDF lists 5 different formats each with their own ISBN including the "Interactive PDF". Should we add the PDF as a separate title record, or should the PDF ISBN be added in the notes for the ebook edition? I'll also note, that my understanding is that we do list page numbers for pdfs whereas we do not for ebooks.
  6. I'm fairly comfortable that these changes should apply to the 2018 publications based on the 2018 pdf. I'm less certain whether I should make changes to the 2017 edition, or the 2019 omnibus, i.e should we assume the story credits and biographical essays are present in the other editions not listed in the pdf?
  7. I assume adding a note about the PDF being included with the audio book is sufficient rather than duplicating the contents showing the story exists twice (audio and text).

I'd appreciate other's thoughts on these questions. Thanks. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 07:29, 28 March 2024 (EDT)

My mild opinion is that both this and the example you cited should be ANTHOLOGY. They are different from the case where most of the stories are written by Lovecraft alone, with one or two written by him and someone else. While both are Locvecraft-centric, they are primarily showcasing the work of a wide variety of authors. I agree with everything else in your list. --MartyD (talk) 19:55, 31 March 2024 (EDT)
I'm afraid I would still prefer these as COLLECTIONs. If we were to convert them to ANTHOLOGY, we would need to list the editor as the sole author which would move these collections out of Lovecraft's bibliography. I had only cited one example, but there are many similar collections, many of which are verified. For example, see which collections containing the story The Green Meadow. It is contained in two true anthologies. Aside from the 4 editions of the title we're discussing, there is but one other {{P|848648|publication} typed as a ANTHOLOGY. All other publications were entered as COLLECTION or OMNIBUS. In some of these cases, we don't necessarily have the editor and would likely need to move these titles to the uncredited bibliography page instead of Lovecraft's. Beyond the Wall of Sleep is another interesting example. There about 10 "collaborations" in this collection which is a minority, but it is more than one or two stories. If we decide to type these sorts of books as ANTHOLOGY, where would we draw that line? My last point is that it appears to me that these books are published to appear as Lovecraft collections with his name listed more prominently than any editors (if they are listed at all). If we are to reclassify these publication, I'd like to hear from some of the other verifiers. Thanks. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 19:23, 1 April 2024 (EDT)
Since there have been no further responses to this, and the one objection was "mild", I'm going to proceed with these changes. Thanks. --Ron ~ RtraceTalk 12:34, 13 April 2024 (EDT)

"Publication Title-Reference Title Mismatches" enhanced

As per the recent Rules and Standards discussion, the cleanup report "Publication Title-Reference Title Mismatches" has been enhanced to require an exact match between publication titles and their reference title records' titles. New data will become available tomorrow morning.

We are looking at around 10,000 mismatches, so the cleanup effort will be significant, especially considering the fact that many affected publication records have been primary-verified. Ahasuerus (talk) 17:07, 4 April 2024 (EDT)

Canonical name change Charles Eugene Anderson from Chuck Anderson

Any objections to making Charles Eugene Anderson the canonical name and Chuck Anderson the alternate?

  • 17 titles credited to Charles Eugene Anderson.
  • 09 titles credited to Chuck Anderson.
  • 01 title has publications credited to each.

Thanks, John Scifibones 07:51, 5 April 2024 (EDT)

Go ahead, obvious case where the switch can/need to happen MagicUnk (talk) 09:28, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
Hearing no objections, done. John Scifibones 18:45, 9 April 2024 (EDT)

David (B.) Mattingly

Looking through the works credited to Mattingly, it seems to me that "David Mattingly" is the most common (by far), and has been for a long time. There are so many entries, though, this opinion is based only on quickly scanning through the list. Is there a way to get a count of each through database queries? I don't think any of the other aliases are used in a significant amount. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 17:58, 5 April 2024 (EDT)

Just with search and a browser search: 510 with the name David Mattingly; 747 under the canonical; 198 of these 747 of them are "only as by David Mattingly". Just based on that, how we record the names from secondary sources for artists and the fact that the new ones are always without the B. when we get access to the book, I would say it is time to flip the names. I am not volunteering to do it though. :) Annie (talk) 18:58, 5 April 2024 (EDT)

(after edit conflict)

The easiest way that I can think of is to run a few Advanced Title Searches using "Author's Name is exactly David Mattingly". Make sure to click "Get Count" instead of "Get Results". Here are the results that I see:
  • David B. Mattingly: 747
  • David Mattingly: 510
  • Dave Mattingly: 12
  • D. B. Mattingly: 7
  • Dave Maddingly: 1
  • D. Matingly: 1
  • Mattingly: 2
  • David Burroughs Mattingly: 1
Since David B. Mattingly is the current canonical name, it's over-represented. Every "David Mattingly" COVERART/INTERIORART title has a "David B. Mattingly" parent title, but only some of the latter have actual publications associated with them. Firefox tells me that the Summary Bibliography page has:
  • 79 instances of "also appeared"
  • 8 instances of "also as"
  • 132 instances of "only appeared"
  • 207 instances of "only as"
What this means is that 339 canonical titles have only appeared under an alternate name. Another 87 have been credited at least 2 different ways. 339+87-12-7-1-1-2 is 403, which, unless I am missing something, gives us a rough count. I'd need to run database queries to get a better idea, but it looks like "David Mattingly" is slightly ahead of "David B. Mattingly".
P.S. Perhaps what we need is a new menu options to generate this kind of data on demand. Ahasuerus (talk) 19:03, 5 April 2024 (EDT)
That would be cool. Another cool thing would be if we could figure out a way to programatically automate the process of changing canonical names (maybe have a side menu link that appears whenever viewing an author entry). The link would take you to a page where you'd enter the current author ID and the target author ID. We'd have to account for variants on the author name, title variants, and translations (and probably a lot of other things that I'm not thinking of off the top of my head). For situations like this, it would save tons of time in the long run. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 13:37, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
This functionality has been requested a couple of times. Unfortunately, it would be very difficult to implement in a way that would guarantee completeness and accuracy. Not only would the software need to change the way VTs and Alternate Names are configured, but it would also need to change dates (for some titles) and Notes.
Perhaps we could implement something less ambitious but still useful. For example, "Undo all Variants for This Author"? Ahasuerus (talk) 14:22, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
Yeah, it's definitely very complex. I like the "Undo all Variants for This Author" idea, though. What about a "swap canonical authors" option on individual titles? That would be a lot less complex and allow for easier catching of potential issues. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:48, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
I don't see the benefit of an "Undo all Variants for This Author" tool. A variant title only needs to be broken if both the canonical title and the variant tiles have publications attributed. If all the publication(s) are associated with the variant title, a simple merge is the best option. Not only does it save a step by not having to delete the old canonical, but it saves all the information. Some data is only stored in the "parent title", plus any edit history. John Scifibones 15:38, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
I'm slowly working through all of them. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 19:42, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
I have completed moving all the records to David Mattingly. I think someone else was moving them, too, so thanks to them, too. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 19:32, 22 April 2024 (EDT)
Joe, thanks for sorting this out. I noticed Zapp was helping you. John Scifibones 19:38, 22 April 2024 (EDT)

Server downtime -- 2024-04-06 at 2pm

The ISFDB server will be down for maintenance between 2:00pm and 2:10pm. Both the database side and the Wiki side will be unavailable. Ahasuerus (talk) 13:28, 6 April 2024 (EDT)

The server is back up. Ahasuerus (talk) 14:05, 6 April 2024 (EDT)

The Prequel Trilogy

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934500; I have a question about the publisher of this 2007 Star Wars omnibus; there is no mention of Ballantine in the book so it should be similar to the last one on this list, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/se.cgi?arg=del+rey&type=Publisher, but without the SFBC. Should I change publisher to LucasBooks / Del Rey? --Username (talk) 11:30, 7 April 2024 (EDT)

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934540; I changed publisher on this one since they were still with Ballantine in 2000. --Username (talk) 12:22, 7 April 2024 (EDT)
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934546; Another change from 2005 when they were still together. I don't see any cover artist credited that someone entered here or any sign of the excerpt mentioned on the book's copyright page. EDIT: One of the earlier editions has a note here saying they got artist from his site. --Username (talk) 12:31, 7 April 2024 (EDT)
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934585; Another one from 2006; this one actually has a PV so I'll leave them a message. --Username (talk) 13:12, 7 April 2024 (EDT)
And a final one, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/view_submission.cgi?5934586, 2005 HC, PV is gone so no need for a note. --Username (talk) 13:18, 7 April 2024 (EDT)

Semaphore

https://www.lulu.com/fr/search?contributor=Marie+Hodgkinson; While adding PDF story links from Tartarus Press at their old freepages.pavilion.net site the last one I linked was a story by Rebecca Lloyd that was entered here as original to her 2014 collection but was actually published in 2007 in a magazine called Semaphore, no issues of which are on ISFDB, but I found that Lulu page above so anyone who likes entering magazines can add a lot from that. The editor has a page here, https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?143960. --Username (talk) 13:41, 9 April 2024 (EDT)

https://web.archive.org/web/20240000000000*/semaphoremagazine.com; PDF of some (all?) issues at this site. --Username (talk) 13:50, 9 April 2024 (EDT)
Looks like it has archived PDFs of all but the last issue (issue 15) from June 2011. I'll work on these. The first issue is now here. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:32, 9 April 2024 (EDT)
Okay, I think they're all entered (15 issues in total). I also found a couple anthologies collecting the stories and poems voted best by readers of the magazine. I don't know if there were more than the two anthologies. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 13:33, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
Excellent. Only thing I think you forgot is June 2008's cover artist. --Username (talk) 14:07, 10 April 2024 (EDT)
Fixed! ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:11, 10 April 2024 (EDT)

David Ireland

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?3106; I just made edits adding the Allen Lane HC of City of Women and adding a link to Mortal Fire where the 1982 short story is from and noticed that the Wiki page makes no mention of any art so I think the famed Australian novelist and the artist are 2 different people. --Username (talk) 10:28, 11 April 2024 (EDT)

Canonical name change Jody A. Lee from Jody Lee

The artist's website and SFE use Jody A. Lee. While the majority of her early work was credited to 'Jody Lee', the shift to 'Jody A. Lee' is clear. Here are the current statistics.

  • 111 titles credited to Jody A. Lee.
  • 73 titles credited to Jody Lee.
  • 26 titles hasve publications credited to each.

Are there any objections to making Jody A. Lee the canonical name and Jody Lee the alternate? John Scifibones 14:24, 11 April 2024 (EDT)

Sounds good to me. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 15:41, 11 April 2024 (EDT)
No objections here. Ahasuerus (talk) 15:47, 11 April 2024 (EDT)
Hearing no objections, done. John Scifibones 17:47, 15 April 2024 (EDT)
https://ixgallery.com/artists/jodylee/; Here's her photo in case someone wants to upload it to the wiki. --Username (talk) 17:58, 15 April 2024 (EDT)
✓Done! ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 12:28, 17 April 2024 (EDT)

ISBN hyphenation changed

As I am sure most of you know, different publishers' ISBNs are hyphenated differently. Possible permutations include:

  • 978-1-64973-127-2
  • 978-1-9821-9317-1
  • 979-8-200-29585-2
  • 979-10-281-0150-3
  • 979-8-9856919-6-2

"The International ISBN Agency" maintains a list of rules which determine in which positions hyphens are supposed to appear. Almost all publishers follow them, although there have been some exceptions, notably Tor prior to 2007.

When ISFDB 2.0 was developed in 2004-2006, the rules -- as they existed back then -- were manually incorporated in the ISFDB software. What we didn't realize at the time was how complex the rules would become over the course of the following 20 years. As the number of publishers (and self-publishers) exploded, the International ISBN Agency had to create more and more rules to accommodate the growth and the ISBN handling part of the ISFDB software, which was last updated in 2010, fell hopelessly behind. The result was that many ISBNs were hyphenated incorrectly when displayed on ISFDB pages.

Earlier today I deployed a fairly big patch which changed the way the ISFDB software determines where hyphens are displayed. We now follow the International ISBN Agency's current rules to the letter. There is also a way to update our rules programmatically whenever the Agency rolls out new rules. I expect that we will be doing it a few times a year, which will let us stay more or less in sync with the Agency. (We also have special exceptions for Tor and the other 2 publishers which didn't follow the rules prior to 2007.)

As always, if you come across any issues with this software change, please let me know. Ahasuerus (talk) 14:07, 16 April 2024 (EDT)

Thanks for all your hard work behind the scenes on stuff like this. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 15:03, 16 April 2024 (EDT)
To quote Damon Knight, I am here to serve man! :-) —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Ahasuerus (talk • contribs) .

Publication Title Without a Related Title Record

I am about to create a new pub record under That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis. There is a subtitle on the title page so the full, correct publication title is: That Hideous Strength: A Modern Fairy-Tale for Grown-Ups. Looking at the title record I see there are five publications (three of which have been PVd) with this subtitle. However, they do not have a related title record "That Hideous Strength: A Modern Fairy-Tale for Grown-Ups" and consequently there is no varianting. Is this correct and if so why? Teallach (talk) 18:42, 17 April 2024 (EDT)

It is not correct. The publication title should match the reference title. This report highlights 1000 exceptions each day (I don't know the selection algorithm). First determine, subtitle or no subtitle, which should be the canonical? It's also a good idea to review the publications and make sure they are recorded correctly. Whichever you determine, it will be a multi-step edit. Ask if you have questions. If I'm online, ping me and I'll approve as you submit. John Scifibones 20:14, 17 April 2024 (EDT)
You have confirmed my suspicions. The cleanup report to which you refer does not include "That Hideous Strength" so I guess it's because it is limited to 1000 records. I'm happy to clean up this title. I'm satisfied that "That Hideous Strength" (without subtitle) is the more appropriate canonical title. I have inspected the five pub records with the subtitle and each looks internally consistent. Three of these have PVs. Do I need to consult with PVs or can this sort of housekeeping be performed without PVs' consent? Teallach (talk) 12:42, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
It's not necessary to contact the PV's. You're merely correcting the reference title. I know you intend to perform all the steps and will indicate such in the note to moderator. I noticed this title wasn't on the report. Perhaps Ahasuerus will chime in and explain the algorithm determining which titles to report. John Scifibones 15:45, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
First step submitted: Unmerge titles. Teallach (talk) 16:26, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
Approved, John Scifibones 16:33, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
Step 2 submitted: merge the 5 reference titles of the subtitled version. Teallach (talk) 17:12, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
Approved, John Scifibones 17:17, 18 April 2024 (EDT)
Step 3 submitted: make subtitled version a variant of canonical title.
Think that's it for the pubs but I can see there's more work to do:
A) These two pubs: Macmillan 1966 and Macmillan 1977 have the variant title but the same canonical coverart title records. So I'm pretty sure these need to be changed. The only way I can see to do this involves five more edits:
Step 4) edit one of the pubs (1966, say) and create a second coverart record under the variant title
Step 5) variant the coverart record
Step 6) import the variant coverart record to the 1977 pub
Step 7) remove the canonical coverart record from the 1966 pub
Step 8) remove the canonical coverart record from the 1977 pub
Is there a more efficient way to do this?
B) Those same two pubs contain an essay Preface (That Hideous Strength) which has a disambiguator under the canonical title. Does the disambiguator have to be changed to the variant title. I'm unsure about this because the phrase is only a disambiguator; it's not actually part of the title of the essay. Can you please advise.
My goodness, this is long-winded! Teallach (talk) 18:11, 18 April 2024 (EDT)

(unindent)
Submit two edits for each pub. (All four at once)

  • Submission 1 - Add the new variant titles, COVERART and preface.
  • Submission 2 - Remove the canonicals.

Since these submissions will generate change notices, reference this conversation in the note to moderator. After I approve all four, I'll perform the two merges. You will just need to link the variants. John Scifibones 18:48, 18 April 2024 (EDT)

Yes, I see where you're going with this. About the same number of edits but fewer Wait For Approval stages. Four edits submitted. Teallach (talk) 07:12, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
Approved, John Scifibones 07:22, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
Two Make Variants submitted. Teallach (talk) 07:52, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
I've checked all the affected records and everything looks good to me apart from one error that must have been present before we started the cleanup: the date of the canonical title of the Preface (correction submitted). So I think we've finally reached the end. If there's anything I've missed, let me know. Many thanks for all your assistance with this John. Much appreciated. Teallach (talk) 16:34, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
Fortunately, there is a scan of the first edition in the internet archive. I added the preface and a link to the scan here. As you know, the canonical is dated to the first appearance, even if it is as a variant. I put your submission on hold, assuming you would rather cancel than have me reject it. I enjoyed working on this with you. Ping me anytime. John Scifibones 18:43, 19 April 2024 (EDT)
Oh, that's interesting. It hadn't occurred to me to look for an archive of the first ed because I had looked in Currey who states the following regarding the first Pan pb (1955): 'adds new author's "preface"'. So it's possible that there are two different prefaces. This requires more research which I don't have time to do now and may not have the resources anyway. But it's fine to leave the ISFDb records as they are for now; they are all self consistent. I have cancelled my submission. Teallach (talk) 04:46, 20 April 2024 (EDT)

Trademark markings in titles

My understanding is that we generally don't include symbols like ® and TM in titles because they usually indicate information about the title but are not usually part of the title. As JLaTondre wrote in 2012, "There is distinction between a title that has a '®' or 'TM' as part of the title and a title that adds the '®' or 'TM' for legal reasons." I'm asking because I ran across this title that has one as part of the title, and I don't think it's actually part of the title itself, but rather added for legal reasons. This might be something we should clarify on Help:Screen:Title. This was discussed way back in 2007, but I haven't yet found any more recent discussions (outside of the 2012 one I mentioned above). Thoughts? ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 12:51, 23 April 2024 (EDT)

I'm the editor with the sole PV for that ebook pub. I have no objection to removing it since the trademark symbol really only applies to the "Liaden Universe" portion of the title. It is on the title page and cover that way. Clarification of the rule would be a good idea. Phil (talk) 13:44, 23 April 2024 (EDT)

Supermonsters

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2600565; I added Supermonsters as a variant (and subbed a better cover image) but it's from 1986 like the German parent so if anyone can find a copyright page scan which verifies the month is earlier the American cover would become the parent; I couldn't find one, but I do see on eBay that Archway released a much earlier PB in Sep. '78 with a photo of the cool American-added demon from the 1950s film Night/Curse of the Demon on the cover but the 2 sellers that showed the copyright page have editions that say 1 2 9 8 below the printing info; whether that's a number line or what I don't know but if anyone owns a copy you may want to enter yours. --Username (talk) 09:47, 24 April 2024 (EDT)

Ray Daley possible death

It's possible Ray Daley has died, though I haven't found an obituary or any other official report. He was in the hospital since the end of March due to a heart attack, and a number of people are posting condolences on an open call group on Facebook as well as on his profile there. I'll try to keep an eye on it and keep looking for an obituary or other official report. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 11:01, 24 April 2024 (EDT)

日本SFファンドム賞 (Japan SF Fandom Award) entry completed

It took me almost a year to do it (due to various things distracting me from it), but it's done. Please let me know if anyone has any questions. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 19:51, 24 April 2024 (EDT)

And related, I've completed entering the recipients of the Takumi Shibano Award. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 20:42, 24 April 2024 (EDT)

Shadow People

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?3356; Long-gone PV of C$ Dell ed. entered just "Jones" as artist here, one or the other should be decided on and the 2 merged. --Username (talk) 09:43, 26 April 2024 (EDT)

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