Difference between revisions of "ISFDB:Research Assistance"

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{{Isfdb-general-header}}
 
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{{Shortcut3|shortcut1=ISFDB:VERIFY|link1=ISFDB:VERIFY|shortcut2=ISFDB:VR|link2=ISFDB:VR|shortcut3=VERIFY|link3=VERIFY}}
 
{{Isfdb-verification-requests-archives}}
 
{{Isfdb-verification-requests-archives}}
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[[Category:Bibliographic Projects|Verification requests]]
 
[[Category:Bibliographic Projects|Verification requests]]
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__TOC__
  
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== An Alien Land: Kirinyaga series? ==
 
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Hi, it seems strange that the collection ''An Alien Land'' is attached to the Kirinyaga series (http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?48 or http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?2452), but the included short stories are not (not even one). If not linked (I cannot check, I have the ''Kirinyaga'' book but not the ''An Alien Land'' one), the collection itself should be unattached too, right? Anybody knows or can check? ---
 
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[[User:Gilr|Gilr]] 08:15, 11 January 2020 (EST)
 
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:I removed the series from the collection. [http://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/resnick_mike SFE3] states "Some of the Kirinyaga material also appears in An Alien Land (coll 1997), where other stories based on the African model, like Bully! (1990 chap), are also assembled." So seems some of the individual stories are part of the series (which is we don't have marked currently, but need to know which ones) but the collection as a whole is not. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 10:37, 12 January 2020 (EST)
 
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== Julian Jay Savarin Lemmus triology ==
 
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Re [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?3638 this series]
 
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Various internet sources and sites (twitter, pinterest, 70sscifiart tumblr) all point to the artist for this trilogy being Joe Petagno. These are stylistically like other images he has done for speculative fiction books - BUT - I can't pin down where the sites derived that credit from.
 
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Any thoughts  ? --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 14:48, 10 February 2020 (EST)
 
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:The illustration for #1 and #2 is on page 35 of Holdstock's [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?204909 Encyclopedia of Science Fiction]. Looks like you own a copy. --[[User:Willem H.|Willem]] 16:21, 10 February 2020 (EST)
 
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::Thanks Willem. Couldn't recall where this image was featured so I will check. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 16:09, 11 February 2020 (EST)
 
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== Doug Chiang Robotoa ==
 
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I picked up a copy of this [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?67766 this] book, however mine is [https://isbnsearch.org/isbn/0811843475 this version].
 
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Differences are:
 
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1. Text is entirely in French
 
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2. ISBN is 0-8118-4347-5
 
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3. Has an "Introduction" on page 4 as oposed to a Foreward by Doug Chiang
 
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4. Divided into 11 chapters
 
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4. Nas no number line
 
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5. Cover has "Seuil Chronicle"
 
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According to [https://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_bks&q=0-8118-4347-5&fq=dt%3Abks World Cat]Seuil Chronicle is the publisher but ISBN search (linked above) gives publisher as "Chronicle Books Llc"
 
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Anyone advise please ?--[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 10:43, 14 February 2020 (EST)
 
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: What is the publisher in the book besides the cover? From what I see in [https://www.noosfere.org/livres/niourf.asp?numlivre=-317109 Noosfere], it looks like a double publisher to me (they have Seuil / Chronicle). [https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb39301920g BNF] confirms the double publisher "[Paris] : Seuil ; [San Francisco] : Chronicle, DL 2003". So either pick one as the publisher and add the other in the notes or make a publisher from the two together (I really do not like this practice...) and when we get the multiple publishers per record, we will fix that and have both...  [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] 13:27, 14 February 2020 (EST)
 
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::Thank you Annie. I'll "add new chapbook" in that case. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 21:20, 14 February 2020 (EST)
 
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== Worlds of If, A Retrospective Anthology: ISBNs for hardcover & trade paper versions ==
 
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I've PV'd both versions of this book: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?33029. The copyright pages are identical, so both have "ISBN: 0-312-94471-3 (paperback), 0-312-94472-1 (hardcover)". I believe that copyright notice is a typo, the ISBNs are switched. Evidence:
 
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- the trade paper version has the 94472-1 ISBN on its back cover
 
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- the hardcover version has the 94471-3 ISBN on its jacket back AND on jacket front flap
 
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- In the HomeBase 3 utility that's used to add books to ABE, the "ISBN Lookup" function finds the hardcover for 94471-3, and the softcover for 94472-1
 
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Worldcat doesn't note the binding for either ISBN. Is there any other source to check? If we agree the copyright pages have it backwards, I'll edit both listings. Thanks. [[User:Markwood|Markwood]] 06:14, 18 February 2020 (EST)
 
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:I would note what you have observed and treat what you see on the covers (note that's two different "sources") as correct and what's on the copyright page as a typo.  One other minor clue: the first issued would probably have the lower ISBN, and hc tends to have priority over pb....  FWIW, [https://www.philipjosefarmer.com/ShoFic/SFditbg.htm this site] notes the copyright page has the numbers switched.  --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] 20:19, 19 February 2020 (EST)
 
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:I don't know how reliable it is, but [https://isbnsearch.org/isbn/0312944713 this site] gives hardcover for the 1-3 ISBN.  --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] 20:22, 19 February 2020 (EST)
 
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::OK. I'll submit the edit today. Thanks for the info & guidance, Marty. [[User:Markwood|Markwood]] 10:08, 20 February 2020 (EST)
 
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== Anthropolgy Through Science Fiction ==
 
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I discovered the art for the coverer of [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?303380 this book] to be the work of M.C. Escher referenced (amongst other  wesite sources) [http://www.artnet.com/artists/mc-escher/band-bond-of-union-oLeydvf3hNZn2gAW5bNuCQ2 ere]
 
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As I am not cpmpetant with HTML codeing for adding links into the notes I'm merely going to add the cover artist and a note regarding the title of the piece but would be most appreciative if someone better clued-in to the nuances of HTML to add a note to the entry linking to the site above. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 13:58, 13 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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:Done. Tweaked the wording a bit in order to add the link. Feel free to change or let me know what you want it to be if you have a different preference. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 14:22, 13 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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::It's fine. Thank you JLaTondre. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 16:48, 13 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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== William Causett's "Pirates in Space" ==
 
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We have {{A|William Causett}} as an alternate name for {{A|Erroll Collins}}. However, [http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/causett_william SFE3] states "Causett has sometimes been identified as a pseudonym of the woman who wrote as Erroll Collins, but stylistic evidence suggests otherwise." Anybody have information to shed on this? Or should we break the alternate name and add that note Causett's summary page. Thanks. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 11:03, 16 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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:I have broken the alternate name & added the SFE3 information to the author's summary page. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 10:48, 19 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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== The Bowman Test ==
 
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Discovered via messages on Twitter that the cover art for [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?177581 this] is Dean Ellis. Identical  to [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?174941 this]. I've notified the PVs and made the edit. Is linking to the Candy Man version automatic ? --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 10:41, 18 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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:Those two image are similar, but not the same. The figure & backgrounds are different. As such, we would not variant them to each other. Is the ID based on other information than they look the same? --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 11:09, 18 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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::I'll make further enquiries on this matter with the chap on Twitter and let you know. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 04:28, 19 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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:::Response fron the chap on Twitter thus "The figure is very similar in style. The same form, the same style of leg details, etc. i.e. the same artist. It's clearly Ellis even if they want additional proof." Perhaps a note to state the art is "possibly by Ellis" or something --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 09:22, 19 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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::::That's a pretty standard human form & there are differences between the two (including in the legs). Doesn't seem definitive enough to credit Ellis based on comparison alone. I have added a note to the pub stating that it could be Ellis based on the similarity. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 10:43, 19 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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:::::Thank you. All of this was in response to a request from somone on Twitter who isn't a member of ISFDB. I told him that a note might probably be the best outcome to hope for so I appreciate you doing so. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 22:17, 19 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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== Creatures of Light and Darkness ==
 
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Hi, I always thought that the novel [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?13719 Creatures of Light and Darkness] was also released as three parts: [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?54300 Creatures of Light], [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?54310 The Steel General] (which contains a note "Note: Separately published section of 'Creatures of Light and Darkness'") and [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?54318 Creatures of Darkness] (in '''''If''''' then '''''Galaxy'''''). But the serialization parts are not listed in the novel page. Or is it a fix-up? If so, it may be a note in the novel page. Or I'm totally wrong? Thanks!
 
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--[[User:Gilr|Gilr]] 10:17, 19 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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== Analog March 1978 ==
 
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This issue includes a short story "To Keep and Bear Arms". Content page credits Larry Matthews; Story title page credits Jeff Matthews.I'm wondering how Larry Matthews was determined to be the actual name of the author? Shouldn't there be a reference to the discrepancy in notes?
 
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:If so, you're right! It seems that this content was entered using just the table of contents. Unfortunately, there's only one of the PVs active right now. Would you like to ask [http://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/User_talk:Rkihara Rkihara] about the matter (or shall I do this for you)? And do you have any idea what '(1970s)' might mean? [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] 14:05, 29 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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::Not much experience here so not sure of the process. I have scans of the two pages if they're required. So I'm OK with some help from you. No mention of "1970s" in the story or on the content page.
 
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::: Since Rkihara is only sporadically available, and you seem to own a copy of the issue in question, the easiest way seems to be that you also PV that issue, and I do the necessary changes: we do credit by the shortfiction's title page (or heading), not by the ToC, so the entry seems to have to be changed accordingly. If you'd like to try this on your own, I can give you advice on the way. [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] 00:10, 30 April 2020 (EDT)
 
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Yes, would like to attempt it (PV?). Be aware, I only have limited time today. I'll be off work tomorrow with more time available. Thank You.
 
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Looks like I figured out the signature.([[User:Darkstar1951|Darkstar1951]] 14:03, 30 April 2020 (EDT))
 
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:Great! Sorry, for the cryptic PV: it means to primary verify a publication (using one copy of it that you own or have unlimited access to). This is done using the link displayed on the left side. The next step is to change the entry: delete '(1970s)' and change the author's name.
 
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:Then there's a crucial decision to be made: is 'Jeff Matthews' a new author, or is it a pseudonym / alternate name for Larry Matthews? Depending on the decision we have to decide if there's a pseudonym to be established or not. [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] 00:56, 1 May 2020 (EDT)
 
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Jeff Matthews and Larry Matthews are such common names, I imagine trying to determine the correct one to use must be a challenge. I've tried to determine the author with no success. If it helps determine the author, the story makes a clever case for gun control.
 
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On another note, the web site for Larry Matthews (US) links to a "Looks Like This Domain Isn't Connected To A Website Yet!" message.
 
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[[User:Darkstar1951|Darkstar1951]] 11:08, 1 May 2020 (EDT)
 
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::Sorry, what I meant is if there's some note on the author within the magazine which might help to clarify the identity - if there's nothing it might be better to keep the two apart.
 
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:: One remark: please add a 'note to the moderator' into the corresponding field on submitting: it helps the person dealing with it to decide, and it ''is'' mandatory when updating publications that are primary verified by other persons than yourself. Thanks, [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] 00:01, 2 May 2020 (EDT)
 
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Done [[User:Darkstar1951|Darkstar1951]] 14:10, 4 May 2020 (EDT)
 
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== Analog March 2, 1981 ==
 
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Review by Spider Robinson of 'The Search for Life on Mars' lists its author as "Henry S. F. Cooper", not "Henry S. F. Cooper Jr." as listed in the dB. I'm not sure what, if any, changes should be made. I have a copy of the magazine. [[User:Darkstar1951|Darkstar1951]] 14:06, 6 May 2020 (EDT)
 
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: See [http://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Template:TitleFields:ReviewAuthor this]. A note should be added to note that but creating a brand new pseudonym for such cases is not something we usually do.
 
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: In addition, this is one of the books that should not have been added at all (it is not eligible) and this review needs to be converted to an essay. We have a discussion going on on the topic deciding what to do with these books but in the meanwhile, feel free to add a note. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] 14:10, 6 May 2020 (EDT)
 
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== Pig World ==
 
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Regarding [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?237973 this publication]. A review on thr US Amazon site [https://www.amazon.com/Pig-world-Charles-W-Runyon/dp/B000HOY87A/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591272375&sr=8-1 here] states: cover illustration by Ron Walotsky. I can find nothing to substantiate such a claim. It isn't depicted in Inner Visions nor can I find it scrolling through many pages of RW art via Google search. Thoughts anyone ? --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 08:14, 4 June 2020 (EDT)
 
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:I couldn't find any independent corroboration (I did find a couple of additional references, but they all seem to have the same source).  I'd be inclined to add that information to the pub notes but not give an official credit.  --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] 08:41, 6 June 2020 (EDT)
 
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== Jennifer Colgan ==
 
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{{A|Jennifer Colgan}} is currently listed as an alternate name for {{A|Jenny T. Colgan}}. However, SFE3 states[http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/colgan_jennifer] that Jennifer Colgan should not be confused with Jenny Colgan. I'm not seeing any of the Jennifer Colgan books listed on Jenny T. Colgan's website. The Amazon author page for Jennifer Colgan is different than that of Jenny T. Colgan's. There is a separate website[http://www.jennifercolgan.com/] for Jennifer Colgan. It would seem these are different authors. Does anybody have information to indicate these two should not be split apart? --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 22:34, 22 June 2020 (EDT)
 
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: Definitely different authors. I remember looking at them a few years ago and realizing that they were indeed different and leaving them alone. Not sure when we managed to merge them. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] 23:15, 22 June 2020 (EDT)
 
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::I split them apart. Thanks. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 16:57, 23 June 2020 (EDT)
 
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::: I just added notes to both authors - maybe this will stop someone from pseudonyming them again based on the name only. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] 17:01, 23 June 2020 (EDT)
 
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::::Sounds good. I was hoping that both having SFE3 & author website links (plus adding the Bernadette Gardner alternate name) would be sufficient, but doesn't hurt to be careful. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 17:39, 23 June 2020 (EDT)
 
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== Pirates of Venus ==
 
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Anyone know ehere the cover art credit for [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?340702 this] publication came from. It isn't stated anywhere and the PV for that edition was a transient copy. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 14:21, 19 July 2020 (EDT)
 
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:There's an attribution (and thanks) on [https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0748.html this] page under non-USA covers. ../[[User:Holmesd|Doug H]] 17:15, 19 July 2020 (EDT)
 
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::Thanks. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 03:56, 20 July 2020 (EDT)
 
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== Fritz Leiber - The Wanderer ==
 
  
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I have something of a mystery which I'm hoping someomne may be able to shed some light on.
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== Tarzan meeets King Kong ==
  
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Someone pointed me to [http://www.angelfire.com/az/nativebob/images_books/the_wanderer_700h.jpg this] TOR edition of The Wanderer - cover artist Ron Walotsky.
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I sent this novel by Owen R. Leonard, the author published it on Kindle and took it down, he later published a novel called Tzaryd Meets Simian, I couldn't find any source, but from the synopsis, it seems to be a new version of the other novel, can I publish this in the notes?[[User:Hyju|Hyju]] ([[User talk:Hyju|talk]]) 09:17, 4 October 2022 (EDT)
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:Yes, notes like that are great. ···[[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> 12:58, 13 December 2022 (EST)
  
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Adveritised for sale [http://www.angelfire.com/az/nativebob/booklist_bedstand.html here] wherein the ISBN is listed as 1585860492. A search for that ISBN brings up [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?303102 this] ebook version.
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== Breakthrough: The Fall of the Wall ==
  
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The TOR edition shown isn't listed on ISFDB either and the the only TOR edition listed is a SFBC version [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?49492 here] with a different Ron Walotsky cover. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 01:57, 24 July 2020 (EDT)
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I found [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?333046 this pub] but I've got the idea that's not an eligible fiction title. Edit history doesn't show any user but me, who did minor edits. I couldn't find any valid informations or sources in www. Does anybody know more about this title? --[[User:Zapp|Zapp]] ([[User talk:Zapp|talk]]) 06:36, 13 December 2022 (EST)
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:It does not look eligible to me.  I wonder if Neil Gaiman's having something in it is what led to someone adding it. --[[User:MartyD|MartyD]] ([[User talk:MartyD|talk]]) 09:54, 13 December 2022 (EST)
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:: With both editors specialists for comics I do think that it's very likely that there are comics on the downfall of the Berlin Wall assembled in this title. However, there is the quite remote possibility that there's some kind of speculative fiction enclosed (or an illustrated story). I'd think it's best to leave it as it is, until someone gets hold of a copy (or of the original or another translation), and can have a final look. Christian [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] ([[User talk:Stonecreek|talk]]) 12:03, 13 December 2022 (EST)
  
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:Could it be the [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?49494 1986 Tor edition] (the second Tor printing)? We only have data from Locus1 and no cover image. --[[User:Willem H.|Willem]] 16:38, 24 July 2020 (EDT)
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== Futures Forestalled ... for Now: South African Science Fiction and Futurism ==
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::That was my guess at a later point. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 15:15, 25 July 2020 (EDT)
 
  
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== The Turning Place ==
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I don't know, what [https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?935348 that nonfiction] is for? --[[User:Zapp|Zapp]] ([[User talk:Zapp|talk]]) 11:11, 25 February 2023 (EST)
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:It was entered as a nonfiction publication. However, as far as I can tell, it is an essay that appeared in the non-genre magazine <i>Current Writing</i>. I will ping the handling moderator just in case they saw something I didn't. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 15:44, 26 February 2023 (EST)
  
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The spaceship on the cover of [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?173771 this] book is the same spaceship that graces the cover of [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?1762 this] book and is, thus, by Angus Mckie. Although the rest of the image isn't by him. I've notified the PV (Don Erikson) --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 13:34, 29 July 2020 (EDT)
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== John Richards ==
  
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== Logan's Run ==
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Artist 'Roger Davis' is NOT John Richards although Richards did use the name 'Davis' on several covers. Roger Davis is a real person, not a pseudonym for John Richards. The only other name used by Richards was 'Rik' on BLACK-WING OF MARS - Vargo Statten (Scion 1953); DE BRACY'S DRUG - Volsted Gridban (Scion Feb 1953); DRUMS ALONG THE AMAZON - Victor Norwood (Scion Mar 1953); REVERSE UNIVERSE - Volsted Gridban (Scion Dec 1952). <small>—The preceding unsigned comment was added by [[User:Clockrocker|Clockrocker]] ([[User talk:Clockrocker|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Clockrocker|contribs]]) .</small>
  
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A posting on the LOGAN'S RUN FAN CLUB Facebook page makes reference to "the movie tie in is missing the last “0” chapter" This excision isn't mentioned on any publication record for the book although I can confirm that [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?522194 this] edition does have it. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 09:17, 30 July 2020 (EDT)
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== Adding image credit , please ==
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: My copy of the [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?156591 movie tie-in edition] does not have the 0th chapter. [[User:Taweiss|TAWeiss]] 08:30, 19 August 2020 (EDT)
 
  
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== Author: Philip Robinson ==
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Good day,
  
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I was gonna add my edition of <i>Masque of a Savage Mandarin</i> [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0586039341/ref=nosim?linkCode=gs2&tag=authordatabase] when I noticed that the author Philip Bedford Robinson http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?97209 possibly have been combined with another Philip Robinson. Its pretty hard to find much information about them, the best I've found is from SFE [http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/robinson_philip_bedford], which states that the two is not to be mixed up. <i>Masque of a Savage Mandarin</i> seems to be a comedy, while the listed short fiction seems to be pure horror and also published 10 years after Bedfords, according to SFE, supposed death. --[[User:Spacecow|Spacecow]] 17:27, 22 September 2020 (EDT)
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I need help.
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: Fixed. Thanks for reporting it :) We record authors by name (and not by ID) so when two of them share a name, we need to separate manually by changing the name in each title when the main one is not used. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] 19:15, 22 September 2020 (EDT)
 
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:: Very cool. I'll go ahead and add the paperback edition then. --[[User:Spacecow|Spacecow]] 04:29, 23 September 2020 (EDT)
 
  
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== Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler ==
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I would like to have an INTERIOR ART CREDIT added for Author record # 269730 ; Carl Lavoie.
  
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http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?21606
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It’s in the recent
  
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I was about to add my edition of <i>Darkness at Noon</i> when I was greeted with "DO NOT ADD PUBLICATIONS" in the synopsis. Huh, I thought, why is that? Then I realised the book itself is classified as non-genre here at isfdb (and not having read it myself I don't feel I am in a position to argue with that), even though you for example list it for having been nominated for the Prometheus Hall Of Fame. Anyway, I took a quick look in the documentation over non-genre and got the feeling that was the reason publications were not allowed. Is that the case for all non-genre works? No. After looking at 5-10 other, random, non-genre works and all of them having listed publications, I don't think that is the reason. So, what is the reason? I am sure there have been a heated discussion over this book leading to the "DO NOT ADD PUBLICATIONS" treatment and would like to read it. Is possible to provide a link to the underlying discussion when works get special treatment like this? --[[User:Spacecow|Spacecow]] 04:13, 25 September 2020 (EDT)
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Vastarien: A Literary Journal. Vol. 6, Issue 1
  
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: It's just that we don't index stand-alone nongenre works by authors that aren't 'above the threshold' (to be considered as genre authors), and that Koestler seems to be out of scope for this reason, see [http://www.isfdb.org/wiki/index.php/ISFDB:Policy#Contents.2FProject_Scope_Policy our project scope], especially the passage on works that are excluded. Hope that helps. [[User:Stonecreek|Stonecreek]] 06:15, 25 September 2020 (EDT)
+
and it’s the frontispiece illustration, ‘The Evil Eye'.
  
−
:: Sounds fair. I'm ok with someone else taking all these decisions about genre for me. Now, is there anything on the author page that tells me the author is not considered a genre author? --[[User:Spacecow|Spacecow]] 15:24, 25 September 2020 (EDT)
+
Here’s a link to a sample of the issue, the illustration is right after the cover page:
−
::: Not really but a low number of works overall is a good indication in most cases. If you are not familiar with the author, glance at Wikipedia - the genre authors will have the genres mentioned in the first paragraph more often than not. The "threshold" is very subjective so think of "Will I consider this author a genre one?" and if the answer is no, just skip any non-genre books. The rule is meant for authors like Asimov (and making sure we do not index everything by Twain) for example and the less we use it, the better we are IMO. [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] 15:49, 25 September 2020 (EDT)
 
  
−
:::: So, if I try to add a publication to one of Mark Twain's non-genre work, you will decline it? --[[User:Spacecow|Spacecow]] 03:02, 26 September 2020 (EDT)
+
https://www.amazon.com/Vastarien-Literary-Journal-vol-issue/dp/B0CBT4B6D1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28D1CYLFVH4XL&keywords=vastarien+literary&qid=1692175645&sprefix=%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1&asin=B0CBT4B6D1&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
−
::::: Yes. Or if it gets approved (it happens), it may be deleted at any time in the future. We are a speculative fiction DB :) [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] 03:13, 26 September 2020 (EDT)
 
  
−
:::::: It just seems so random. Couldn't you flag an author as non-genre once a moderator has made the decision and display that decision and motivation (with place for discussion?) to your users? And once an author is made non-genre, it would be an easy step to disable uploads of publications to non-genre works altogether. I'm sitting with this book in my hand [https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1237282555&searchurl=an%3Dcapek%2Bkarel%26fe%3Don%26sortby%3D20%26tn%3Dapocryphal%2Bstories&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-image1] and can't find an entry for it on Capek's page, which seems weird. I am just going to assume it has been rejected at some point, cause I hate to spend 30 min digging up information on it just to have it rejected. Additional idea: a section with rejected works (with motivation) for these on-the-border genre-authors I think would be really interesting. --[[User:Spacecow|Spacecow]] 05:32, 26 September 2020 (EDT)
+
And here’s a link to the publisher, listing the content of the recent issue:
−
::::::: It is the other way around really - we add non-genre books from above threshold authors as opposed to just ignoring them for non-genre authors. So if you are a genre author with 3 books that does not mean that your first non-genre book will be eligible - unless whoever adds and moderates interprets the rule that way. So it is usually a safe bet not to add any non-genre books. The problem with adding a marker is that everyone has their own interpretation of the threshold. If you are not sure, post on the Moderator board before posting the book and you will get some opinions... [[User:Anniemod|Annie]] 17:53, 27 September 2020 (EDT)
 
  
−
:::::::: We have repeatedly tried to come up with an exact definition of the [[ISFDB:Policy#Excluded|"certain threshold"]] mentioned by [[ISFDB:Policy]] and we have repeatedly failed :-( A number of different criteria have been proposed, but each one led to exceptions and exceptions to exceptions. For example, if we use e.g. "ratio of genre to non-genre works" as the decisive criterion, should we assign equal weight to novels, short stories and poems?
+
https://grimscribepress.com/issues/
  
−
:::::::: That being said, we do have a feature request to "Add a 'non-genre' field to Author records" ({{FR|860}}, which, once implemented, should help with standardization. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] 18:18, 27 September 2020 (EDT)
+
Thank you. And have a wonderful day.
  
−
== W. Scott Peacock & Wilbur S. Peacock ==
+
-Carl Lavoie
  
−
We have {{A|W. Scott Peacock}} who is an editor and {{A|Wilbur S. Peacock}} who is an author. Both records have the same legal name (Peacock, Wilbur Scott) and year of death, but different years of birth. However, in SFE3's [http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/planet_stories entry] on Planet Stories, they list the author's birth year as 1915 (vs. the 1911 we have) which would match the editor's record. These would seem to be the same person. The only wrinkle is the PS's Feature Flash [https://archive.org/details/Planet_Stories_v01n12_1942-Fa_sas/page/n51/mode/2up article] in the ''Planet Stories'', Fall 1942 issue states "Wilbur S. Peacock came into the office the other day, to discuss a new novelette he has slated for the Planet. Since it was the first time we had met him personally...". W. Scott Peacock is credited as the editor of this issue. The implication being they are different people. But this is also the first issue edited by Peacock so the uncredited article writer could actually have been the managing editor or the prior editor and this conversation was from before Peacock took over. Does anyone have more information this? Like what the source was for the editor's biographical information? Thanks. --&nbsp;[[User:JLaTondre|JLaTondre]] ([[User talk:JLaTondre#top|talk]]) 12:19, 3 October 2020 (EDT)
+
== Suspect book listed on Amazon. ==
  
−
== Gene Wolf - Peace ==
+
Someone on Facebook's Terran Trade Authority group posted a link to [https://www.amazon.co.uk/70s-Sci-Fi-Art-Photo-Book/dp/B0B9QMHBX5/?fbclid=IwAR3ZXS4mN-Nry1X6C2yRL2ja50pE4aq4Ky272key4pa5q_3vbeQ9Uh7qi_8 this] publication which looks decidedly iffy. Book is 30 pages of well known illustrations presumably culled from the Cowley pictoral volumes and maybe other sources. The one image viewable is unhelpful but isn't a very good illustration either. If anyone happens to come across a copy somewhere (like a library or bookshop) a quick leaf through and appraisal would be welcome. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] ([[User talk:Mavmaramis|talk]]) 15:07, 5 November 2023 (EST)
  
−
I spotted that [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?267213 this] edition has cover art credited to Gahan Wilson however [http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?25778 this] edition with the same cover art has it credited to Tony Roberts. Surely the 2nd credit can't be right. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] 01:57, 10 October 2020 (EDT)
+
: The author's name is listed as "Aderyn Alexander". Amazon UK lists [https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AAderyn+Alexander&s=relevancerank&text=Aderyn+Alexander&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1 202 photo books and coloring books] with this credit. Since adult coloring books were massively popular a few years ago, I suspect that the publisher decided to capitalize on the trend, grabbed some images and put a bunch of books together. Here is what a reviewer says about the same author/publisher's [https://www.amazon.co.uk/70s-Sci-Fi-Art-Photo-Book/dp/B0B9QTHZLH 70’s Sci-Fi Art Photo Book: Amazing Artworks Science Fiction Colorful Pictures For Fans]:
 +
:* I thought this was going to be a great book. Turns out it is a print on demand piece. The images are not credited. You don't know who did the art work. They are cropped all wrong. Normally art books have information on the art work. This has none. I feel they did a Google search found high resolution images from the 70s and made this book. Very disappointed.
 +
: On the plus side, the books apparently do exist and even have ISBNs, so they are apparently eligible for inclusion even if we don't know what they reprint. [[User:Ahasuerus|Ahasuerus]] ([[User talk:Ahasuerus|talk]]) 16:11, 5 November 2023 (EST)
 +
::Looking through the entries by this person, I suspect at least some of the work is AI generated, and I doubt the known IP coloring books are properly licensed. The wording on the titles Amazon uses are too marketing-savvy, too. For example the entry for the ''70’s Sci-Fi Art Photo Book'' is "70’s Sci-Fi Art Photo Book: Eroticism Colorful Pages For Adults Men Boys To Relax And Unwind | Ideal Gift For Birthday". I'd be cautious about entering anything from this "Aderyn Alexander". ···[[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, 6 November 2023 (EST)
 +
:::The general concenus on the TTA Facebook group is that the "sci-fi" books listed by this author are highly suspect at best. Cover images use art from Peter Elson, Tim White and Fred Gambino. They are not publications I personally will be spending money buying so won't be entering those publications here. --[[User:Mavmaramis|Mavmaramis]] ([[User talk:Mavmaramis|talk]]) 16:12, 6 November 2023 (EST)

Revision as of 13:37, 9 February 2024


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Tarzan meeets King Kong

I sent this novel by Owen R. Leonard, the author published it on Kindle and took it down, he later published a novel called Tzaryd Meets Simian, I couldn't find any source, but from the synopsis, it seems to be a new version of the other novel, can I publish this in the notes?Hyju (talk) 09:17, 4 October 2022 (EDT)

Yes, notes like that are great. ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 12:58, 13 December 2022 (EST)

Breakthrough: The Fall of the Wall

I found this pub but I've got the idea that's not an eligible fiction title. Edit history doesn't show any user but me, who did minor edits. I couldn't find any valid informations or sources in www. Does anybody know more about this title? --Zapp (talk) 06:36, 13 December 2022 (EST)

It does not look eligible to me. I wonder if Neil Gaiman's having something in it is what led to someone adding it. --MartyD (talk) 09:54, 13 December 2022 (EST)
With both editors specialists for comics I do think that it's very likely that there are comics on the downfall of the Berlin Wall assembled in this title. However, there is the quite remote possibility that there's some kind of speculative fiction enclosed (or an illustrated story). I'd think it's best to leave it as it is, until someone gets hold of a copy (or of the original or another translation), and can have a final look. Christian Stonecreek (talk) 12:03, 13 December 2022 (EST)

Futures Forestalled ... for Now: South African Science Fiction and Futurism

I don't know, what that nonfiction is for? --Zapp (talk) 11:11, 25 February 2023 (EST)

It was entered as a nonfiction publication. However, as far as I can tell, it is an essay that appeared in the non-genre magazine Current Writing. I will ping the handling moderator just in case they saw something I didn't. -- JLaTondre (talk) 15:44, 26 February 2023 (EST)

John Richards

Artist 'Roger Davis' is NOT John Richards although Richards did use the name 'Davis' on several covers. Roger Davis is a real person, not a pseudonym for John Richards. The only other name used by Richards was 'Rik' on BLACK-WING OF MARS - Vargo Statten (Scion 1953); DE BRACY'S DRUG - Volsted Gridban (Scion Feb 1953); DRUMS ALONG THE AMAZON - Victor Norwood (Scion Mar 1953); REVERSE UNIVERSE - Volsted Gridban (Scion Dec 1952). —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Clockrocker (talk • contribs) .

Adding image credit , please

Good day,

I need help.

I would like to have an INTERIOR ART CREDIT added for Author record # 269730 ; Carl Lavoie.

It’s in the recent

Vastarien: A Literary Journal. Vol. 6, Issue 1

and it’s the frontispiece illustration, ‘The Evil Eye'.

Here’s a link to a sample of the issue, the illustration is right after the cover page:

https://www.amazon.com/Vastarien-Literary-Journal-vol-issue/dp/B0CBT4B6D1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28D1CYLFVH4XL&keywords=vastarien+literary&qid=1692175645&sprefix=%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1&asin=B0CBT4B6D1&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1

And here’s a link to the publisher, listing the content of the recent issue:

https://grimscribepress.com/issues/

Thank you. And have a wonderful day.

-Carl Lavoie

Suspect book listed on Amazon.

Someone on Facebook's Terran Trade Authority group posted a link to this publication which looks decidedly iffy. Book is 30 pages of well known illustrations presumably culled from the Cowley pictoral volumes and maybe other sources. The one image viewable is unhelpful but isn't a very good illustration either. If anyone happens to come across a copy somewhere (like a library or bookshop) a quick leaf through and appraisal would be welcome. --Mavmaramis (talk) 15:07, 5 November 2023 (EST)

The author's name is listed as "Aderyn Alexander". Amazon UK lists 202 photo books and coloring books with this credit. Since adult coloring books were massively popular a few years ago, I suspect that the publisher decided to capitalize on the trend, grabbed some images and put a bunch of books together. Here is what a reviewer says about the same author/publisher's 70’s Sci-Fi Art Photo Book: Amazing Artworks Science Fiction Colorful Pictures For Fans:
  • I thought this was going to be a great book. Turns out it is a print on demand piece. The images are not credited. You don't know who did the art work. They are cropped all wrong. Normally art books have information on the art work. This has none. I feel they did a Google search found high resolution images from the 70s and made this book. Very disappointed.
On the plus side, the books apparently do exist and even have ISBNs, so they are apparently eligible for inclusion even if we don't know what they reprint. Ahasuerus (talk) 16:11, 5 November 2023 (EST)
Looking through the entries by this person, I suspect at least some of the work is AI generated, and I doubt the known IP coloring books are properly licensed. The wording on the titles Amazon uses are too marketing-savvy, too. For example the entry for the 70’s Sci-Fi Art Photo Book is "70’s Sci-Fi Art Photo Book: Eroticism Colorful Pages For Adults Men Boys To Relax And Unwind | Ideal Gift For Birthday". I'd be cautious about entering anything from this "Aderyn Alexander". ···日本穣 · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe 14:27, 6 November 2023 (EST)
The general concenus on the TTA Facebook group is that the "sci-fi" books listed by this author are highly suspect at best. Cover images use art from Peter Elson, Tim White and Fred Gambino. They are not publications I personally will be spending money buying so won't be entering those publications here. --Mavmaramis (talk) 16:12, 6 November 2023 (EST)
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