Weblog entry #79 for ajt
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#79
Publishing Bias
Posted by ajt on Wed 14 Mar 2007 at 21:51
I've been reading Pro OpenSSH this week - a nice book by the way. I noticed that the books the author referred to were mostly published by the same publisher (Apress). In one case he suggested a book - which may be okay - but the book I expected, from another publisher, wasn't mentioned at all.
I'm perfectly willing to believe that all publishers favour their own books, but I'd never paid attention before. I had assumed that authors were free to suggest any books they wanted, irrelevant of publisher. Evidently I was wrong...
I'm perfectly willing to believe that all publishers favour their own books, but I'd never paid attention before. I had assumed that authors were free to suggest any books they wanted, irrelevant of publisher. Evidently I was wrong...
Comments on this Entry
There may be legality issues invovled? Like giving free advertising. I don't know if they would have to get permission to use another book's title/information in the book as well?
-Tom
-Tom
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I think not. Normally when you write something you normally cite your sources and suggest further reading. The author should have full control over their work.
From my academic background I'd expect to be able to suggest any reference I felt was appropiate, I'd be pretty annoyed if my publisher suggested alternatieve references that they published.
I don't know if it's active pressure from the publisher or if you submit your manuscript to a publisher you like and therefore it's authour bias, or a bit of both. Either way when a book suggest another book by the same publisher at the expense of a better book from another publisher I'm suspicious.
I don't know if it's just an IT thing or more common, I've not noticed it in non-IT books.
--
"It's Not Magic, It's Work"
Adam
From my academic background I'd expect to be able to suggest any reference I felt was appropiate, I'd be pretty annoyed if my publisher suggested alternatieve references that they published.
I don't know if it's active pressure from the publisher or if you submit your manuscript to a publisher you like and therefore it's authour bias, or a bit of both. Either way when a book suggest another book by the same publisher at the expense of a better book from another publisher I'm suspicious.
I don't know if it's just an IT thing or more common, I've not noticed it in non-IT books.
--
"It's Not Magic, It's Work"
Adam
[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]
Posted by Anonymous (76.18.xx.xx) on Wed 18 Apr 2007 at 04:52
It's not given by the publisher, I actually mostly used Apress references because that's what I had laying around and do (and did) refer to mostly. I thought I referenced a couple O'Reily books in the text somewhere. If not, it certainly wasn't on purpose.
Michael Stahnke
Michael Stahnke
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