Hey John, Whatever became of the Romanian connection and the hundred bucks each that 12 (?) of us sent you?
100% of the money went to the 'insider' working at the the huge diploma mill operation in Romania + the sizeable Western Union fees. As you know, since you got copies, "J. J. Doe" provided a great amount of relevant and fascinating information. The plan was, and is, to return the money (+ bonus) out of the proceeds from the book. The book, most annoyingly, has been delayed from June to September to October and now to January 2005. If you (or others) need (or want) the money sooner, let me know, and of course I'll send it. John [email protected]
$100 well spent, IMO. There was a huge amount of information revealed, some of which had my mouth hanging open. If I make back my money, it's gravy. If I don't, who cares? It's just a damn 100 bucks!
Yes, it is money well spent. I knew that when I spent it. There is no rush on this issue. And thanks John for the update. I may re-ask the same question in another six or 12 months, if no information has been forthcoming -- and maybe I won't re-ask it. I dunno. I was simply curious to know what was going on -- or if it was still going on. How long has it been now? A year and a half or two years???
Funny thing. I pitched in my hundred. I got the materials. I got to read and comment on a draft of the book. And in all that time I forgot that I'd pitched in the hundred. The journey has been far more tasty than the potential financial outome. I'll enjoy whatever return and take my wife out to dinner!
MichaelR: outside of waiting for 2005 to get the book is there any other way to read this information? John Bear: OK, Michael, now I know it wasn't you who swiped the draft copy I had at the AACRAO convention last spring (and thanks for the lunch!). The publisher (Prometheus Books) carefully controls this situation, it seems. Sending our draft copies seems to be on an unfolding schedule: First (and already done) to potential foreword or afterword writers providers (and we've already got one intriguing and unexpected one). Then to potential back cover quote providers (in process). Then to major reviewers and media. Then to minor ditto. It goes into what is euphemistically called 'paste-up' next week, and when we get the page proofs, the next step is creating the index (for which the authors are responsible and we are not eagerly looking forward to this). The indexer(s) or indexer-helper(s), of course, get early advance copies. And so it goes.
Geez.... I guess I have to wait..... I am going to be in San Fran, I'll see ya there. I can't believe someone stole your advanced copy. Probably one of those people from AUBAFU that took it.
