Tweet Rudolph Valentino - The Silent Idol

Okay, as most of you know, I've been working on this Valentino project for sometime. At the end of 2009 all the hard work finally comes to fruition. I know most here are not Valentino inclined, but I did want to share a sneak preview anyway. Meaning, deal with it.

I ordered a 40 page proof copy of random pages to check the layout, the image reproduction, the fonts, readability of the text and the q-u-a-l-i-t-y of the physical book itself. I could not be more thrilled with the result I see and hold in my hands.

I've posted some sample images on r-v.com

http://www.rudolph-valentino.com/new-book.htm

Since the quality is very nice, I've scrapped the PB option altogether, this will be a HB edition only. I've still got a good deal of work to do on it to get it final. I have to confess, it is a thrill to hold it in my hands, in the end it will be something I shall be very proud to have my name on.

Self-publishing options are very limited when it comes to doing graphic heavy books. I think in the end I've made the correct choice. The book will be more expensive than I wanted, but this is something over which I have no control. The pricing is based on page count and I'm trying very hard to keep the price point as low as possible. The book will be 200 pages or perhaps up to 240. It means fewer copies will sell, but as you all know, the $$ in the end has never been my motivation for getting this project off the ground.

Forgive my puffing out with pride on this public forum, but this has been a long haul and to see something tangible, well it's pretty darned exciting.

Looks completely first-class, Donna! Well done!

Looks completely first-class, Donna! Well done!

Fantabulous! Pity it won't be ready for a signing at next year's Cinecon!

who's the publisher?

Looks completely first-class, Donna! Well done!

Fantabulous! Pity it won't be ready for a signing at next year's Cinecon!

My bad! I need a proofreader for my N-Ville posts, I've corrected, end of 2009.......this year, by Xmas.......

who's the publisher?

I'm using a POD service, www.blurb.com.

In their forums I see loads of complaints and kudos, after seeing and holding the proof in hand, kudos from me, I'm thrilled with how it will look.

Unfortunately, blurb does not offer or have any service linking them up to amazon, et al. I will have an isbn on the book, so it will be listed in books in print. I've got a copyright app pending, or soon will have. In that regard, helps I work in the business, at least I know how to file the forms.

well from what I can see it looks great.....

I was about 75 pages into a book on the films of Marion Davies. But I had the files on my computer at work and my MAC crashed and burned in January. ALL GONE!

Of course I didn't have the files at home even though I write at home (long story) and don't have a printer at home, etc etc.

I haven't had the yen to go back and start over. I'll wait til I retire end of next year and start all over again.

anyway, CONGRATS on realizing your project!

I was about 75 pages into a book on the films of Marion Davies. But I had the files on my computer at work and my MAC crashed and burned in January. ALL GONE!

<snip>

anyway, CONGRATS on realizing your project!

Oh, don't give up! Marion is worth it! I might have a still or two to donate to your cause if you need it!

How exciting Donna! I'm very proud for you! Rudy deserves a big, glossy book. I'm sure he'd approve!

[silentfilm]

Wow, it looks fabulous. There's nothing like a well-researched book that is chock full of great photos too.

The book looks great, especially all the wonderful photos. It shows all your love and hard work. I look forward to you signing at both SFSFF and Cinecon next year!

The book looks great, especially all the wonderful photos. It shows all your love and hard work. I look forward to you signing at both SFSFF and Cinecon next year!

From your fingers to someone's ears!

Right now the push is on to get it finished, still work to do. I had about 5 hours work on it yesterday, which was very nice.

It looks like I will have a Valentino Christmas, with your projected publishing date of December. Everyone in the Valentino community (those who know their stuff) have great respect for Donna Hill, and this huge task she has undertaken to bring this book to us.

A beautiful photo book on Rudolph Valentino - The Silent Idol. Thanks for sharing the sneak peek at the book with us, Donna. I know I cant wait to see the finished version.

Tracy

It looks like I will have a Valentino Christmas, with your projected publishing date of December. Everyone in the Valentino community (those who know their stuff) have great respect for Donna Hill, and this huge task she has undertaken to bring this book to us.

A beautiful photo book on Rudolph Valentino - The Silent Idol. Thanks for sharing the sneak peek at the book with us, Donna. I know I cant wait to see the finished version.

Tracy

Tracy, you know this means a lot to me. So thanks for all your support, both virtual (moral support) and tangible in sharing some rarities for the book.

Donna

Donna,
Anyway you can upload a few larger size photos so we can see the quality of the reproductions in the book??

Donna,
Anyway you can upload a few larger size photos so we can see the quality of the reproductions in the book??

Yes, Louie, I can do that. I can't promise before the weekend, but look for it.

well from what I can see it looks great.....

I was about 75 pages into a book on the films of Marion Davies. But I had the files on my computer at work and my MAC crashed and burned in January. ALL GONE!

Of course I didn't have the files at home even though I write at home (long story) and don't have a printer at home, etc etc.

I haven't had the yen to go back and start over. I'll wait til I retire end of next year and start all over again.

anyway, CONGRATS on realizing your project!

There are ways to recover files from crashed computers!!! Do you still have that harddrive? A free program called Recuva is one option. There are also companies that specialize in hd recovery but charge in the thousands of dollars.

Regarding the price. The economy is pretty bad these days for a lot of folks. $50+ may be too steep for some, IMHO.

The pages were on my computer at work (long story) when the hard drive crashed and burned. Nothing was recoverable and as it wasn't my drive, the options were limited. I did find a previous version of 27 pages (sigh) which I had to have scanned off a 3-inch disk (long story) into a word file. So at least I have something to start with.

With 10 months and counting to retirement, I foresee getting back to this project relatively soon.

Regarding the price. The economy is pretty bad these days for a lot of folks. $50+ may be too steep for some, IMHO.

Darren, you know, this is a point I've struggled with a good deal. As I am self-publishing via blurb.com, this is one area in which I have no choice. Blurb provides a quality project, which in the end is the goal as a self-published author. In fact, it is one of the few choices out there to do a photo/graphic book. Authorhouse and other services provide a more economical option for more text-heavy volumes.

In my case, using Blurb was the best option for a photobook. Believe me, I looked and looked. Xlibris is another vanity press that was offered via RandomHouse. I seriously considered this option, but, it had some drawbacks, again, this included the final price point of the book. I no longer have their package of info, but Xlibris was about 6k to invest in the book, and at 200 pages and then adding on the approximate number of photos would have had a base price of $130 for a hardcover book. I also did not have control of layout and design of the book.

For the record, if anyone has a question about it, Blurb's pricing structure for a 10x8, hardcover can be seen here: http://www.blurb.com/create/book/pricing#standard-landscape

As you can see, Blurb's pricing structure for a 200 page hard cover 10x8 is $56.95. Originally I was going to offer a PB version only, but you can see the pricing of a PB is not much better than a HB. HB is higher quality, so that was the executive decision I made. I 'm making every effort to keep the page count of my book, in the end, to be not more than 200 pages. This will include index, acknowledgements, filmography and all the back matter along with the hundreds of photos. In the end, I expect I will add $1.50 to this base price as my author royalty. If I am lucky, I will earn just enough in sales to cover the fees for my own website for one year ($60 if you must know). I have no illusions, never did and never expected to earn money for this book.

Anyone who knows me, it's been a dream project for a long time. After two close, very nearly down to the wire contracts with publishers, those deals fell through. The first due to my editor leaving for another publishing house, the second was due to the cost of production of the book. That was 3 years of work, and I felt it was time to just get the book out there. In a perfect world, Chronicle books would pick this up and release it for $35. But, they've already turned me down.

While Blurb is a costly option, it has benefits elsewhere, the first being 100% control over content, look, feel and style. Having ordered a sample 40 page copy to see how it will look and feel, I was thrilled, it's better than I dreamed or expected.

I wish I could comp everyone who helped with the book, but even I, as the author will not get a free copy. If I want one for my own library, I have to buy one, minus the $1.50 author royalty.

I'm sorry for the longish posting on this, believe me, I totally understand the economy being what it is, it makes one consider carefully where to put the pennies when treating one's self. If, in the end, the price is too much and I sell fewer copies, I'm good with that, money was never the object.

Speaking as someone who has quite a few McFarland books on the shelf, $50 doesn't seem that out of line.

Speaking as someone who has quite a few McFarland books on the shelf, $50 doesn't seem that out of line.

I see now.

I am still wanting to do a reprint of my projection exhibitor catalog from 1907 but that is over 500 pages. Maybe it will not happen.

Shamelessly self-promoting, I admit it.

The book is finished, it's uploaded and available for purchase.

http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/1439029

I'll be updating my website later today, and the blog with the updated info.

I'm relieved, happy and grateful to everyone who has provided material, moral support and everything in between. It's been a labor of love and I hope that the people who are interested find it enjoyable.

Yay.

Congratulations, Donna!

Bravo Donna, I congratulate you on this wonderful achievement. I will be ordering a copy today. You have maintained and upheld the standard for Rudolph Valentino very high, and this latest work will prove that out. I am delighted that these often unseen images of Valentino will be combined into the formation of this wonderful photo book which looks into his life as a person, Rudy the man.

I wish you every success and it will be richly deserved.
Congratulations, my friend.

Tracy Terhune

I'll have to wait till after Slapsticon, but I will definately be ordering it.

Donna... do we order through this "blurb" page?

Congreats!

Donna... do we order through this "blurb" page?

Congreats!

Thanks Ed.

Yes, you can order direct from the blurb site. I will be offering it direct from me at a later date. Since I need to stock copies for a couple of book events I'm scheduled for, I'm saving those copies I purchase up front for those events.

Since the book is a Print on Demand, blurb will start the printing process as soon as an order is received. From what they say it takes about 5-7 for the printing process to be complete. They offer flat rate for shipping, which is a good thing.

If you end up purchasing a copy, please do shoot me a message with positive or negative feedback.

Eventually I will post the book on amazon.com as well. With an ISBN it will also be listed in books in print for those who want to get their local bookstore to order a copy.

Thanks to you all, Jim, Tracy and Roger. Again, I'm gratified by the support and the welcome the book has already received one day out from publication. I'm well on the way to selling the 100 copies I have always sworn would make me happy if that were to be all that were sold.

Bought

Bought

Thanks again, Ed. Please do let me know what you think of it.

Brickbats or boquets!