October 24, 2005
Hello--I met with the WW Norton Publishers who expressed continued enthusiasm and inquired about our progress. I certainly hope that you have been able to make some, so that we can see where we stand around Xmas. Recall that we were aiming to have some material available by end of summer 05. Gayl has submitted two chapters of the population unit (unit 6) and I have started to upload crude versions of my chapters (unit 2). We'll post these fruits at http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/gctext/Outline/outline.
I have a more editorial time starting now (sabbatical) and we have a 1/2 time support researcher through winter term 06, so please make an attempt to get at least crude versions organized. With most lecture material already in hand, it should take you a day to reorganize and weave section into a crude chapter, similar to what I posted. I will now turn to unit 7 (energy), which will be available by the end of November. Meanwhile Lesley and I have been working on ideas for the Introduction and we will soon be finalizing the "Inquiries" text (http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/gctext/Inquiries/Inquiries%20in%20Global%20Change.htm; huge file!).
Let me know if you want to talk with me individually. I'll begin biweekly updates to fan your creative fire.
Ben
May 2005
Dear Friends
A while ago I emailed you about completion of the GC textbook team's line-up. Hopefully you have been reflecting on and perhaps even writing parts of your modules. This email is about parallel progress and ask your input on associated issues. Pease read.
* Activities in GC. Lesley and I have been working on a Global Change activities companion that is now reaching completion of a first draft. From the start I believed that this aspect deserves considerable attention and, indeed, it has grown from a small section of the text into a large, self-contained endeavor. The ca. 25 activities offer a rich and diverse resource for users; you will find details at http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/gctext/Module%20Activities/module_activities.htm.
Rachel Policelli has agreed to work through the activities in May, so that we will have a full set of tested activities later this month. The outline follows the modular schema of the textbook, but the activities were otherwise selected and designed by type (model, spatial data, discussion) and comparable degree of difficulty. The modules have no inherent hierarchy beyond the introduction chapter describing Stella, ArcView and Discussion models, so that users can start with any topic.
I would like to see this project completed by the end of summer, so that Lesley can turn her full attention to supporting your textbook activities. There is no need for you to take action on this hands-on project, but any comments are, of course, welcome. I hope you agree that this document can be submitted by Lesley and me, probably called "Activities in Global Change", acknowledging your role in Global Change courses and linking to our upcoming textbook. I am aiming for a spiral-bound, inexpensive production, with a CD or publisher's website for some document delivery.
* Textbook. On June 1 I will be meeting with WW Norton's Leo Wiegman and his staff about a prospectus and timeline for the textbook, as well as production and marketing issues. Based on our team's conversations I expect that a first draft of the textbook could be available in late Fall, allowing time for editing, formatting and style. First drafts of your modules (sans artwork) would still be submitted by late summer, as it will take some time to produce an internally consistent document. Beside co-authorship for all contributors, the project will involve formal contracts between each author and publisher, so you will have ample time to examine and adjust publication details. To start the discussion I'd like to propose:
· We use "Global Change, Global Challenges" as the working title. Alternatives are welcome!
· We'll co-author the text alphabetically, except for main editor(s) as lead(s). All of us appear on the cover, so no "Edited by ..." construction.
· Individuals decide what to do with royalties fractions (some of you made suggestions, including a GC fund that recoups the initial investment or funds to be used for UM student projects). Practically, I expect ~1% per author after charges (8 authors, 10% royalties), translating to $0.50/book. I have no idea what the prognosis for sales is, but expect that they'll print several thousand copies on the first run, allowing minor corrections in subsequent print runs.
· We do not commit to a second edition until the first edition is available for at least a few years.
· Formal submission of a first draft (with draft art) to the publisher would be around Spring 2006, after an editing round that creates a coherent document in Fall05 and a full round of team comments and edits in W06. The art program would be in full swing around that time. I have taken a W06 sabbatical leave to focus on the book project.
· Outside reviews from the publisher would be received in late Summer 06, with final editing in Fall06. Submission of a complete document by early Winter 06/07, in time for class adoption in Fall 07. Advertising would start in Fall06.
This message became quite long, I realize, but I am trying to keep you informed and moving us ahead without cluttering your mailbox. Please give me your feedback and/or any concerns about these topics: (1) activities companion volume, (2) textbook submission timeline and (3) royalty structure. Feel free to cc the group or me only. Meanwhile I will continue planning the meet with WWNorton and completion of the activities companion.
Cheers, Ben