Tuesday, 18 November 2008

T&T Clark Will Release My 1st Book on May 24


T & T Clark, the publisher for my first book (a rather extensive revision of my doctoral dissertation), has scheduled its release on May 24, 2009. And this coincides with Aldersgate Day.

Does that make me a Methodist? Suddenly, I feel a "strange warming of the heart"...

For further details of my book, The Sufferings of Christ are Abundant in Us: A Narrative Dynamics Investigation of Paul's Sufferings in 2 Corinthians, please click here. It will be published under the Library of New Testament Studies monograph series. The retail price is a whopping GBP65/US$130 per copy.

14 comments:

Perng Shyang Teng said...

"My heart strangely warmed!"

Haha, congratulation! And welcome to Methodist!

Btw, GBP65! Will this work of Paul's suffering makes you rich then? Haha!

Kar Yong said...

Hi Perng Shyang,
Unfortunately this book does not make me rich, as I do not anticipate any significant royalty. On the contrary, it takes a lot of time, energy and sleep away from me! With the high production cost and limited print run, the pricing has to be rather high - and this is unfortunate.

Would the Methodist church welcome me?? Haha

sp lim said...

If I can buy the book in GBP and resell in USD, I can make more than RM120 per book.

Lee Chee Keat said...

TRAC is lacking of English pastors. If u don't mind the book of discipline and being transferred around the peninsula M'sia, I'm sure we are delighted to have you. SOmemore, pay is higher than anglican and as competitive as the secular secondary teacher would get;)

Kar Yong said...

Hi SP,

That is with the assumption that there will be someone willing to buy the book from you, and willing to pay that amount for a 256-page book!

Kar Yong said...

Hi Chee Keat,

I can only say AMEN...haha...

sp lim said...

Hi Kar Yong,

In any arbitrage, there is always a risk. After due consideration, I think I'll be wise not to go ahead especially when the author is not too confident about the sales of his book.

I just don't understand how a book can be priced beyond the affordability of many. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure what you have put in can never be adequately priced. Maybe this kind of academic book is meant to be bought by libraries and not individuals.

For academic books, T & T Clark may be a reputable publisher. But please consider another publisher if you want to reach out to a wider audience.

chils said...

Congratulations on your book!!
and Yes, welcome to Methodism, indeed!

Incidentally, I assume STM library will have a copy of your book? So we could at least feel it, since we most probably could not own it? hehhe hee?

Steven Sim said...

hey, u Methodists....buzzzz off.

KY, we Presby welcome you. I think pastors' salary here is higher. Check out with Rev. Wong Fong Yang. :D

And Reformed ppl write dense academic books that no one understand...hehehehe...

Steven Sim

Kar Yong said...

Hi SP,

Academic books are expensive because of limited print run and low demand. And let's be honest - for academic books, the demand is low, regardless of the pricing. Honestly, I cannnot imagine my church congregation would want to read a book that is full of Greek references, argument about Greek grammar and syntax, and intereaction with recent scholarship even if it is made available at RM10 per copy.

Unfortunately in Malaysia, there is hardly any reputable Christian publisher that would be able to do the editing and distribution of the book effectively and efficiently - how to reach wider audience? In the end, the author has to distribute the book himself.

For my second book, I am trying to work on a more "popular" level with the hope of reaching a wider audience - but again it all depends on whether any publisher would want to publish it!

Kar Yong said...

Hi Chils,
Thanks for wishes.

Whether STM library would have a copy would depend on whether they would like to spare some of their budget for the book :-)

Kar Yong said...

Hi Steven,

hey, when are you coming down to Singapore?

Presby sounds good too - going back to my roots...hahahah

servant of JC said...

Congrats! Glad to see the reward of your hardwork! Proud of you :)

p.s. Don't get involved with denominationalism. One day we all may end up wearing a white robe (Revelation 7:9). So why not now? :)

Kar Yong said...

Hi G,
How are things in Sungai Petani?

White robes! Ah ha...I think you anglicans do get some things right!! Haha