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Jayslater

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Greetings,
I hope all is well and some may know of me: I have commissioned the likes of Ed Dyer, Tim McLelland, Tony Buttler and many more. I previously commissioned books at Ian Allan Publishing and The History Press, the latter being a waste of time and effort on my part. That said, I have been asked to join Fonthill Media to be launched this spring as their publisher. The first books are the definitive titles on the P-51 Mustang and Westland Whirlwind fighters, for example. I am in talks with Ed Dyer on other new books, but please, if you do have an idea for a book, by all means drop me a line so we can discuss it further:
j.slater (at) fonthillmedia.com and/or jayslater (at) uk2.net
With very best wishes,
Jay Slater
Ed.
 
Hi, in my opinion it should be nice to pubblish a book-encyclopedia about bombers. I really appreciate the book "The Complete Book of Fighters" wrote by William Green and Gordon Swanborough and I note the absence of a similar volume about bombers... I think that an hypothetical book "The Complete Book of Bombers" should be great.
 
Unfortunately the bombers do not sell well. William Green never completed his series "War Planes of the Second World War". The publication stopped on Volume Ten (German Bombers).
Same thing happened to me with Reichdreams. "Arado Jet Bombers" Dossier no. 17 sold five times less that no 16 "Arado Jet Fighters"

PECUNIA NON OLET
(Vespasian, AD 69 to AD 79)
 

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Have been looking for the definitive book on the Ju 88, however, after the successful He 177 I worked on for IAP some years back.
 
I would certainly be very interested in a good book on bombers, especially if it included some of the more interesting or advanced proposals & projects, too.
 
I would certainly be very interested in a good book on bombers, especially if it included some of the more interesting or advanced proposals & projects, too.

me too
 
While I am not in a position to write it, I would love to see a definitive book on tandem wing designs, from early days to the French innovators like Peyret, Mignet, Delanne and Payen to the English experiments at Westland and Miles right on through to the Rutan designs like the Quickie.
 
Mole said:
While I am not in a position to write it, I would love to see a definitive book on tandem wing designs, from early days to the French innovators like Peyret, Mignet, Delanne and Payen to the English experiments at Westland and Miles right on through to the Rutan designs like the Quickie.

Very interesting idea! I'm for books with a little more flavor and originality, myself.

Honestly, I still wonder how anybody can claim to come up with the "definitive book" on subjects like the Mustang, the Spitfire, the Fortress or the Thunderbolt, when hundreds of books, articles and monographies have been published... and especially what else is to be expected of new books on these subjects...

There are so many nooks and crannies in aviation history that have long been overlooked and that DO deserve a definitive book: My fondest dream is to one day publish one on Curtiss flying boats, but there are many other topics that would greatly enrich knowledge on aviation if anybody took to the task of properly researching for them.

Deciding that "fighters sell" and "bombers don't" and turning this into an editorial line is typical of today's rational thinking: put out stuff that sells, period. I'm glad that early publishers such as Profile Publications (Aircraft in Profile) or Monogram (Close Up) did not think in those terms and went ahead publishing cheap yet very informative booklets on lesser known types. And I'm glad that there are still a few publishers to do that (the Mushroom Model series come to mind, Albatros's Windsock Files, or Ginter's Navy and Air Force Fighters series too).

Big expensive so-called definitive books can very well coexist with cheaper, profile-size books on less popular but historically significant subjects. I think a publisher ought to aim at publishing a bit of both.
 
Morning!
'...and especially what else is to be expected of new books on these subjects...'
I would suggest the format, unpublished images, photos, human stories, etc. And we are also publishing cheaper, profile-size books on lesser known aircraft.
 
Jayslater said:
Morning!
'...and especially what else is to be expected of new books on these subjects...'
I would suggest the format, unpublished images, photos, human stories, etc. And we are also publishing cheaper, profile-size books on lesser known aircraft.

I hope you understand I didn't mean this remark in a derogatory way. I was just expressing the idea that each new book on those subjects claims to be the ultimate but there's still tons that could still be told or shown (as you rightly said), so it can't really be as definitive as they claim...

But at the end of the day, I guess there are two different types of readers: those like me who are interested in the inception of the aircraft, either civilian or military, who designed them, how they were thought out, developed, test-flown etc.; and those who are more into the operational career and human experience side of things, which is mostly related to war stories.
 
Of course not, and I value your opinion. It all helps at the end of the day for the publisher to understand concerns and wants of the market. But I am all ears if anyone should have ideas for books. I have received a number of e-mails from this site and hope to move forwards with gusto.
With very best wishes,
Jay
 
As the author of the upcoming Mustang book for Fonthill Media I must clarify that it will not be the definitive work on the subject but rather a comprehensive work on the subject loaded with illustrations, tables, appendices and first person accounts. - Steve Pace
 
Well, the kind of books I want to buy :

American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II
XP-54, XP-55 and XP-66
by Gerald H. Balzer

If I should keep only 1 book with me, I will keep this one : a great book with outstanding text and photos (not thumbnails...).

I would like to find this kind of books on :

XB-42 and XB/YB-43

USAF's Penetration Fighters XF-88, XF-90 and YF-93

C-74 Globemaster

Northrop XP-61E / F-15 Reporter

XB-46, XB-47, XB-48...

F3 Demon

F4 Phantom prototypes

and so on...
 
Looking for authors here is like leaving your sister sitting in a cherry red Corvette parked in front of a Marines base.... :D
 
A couple of years ago, the XF-12 Rainbow would have been at the top of my list, but Mike Machat took care of that. (Thanks!)

The C-74 is certainly an enigmatic aircraft that deserves to be heard from. That might be a natural for Steve Ginter's "Air Force Legends" series.

Someone mentioned the XB-45 through XB-48; another good topic might cover the XB-29 thru XB-33. And I'd like to know more about the DC-5/R3D and its relation to the Model 7 bomber.

Maybe a book about the mixed-powerplant aircraft that were popular for a time around the end of WW II. The FR-1 Fireball is the best known, but don't forget the XF15C, the XTB3F (which lost the jet when it became the AF), the P4M Mercator, the Mikoyan I-250, and others of that type.
 
Hi! I have a new suggestion for a book: what do you think about a book of Czechoslovakian's aircraft?? I was searching some informations about some Avia and Aero projects of '20 and '30 but I have found very little... It would be nice to have a book about that, do you agree?
 
There were two volumes. Not only they are packed with great images but they are still the best books ever on Czech aviation, despite their being about 30 years old. A treasure to cherish in any collection!
 
lucamax said:
Wow! I'll try to find them...The problem is that they are old book... What about reprinting them? ;D ;D ;D
I've always wished I could speak Czech (my grandfather's native language) so I could submit a French or English language version to a Western publisher!
 
Am still looking for writers. I have a lot but can never have too many great books!
Jay
 

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Hi,


before I speak about the subjects for new books,I want to explain a few of
points;


1- we must consider the projects have a magic in the future book,it like the salt
in food,that including; early designs,unbuilt variants,developments and competitors
if that aircraft enter a competition.


2- the narrow subject is not economic books,that's for client,so we can make a large
subject,such Mr Tony Buttler's secret project books.


3- we can depend on Jane's all the world's aircraft issues,magazines,books and also
sites,for example,that greatest site provides you many unknown aircraft and projects.


I can start as following;


1- American secret projects fighters and pursuits 1930-1945
2- American secret projects bombers and attackers 1930-1945
3- American light civil aircraft and projects 1919-1945
4- American light civil aircraft and projects 1946-2010 (two volumes)
5- American airliner and military transport aircraft 1919-1945
6- ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 1946-2010 (two volumes)
7- American secret projects fighters and interceptors 1945-1990 (revised edition)
8- American secret projects bombers attack & ASW aircraft 1945-1990 (revised edition)
9- American V/STOL,STOL & VTOL aircraft and projects 1930-1964
10- ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 1965-2010
11- British secret projects fighters and bombers 1919-1934
12- British light civil aircraft and projects 1919-1945
13- ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 1946-2010
14- British civil and military aircraft 1909-1918
15- French secret projects fighters 1919-1939
16- French secret projects bombers 1919-1939
17- French secret projects fighters 1945-1990
18- French secret projects bombers 1945-1990
19- French light civil aircraft and projects 1919-1945
20- French light civil aircraft and projects 1946-2010
21- French airliner and military transport aircraft 1919-1945
22- ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 1946-2010
23- Germany civil and military aircraft 1919-1933
24- Germany secret projects fighters and bombers 1946-2010
25- Germany civil and military transport aircraft and projects 1946-2010
26- Italian civil aircraft and projects 1919-1945
27- Italian secret projects fighters and bombers 1919-1945
28- Italian secret military aircraft and projects 1946-2000
29- Italian civil and military transport aircraft and projects 1946-2010
30- Japanese civil and military transport aircraft 1910-2010
31- Russian civil aircraft and projects 1909-2010
32- Russian military transport aircraft and projects 1914-2010 (two volumes)




to be continued ...
 
Also I can add;




1- Jet trainer aircraft of the world (included projects)
2- Piston and Turboprop engined trainer aircraft of the world 1912-1945
3- ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 1946-2010
4- Rocket powered aircraft from 1910s up to 1970
5- Twin Boom aircraft and projects
6- V-tail aircraft
8- Flying boat and seaplane aircraft and projects (in four volumes,1905-1929,1930-1945,
1946-1970 & 1971-2010)
9- Tailless and Flying wing aircraft 1908-1945
10- Encyclopedia of helicopters (two volumes 1910-1960 & 1961-2010)
11- Recce and Observation aircraft and projects of the world (two volumes 1910-1945 & 1946-2010)
12- Swing,Forward swept and Variable incidence wing aircraft of the world
13- ASW ,AEW and AWACS aircraft of the world
14- Gliders,Saiplanes and Assault Gligers projects
15- Tilt-wing & Tilt-rotor aircraft of the world
16- Mixed powered aircraft and projects of the world
17- Small Europe Countries' fighters aircraft 1910-1945 (excluded UK,France,Germany and Italy)
18- Small Europe Countries' bombers aircraft 1910-1945 (exculded UK,France,Germany and Italy)
19- East Europe fighters aircraft 1946-2010
20- West Europe fighters aircraft 1946-2010 (excluded UK,France,Germany and Italy)
21- East Europe bombers and attackers aircraft 1946-2010
22- West Europe bombers and attackers aircraft 1946-2010
23- Third Countries military aircraft
24- Civil aviation in South America
25- Civil aviation in Africa,Asia and Australia
26- Close support and Ground attack aircraft
27- Research aircraft
28- Ekranoplanes of the world
29- Amphibian aircraft and projects of the world
30- Giant transport aircraft and projects of the world
 
Some nifty ideas, there, hesham. I'm considering a self-published series for the e-book/Kindle market (akin to the Profile series from the 60s...short, 12-24 page monographs on one topic) of weapon systems following WW2 which were either direct German equivalents or heavily influenced by them. Examples include the French AAS 01A and 01B (He 274), Czech Avia S-92 (Me 262), Junkers EF 126 (continued by the Russians), Ju 287 (also continued by the Russians), JB-2 Loon (U.S. copy of the Fi 103), etc. Also included would be other weapon systems such as the SS-1 Scunner (Russian copy of the V-2), the French AMX-50 tank (which was derived from the Panther), the StG-45 assault rifle (whose legacy was carried into French and Spanish small arms), the Swiss G-13/Czech ST-1 (continuations of the German Hetzer tank destroyer), and so on.


No idea if it would succeed, but the overhead is low. :D
 
Hikoki1946 said:
Some nifty ideas, there, hesham. I'm considering a self-published series for the e-book/Kindle market (akin to the Profile series from the 60s...short, 12-24 page monographs on one topic) of weapon systems following WW2 which were either direct German equivalents or heavily influenced by them. Examples include the French AAS 01A and 01B (He 274), Czech Avia S-92 (Me 262), Junkers EF 126 (continued by the Russians), Ju 287 (also continued by the Russians), JB-2 Loon (U.S. copy of the Fi 103), etc. Also included would be other weapon systems such as the SS-1 Scunner (Russian copy of the V-2), the French AMX-50 tank (which was derived from the Panther), the StG-45 assault rifle (whose legacy was carried into French and Spanish small arms), the Swiss G-13/Czech ST-1 (continuations of the German Hetzer tank destroyer), and so on.


No idea if it would succeed, but the overhead is low. :D

It should be a very nice thing!
 
Hi,


also I can continue by those ideas;


1- RPV aircraft of the world
2- Stealth aircraft and projects
3- UAV and UCAV aircraft
4- Delta wing aircraft
5- Box-wing and Joined-wing aircraft
6- Europe VSTOL,STOL & VTOL aircraft and projects 1920-2010
7- Hypersonic of the world
8- Winged spacecraft of the world
9- Nuclear & Atomic powered aircraft
10- Racer aircraft 1910-1960
11- SST aircraft
12- Flying Jeep and Flying tank aircraft
13- Submersible and Jet Fighter Seaplane aircraft
 
Always wanted to see a book on manned ramjets or manned rocket planes!
Ramjet contents could include:
Nord 1500
Republic XF-103
Leduc Experimental
P-51 with Ramjet
P-61 with Ramjet
P-80 with Ramjet
Do-17 with Ramjet
Russian M-44
Written at a semi-detailed systems level.
 

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Hesham,

You seem to have missed the point of Jay's original post. He is not looking for a wish-list of books that you would like to see published, he is looking for authors.

All,

For anyone who has a good story to tell, a good knowledge of the subject and a desire to write a book then contact Jay. I did, and now my book, "Schneider Trophy Seaplanes and Flying Boats" has been published. Contact me if you wish to know more about the experience.

Cheers
 
Schneiderman said:
Hesham,

You seem to have missed the point of Jay's original post. He is not looking for a wish-list of books that you would like to see published, he is looking for authors.


Cheers


Hi Schneiderman,


and that is the books,I wish to see.
 
Jay helped me get my book MUSTANG: Thoroughbred Stallion of the Air published through Fonthill Media. -SP
 
Many thanks for the kind words, Steve and Ralph: it is very much appreciated and I wish to thank you both for your interest and continued support. I am always interested in hearing from new authors and writers. If you do have an idea(s), please send me an e-mail and we can discuss it further. Unlike other specialist publishers, we listen to the authors and do our very best to publish beautiful books.

My e-mail is: j.slater (at) fonthillmedia.com

With very best wishes,

Jay Slater
 
Hi,

although I am still amateur in aviation,but I am ready to write two books;

- French Civil Aircraft & Projects : 1910-1945
- French Military Aircraft & Projects : 1910-1945
 
hesham said:
although I am still amateur in aviation,but I am ready to write two books;

- French Civil Aircraft & Projects : 1910-1945
- French Military Aircraft & Projects : 1910-1945

I will change the two titles to be from 1919-1945.
 
I would like to write a book about…



delta planes !

Who would have guessed ? ;D
 

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