Heart of Albion
Reviews of How to Write and Publish Local History
'Helpful, unassuming, practical and very much to the point, How to Write and Publish Local History is a most enjoyable read for any would-be author and is strongly recommended.'
W.T.R. Pryce Family and Community History
'It is truth universally acknowledged that all local historians want to publish books and booklets - as the pages of Local History Magazine prove. Publishers take on a rare few, but most decide to do it themselves. As I know from bitter experience it is very, very easy to produce a badly designed unattractive booklet, which doesn't sell, however interesting the contents might be.
'This important new book shows those who decide on self publishing the right way to go about it. It is based on the experiences of Bob Trubshaw who has published a number of local history books in the ten years his Heart of Albion Press has been running.
'The book is conveniently broken down into various sections including how to write history, dealing with printers, design and typesetting, and publicity and selling the book. Almost every page contains some tip or hint that might save hours of wasted time, often based on Trubshaw's own experiences. This advice is given in a jargon free, non-patronising style while assuming the reader is a complete novice. How I wish I had had this book years ago when first starting out in local history. If you are planning to publish your own researches or are involved in a local history society's publishing programme this book is an essential purchase.'
Simon Fowler Local History Magazine
'Helpful, not pompous, practical and very much to the point, How to Write and Publish Local History is a most enjoyable read for any would-be author and is strongly recommended.'
Open University Newsletter DA301 (Studying family and community history)
'This is a book which should be owned by everyone who is writing their village or town history for the Millennium, and there appear to be hundreds in preparation! Every aspect of the subject is covered: how to write your history, design and typesetting, legal matters, estimating costs, artwork and illustrations, proof-reading (essential!) and indexing. Having got your book written and printed it is too easy to just sit back in a glow of achievement, but this was not the purpose of the exercise, further chapters tell how to store, advertise and sell your completed book, who is legally entitled to a free copy, and give suggestions on packaging for the mail. For those still eager for knowledge, a chapter on 'Further reading' at the end gives a list of useful books on writing, indexing, publishing, design and promotion.'
Julie Goddard Family Tree Magazine
'The shelves of any local studies library groan with the research of amateur local historians. And so they should. The honourable estate of amateur has rightly always been the backbone, or perhaps the lifeblood, of local history; much distinguished work has been achieved by self-styled 'amateurs'. Amateurs certainly – amateurish, definitely not. But oh how often sound and valuable work is let down by amateurish production. There is no excuse for this. Not these days, anyway.
'Bob Trubshaw has written an intensely practical guide (based firmly on his own experience) for self-publishing for local history. He runs the whole gamut, from the blank paper before anything is written, to the technique of peddling publications around bookshops. All the snags and tricks I can think of (and many that hadn't occurred to me) are here, concisely but comprehensively tackled and resolved, referenced and indexed. And in the shifting sands of DTP Trubshaw is right up to minute – indeed (if the truth be known) way ahead of most local historians. No-one, of course, in 120 pages can teach fine prose or classic typography. The budding Hoskins or Beresford requires flair, imagination and plenty of practice. But writing to publish also involves a great deal of nitty-gritty, and here Trubshaw is a star. Look no further!
John Chandler 3rd Stone
'If ever a group of budding U3A writers wanted a step-by-step guide from inspiration to successful sales of their work, How to Write and Publish Local History is a very useful companion. R.N. Trubshaw is the author and it is he who, from his own Heart of Albion Press, publishes books and pamphlets on local history. The formality of his name on the title page is relaxed on the cover where he becomes Bob Trubshaw. That is indicative of the contents, professional but also user-friendly.
'There is advice on assembling ideas and the style and structure of writing. The confusion of footnotes, references, title pages and indices are carefully and logically untangled. Having written the text, what about illustrations and instructing the printer? Where can economies be made to keep the cover price within the scope of the reader's pocket? The die is cast. The size and price, and the budgeted profit too, have all been worked out. How is the publication to be sold and how many will be left unsold? A helping hand is given along the road.
David Ensor U3A Sources [Bulletin for the University of the Third Age]
More about the successor to How to Write and Publish Local History:
How to Write and Publish Local and Family History Successfully