Many of you know I've been working on a book about these rings we all love to collect. I've been working on it for a long time. I've gotten a few emails lately asking 'hey,what's going on with the book?'

Well, [some know already[,,,but in the last 4 years I've lost my home to flooding TWO times...
Devastating to my family physically, mentally and monetarily. We are still dealing with the aftermath.
I was also talked out of writing it once, had hard drives crash on me twice [I'm bad with backing up]. And many other excuses I won't bore you all with.

I've recently be able to get a laptop, camera, other equipment to start writing again! Even with the tragic events I didn't stop. I've always been gathering information, lucky enough to have friends/ members like Odal and MilitaryNut helping out along with a few others. A gigantic thank you for the help and encouragement guys..

So,next week I'll start. Much is done already. I still have another couple hundred photos to caption! A bibliography , glossary and a couple other small bits.

Hoping to finish up by summers end,,then off to the publisher/editor/printer with it!

*If anyone has a unique ring,,photo of a ring in wear that's identifiable, or any period related information please contact me and we'll get it in the book.
Thanks for the continuing interest and most of all support..

- Oh yeah,,I do not have total say in the books title. I can make suggestions but the publisher has final say.. Here are some,,anyone have an idea for the title? lets see it!
Like any of these??


1-Finger rings of the National Socialist State of Germany 1933 to 1945

2-The beginners guide to collecting finger rings of the NSDAP and its Military & Para Military organizations

3- Beginners guide of Finger Rings of Nazi Germany

4- Finger Ring Collecting: Germany 1933 - 1945

5-Private Purchase rings of the 3rd Reich Period.

G, That is one cool looking ring box.

FINGER RINGS OF THE 3rd Reich 1933-1945
An Illustrated Guide

Thanks for update G.!

Can`t await to hold your ready done work in hands and i am sure this book will be soon a kind of "bible" for the ringcollectors all over the world.

Hello G.,

nice to hear that, go ahead.

I vote for : "Private Purchase rings of the 3rd Reich Period"

Ric

G man I like 'Private Purchase rings of the 3rd Reich Period.'
100% ill buy a copy buddy!

Not sure "finger rings" strikes a good chord for 3rd Reich rings ,,, They weren't into belly rings or nose rings were they ?

I'd go more for something like "3rd Reich Rings 1923-1945" [Stay away from "Hitler Rings for Dummies" !]

Keep us posted G I'll be itching to get my hands on it too! Aslong as there's skulls!

I'd call it: 'WW II German Rings'
And a subtitle, something like: 'The different rings, their background and how to tell a fake'

Well,, my project is finished.. I had a publisher in mind and will be having a 'phone conference' with him right after Christmas.
I was also contacted by another publisher. ,,
,,And, I contacted a German publisher of high quality monographs. He didn't seem so interested,,seems its a little followed area of collecting [?],,but he wanted to discuss things right after the new year.

Things a bit complicated. I'm not a writer. Don't know about %s, 1st runs, square back spines ,hardcover, etc. I know a couple guys that wrote military reference books,,think I'll be contacting them right after the holiday!

Great to hear G, put me on the order list, I'm eagerly awaiting to get my hands on one!

Well guys after looking at a number of hi end reference books I really want Schiffer to publish the book. Doesn't really matter what I want though!
They seem mildly interested. I heard its a game though!

They sent me a email and want me to answer some questions [15!] and write a proposal by their guidelines.... So It'll take a bit but I'm moving forward with it. Also have a back up publisher if this doesn't work,,but I really want it to. They make a nice book,,square bound, glossy pages, good color.. We'll see!

Thank-you for your efforts and contributions , I will be very interested to see the finish product .

Thanks for update...can`t await it

Defining moment for the hobby- wonderful news!

Thanks for the update G, so realistically when would the guide/book be ready for sale? Autumn?

Chris.,,, like I've mentioned,,I'm certainly not a professional writer and do not know the business. BUT, I'm starting too!

Apparently,,after I sign a contract everything I have goes to the publisher. Certain decisions get made,,,'is it so big there are two books there,,whats going to be in color, what in B&W,,.

IF the Pub. feels it needs work he'll want to add to it or make big revisions. IF, if I agree, then the book will be written by me and the publisher. All kinds of ******** like that..
THEN it gets edited,,set up for the printers, then printed..
All I can say is we'll have it in hands this year.

What we'll do here is,,,once the contract is signed I'll let you guys know who the Pub. is and I'll give you all the contact info and we'll start writing them asking them to 'get a move on!'

A definite book to look forward to.

--dj--Joe

couple weeks and no word. I had sent in writing sample from a chapter and a bunch of photos for them to check out..

I also had a NY writer of sorts check it out too. He said its very unusual! I wrote the book in the first person. seems no one does that.. I wrote it like how I talk! Like how I write here to you all. I didn't want a stuffy , flat sounding book. I wrote it plainly and for everyone.. Maybe that was mistake but I don't think so..

This bunch of stuff. It's over 10 years of research.. Period photos. There are period trade publications with adverts. Note books with interviews from German and US vets. Interviews with old time jewelers from NYCs famous jewelry district. Interviews with a couple German retail workers during WW2. Ring dies, rubber molds,period German trade mags, discs with the book on them, etc.

Going to try another 2 publishers. Late March I'm having my right hip replaced. 2 weeks of recovery. IF, if I can't find a publisher after that I'll either print the thing here for free! or maybe self print! We'll see!!

always darkest before the dawn my friend... Praying for a speedy recovery!

G,
I am absolutly positive one piblisher will pick it up! It will be like a pp bible. You could always do what don does and publish in small batches, I would imagine he self publishes, but I'm not sure....either way I'm buying at least one, don't care the cost!!

well, heard from one small publisher. They mentioned its a niche topic and has 'concerns' about publishing it. Another publisher is giving me a problem with glossy/color photos. We have to have good color! And they want some tweaking done to it..

There is a big, old, military reference book publisher here in the US. He publishers most ,many of the older books and new ones. But he has been having problems lately. Currently something with SS belt buckles. I might still approach them eventually.
Some have told me to self publish. That takes money and I'm still having problems with my home and hurricane season is here!

IF I can't work something out,,I'll post it for free right here! Maybe like a pdf and you guys can print and keep the info in a folder and be able to take with you to use at a show etc..
I'll talk to Vern if I really can't work something out with a publisher.
Will I make any money? No, its never been about the money. It's to inform collectors that a authentic ring really is a tough thing to find, what to look for in an authentic ring,to stop counterfeiters from burning newer collectors. So I'm feeling better and will be getting to work on this problem. I'll keep you guys informed..

IMHO if anyone would like to know what keeps any hobby alive and generative- it's not done in by the passing of collectors or the change of technology and interests--- it's the selfless passion for passing the torch of history to the next generation by the rare few who sacrifice to save it from oblivion....These are the things that matter. A piece of the past needs no introduction, apology, or excuse....more gaspares needed. Apply within.

Have you considered publishing via Amazon Kindle? Costs involved are rather low, all you need is someone to edit your text to the right format and then a good cover design and you're rolling. You could get this done acceptably professionally on fiverr.com, with the right kind of gig.
Mark

Gaspere, self publishing does not cost any money until you sell a book. At that time you order the number you want and send them out. The days when you had to publish a certain number of books is long gone. My books are published in the good old USA also.
Email me at jtwallace@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in more info.

Byz, much thanks..

Guys, I'm still on a flip phone . This is all new game for me. Have much to look in to..
JW, might be taking you up on that info soon..,Thanks ,Gaspare