@Arizona Docent That's funny, as Tim and I have spent a long time debating that very question. Since the zoo is going to (at least initially) be published in Europe, and be purchased mainly by European zoo nerds (as that species of homo sapiens is prevalent across the Atlantic) then expect to see the word colour written just like that. Ha!
@snowleopard Thanks for the response! Been very patiently waiting for more news about the book and could wait no longer! I had to ask and see if I was just missing something. Haha I am looking forward to the book and have enjoyed all of your reviews throughout the years. One of the most helpful features for me is your indication of the time spent at each zoo as it helps when planning out my own zoo crammed trips! I recently did 27 zoos in 9 days at the beginning of August. Saw almost every mid-major to major zoo in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, with a few small zoos thrown in as well.
I know we are talking about this in a tongue-and-cheek manner (the subject of transatlantic spelling differences). But I honestly assumed you would use American spellings in a book on American zoos. To use British variants is a huge mistake IMO. Don't you want to get this into gift shops at American zoos? I am baffled by this decision.
To use British variants is a huge mistake IMO. Don't you want to get this into gift shops at American zoos?
To be honest I think it's doubtful that shops would refuse to stock it on these grounds - or would think to ask in advance about what spelling standard was used. Equally I don't think the general public would pay enough attention in the gift shop to check the spelling before making their purchase so I suspect they are safe.
As for the idea that if one is writing about an American location or subject then the American standard of spelling/lexis must be used, I think that's a little extreme - a book about the Statue of Liberty written by a Brit wouldn't refer to it being green in color and located on an island neighbor to Ellis Island, no less than a book by an American about Shakespeare would talk about his plays having been performed in theatres, films and programmes worldwide!
I just re-read 5 of our zoo reviews in the template for our book that I have on my laptop, and I struggled to locate more than a single spelling that could be deemed 'British/Canadian'. Any absence of 'Americanized' spelling is negligible. Also, getting our book into American zoo gift shops (while admirable) is always going to be a struggle as @Arizona Docent can attest to in regards to his own zoo book a few years ago. The book will definitely use the word colour or neighbourhood, if those words are even needed.
Essentially, the book is about American zoos but geared towards an audience from Europe. I collect hundreds of zoo maps, zoo guidebooks and zoo history books...but I'm practically an extinct species in North America. On the flip side, there are loads of folks all across Europe who collect zoo memorabilia (ex: I know several guys with 2,000 - 10,000 zoo guidebooks!) and the interest at events like Zoohistorica show that our book will sell big in the zoo nerd community. We have an order of at least 50 books from a single German publisher and so the anticipation from the European zoo community is a 9 out of 10 while the anticipation from a few North American zoo nerds is a 1 out of 10. That's just the lay of the land and why I need to get back to Europe on my next big 'Snowleopard Road Trip'.
Just think how much money you could have saved on printing if you had left off all those unnecessary extra letters!
I suppose I am surprised that the book will be marketed mostly in Europe. (When I say Europe I include the British Isles, Brexit not withstanding). I assumed that it would be in bookstores and zoo gift shops across the USA. However, as @snowleopard mentions, I do indeed know how exceedingly (unbelievably, stupidly) difficult it is to get into these shops or even get hold of someone who will reply. I would be curious to hear from @ANyhuis how his book (both editions) did on this side of the pond and how many copies they sold.
After the latest Euro trip from our esteemed Canadian author, and given the already extensive travels of his British co-author, do I sense a followup book called Europe's Top 100 Zoos & Aquariums? Hmmm, I think so (though I have heard no mention of it yet...).
@Arizona Docent
After the latest Euro trip from our esteemed Canadian author, and given the already extensive travels of his British co-author, do I sense a followup book called Europe's Top 100 Zoos & Aquariums? Hmmm, I think so (though I have heard no mention of it yet...).
Well, I know something of that ilk is in the works, but in different hands
I can't wait to read this! I especially am eager to read the sections on Philadelphia, Bronx, Jacksonville, Miami, and Smithsonian NZP! I also can't wait to see which 20 specialist collections will be in the addendum. since this is a coffe table hardback type book, will the price in USD be $30+?
@Sarus Crane How do you know that Philadelphia, Bronx, Jacksonville, Miami and Smithsonian National Zoo even made the cut? Just kidding! The price is going to be easily past the $30 U.S. mark, although we haven't set a total yet. However, you get what you pay for and this book is going to be hardcover and with not only a lot of text but probably 700 photos! I'll provide plenty of information as we get closer to a publication date.
