Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Aghh!

I am trying to prepare the next Scholar's Source for press. Normally it is a pretty straight forward procedure, everything announced in the last 3-4 months gets included. Then it is just a matter of deciding which ones to feature, usually a pretty easy decision. But this time...

The first catalog of the year is always our software update, so I have to set aside space for all the software. And, we always have 7 pages of Eisenbrauns titles. All this is normal stuff, but this year there seems to have been more books than normal. I have reduced the featured books to a minimum, almost everything is line listings, and I am still 2 pages over–and that is without adding any software! And, with all those extra line listings, the index will take an extra page, too...

Maybe we should do like the Oxford English Dictionary does with the 2 volume edition, include a magnifying glass. Then I could reduce the type and get all the listings on fewer pages. What do you think? I didn't think you'd agree. Oh well, back to slicing and dicing...

The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings which are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Qohelet (Ecclesiastes) 12:11-14 (RSV)

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