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So what’s the TRUE ‘Read an E-book Week’—or however you spell it?
February 27, 2008 | 10:46 am
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By David Rothman
Here’s the mystery of the week—about a Week, cap W: “Read an E-book Week” or however you spell it. Does anyone know what days it really covers? Possibilities:
–March 9-15 (starting on a Sunday). Those are the dates in a post we published February 17 based on a news release from Canadian writer Rita Toews. Yep, we used exactly the information Rita gave us, which jibes with the lowdown she gave us in 2003.
–March 2-8 (again, a Sunday start)). Those are her current dates. Why the correction? Her site says, “Rita Toews created Read an E-book Week in 2002.” Shouldn’t she know the dates? Why didn’t she stick to March 9-15? Any legalities involved? One Robin Whitman—I don’t know who he or she is—has just sent us a “correction” mentioning March 2-8. Doe Robin have a trademark on the term? At any rate Robin just said, “Read an ebook week.” No TM mentioned and no caps, even though I’d expect them. So maybe not.
–March 6-12 (starting on Tuesday). That’s in a Feb. 6 press release from writer Biff Mitchell, described as a “Canadian Spokesperson” for the e-book week. It refers to Rita and says, “According to Chase’s Calendar of Events, this March 6 to 12 is Read an eBook Week.” Notice the spelling? And why the Tuesday start and those particular dates?
Confusion harms The Cause
In turning out, er, churning out, a daily blog, we’re hardly infallible. Oh, the atrocities we commit—thankful that our readers are around to set us straight! Still, as an e-book fan, I find it dismaying that questions exist about the timing of The Week. Enemies of e-books love to knock them for bad editing, and the confusion over The Week doesn’t exactly help The Cause.
Yes, I’ll e-mail the people involved to see if they can’t settle on a date and maybe even on an official spelling. I’m rooting for Read an E-Book Week, and as for the days, March 2-8 would be fine by me if, as I suspect, Rita is indeed the creator.
Hey, pardon the nitpicking. I’m really glad The Week exists, and I appreciate Rita’s hard work. But let’s try to get the week right and, if nothing else, encourage Rita to explain the new dates.
Meanwhile, remember the main point here, regardless of the details—to tell people about the benefits of E, ranging from ecological ones to easier access to great literature.
Related: Ficbot’s essay.
Technorati Tags: Read an E-book Week,Rita Toews
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Comments:
Rita schedules Read an E-Book Week to coincide with Epicon (the annual eBook authors convention) which is being held March 6-9 this year. I suspect she saw the 9th date, and picked the week, then realized it was at the end of the conference rather than the beginning.
I won’t be able to make Epicon this year but it’s always a fun and informative event–packed with authors and publishers who truly believe in E.
In terms of the eBook vs. e-Book vs whatever, I think that’s a matter of personal preference. I use eBook myself. But Rita apparently uses E-Book.
Rob Preece
Publisher, http://www.BooksForABuck.com
The dates for the 2008 week are March 2 to March 8. I can’t help you with “ebook” or “e-book” (although I prefer ebook) — or other points about the wording of the week. But I can guarantee that the “official” dates for ==Read an Ebook Week == (for the year 2008), is March 2 to March 8. The authority is Chase’s Calendar of Events. It’s easy to verify: just phone your local reference librarian. I did.
Thanks, Robin, but if Rita created the week, why did the dates change?
Maybe it’s just a year-by-year thing, depending on when the week starts and what is the first week or second week in March, or whatever.
If so, then perhaps Rita can enlighten us as to the exact logic. Same re the spelling.
Thanks again.
David
(who did try to track down Chase on the Net but found it was apparently paywalled away)
Apologies everyone! Yes, I goofed. I’ve emailed David to explain the problem. I’m sure he’ll post the email. The official week is March 2 – 8.
Folks, Rita’s super-candid explanation is on the way. Look for it tomorrow in the regular part of the blog, not just as a comment. Again, let me emphasize that I appreciate her hard work! We all make mistakes–I do–and I’ve told her that I hope that the errors won’t discourage her from contining her much-appreciated E-book Week efforts. David
Update, 7:34 p.m EST: Just saw Rita’s note–written shortly before this one. Thanks, Rita! – D