Goodreads Librarians Group discussion

An author I recently help sort through his books has contacted me today asking for additional help regarding a specific book. The book in question (the one above) has been reprinted with a new cover and apparently additional information and images (something I had no prior knowledge when I fixed the books originally). Basically he wants to know if there is a way for his new edition to show as the default edition instead of the first printed edition. I know about how the system chooses the default edition, which I explained in my last PM to him. But I'm now wondering if the books should be combined at all. Originally I thought they were just alternate covers of the same book, but since the author mentioned that there are some differences (more information, more illustrations = more pages) I don't know if they should remain combined or what should be done.

Since the entire conversation was through PMs I ask his permission to post the thread here for you guys to check and help me figure it out; to which he agreed. I know this will make it a long post and I am honestly sorry for it. The author's name is John.

The conversation: (the time stamps are on the 'hours ago' format)
John: (13 hours, 12 min ago)
Since you have been so very helpful . . .

Yet I am ashamed to ask for your help once more.

Would it be possible to "combine" the editions of Ten Questions so that there are only two, the current paperback and Kindle versions?

And both display the "proper," current cover image?

Dare I to dream that this miracle may one day come to pass? *wink*

Muchisimas Gracias

Me: (12 hours, 42 min ago)
Hello,

It is no problem at all. But I checked the books and they all appear combined. Actually, I was the one that combined them when I was fixing them the other day. Did I missed one? Could you please send me the links of the misbehaving books as to check them individually. I see two paperback, two kindle editions and one ebook all combined with each other.

Me, again: (12 hours, 30 min ago)
Ohh wait, you mean 'merged' as in that one edition absorbs the other. Sorry, that is only done if one of the editions is wrong (as in, never existed) but has reviews from people who accidentally added that edition instead of another. The editions are merged so that the reviews can be transferred unto the correct entry. It essentially deletes the wrong edition from the database. Since you books are correct, they were published and people bought them with those previous covers, they are not eliminated, sorry.

Remember that Goodreads is a book cataloging site that functions more like a library. In a library, old editions of a book are not taken out of the shelves simply because a the book has been re-printed with a new cover.

Still, if you want me to, I can ask in the Librarians group to check Rikva's or Paula's input on the subject.

John: (11 hours, 26 min ago)
I understand, but in this case, the book has been revised and updated, illustrated, expanded, and reformatted, not simply reissued with a new cover.

The edition that displays as the goodreads display "cover" photo is the "old" edition, which was not illustrated, and was only 54 pages long.

The new edition is 74 pages long ("V 1.2") and it is the one that I submitted to the "giveaway" program last week. I have also uploaded an excerpt from it to goodreads, so that is the version members will see, not the old one.

In fact, the most recent reviews that I have on goodreads are from readers who received and read the NEW edition, with the new cover and content, not the "old" one.

From Heather:

“Ten Questions: The Insider’s Guide to Saving Money on Auto Insurance” by John David doesn’t really need much of an introduction. The title explains it all. Mr. David has written thousands of auto insurance policies in 30 states and was ranked #1 Sales Agent nationwide. He definitely knows about auto insurance.

I liked this book because Mr. David really breaks down the questions you should ask your auto insurance agent and how to get the best deal for your needs at the lowest . . .

From Cassaundra:

Very informative.

I am not suggesting that goodreads "remove" or "delete" the cover photo of the "old" edition, simply that the correct "new" version is the one that be used for the "display" cover image. Cannot the old one remain as one of the "other versions?"

I assure you, far more people own and have read the new version, than the old one, and since the old is no longer available, that difference will only increase over time.

Thanks for your help!

Me: (11 hours, 8 min ago)
I see, unfortunately the way the system works is that it uses as default the edition that has been most 'shelved' on the site. If the first edition is the one showing as a default instead of the new edition, means that more people have that one on their books lists. The only way to fix this is to wait until more people 'shelve' the new edition of the book. When that happens, the system automatically switches the default edition.

Again, I'm open to ask in the Librarian Group, however I would like your permission to post your side of the conversation so that people see your point better than me rewriting your comments (things do get lost in translation).

Now, I have a question, are you saying that both editions are so different from one another that they are essentially two independent books?

John: (9 hours, 11 min ago)
Understood, but if 14 people currently have the CURRENT edition (the only one that is available) "shelved" on their "to read" list, would that not then suffice to make the current edition the "default" one?

Yes, of course you have my permission to post my side of the conversation.

I am saying that the two editions are so very different as to have different version numbers on the title page, much more content, illustrations, etc.

I refer you also to the two most recent reviews of the book, and the excerpt I just uploaded, both are of the "current" edition.

It would be less confusing to goodreads members if the current cover were the default image, is all I am saying, as that is the only one that is available, and for the other reasons I have already listed.

Thanks again for your help!

Me: (5 hours, 7 min ago)
Hello, sorry for the delay, I had to head out earlier and I need to head out again, I'll start the thread in the Librarians group when I get back. In the meantime, I was checking the book's reviews and the tally goes like this:

There are a total of 22 reviews for the Book itself, regardless of the edition. Now, of those reviews, 17 are from the 1st edition Paperback, 4 are from 1st edition eBook (the only eBook edition on the site), and 1 is from the 2nd edition Kindle format. Neither the 1st edition kindle format, nor the 2nd edition paperback have reviews.

As the author you have two reviews on the tally, one is from the 1st edition ebook and the other one is from the 2nd edition kindle.

Given the numbers, the default edition (the most 'shelved' edition) is the 1st edition (old edition) Paperback. The cover image from this edition will appear on your author profile until another edition (with a different cover) gets shelved more than 17 times; counting that no one else shelves this edition again.

--END of Conversation so far --

I still have to hear from him on that last one. But I spent most of the afternoon/night out and ended up sending that last message kind of late.

Yes they should be combined, and no there is no way to manually change which one shows as primary.

Thank you ^.^