Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 3, 1990 TAG: 9005020211
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. LENGTH: Short
The first entry in this continuing series that offers several condensed books in one volume appeared in 1950. The idea came from an editor who had observed that one of the most popular features in the Reader's Digest magazine was the condensed book sections. He suggested putting the condensations between hard covers.
The first volume in the series was mailed to 100,000 customers. The Digest says that today, a volume sells more than 1 million copies in the United States. On a worldwide basis, more than 21 million volumes in 10 languages were sold in 17 countries in 1989.
Barbara J. Morgan, editor-in-chief of Condensed Books, says that she and her staff select the books to be included in the volumes by reviewing "as many as 3,500 manuscripts each year, but only about 25 of them make the cut. We look for strong plots and richly drawn characters."
Morgan says that the selected books are pared by 30 percent to 50 percent by cutting "words within a sentence or lines within a paragraph, so the cuts are barely perceptible. We're careful to preserve the rhythm of the author's style.
"We never rewrite. That's the difference between abridging and condensing. We think condensing is better because it's true to the author's individual style."
by CNB