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Comment by gnicholas | Hacker News Reader

Related question: I am reading a book by an author whom I know socially. The book is very good, but I have noticed a few minor typos. I also noticed that one example is explained backwards — that is, it mixes up the causes and effects for two phenomena. I have not independently researched the phenomena, but based on the earlier description (which is logical and I believe to be correct), the conclusion of a section is clearly mistaken.

Is it appropriate or helpful to point out any of these issues? The book came out a couple years ago, and I imagine other people who know the author may have pointed them out already. I don't want to make him feel bad (no one likes the bearer of bad news), but if it were me I would want to be told so that future print runs and digital editions could be corrected. (The book is popular and will likely remain relevant for years or even decades.)

Perhaps I should shoot him an email from an anonymous email address?

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They'd probably be delighted to hear that you're reading the book (and it wouldn't hurt to mention that you think it's good!)

You could mention that, and ask about the causality problem, why it seems backwards compared to the earlier description, and how you've not researched it yourself and would appreciate clarification. You can also mention that you've noticed some minor typos and ask whether they'd appreciate them for a future printing. I think it's safe to say authors would rather have mistakes not continue to be reprinted.

Second this. A few years back I wrote a chapter for a book and then the editor screwed up. With one of the other authors, we took on editing and fixing things around.

As I had seen so many versions of it, my chapter was the one on which I could do the less editing around -- I was absolutely tired of it. Lo a behold, the book gets published, I get a physical copy on my hands, and I start seeing typos and small mistakes around. Nothing too serious, but things that I would've fixed.

I know those mistakes are there. Only a handful of people have pointed them out. Those people have not only read the book, the followed it and questioned it. It's nice to be reached out, even if I already know what's wrong.

Depending on how well you know this person, you could frame your "correction" as more of a question. "I was having trouble understanding what you meant in the conclusion, because it felt like it contradicted what you say earlier. I'm probably just confused or missing something, but could you explain it to me?" They might notice their error based on that and tell you they messed up. Or they might not, in which case you can "ask" if the way you're thinking about it makes more sense.

Don't use an anonymous email. Just email them from an account you use and see what turns up, if it is such a frequent question the author in this day an age could post an errata to their website. They might even have a reworked bit of prose for a second edition or some-related-next-project. The only people I wouldn't email are the people that clearly don't want to be found from a simple search.

It's just an email, don't overthink it. Don't write a rebuttal essay, just express what you are reading and why it doesn't line up for you and send it along. Maybe there's something you're missing or maybe this is a bit of manuscript that was revised a few times and now doesn't line up perfectly. It's no different than going to a friend and asking if they can make heads or tails from it. They wrote a book to share something they found interesting people asking questions and clarifications is what I would think to be one of the few true rewards.

I've been in similar situations (for much less well-known books, granted) and took the approach of writing a personal and praise-filled email with my list of errata as an attachment. It makes reading the errata a little more opt-in.

>Is it appropriate or helpful to point out any of these issues?

Only you can answer that question, as none of us here know them! Some people really appreciate it when you point out their mistakes (privately), others will hold a grudge against you for life.

As an author I _love_ feedback especially things where I can fix it / improve it.

I once had a similar disagreement with someone on a public internet forum. Their statement wasn't wrong per se, because the factors we were arguing about were based on a well defined mathematical relationship. I just thought they had the cause and effect relationship backwards. I put forth my best arguments but were unable to convince them. The same fate might befall you if you try to push this issue, although you have nothing to lose with a private communication.

Tell him (A) you really liked the book because x,y & z, and (B) you think you found some minor errors, and does he want to hear about them?

Why not just email the publisher or editor of the book? Certainly for any typos they would not bother the author.

Thanks for all the feedback. I do have lots of other questions that are positive in nature, and show that I've closely read the book. I'll compile all of those and it will dwarf the few nits that I'll include at the end.

Thanks HN!

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