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The New Betta By: BettySplendens Submitted: 5/25/2006 As many of you know, I originally started writing the New Betta as a workbook to utilize in my own fishroom and breeding program. I own practically every book ever published on bettas, but all of them were horribly outdated as it concerns the new variations and types, or else presenting some material as fact that we now know is completely inaccurate. So I sat down and compiled all of my information, both from my website and from personal notes I have taken over the years, and organized it into one usable resource. As I was doing this, a few friends of mine requested that I give them copies when it was complete, and one of them suggested I just write it as a book and submit it for publication. So early last year I completed the book, secured permission from several notable breeders (including Jim Sonnier, Suporn Khumhom and Rajiv Massilamoni) to use some of their excellent photography, and submitted the work to TFH Publications. I received a response far sooner than I anticipated, and it looked very positive from the outset. The publisher loved it, agreed that there was a market for it, and wanted to publish it. However, there were some caveats. For one, the publishing house insisted on ownership of all photos used. Because some of these photos (the R39 fish, Mr. G and so on) were important and historical parts of our hobby, I told them that would not be an option. They then presented their alternative, which was to eliminate the important historical photos and replace them with stock photography. After giving it some thought I realized that I started this project to provide a resource to hobbyists, NOT to try to turn a profit. So I decided to turn down the TFH deal and instead publish the New Betta through a self-publishing house under our own company name (Thimble Publishing) and offer the book at exactly the price it costs to print them to order. A few months ago I was both honored and pleased to be contacted by my hero, Dr. Gene Lucas, who had heard about the New Betta and wished to review a copy for a new article he was planning to write for FAMA Magazine. I sent Doc a complimentary copy, and in return he sent me the most beautiful custom-painted drawing of an extended red betta with his John Hancock. Talk about a gift to be treasured! When Dr. Lucas had a chance to read the book, he was nice enough to call me and tell me what he thought. He expressed approval of the book, telling me there was definitely "nothing like it out there today". And because our telephone conversations tend to run long, he then gave me plenty of constructive criticism (primarily about genetic terminology) and suggestions for future revisions. He also expressed interest in some of the newer developments in bettas, primarily the rosetail form, and I know many of us hope that he will soon have time to return to breeding bettas in the near future, if for nothing else than to explore the genetics of these types as he has done in the past! In the June, 2006 issue of FAMA magazine, Dr. Lucas reviewed the New Betta. What follows is what he said: "I recently obtained a copy of this book. I believe modern betta breeders will want to know about it, too. It's available in both normal book form and a downloadable ebook version. As I understand it, one can request a copy that will be produced upon ordering. "Parnell has provided an overall look at most everything a betta breeder would care about. She provides thorough and very readable coverage of such things as keeping and breeding bettas, live foods and diseases. More importantly, she has given extensive coverage to domestic types of Betta splendens, especially the more important types that have gained prominence in recent years (e.g., halfmoons, crowntails, coppers and rosetails). "While I have some questions about the use of symbols and some assumptions (not just hers) about the genetic nature of these types, no other book covers them as well. Because of the comprehensive coverage and the inclusion of more than 100 color photos of relevant fish examples, I highly recommend her book." I'd like to thank Dr. Lucas for his review, and for all of the subsequent help he has provided over the past year. I am currently working on an updated revision including more information on the wild types and clarification on genetic symbols, which should be released in 2007. I'd also like to thank my fellow hobbyists who provided such beautiful photography for the first edition: Suporn Khumhom, whose bettas and photos are just the best in the business; Rajiv Massilamoni who gave me an exclusive inside interview on the history of the Halfmoon and provided manila envelopes full of fantastic information and historical photos; Markus Gutzeit who submitted photos of some outstanding classic types, Malcom Tan for his wonderful examples of crowntails (including a gorgeous King Crowntail); Chris Yew for his pictorial of Doubletail deformities; Joep van Esch, Teeruch Poparnich, and of course Mr. Jim Sonnier for his wisdom, advice, and photographs of beautiful bettas flaring, spawning, courting, and doing all of the other natural things bettas do when they aren't posing for the camera. THANKS. At this time, the publishing house charges $30.00 for the hard copy of the book and $15.00 for the downloadable ebook version. The book itself is 154 pages, 8.50" x 11.00", perfect binding, 80# white interior paper, full-color interior ink , 100# exterior paper, and full-color exterior ink. The front and back covers were designed by me, the photos provided from Suporn. We're really happy with the way it turned out, and I think you'll like it, too. To buy your own copy of the New Betta, just follow the links below. Hard copy E-book download

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