Books about ABBA and related subjects

Here is a guide to a number of queries regarding the book ABBA On Record - Packaged Promoted Reviewed. Production of the book is funded through pre-orders: order your copy at abbaonrecord.com. All prices include postage and packing - just a few clicks and you're done!

Where can I pre-order this book?

Just go to abbaonrecord.com. You will find all ordering details there.

Can you share more details about the contents of the book?

Yes, I have posted a series of blog posts about each section featured in ABBA On Record.

Can I read a few pages of the book somewhere?

Yes, there is an excerpt available, about the time when ABBA performed Dancing Queen at the Royal Swedish Opera.

To what extent are the ABBA members involved in this book?

They have almost no involvement, except for approving things such as me listening to The Michael Tretow Tapes.

Why doesn't the book have the official ABBA logo with the reversed B?

The ABBA logo is a registered trademark and can only be used on official CDs, books, etc. ABBA On Record is not an official, authorised ABBA product. There is also a fee involved for the use of the logo, and I'd rather invest my financial resources in making the book as great as it can be in terms of content, and not in the privilege of using a reversed B.

A personal opinion: I don't think the ABBA logo should be used on anything that they themselves haven't been personally involved in or which represents them in the way they'd like to be presented. That doesn't mean that unauthorised projects can't have great value, as I'd like to believe I have proved a number of times, but there should be a clear difference between authorised and unauthorised.

Why are you self-publishing?

I had a very gratifying experience in self-publishing ABBA - The Complete Recording Sessions, the success of which exceeded my own expectations, and the book also received a lot of love from ABBA fans as well as critics. It confirmed what I'd already concluded: that self-publishing is the way forward for "special interest" titles like this, focusing on a subject that appeals to a limited but highly motivated audience. In this way, I can have full control over the book and ensure that it appeals to that readership. In other words, I don't have to compromise, but can concentrate 100% on making a book for readers who are really interested in the subject.

Another reason is that self-publishing enables me to make the book as nicely produced as I think it deserves to be. A regular publisher would inevitably regard ABBA On Record as a special interest title, and that means cutting corners everywhere possible in terms of printing quality, paper quality and everything else connected to the book - including financial compensation to the author. I don't blame them for that - they are running a business - but it would have made it very difficult to make the book happen at all. Researching and writing a book like this is incredibly time-consuming, and I have to eat and pay the rent like everybody else.

Finally, I think there is a certain beauty in self-publishing a book: we're all in this together, essentially, and with the aid of pre-orders we make it happen because we all want it to happen.

The book is more expensive than when I order something like a novel from websites such as Amazon. Why is that?

Without having full insight into, for example, Amazon's business model, as a major retailer they are able to ask for price reductions from publishers, and, I guess, also make advantageous deals in terms of shipping and such. And the publishers, in turn, are able to negotiate advantageous deals with printers, based on all the other business they're giving those printers. None of those options are available in the case of ABBA On Record, which is a self-published title.

I've chosen to put together a 456-page book, nicely produced in every sense, with illustrations and in full colour throughout, printed at a reputable printer rather than going for cheaper, less reliable printing options. Most importantly, it's a comparatively small edition as well. All these factors make the book itself more pricey, since the initial printing costs make a huge dent in the budget. Shipping charges reflect the actual cost of sending a fairly massive book, which is also expensive. There are no swings and roundabouts here - every part of this book project must carry its own costs.

I am confident, however, that you will find your investment worthwhile – for my part I'm investing a lot more love, care and passion in this project than you will find in the average book. Sounds like a bargain to me!

I'm really interested in more background details about this book project. Where can I find it?

There's an entire section on this site devoted to the book, featuring excerpts from the book, blogs, links, and all sorts of stuff.

Is there a way of getting regular updates on what's going on with the book?

Yes, there are a number of options.

You may subscribe to the ABBA Blog RSS feed on this site. All updates related to the book are published in the ABBA Blog.

You may also follow my personal accounts on Facebook and Twitter, where all updates relating to the book are posted.

Finally, you may subscribe to my newsletter, which will give you regular updates on what I'm up to. Just fill in the subscription details on the start page of this website.

I'm interested in the ebook, but will I be able to read it on my device?

In all likelihood, you will. The ebook will be delivered to you in two different formats, and one of those formats should work for you.

Finally, tell me again why I should pre-order ABBA On Record - Packaged Promoted Reviewed.

1.  If you read and enjoyed ABBA - The Complete Recording Sessions, there's every chance you will like ABBA On Record as well. My aim is to provide you with new information and new insights, and I promise you that this book will deliver that.

2.  Again, if you're interested in the kind of info presented in ABBA - The Complete Recording Sessions, the chapter about the Voyage album and the revelations from The Michael Tretow Tapes make the book a must-have - that's not me trying to sell a book saying that, it's the ABBA fan in me!

3.  There is a paradox concerning ABBA: while many people enjoy their music, only a comparatively small proportion of them are interested in reading a book about the group. As I see it, the only chance of having quality books published about them, focusing on a certain aspect - their music, their live concerts, whatever - is if dedicated ABBA fans join forces to make those quality books happen. So your contribution is essential: every additional order will help me in my endeavours to go on writing in-depth books about ABBA.

Pre-order your copy at abbaonrecord.com.

Thank you so much in advance - your support matters!