ISBN but no metadata? Online Publishers

bigpallooka · 10-22-2010, 03:16 AM

Is there a source for metadata for publishers like Ellora's Cave and Changeling Press etc? Even if I have an ISBN calibre can't source metadata for books from these and other online electronic publishers.
Regards

kovidgoyal · 10-22-2010, 02:17 PM

No, calibre gets metadata from aggregators rather than individual publishers websites, it would be too inefficient otherwise.

CleverClothe · 10-23-2010, 12:16 AM

What I do in that case is delete the ISBN and Publisher, then use the Title and Author to search. I usually end up cobbling together metadata from various sources anyway (like selecting the first publisher). Why is it so hard to find back cover summaries?

bigpallooka · 10-23-2010, 01:12 AM

Ok. I get why the meta-data isn't available - the publishers concerned don't have their works included in the databases that calibre accesses. It's going to happen. The issue for me is that I just imported 1800 books into calibre - none of which - have accessible meta-data. I can certainly look-up each title at the publishers website then copy and pate information and covers. I was just hopping that someone might have a less time intensive suggestion.

I'll give an example to illustrate:
Dakota Cassidy is an author who writes romance, paranormal and erotica. Some of her work is released as dead tree option through retail outlets including amazon.com. All of her books are released as electronic options but only some through outlets such as amazon.com the rest are only available through the publishers website. The ones that are available through amazon.com in either form have available meta-data however the online publishers meta-data is (of course) unavailable. This means of about 2 dozen books I have of hers only 8 will fetch meta-data. It's a significant issue even if there isn't an easy solution.It makes calibre only partially useful to readers of these books

I'm not knocking the program. It does what it can given the data available, I'm just hoping someone has an inspired solution.

woodygirl · 11-16-2010, 08:49 AM

@bigpallooka
I have the same problem with authors from Ellora's Cave, Siren, etc. Right now I am copying and pasting the book info and covers, which as you said, can be very time consuming. Have you found any faster option?

10-22-2010, 03:16 AM	#1
bigpallooka Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 24 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kobo/Tablet PC/Desktop/Laptop	ISBN but no metadata? Online Publishers Is there a source for metadata for publishers like Ellora's Cave and Changeling Press etc? Even if I have an ISBN calibre can't source metadata for books from these and other online electronic publishers. Regards

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10-22-2010, 02:17 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,871 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	No, calibre gets metadata from aggregators rather than individual publishers websites, it would be too inefficient otherwise.

10-23-2010, 12:16 AM	#3
CleverClothe Guru Posts: 618 Karma: 493394 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Device: iRex iLiad, Onyx Boox 60	What I do in that case is delete the ISBN and Publisher, then use the Title and Author to search. I usually end up cobbling together metadata from various sources anyway (like selecting the first publisher). Why is it so hard to find back cover summaries?

10-23-2010, 01:12 AM	#4
bigpallooka Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 24 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kobo/Tablet PC/Desktop/Laptop	Ok. I get why the meta-data isn't available - the publishers concerned don't have their works included in the databases that calibre accesses. It's going to happen. The issue for me is that I just imported 1800 books into calibre - none of which - have accessible meta-data. I can certainly look-up each title at the publishers website then copy and pate information and covers. I was just hopping that someone might have a less time intensive suggestion. I'll give an example to illustrate: Dakota Cassidy is an author who writes romance, paranormal and erotica. Some of her work is released as dead tree option through retail outlets including amazon.com. All of her books are released as electronic options but only some through outlets such as amazon.com the rest are only available through the publishers website. The ones that are available through amazon.com in either form have available meta-data however the online publishers meta-data is (of course) unavailable. This means of about 2 dozen books I have of hers only 8 will fetch meta-data. It's a significant issue even if there isn't an easy solution.It makes calibre only partially useful to readers of these books I'm not knocking the program. It does what it can given the data available, I'm just hoping someone has an inspired solution.

11-16-2010, 08:49 AM	#5
woodygirl Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Nook	@bigpallooka I have the same problem with authors from Ellora's Cave, Siren, etc. Right now I am copying and pasting the book info and covers, which as you said, can be very time consuming. Have you found any faster option?

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