The Importance of Citing Sources in Trivia Books

When writing a trivia book, one of the essential considerations is whether to cite the sources from where you obtained the information. While not all trivia books include detailed citations, it is highly recommended to do so for credibility and reader engagement. This article will discuss the reasons why citing sources is important and provide some insights from personal experiences.

Why Cite Sources in Trivia Books?

Citing sources enhances the credibility of your work, especially if the information is not common knowledge or if you are using specific data, quotes, or unique facts. Here are a few reasons why citing sources is essential:

Credibility

Citing sources adds legitimacy to your trivia book, showing that you have conducted thorough research. This is crucial in maintaining the integrity and reliability of your work, especially when the information presented is specific and detailed.

Reader Interest

Some readers may appreciate knowing where the information came from. This can be particularly helpful if they want to delve deeper into specific topics or verify the accuracy of the information. Providing sources allows readers to explore the information further, which can enhance their learning experience.

Common Practice

While many trivia books may not include extensive citations, some do provide sources, especially in more academic or specialized trivia genres. Citing sources is a common practice in academic and editorial publishing, where accuracy and reliability are paramount.

Format

If you choose to include sources, you can do so in various formats, such as footnotes, endnotes, or a bibliography. The format you choose should be consistent throughout the book and easy for readers to follow.

Case Study: My Experience Writing a Trivia Book

In 2008, I wrote a book for Annick Press about medieval technology. The process involved extensive research and consultation with the head of the history department at the University of Toronto, John Mantha. My role was to write the story and put together a game design for a paper and pencil game where readers were invited to read a story and build a medieval town using an extensive catalog of technologies listed in the reference portion of the book.

During the interview, I asked John numerous questions about various technologies, such as whether they had gunpowder and how it was made, and where they got metal from. John was a wealth of information and very helpful. We both left the interview exhausted but satisfied that I would be able to tell the story I had in mind while maintaining accordance with the most accurate information available. I wrote down many pages of notes to prepare for the work ahead and even had John’s phone number on hand in case of further questions.

The book underwent multiple re-writes over the following two years, undergoing a very picky editorial process that included three different editors. The end result was a highly refined, carefully fact-checked book. We confidently stood by all the information presented, and as such, we did not cite any other sources or authorities because we were the final authorities. We took this responsibility seriously and put in our due diligence to ensure the claims were as valid as possible.

This is how it is supposed to be done in the world of traditional publishing. Similarly, books produced by The Guinness Book of World Records also function in a similar manner. They put in the research effort, fact-check, and edit and thoroughly scrutinize everything they put into print, and they offer up their good name as collateral. If they are wrong about a detail, they are expected to publish corrections and retractions in a timely manner to maintain their industry respect and credibility.

The Modern Publishing Landscape

Today, we live in a world where the quality of information is often questionable. In such an atmosphere, it might be prudent to find a way to establish credibility with readers through expanded use of references and citations or other means. However, it is essential to work out a way to do so without overwhelming the reader with distracting details and footnotes on every page.

Possibilities for providing references include a basic index with citations accompanied by a web link to expanded documentation. If you are just writing a book about kites, fishing, or some other subject comfortably distant from the political ruckus, you may not need to go so far. However, after a certain point, it is not your job to produce the final public face of your efforts; your editors and publisher will know how best to manage those elements accordingly.

Remember, good luck with your trivia book!