What's your book subject?

tjwriter

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I thought about doing a book on pit bulls. It's something that interests me, as they have a tendency to be feared because of attacks. Some are like that, but I have the biggest sissy boy in the world. He was abused in certain ways, and most of it is emotional. He is very gentle, loving, and good with all people. I have yet to introduce him to someone, and he not like them.

He even pouted the first time my mom came over. She was scared of him because he was a pit bull, and he took it personally. He sat down next the couch right by her and hung his head until she gave him a pat.

Doing this would require extensive research, but it is something I might tackle later.
 

DeePower

Our new book is about the publishing industry

The Making of a Bestseller: Success Stories From Authors, Editors, Agents and the Booksellers Behind Them. The exciting journey to the top of the bestseller lists, as seen through the eyes of celebrated authors, editors and literary agents. While there are many books on how to write, publish, or market a book, there hasn't been a book that pulls together a comprehensive look at the entire publishing process from the bestseller prospective. The Making of a Bestseller provides a positive, but realistic look at the publishing industry and how bestsellers are born. Who better to tell the story than those who are involved at the very frontlines of publishing?



Fifty eight authors, publishers, editors, agents, book reviewers and experts were interviewed and their insights interwoven throughout the book. One might think of The Making of a Bestseller as a giant panel discussion (fortunately not everyone talks at once). When the reader finishes this book, he or she will really understand what separates a bestselling book from all the others that are published. Avid readers of fiction and nonfiction will find fascinating stories behind some of their favorite authors' works.

Its available now in bookstores and online booksellers. You can find out more by visiting our website.
http://www.BrianHillAndDeePower.com

Dee
 

Uncarved

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A Georgia Native Plant Guide, fall 2005, is a precise anthology of native plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, etc. that are designed to grow and found in Georgia. Also a listing of endangered and rare plants.

Georgia's Covered Bridges, fall 2006, gives the touristy aspect to some of the remaining bridges in Georgia. All the historic ones are featured plus some that aren't.

*Title to be Named Later* fall 2006, a book on Interstitial Cystitis and how to cope with a new diagnosis. Health book weighing in at 275 pages.


Plus Four more manuscripts I'm halfway done with.

Tina
 
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Pat~

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I've written an spiritual/inspirational book to help women dealing with depression and the things that often accompany it: impulsivity, compulsions/addictions, and anxiety. It's a study that can be done solo or with a group.
 

DTNg

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A memoir? I'm not sure because it's not necessarily about me. My book will be a humorous look at life in a big family. We had an interesting life and lived frugally and it makes for many funny moments. (I hope.)
 

BlueTexas

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My non-fic WIP is about ghosts. Some people would argue that ghosts are fiction, but I suppose that's beside the point.
 

robeiae

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triceretops said:
WHAT KIND OF NON-FICTION BOOK DO YOU HAVE IN THE WORKS? WHAT CATEGORY?
triceretops said:
1. Self-help.
2. How-to
3. Historical
4. True Crime
5 Inspirational
6. Academic/science
7. Biography (celebrity)
8. Other

My first book, soon to be POD published, is about political theory, so I guess it's a 6. However, it was not written for acedemia (though it was not written for the barely literate, either!). My second, which I am working on now, is about economic theory. They are both part of a series: three books in all, on political theory, economic theory, and social theory. Yes, I know that it's ambitious.

WHAT'S THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF RESEARCH FOR YOUR BOOK?

I spent 15 years researching these books. Really, I spent 15 years reading and putting off the writing? Nonetheless, I am writing from my mind; I rarely consult any other materials, even for quotes (except to get footnote info, which I don't do until I've finished a book). So... my answer would be that the research was easy, though lengthy; it's the actual sitting down to write and doing it full time that was the most difficult part!

Rob
 

Rose

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I was just asked to co-author a book about the history of a popular half-marathon (so #3, I guess, for local history). Just being ASKED to to co-author it made this newbie feel like a real author, and I danced around and whooped and let loose with a few high kicks...and then I realized there's a very, very limited audience for this book.

Of course, I've never even considered writing a book, so everything I know about the process I've read on this board. I'm going to meet with my potential co-author in two weeks, and in the meantime do a bunch of research on the ins and outs of writing/publishing a book.

I'm guessing this would have to be a self-published, super-small-print-run type of project, and I'm not sure how interested I am in that. Any thoughts?

Or sorry, I've venturing off topic...
 

Wandering Sensei

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I have a couple nonfiction books that have at least gotten to the outline stage. One (or maybe two) is a book on writing, based on a lot of my work and teaching over the years.

The other is a popular science book about cats. I have the outline, and I think it's a good book. It would be a massive research project, but that would be okay, except for the fact that there seems to be NO information out there on this particular subject. I've googled. I've checked the library websites. Nada!

I still think it's a good idea. But I can't write a blank book. (Well, I could, but no one would buy it.)

I have a couple other premises floating around for nonfiction works as well. Another popular science one, and one about martial arts.
 

eldragon

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to Ancient Eagle

I volunteer at a local (state run) nursing home, and I can tell you... the best thing your wife has going for her is your love and support. That puts her miles ahead of the crowd.
 

ShadowGuide

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Chicken Writers

paprikapink said:
I'm terrified to talk to people, ask them questions, waste their time. Makes me kinda feel like I can't really be a writer, no matter how well I write, if I can't get over this hurdle.
<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif" />

-pkpk

I have the opposite problem. I am a talker who also teaches others how to write (high school English). (My mother, raised Catholic, was once so flabbergasted by my talking that she said I'd argue with Satan and the Pope. At the time I had no clue why a Catholic might find both forms of argument to be taboo!) :guns:

So what's MY problem? I'm chicken to write anything because it is never "good enough" for me! Still, after nearly 20 years of being told by everyone I know to start writing, I entered one flash fiction contest in February, entered Absolute Write Idol (thanks, Jenna) and applied to a Writer's Conference.

By the way, my non-fiction works-in-progress are for teachers and those who want to use storytelling as a tool for work, home or school.
-Mel.
 

108Days

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Ancient Eagle...You are correct, there is always room for hope. I wrote a book about my husband's medical debacle. I was the only person in America that believed my husband was going to survive. I was never raised in at atmosphere of religion, but after this, I'm a believer. I experienced miracles.
You must encounter the same arrogance and indifference that we have...from the hospital and doctors and the medical community in general. And yes, selling it is a lot harder than writing it. I'm working on my second book which encompasses the total financial and emotional destruction the insurance company has inflicted on our entire family as a result of this tragedy. I'm going to print my book myself, I hope to have it ready by June. If you're interested, I would be happy to put a link to your book on my website...www.108days.com. If anybody else is reading this, I need help with my 'target market.' I, of course, think every American will be interested in my book. I keep calling it a non-fiction medical docu-drama...but this does not appear to be a formal genre. I need a little help.
 

MadScientistMatt

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My book would fall under the category of "How-To." It is a guide to car modifications for the absolute beginner. I have quite a few books on cars, but most of the books assume the reader already knows a fair amount about cars. There are a few aspects of cars that I will probably want to study up on, but most of the research is things I've already done for my hobby. So I am also doing some market research by looking to see if I can find any other books on modifying cars written for a beginner so I can see how mine compares. I already have a copy of Car Mods and Hacks for Dummies and there are two others I might want to buy too.
 

MadScientistMatt

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Cool. Technology has definitely changed with cars, but at least most of the changes have been to the computers. I'm sure there are a few new ripoff schemes out there too, but the good old alignment rip-offs and some of the others are all still around from what I hear. Is the book just about stunts that mechanics and dealerships have been known to pull, or does it cover things like magnets on the fuel line?
 

triceretops

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Mad--it was about your basic ripoffs that were prevelant in the 70's and 80's. I was one of the investigators that popped Sears for overselling parts--using scare tactics to sell pre-smog inspection equipment--brake combi kits, selling CATS that weren't burnt out, etc. Ralph Nader liked it so much he wrote the forward to the book for me. I covered all of the car components that were basically sold via department store and franchise shops--the real fast R&R stuff.
The facticious Lomac gage to test for bad ball joints--the infamous Ford Idler arm and basically all the rest. Oh, yeah, "set the toe and let it go" I remember that allignment bull. Too bad I didn't know all the latest crud coming down the pike, I might be motivated to start up the next addition, Ha!

Magnets on fuel lines? I'll be damned, maybe we best start another list of ripoffs--I've never heard of that one! Does it slow down the flow of fuel?
How about the sealing gas cap that requires 1lb of pressure or you get that damn service light that sends you to the dealer for a minimum 70 bucks per hour to diagnose? Just leaving that cap a little lose does the trick and many owners aren't aware of it.

Yes, I would love to get into the computor aspects of vehicles today--virtually anything that goes marginally wrong sends you to "a qualified service center" to have it checked out. What about these crappy crankshaft and camshaft sensors that'll shut the whole gismo down and leave you stranded, when they short out?

Triceratops
 

drkrisg

My book topic?

The first two books I wrote would I guess be classified as "academic" though they are written for teens and the "market" for them (I put market in quotes, because I have sold very few copies) is school libraries. Making Sexual Decisions (Scarecrow Press, 2003) and Image and Identity (Scarecrow Press June, 2005) would have been better suited to be more mass market books in paperback. However, these are cloth cover and prohibitively expensive: $35 for the first and $42 for the 2nd. No way can a parent learn about it and buy it for a son or daughter. Grrrrrr.

The one that is in the proposal stage is sociological. Doesn't really fit into any of the categories. What would you consider a book like Nickled and Dimed or Fast Food Nation?
EmoteShrug.gif


Tri -- I am going through a very similar experience that you have been writing about. My agent (second one) wants my book to be more narrative and as an academic this writing style has been a struggle for me. Though our topics are quite different, I hear myself in your struggle to identify a voice that is narrative, yet "real." I don't want to imply I was somewhere I was not. But, like you, my agent wants a story -- not a report.

Sigh.
 

AncientEagle

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eldragon said:
I volunteer at a local (state run) nursing home, and I can tell you... the best thing your wife has going for her is your love and support. That puts her miles ahead of the crowd.

Thanks for the comment, Eldragon. I apologize for just now getting back to this thread.
 

AncientEagle

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108Days said:
Ancient Eagle...You are correct, there is always room for hope. I wrote a book about my husband's medical debacle. I was the only person in America that believed my husband was going to survive. I was never raised in at atmosphere of religion, but after this, I'm a believer. I experienced miracles.
You must encounter the same arrogance and indifference that we have...from the hospital and doctors and the medical community in general. And yes, selling it is a lot harder than writing it. I'm working on my second book which encompasses the total financial and emotional destruction the insurance company has inflicted on our entire family as a result of this tragedy. I'm going to print my book myself, I hope to have it ready by June. If you're interested, I would be happy to put a link to your book on my website...www.108days.com. If anybody else is reading this, I need help with my 'target market.' I, of course, think every American will be interested in my book. I keep calling it a non-fiction medical docu-drama...but this does not appear to be a formal genre. I need a little help.

Sorry to be so late responding. Just got back to this thread. I'm delighted to meet someone who understands this kind of experience. You mentioned arrogance and indifference - I would also add, sometimes, incredible incompetence. On the other hand, we have had some great doctors to balance off the bad ones. We were also fortunate to have very good medical insurance that has supported us in most of our efforts. I am also retired military, so we have had good support from military hospitals where that was appropriate. Unfortunately, malignant melanoma is a strange, erratic, unpredictable form of cancer, and a lot of doctors don't really know that much about it.

I would definately be interested in the link to your website. I think I am somewhere near the end of rewriting my book- "Through the Dark Waters: Outrunning Cancer With Both Legs Tied" - but have just signed a contract to do a lengthy chapter of a history of the U.S. Infantry and am in panic mode until I get on top of that.

If you don't object, I would like to e-mail you direct, a little later, to discuss our books.
 

mommie4a

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I have two books started, my efforts on the shelves behind me.

1. How to give gifts to kids. I hate when my parents and inlaws ask me every year, what should I get the kids, and then don't get that, or don't ask and get things I can't believe. But there's so much more to this than etiquette or staying away from more Tickle Me Elmo. Book proposal is 80% done, supporters (already published experts in toy and gift industry) lined up for blurbs, agent ready to read. But then I got a yearlong freelance gig that fits my longterm interests and I put the book on hold (thank God the agent has also been like a friend and didn't kill me, three weeks before I was to send the proposal to her, when I told her I was stopping the book for now).

2. Jews at Georgetown. GU is 70% Catholic, I'm 100% Jewish though through the years I've disowned it at times. I'm as observant as I am (which actually isn't very, but it's more complicated than that) BECAUSE I Went to GU. A recent book called God on the Squad, talks about a surge in kids going to same-religion schools and being like missionaries about it. My proposal is for a book that examines what it's like to be a member of a minority religion of a school dominated by a different religion.
 

ritinrider

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Mommie4a, both books sound interesting, the second one especially. My cousin, who is now an Episcipal (sp?) priest once told me she didn't believe in prayer in the school. She meant the kind where everyone in the school bows their little heads and an adult (usually principal) says the prayer over the intercom. Or, having an assembly where all the students are gathered and a universal prayer is uttered. Her reasoning, she was a catholic attending a public school in a very baptist area of Oklahoma. The morning prayer in her school included some form of "please help the heathens see the light", meaning, "help these few catholic children become baptist". And when I was in 7th grade I lived in Utah, a nice state. At the time Utah was probably 80% Morman or LDS, I was not.

So I think your book would be interesting, and would be of interest to a great number of people.

There were several other books in the making listed in this thread that sound interesting. Be sure you all let us know when they are available.

Nita
 

JenNipps

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ritinrider said:
There were several other books in the making listed in this thread that sound interesting. Be sure you all let us know when they are available.

OK, but you've got to light a fire under my butt or something. I don't know that I'll do much more on it if I don't have incentive.

Hey.....

My incentive just might be that it could possibly get me out of transcription. lol.

Darn. Too early to dream for best-seller status...