What's your book subject?

triceretops

Thought that I would start something off here:

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

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

Mine is about the discovery of giant ice age mammals in my city. It's probably would I would term a documentary. The most difficult research has involved the sources, like the Water District, who dug it up, and the museum who are the curators of the fossils and reports. Way too much red tape and drawn out waiting periods. Lately, my solution has been to fast track and ask for press releases instead. Info is just now trickling in.

Triceratops
 

Greenwolf103

I got quite a few nonfiction books in the works at this point but the one I'm majorly focusing on right now falls under "parenting."
 

underthecity

My upcoming WIP is another local history theme, which I'll announce after I've signed the contract.

This next subject will follow my previous titles:

Cincinnati on the Go, History of Mass Transit (Arcadia, 2004)
and

The Cincinnati Subway, History of Rapid Transit (Arcadia, 2003)

I've been so busy promoting On the Go (book signings, etc), which came out mid October, and doing my current freelance writing assignment, and working a full-time job, and doing house projects (including painting two rooms and sanding and refinishing the upstairs hall), and all my TV watching (gotta see Lost every week!) that I have not had TIME to sit down and plan the next book. And Christmas is here, too, sigh.

So busy busy busy! After the holidays, things will wind down, and I will announce my next project. Editor at Arcadia is definitely interested in the topic though. Hint: it's about historical Cincinnati.

underthecity
 

biotales

Working on a Biography.(celeb). And a fiction. based in the entertainment industry... and a christmas ghost story...
Biotales
 

Jyndral

Hmm... I don't know what category the one I've got in notes-stages would fit in.

Probably self-help since it's on career/job-search/working from home. In my files, it's called "Blue Jeans & Tennis Shoes: Working from Home." Though I know beyond a doubt that it will change the more I get done on it, and especially when it's done.

The hardest part of the research? Knowing which experts to interview. I can do the actual research of it.

I know more than just the basics of hiring and a little less of application review since I've been on that side of the desk and have a master's degree in human resources. I know the process of looking for a job/telecommuting & freelance work as I've been looking for a new job for about 8 years.

Yes, really that long. I've worked for my mom during those 8 years.

I guess it's just an issue of gumption to do it.
 

Greenwolf103

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

Whoops, forgot to answer this one. Sorry.

The most difficult aspect -- and here again comes my knack for coming up with a unique book -- is trying to figure out what readers will want/expect to read. I have not found a book similar to this one I am working on, though of course a competing title just may come out before this one. It was suggested that I make this book personal but I keep thinking that readers will want an objective look at deaf parenting in order to benefit from it. Then again, perhaps I was suggested this because they want to categorize the book as a "how I do it" sort of story.
 

ritinrider

Dawn, I can understand not wanting to make it too personal, but how about showing how other deaf parents have dealt with specific issues. Or is that part of the problem, finding deaf parents and getting them to tell you how they coped. I'm thinking that since some (many?) deaf parents aren't children of deaf parents they are at a dissadvantage in that they can't copy what their parents did. I know my daughter recently told me about something she started doing with her soon-to-be step son. Her boyfriend was astounded her method worked. She knew it would work, because I'd done the same thing with her and her brothers.

However, I can see how for deaf parents, or any parent with special needs, that might not be an option. So, where do they get suggestions for how to cope? From other parents with similar problems or books like yours.

Ya, know I knew what I wanted to say when I started typing. I'm just now sure it makes any sense now.

Nita
 

Greenwolf103

Hi, Nita,

Yes, it does make sense. :) Thank you.

I'm currently writing newspaper stories pertaining to deaf parenting. In this capacity, I let other deaf parents speak out and explore the problems THEY are having. Some of these issues do get discussed in my book, as they apply to my own experiences. (I even wrote about something I uncovered in my research for a story.) I just want to be sure this book will cover as much information they need/want as possible. I'm tempted to post on message boards for the deaf something like "what would you hope to read about in a book on deaf parenting?" but I'm not sure if this approach will work. Maybe, maybe not.

I DO have a lot to say as far as my experiences as a deaf parent is concerned. I'd be very happy if this book will offer some guidance and support to other deaf parents out there. I have talked with many deaf parents so I know what kinds of issues they have to cope with. It's a starting point, at least.

Take care. :)

--Dawn
 

klavinia

Historical/Memoir - My father's story. A few years ago he gave me over four hundred pages of letters he wrote to his folks during WWII. No one had any idea he had them. A few weeks ago he gave me a scrapbook filled with all kinds of momentos as well as pictures of, who else, Bob Hope. My WIP is combining my childhood and his war time stories.

My biggest obstacle is that the more I learn about my father the less I know. He broke the Katakana code during the war, which was top secret. Piecing it all together and trying to get additional information is problematic as it seems much of it is still classified and most of the time, according to him, records were simply not kept for fear the enemy would get ahold of them.

Another obstacle is my emotions and his. It's difficult for him to recall things and often brings on nightmares. As for me, sometimes I think it would be better if we hadn't opened up this whole thing. It's painful to see my dad going through this and even more painful knowing that he kept this secret for 60+ years.

OK...that was my therapy for today I guess. THanks for listening! Lavinia
 

geniebird

I guess most of my work falls under "how-to." My published book is called Creating a Successful Craft Business (Allworth Press 2003). My current projects in the works are a book on frugal living and a holiday/celebration book for children. I have working titles but many times the author's title isn't what finally ends up on the book.

The most difficult aspect of research for me is how fast information and the world in general changes. I like to include many resources in my books and they tend to be here today and gone tomorrow -- verifying can be a tedious and almost endless process.
 

eldragon

My finished book is a memoir, so to speak, of my ten years as a Vegas Casino Cocktail Server. It's all about some of the characters I worked with, and some of the customers, too. Not really a glamorous portrait, but a truthful one. I have an agent, if he can get it in front of a publisher, I think I have a shot.

My second book is a kind of sequel. It follows me through the end of my Cocktail Server career, and into a disastrous managment gig, which ended in my being blacklisted from any job. Hard to believe? Believe it!

And, I am supposed to be editing my husband's novel, which is a Serbian War story.
 

triceretops

Eldragon

Sounds like you have an intriguing subject there! I, too, spent seven years in Las Vegas under some of the most frightening and horrendous circumstances you're ever likely to hear about--murder--robbery--pimping--fame--deceit, drugs--auto dealers, you name it! I worked and lived just off Fremont Street at Davey Deals Auto Sales. I must have dated every cocktail bunny in Vegas at one time or another. I was a featured singer at the old Pioneer club and dated "Jo" the beautiful host for four years.

We probably know some of the same people--we certainly know the atmosphere and underbelly of Vegas, I can bet on that. I've been thinking about writing some memories of Vegas too--but it's all so painful.

FEAR AND LOATHING was filmed (in part) next to our dealership. One of my best friends worked on CASINO.

Boy, do I have stories to tell as well.

Triceratops
 

eldragon

I worked at the Golden Nugget from 1989-1998.

You should tell your stories. The image of Las Vegas right now, is one of celebrities and glamour. Far from reality, if you ask me.

The only thing thats changed about Vegas is the image. The people who live there are the same, the people who go there are the same. Guests still lose all their money, and jump out of hotel windows, but you never have and never will read that in any newspaper. Employees still shoot heroin in the bathroom, and carry their toddlers to work , because they have no place else to leave them. There are so many tragic stories, of suicide and gambling addiction, and its a common story. Paychecks gambled away, month after month. Domestic violence, gangs, you name it.

The real sin city is miseryville if you ask me. A nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there.
 

triceretops

Agreed, dear lady.

My best friends shot heroine, the security guards were on speed, the families I knew gambled away all of their earnings at the slots--I've never, ever seen so much drug use, death
(right before my eyes), thievery, deceit, suicide and mayhem that I have in that city. The locals are assholes who don't trust anyone, and there's iron security bars on every shop and store in the joint. There's more damn homeless people per capita then any other city. I never want to live there, again. Don't even know if I'll visit it. I know EXACTLY what you're talking about.

I once heard of a first-person non-fiction account of Vegas (written in memoir style) that was called BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY. I think that's the one. Very gruesome account of city life in that hellhole. Vegas is a fertile playground for a good book. Pursue your recollections, you just might have something worthy of blockbuster status if it's done right.

Triceratops

By the way. The Golden nugget was no stranger to me. I infested downtown area from 1993 to 1999--good possibility I walked right past you many times. Had a girlfriend in Binnion's Horse Shoe. Hit the Plaza, Pioneer a lot too.

Tri
 

paprikapink

The most difficult aspect of research for me is that I'm a huge CHICKEN! People are put off when they see this huge chicken approach them with questions.

Heh-heh.

No, I mean 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
 

triceretops

Paprika

You're not alone, dear one. The people I want to interview for my book are the main players in it and they won't even talk to me! I've been invited to go to meetings and rub shoulders with people in my city who know I'm writing a book about their city. The mayor has contacted me--I'm way to damn shy to go out there and talkie-talk about anything with anybody. I'm agoraphobic. I don't have trouble emailing anybody, but when they say "Hey, we gotta have lunch!", well, I'm outta there!

Tri
 

Simone

I'm working on a regional children's activity book as well as an inspirational book for single women (ahem, like myself :) )

Simone
 

zeprosnepsid

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i'm doing a book on foreign films. the hardest part is finding information in english at all.

i wish i had a universal translator.
 

triceretops

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Simone--Women's self help is a vast and inexhaustible market. That one's gonna' go big. If you can touch on a subject matter that hasn't been done to death, or reslant the info, there isn't a female agent I know of that turns those topical titles down. Our Jenna has a lot of experience in this field as do a whole gaggle of our mom, single and professional women who are members of this group. You won't lack for ideas and advice, for sure! Hammer down, sister! Hint: Check our resident editor Nomad (Jenna's publisher), she gots the love for that subject, I believe.


Zepro--you have a very unique and specialized niche market with that foreign film book. Feature film history, no matter what its origin has never tired in popularity, no matter what its translation. A foreign film history/documentary or even "Encyclopedia Of" type treatment would not only have our own national appeal, but would snag a global audience. Even if written in English, a book of that nature would would hit and sell foreign translation rights like Amazon.Com sells books. Hint: Bounce your idea off our resident agent, Andy Zack.

Two very worthy non-fiction titles.

Triceratops
 

AncientEagle

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I'm writing a book about my wife's battles with metastatic malignant melanoma, survival despite a prognosis of death in sixty days (eight years ago), and learning to live paralyzed from the chest down as a result of the cancer. Her life went from active, self-sufficient career woman, very suddenly, to a life spent entirely either in bed or in a wheelchair, unable to do the most basic things for herself, such as personal hygiene, etc., lacking even the ability to turn over in bed, yet able to enjoy some of her life despite all this and the ills that tend to befall someone so handicapped, such as chronic, debilitating pain, diabetes, breathing problems, etc., etc. The power of prayer is explored tangentially, but is not the main thrust. The main thrust is hope. There is always room for hope.
 

AncientEagle

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What's your book subject

aka eraser said:
AncientEagle that's a difficult book to write and a tougher one to live. I admire you and your wife for looking for, and finding, the silver linings.

Thanks. I suspect it's going to be tougher to sell than to write. As for the silver linings, I don't mean to imply that everything is wonderful, but when you look around and see so much worse situations, and when you consider what might have been and almost was, things seem not quite so bad.
 

muscort

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zeprosnepsid said:
i'm doing a book on foreign films. the hardest part is finding information in english at all.

i wish i had a universal translator.

I know a woman in Luxembourg who is very intelligent and speaks French, German, Lux, and English very well. I can ask her to help you if you want me to.
 

zeprosnepsid

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thanks for the translation offer! And thanks for the kind words tricere.

It's actually dealing with Asian film. I chose the subject because I have a lot of knowledge and I thought it would be easy to sell. One of my selling points is that there is not a lot of information in English. But I have some old college professors who are helping me out a little. It's not going so badly actually. But I was both a film and classics major in college and Classics is so easy. In 2000 years, something has been written on everything. It's just different dealing with Asian film where I have to search harder to find information instead of just searching through endless information. I'm getting the hang of it though. There is some good information out there.
 

triceretops

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Eagle

I can only ehco what Frank has said. Your moniker is apropo, and you seem to be flying over most of this adversity, hitting some downdrafts along the way, of course. Your project is no doubt of the inspirational, a saga which probably spans all of human emotions and mental challenges. It sounds like if you can give this story a Helen Keller, or Love Story narrative, it might just reach a large audience and a sympathatic and enderaring editor. The best of wishes to you, and your wife.

Triceratops