tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post6612708764446843744..comments2024-02-06T01:47:31.027-06:00Comments on Desperately Seeking Surnames, Genealogy and Family History: Musings On A Munday What Could An Author DoJennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02918569120586036647noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-87451931585612042082012-10-17T19:19:42.325-05:002012-10-17T19:19:42.325-05:00Bill, I think a 2nd Edition is a fine idea! Do you...Bill, I think a 2nd Edition is a fine idea! Do you have more you can add? A supplemental something or other? That will give you the opportunity to market it more or via different avenues. I've never marketed a book, but I do utilize that "new", "improved", "updated" philosophy.<br />Thanks for your comment!Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02918569120586036647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-86770471551580233222012-10-16T21:25:04.619-05:002012-10-16T21:25:04.619-05:00Jenna,
Yes, these are questions every author thin...Jenna,<br /><br />Yes, these are questions every author thinks about nearly every day. Ideally, we would do all these things, all the time. But, practically... each of us has a somewhat different set of priorities... these influence our decisions, of course.<br />My "13 Ways to Tell Your Ancestor Stories" came out in 2010. I didn't market it heavily, and kind of regret that. It could still have a life, as you say. Supplemental question - would a 2nd Edition be a good idea, now two years later???<br />I'm not in a position to 'make speeches or appearance' is another challenge.<br />Great question. I appreciate the responses along with you. Hope they keep coming in. ;-)Dr. Bill (William L.) Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04857619677138020430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-83091918176682121212012-10-16T19:22:34.273-05:002012-10-16T19:22:34.273-05:00Mariann, in the that situation I agree with your w...Mariann, in the that situation I agree with your word "model". If a genealogy society was having a meeting with the topic of "how to write your family memoir" it would make sense that they would bring in examples of several memoirs. What if your memoir stood out from the rest because you also provided a guide or a template that covered the various pieces of the book? Might people be more apt to purchase you book so they could follow along with the guide? Possibly. That type of book would be more challenging than a how-to book, but it could be done. Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02918569120586036647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-18606740473406882952012-10-16T19:16:13.166-05:002012-10-16T19:16:13.166-05:00Leslie, that works, but what can that author do to...Leslie, that works, but what can that author do to extend the "life" of the book after they present on it? How much of the book did the author cover, brief overview or highlighted a couple of chapters? Hopefully the author teased the audience with just enough to make them want to buy the book.Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02918569120586036647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-20356771767963513612012-10-16T17:41:58.089-05:002012-10-16T17:41:58.089-05:00This sounds like great advice for how-to books, sp...This sounds like great advice for how-to books, specifically because they are how-to. Family memoirs like mine can't attach themselves to genealogy societies or libraries, though, because they are not really utilitarian or how-to. But they do perhaps serve as examples (even models) of how to turn genealogical research into a book and how to describe family members as characters, and family history as plot with theme. I think you'd probably classify them as case studies. I realize you excluded case studies from your musing. But if you considered them, what ideas come to mind?Mariannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543003593158696611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-12269171270326511942012-10-15T21:40:54.672-05:002012-10-15T21:40:54.672-05:00Jenna, I will autograph your copy anytime! And tha...Jenna, I will autograph your copy anytime! And thanks for the nice shout-out.<br /><br />I think your post really spoke to me because I was a high school teacher and loved teaching. A book guide isn't that hard to do, especially with a how-to reference guide like my title. I think it could be a "package program" for societies with small budgets and a keen interest in the subject, but I don't know how many other genealogy writer/speakers agree.Family Curatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187854767575444823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-87481796811589557772012-10-15T20:22:32.547-05:002012-10-15T20:22:32.547-05:00Denise, I was trying to think of ways to extend th...Denise, I was trying to think of ways to extend the life of a book and to capitalize on what I know is already going on. Teachers get a learning guide that goes along with the students text book. While I'm not suggesting anything that extensive, it's sort of the same premise. <br /><br />Congratulations on your book, it looks beautiful. Where do we order the autographed copies?? :) <br /><br />Thanks for posting!<br />Jenna<br />Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02918569120586036647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-88915279025044947832012-10-15T20:22:28.221-05:002012-10-15T20:22:28.221-05:00I've had writers in to my genealogy society to...I've had writers in to my genealogy society to speak on their books. We didn't pay them but allowed them to sell their books after their talk (usually 1/2 hour to 45 minutes). And they sold their books at what ever price they set and they was between them and their customer. We were just a platform to make that possible, nothing more.leslielawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01989388855284668564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814498784799497587.post-15584208114153112202012-10-15T12:29:44.043-05:002012-10-15T12:29:44.043-05:00I'm seriously looking for creative ways to sha...I'm seriously looking for creative ways to share my new book on archiving family keepsakes, and your suggestions seem to hit the mark. You're right Jenna, it would be nearly impossible for an author to personally speak before every group that might want to learn more from a book. (I don't say im-possible, because I suppose some folks might want to try it.) Maybe that's why book clubs are so popular. Essentially, a book club group "teaches" the book to its members. Books are shared around, borrowed from the library, and some copies purchased outright. However the book itself is circulated, the value of the book is circulated too in the content that each person reads.<br /><br />I didn't write my new book to get rich. That would be nice... but I'm not so naive to think it will rival James Patterson on the best-seller list. I think I'm probably like many authors who love to write and want to share a passion. I like your idea of encouraging groups to "teach" from a book, and I'm going to be thinking of ways this might work with my own title. I hope you get some more feedback on this topic and hints for success with the concept.Family Curatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187854767575444823noreply@blogger.com