SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3550
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Posted: 02/14/2007 07:32 am
OK, some folks here already know about this.
In fact, the idea started here, and thanks to some of the best advice I've every received, I went for it.
I got the offer this morning from McGraw Hill/Osborne! (I can now definitively state that advances to writers are NOT an urban legend...  ) The focus is on building a blog and how to effectively monetize it. basic info for anyone who's already doing this stuff, but we're building it to be a solid, useful resource to folks who are looking for a comprehensive plan, step by step, and what to consider, what to avoid and about what actually works. Figured since I've done this stuff personally, I'd share what I know in a broader scope. Obviously the book is targeting the entry-level person.
Deadline for the final draft is June 1st, so I figure by September-ish it should be in circulation. Heck, they even suggested how many pages it should be...LOL
Anyway, there's more details on my website, but I have been bursting to share this info with folks - now that I have something solid, I'm sharing!
Some thanks:
FlyingRose for telling me once that if Bhartzer offered me advice, I'd do well to listen to it - man, Rose, you were SO right! Thank you.
Bhartzer - Bill, you offered me the one piece of advice that crystallized this whole project and made me go after it - for that I'm eternally grateful. Thank you.
So, the moral here folks is this:
If Bill or Rose respond to you and offer you advice, it's worth taking. They are two of the best folks I've never met yet!
Finally, I'd like to thank the rest of the staff here for their faith in me and for sharing so much with me over the years. My ability to write this book is based on what I learned, starting right here at SEF.
...and thanks to every single newbie who came here over the last few years and posted the same basic questions over and over. A simple joke about that got this idea started.
Duane
[ Message was edited by: bhartzer 02/14/2007 10:33 am ]
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bhartzer
Administrator
Joined: Jun 08, 2000
# Posts: 7033
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Posted: 02/14/2007 10:32 am
Wow, you're very generous in your advice. 
Congratulations are in order: remember that if you didn't have the expertise and weren't an expert then you wouldn't have been given the details. All I did was give you a name and a contact. I'm glad to help out, though.
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Dinkar
Moderator
Joined: Aug 12, 2001
# Posts: 4270
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Posted: 02/14/2007 12:39 pm
Congratulations!
it's too good to have some advances Have some fun with it
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3550
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Posted: 02/14/2007 12:44 pm
...if by fun you mean paying for a trip to Europe in the fall, then yep, fun I shall have! Booking the trip tomorrow evening.
We'll be hitting London, Paris, Switzerland and Rome...with a layover of a few hours in Iceland on the way home, so we'll see a bit of the city there, too.
Can't freakin' wait - this advance turns out to be perfectly timed.
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formerskeptic
Joined: Oct 05, 2001
# Posts: 274
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Posted: 02/14/2007 08:06 pm
Congratulations SG 
Sounds like your time in SEF has finally paid off after all
Great looking site btw. Well themed
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beth_lk
Insider
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 995
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Posted: 02/14/2007 11:04 pm
Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!
Beth
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kaulbr
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
# Posts: 275
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Posted: 02/15/2007 06:44 am
Nice work Duane. Congrats!!!
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Curt
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 3674
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Posted: 02/16/2007 06:11 am
SportsGuy, that's is pretty cool. I bet when that deal went through, you had tingly sensations running through your nervous system. Must be exciting for you. Good job!
SportsGuy said:
Bhartzer - Bill, you offered me the one piece of advice that crystallized this whole project and made me go after it - for that I'm eternally grateful. Thank you.
Soooo... what was that one piece of advice that crystalized this project for you?? Please do tell. Spill the beans
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3550
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Posted: 02/16/2007 08:03 am
The gist of it was this:
I was struggling with all this content I'd created - unique, useful content. What should I do:
1 - write an e-book (quick to get out, easy to manage, potential money via sales)
2 - try for an actual book deal (long process, potential for solid credibility, definite sales (volume TBD)
When I chatted with Bill about it, his response was great.
Basically, anyone who wants to can put out an e-book. But to get an actual book deal means someone thinks you actually know what you're doing - you know the topic.
Now, plenty of folks who have e-books out know their stuff, but publishing an e-book is as easy as creating a PDF - getting a book deal requires some proof and fact checking by the publisher. ...and for every useful e-book out there, there's a dud, too...
Naturally, I chose the harder path...LOL
...and I personally feel there's a big difference between being able to tell folks, potential clients, for example, that you have a book published, rather than an e-book.
Again, not knocking e-books, but a book you can buy at Barnes & Noble wins hands down in the credibility department...
So, there we go.
As for getting the tingles - yeah, there was a moment when I was staring out my living room window, looking at the snow and trees and though, "Damn, I'm going to write a book."
Sobering when you think of the investment of time, but I once felt the rush when I saw my first cover shot and published article in a magazine - blew my mind.
I need a bigger fix now...
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bhartzer
Administrator
Joined: Jun 08, 2000
# Posts: 7033
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Posted: 02/16/2007 12:58 pm
You realize now that you are going to have to fly all around the US and Canada on a promotional book tour, signing books at bookstores all across North America?
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3550
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Posted: 02/16/2007 02:40 pm
Well, worst case I'll get to meet everyone here from the US and Canada...
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Curt
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 3674
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Posted: 02/16/2007 03:46 pm
SportsGuy, if you are ever in the Rockford area of Illinois, you'll need to let me know so I can go see you for a book signing. However, I'm not fond of going to Chicago which would more logically be your destination. Probably won't go there.
Now Schaumburg Illinois might be doable too (closer to Chicago than Rockford, but still better than going to Chicago). Schaumburg is also right in the middle of major companies like Pepsi, Motorola, and several other major corps which makes it ideal location for business people. Rockford 1st, Schaumburg 2nd, Chicago yuck.
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beth_lk
Insider
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 995
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Posted: 02/16/2007 10:11 pm
If you come to ( or close ) Pittsburgh Pa, let me know
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Curt
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 3674
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Posted: 02/18/2007 02:09 am
I went by Pittsburgh PA back in November 2006
(But I guess that doesn't help too much does it?  )
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flyingrose
Moderator
Joined: Oct 30, 2003
# Posts: 3361
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Posted: 03/28/2007 03:01 am
I already said congratulations when you first got the offer and just saw this thread today - so congratulations again. Don't forget to let us know when the book is available for sale or pre-order.
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3550
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Posted: 03/28/2007 04:29 am
Yep.
I'm supposed to be meeting with the publishing agent while I'm in New York next month. Contract is apparently due before I leave for that trip, so we'll see.
The book has been moved from the regular publishing side of McGraw-Hill over to the business book side. I'm told this is very positive as the business division publications get much more exposure.
I'm still expecting sometime in the fall this thing will hit the shelves.
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