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Everyone thinks I should write a book. Would you buy it? It would be a north american backpacking and outdoor person's book -it would feature the following:
Basic How to stuff: trip planning - from equipment to where to leave your keys - it wouldn't just be AT but would use it as a basis for a lot
How to hike, what to wear, how to act, how to pitch tents, hammocks, sleep in shelters, hang food, stay dry
Fitness and well being for the long distance hiker
First Aid - there is plenty of this but I would do it from a real hikers perspective (I'm a WFR, but I wouldn't right a ton on this)
Cooking: from alcohol and wood stoves to pocket rockets, Coleman Camp stoves and everything in between - how to grocery shop and lots of recipes for the backpacker
Philosophy analysis - ultra light, lightweight, more or less average, carry the kitchen sink
How to build a campfire (even when its halfway between rain and snow) and why not to build a bunch of fires
I wouldn't have a bunch of map and compass, bow and drill and survivalist stuff but I might touch on this - more like how to keep lighters dry and get cell service by climbing a tree
Things nobody writes about like how to smile when you hitch-hike and how much to tip bartenders
Leave no trace: in a not preachy, not holier than thou, non-elitist way - just taking care of the woods
Anthropology and Geography, History of the AT, backpacking and other north american backpacking - human and physical sides of both
I'd also add humor, photos etc.
there are a ton of books out there but they are either very specific (like the trails of the upper east end of such and such forest) or really non comprehensive, or something else
I'm thinking its a $25 book and it costs $12 to make, $5 goes to the ATC and the rest to me?
I've done 1 AT thru-hike - spend 30 - 80 nights a year backpacking - am also a climber, kayaker, and runner - as qualified as many, I guess -- I'd probably draw on a partner or two
ok - tell me why I'm crazy, it won't work or has already been done, etc.
I think you should go for it if you feel up to the challenge. I think if it is going to get a lot of readers
I would think you should keep the price in the $15 range. That's about my limit on a how to book.
I think you should go for it if you feel up to the challenge. I think if it is going to get a lot of readers
I would think you should keep the price in the $15 range. That's about my limit on a how to book.
thanks - I'm doing some research on publishers of outdoor books - there are two companies that come to mind: wilderness press and the mountaineers - you may be right about the $15 range - I would want to make it a good book for beginners but not a book for "dummys" - enough good stuff - recipes and so forth for the experienced folks to pick it up
Rain Man
01-01-2012, 11:40
Everyone thinks I should write a book....
ok - tell me why I'm crazy, it won't work or has already been done, etc.
If "everybody" thinks you should write a book, then why are you asking us? It's that crazy writing style that might drive some not to buy such a book. But maybe that's just the pet peeve inside the grouchy old editor inside me? :D
I say best to you. If YOU tell yourself to write a book, that's enough. (But if you have to pretend an impossibility, well there you lose me.)
Grouchy Editor Mode OFF.
Rain:sunMan
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Lone Wolf
01-01-2012, 11:45
probably a losing proposition
chiefiepoo
01-01-2012, 11:58
sex sells, work it in somehow.
sex sells, work it in somehow.
ha ha - sort of like somewhere between how to care for your stinky filthy feet and how to get the campfire stink out of your drawers
RWheeler
01-01-2012, 12:22
ha ha - sort of like somewhere between how to care for your stinky filthy feet and how to get the campfire stink out of your drawers
"And while your skimpies are airing out and you're in the buff, why not kill two birds with one stone?" There. That's how you can work it in. :banana
4eyedbuzzard
01-01-2012, 12:32
I'm starting to draft "Pink Blaze - the thru-hiker's guide to picking up women on the AT". It should sell 1000's of copies at Trail Days. Our booth will be easy to find - just look for the one with the pole dancing hiker chicks.
daddytwosticks
01-01-2012, 13:20
I'm going to write a hiking book about me and my overweight/alcoholic friend's attempt at thru-hiking the AT. I'll throw in lots of humor, some distorted history, and insult all southerners. Oh, I'll make-up alot of crap too. Do you think it will sell? :)
I'm going to write a hiking book about me and my overweight/alcoholic friend's attempt at thru-hiking the AT. I'll throw in lots of humor, some distorted history, and insult all southerners. Oh, I'll make-up alot of crap too. Do you think it will sell? :)
I think it did sell pretty well - it's a real shame that most of the general public's view of the AT is about a couple of yellow-blazing green horns
blackbird04217
01-01-2012, 13:54
I've put a lot of thought into into writing a book about my own adventure along the trail. Not so much for selling, as giving to family and friends that care to read the actual story. Maybe if I do a decent job, then reading it every spring, I can cure myself of Springer Fever? If only it would be so simple.
MissMagnolia
01-02-2012, 02:49
If you make a Kindle edition I will buy it. I mostly buy Kindle books now.
Ya already got it written? Put it out there see waht happens. I'll buy a copy.
4eyedbuzzard
01-02-2012, 10:02
I think it did sell pretty well - it's a real shame that most of the general public's view of the AT is about a couple of yellow-blazing green hornsSome would say that most of the hikers on the AT are yellow-blazing green horns.
I think it did sell pretty well - it's a real shame that most of the general public's view of the AT is about a couple of yellow-blazing green horns
Some would say that most of the hikers on the AT are yellow-blazing green horns.
Ha! That's exactly what I was going to say. I think Bryson pretty much nailed the majority of AT users, and people who want to use the AT. He's a smart man, knows exactly who his target audience is.
Which, by the way, if you're going to write a how-to book, make sure you know exactly what target audience you are writing for. Other than that, if you want to write a book, you should totally do it! I know a bunch of people who have written a book, almost all of them unpublished, and they all said it was a great thing to do. And the ones who are published think that even more. :)
RWheeler
01-02-2012, 11:27
I know a bunch of people who have written a book, almost all of them unpublished, and they all said it was a great thing to do. And the ones who are published think that even more. :)\
That's a great point. I have an unpublished novel that I have sitting around... somewhere... the process of doing a batch of creative writing that long, and giving it that much dedication... that was just such an experience. By the end I honestly didn't care if it was published. I ended up giving copies to a few of my friends to read after my attempts fell short. They liked it, passed their copies along. Those friends apparently did the same. No idea where the copies are now. It's kinda exciting.
hikerboy57
01-02-2012, 11:33
please be sure to include a chapter on bears:rolleyes:
i'm starting to draft "pink blaze - the thru-hiker's guide to picking up women on the at". It should sell 1000's of copies at trail days. Our booth will be easy to find - just look for the one with the pole dancing hiker chicks.
shut up and take my money!!!
Mountain Mike
01-02-2012, 18:00
Somewhere I have the outline for a hiking manual I planned to write years ago. "LSD - Long Slow Distance" Geared towards thru-hikers to describe the differnt techniques & how to plan. So much has changed over the years in gear & mindset it is amazing. A whole lot has changed since I did my thru back in 88. One thing that really hasn't is the number of inexperienced hikers attemping to hike a thru. Humerous stories can help make a point. For example; early on my hike I did a short rainy day to seek shelter as Gouch Gap. On hiker came in bitching about the weight of his pack. I asked if he did much backpacking before. His response was "No, but I read a lot of Ed Garvey." Going thru his pack he had an industial first aid kit in its plastic box 2" x 12" x 14", 500 count box of q-tips, full size cotton bath towel...brand new high end silva compass complete with leather case. When I suggested he might want to keep the compass but lose the case he confesed he didn't know how to use it. When I asked why he had it he reponded that it was on the list of things every hike should have.
So go ahead & write it. There are enough potential thru-hikers out there for a market. Add stories to make it funny enough that armchair & internet hikers will buy it. Heck even I bought Bill Bryson's book after I hiked the AT & an aunt read it & suggesed it to me. What a waste of money, but it sold.
If you want help help/opinions I be more than happy to give you mine & permission to use some funny little stories accumulated from the AT, PCT, LT & other hikes.
bamboo bob
01-02-2012, 18:32
Hey Papa D. Make it appeal to non backpackers. That's the way to sell the most books. All my non BP friend say I should write one too But I am way to lazy. Also non BP people don't know about the many books out there. Another list of gear and BP foods and mileage lists would be a big bore. But funny stories about people you've met. And goofy things your students have done could make for a good story.
Hopefully you can work in there that not all hikers are freeloading tree hugging bums. Although from some of the AT stuff I've seen and read, that's kind of what they look and smell like when they hit PA. I enjoyed the "dummies" book I read. Some basic stuff for noobs would be nice, along with your personal experiences and maybe some humor. I read "cabin pressure" about airline work, by two stewardesses, and laughed the whole way through. It would be nice to see that sort of humor. I think it was in AWOL on the AT the author talked about having a poomergency, running off the trail to go, and not realizing a switchback put him right off the trail until he was cleaning up and another hiker walked past. (score one for the kilt idea).
Mountain Mike
01-02-2012, 20:24
One hiker once expainded worst sound he heard on the trail. He had a bowel bug. In GA hills he dropped his pack & ran off the trail with his roll of TP. While squatting he heard somthing running through the woods, then he realized it was his precious roll of TP rolling down the hill soon trying to follow it with his shorts around his knees!
hikerboy57
01-02-2012, 21:03
i think it should be titled" how long does cheese last?"and other important thru hiking tips
backpackers will know, and non backpackers have to pick it up just to read the blurb.(wow, i remembered "blurb").do they have blurbs on kindle?
I knew I should have kept that piece candy bar wrapper that fell out of your pack....!!!!!
Mountain Mike
01-02-2012, 21:21
Hopefully you can work in there that not all hikers are freeloading tree hugging bums. Although from some of the AT stuff I've seen and read, that's kind of what they look and smell like when they hit PA. I enjoyed the "dummies" book I read. Some basic stuff for noobs would be nice, along with your personal experiences and maybe some humor. I read "cabin pressure" about airline work, by two stewardesses, and laughed the whole way through. It would be nice to see that sort of humor. I think it was in AWOL on the AT the author talked about having a poomergency, running off the trail to go, and not realizing a switchback put him right off the trail until he was cleaning up and another hiker walked past. (score one for the kilt idea).
+1 on why maps are impotant on the trail. lol
I know a bunch of people who have written a book, almost all of them unpublished, and they all said it was a great thing to do. And the ones who are published think that even more. :)
eBooks and self publishing make that passe'. If one is just moderately computer savvy, they can publish their book at no cost. Now Amazon has a program to self-publish real books and sell them on Amazon. I understand that these are better routes to a traditional publisher than sending a manuscript to be ignored. An eBook that sells is evidence that a real book will.
Good luck
Everyone thinks I should write a book. Would you buy it?
I would, if I didn't perceive it to be a dated list of equipment as solutions to problems. I'd be careful to stick to broader concepts and not highlight specific models and materials - Unless you intend to update it on a regular basis ...
Good luck
Thank you everybody. I've been making notes. I have a couple of collaborators in mind. I'll aim for information, humor and stories and keep it cheap. I'll also endeavor to fix my crazy writing style.
Mountain Mike
01-02-2012, 21:55
Thank you everybody. I've been making notes. I have a couple of collaborators in mind. I'll aim for information, humor and stories and keep it cheap. I'll also endeavor to fix my crazy writing style.
Crazy writing style make you, you. Gives it that personal touch. Who wants to to read a book wrote by normal everyday person?
Somewhere I have the outline for a hiking manual I planned to write years ago. "LSD - Long Slow Distance" Geared towards thru-hikers to describe the differnt techniques & how to plan. So much has changed over the years in gear & mindset it is amazing. A whole lot has changed since I did my thru back in 88. One thing that really hasn't is the number of inexperienced hikers attemping to hike a thru. Humerous stories can help make a point. For example; early on my hike I did a short rainy day to seek shelter as Gouch Gap. On hiker came in bitching about the weight of his pack. I asked if he did much backpacking before. His response was "No, but I read a lot of Ed Garvey." Going thru his pack he had an industial first aid kit in its plastic box 2" x 12" x 14", 500 count box of q-tips, full size cotton bath towel...brand new high end silva compass complete with leather case. When I suggested he might want to keep the compass but lose the case he confesed he didn't know how to use it. When I asked why he had it he reponded that it was on the list of things every hike should have.
So go ahead & write it. There are enough potential thru-hikers out there for a market. Add stories to make it funny enough that armchair & internet hikers will buy it. Heck even I bought Bill Bryson's book after I hiked the AT & an aunt read it & suggesed it to me. What a waste of money, but it sold.
If you want help help/opinions I be more than happy to give you mine & permission to use some funny little stories accumulated from the AT, PCT, LT & other hikes.
this is great - 500 count box of q-tips? really?
blackbird04217
01-03-2012, 02:31
When I suggested he might want to keep the compass but lose the case he confesed he didn't know how to use it. When I asked why he had it he reponded that it was on the list of things every hike should have.
Golden stuff.
If "everybody" thinks you should write a book, then why are you asking us? It's that crazy writing style that might drive some not to buy such a book. But maybe that's just the pet peeve inside the grouchy old editor inside me? :D
I say best to you. If YOU tell yourself to write a book, that's enough. (But if you have to pretend an impossibility, well there you lose me.)
Grouchy Editor Mode OFF.
Rain:sunMan
.
In 1993, I asked an editor for a major publisher I met on the trail if there was a market for another Appalachian Trail book. He assured me there wasn't. "That market has been saturated for years," he said. A few years later "A Walk in the Woods" appeared and made Bill Bryson a millionaire.
Selling a book requires luck, timing, and a skilled author with a gimmick that attracts attention.
I wrote a home energy book once. The publisher thought it a sure winner. He printed 10,000 copies. And sold 2,000. I bought the surplus for 10 cents each and gave them away door to door as an election gimmick. I lost. But people from time to time stop me on the street and tell me what a great book it is. While standing in line at a grocery check out counter the other day a guy I never saw before held out his hand and said he still consults the book for home energy tips, 30 years later.
I think if someone were to write another AT hiking book it should be a collection of stories from many hikers. It wouldn't be too hard to do just ask people here to post their best stories here and compile a book. They could be funny, sad, scary whatever as long as their interesting. I've got a few stories I'll donate!
Johnny Thunder
01-04-2012, 21:40
continuing along that route...i believe the next best trail book will be an oral history. b/c one perspective on a story isn't enough. someone should get class of hikers together after the fact and piece together all the great stories.
Mountain Mike
01-04-2012, 22:33
Have 2 volumes of that I picked up in a thrift store/ used book store. Goes back long way, think published if 60's. Long sections on Grandma Gatewood. Close to 2" thick each. Great place to get old books. Also have a copy of Earl V. Schaffers "Walking with Spring". $3 His forward " To Benton Macaye, The Dreamer, and to the Trail People who made the Dream come true"
Rain Man
01-05-2012, 11:33
... If one is just moderately computer savvy, they can publish their book at no cost. ...
I would just edit/add to that "a crappy book at no cost." You get what you pay for (or should). I read lots of AT books (lots of other books too, for that matter). Book editors and fact checkers earn a living for a very good reason. Poorly edited (or flat-out non-edited) books with no fact checking can be excruciating to read.
It's almost like the difference between concrete haphazardly spilled on the ground versus concrete poured into a form, worked and smoothed by a crew, and allowed to properly cure. Sure, both started out the same. But in final form one is a highway that takes you places. One isn't.
Sorry, but I call 'em as they are when it comes both to books and to commerce. There's a WHOLE LOT of sweat, diligence, and honor that goes into any book worth its salt. I love and value good books and respect and cherish good authors, editors, and publishers.
Rain Man
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Creek Dancer
01-05-2012, 11:54
I think if someone were to write another AT hiking book it should be a collection of stories from many hikers. It wouldn't be too hard to do just ask people here to post their best stories here and compile a book. They could be funny, sad, scary whatever as long as their interesting. I've got a few stories I'll donate!
Something like this I would buy! I wouldn't buy a how-to book on anything. I would just search the internet for the information I need.