Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with writing and book

Please recommend books similar to Bill Simmons' Book of Basketball

reenum — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:44:05 -0800

I love Bill Simmons' "The Book of Basketball". What should I read next? I'm in the middle of Simmons NBA opus, and it fascinates as to how he's able to pack in so much info, yet have the book remain accessible. I especially love how he makes fun of and injects humor into the various characters and events in the NBA's history.

Are there other books that are basically all encompassing, sprawling accounts of a particular entity, field, event, etc., yet remain fun to read?

I know some folks might suggest Mary Roach, but I just couldn't get into her stuff.

I prefer nonfiction, but well written fiction would work too.

Thanks!

Perhaps a chair coated with glue?

BitterOldPunk — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:09:03 -0800

With NaNoWriMo looming ever nearer, I would like to hear your best tips, tricks, habits, and techniques for staying chained to the keyboard. Realizing that the point is to get 50,000 words written, I've jettisoned all illusions of producing quality, publishable prose. My only goal is to finish without having to copypaste "All work and no play makes BOP a dull boy" five thousand times. I have a (rather vague) outline, I have some preliminary character sketches, and I have every expectation that the first ten thousand words will flow fairly quickly. But. I suck at follow-through. I have the attention span of the common housefly. So, writers: how do I stick with it, fight through discouragment and ennui, and produce 50,000 reasonably coherent words?

Note: I'm not looking for tips like "prepare moar" or "work your plan". I'm looking for how to stay motivated when the fun stuff stops and the hard work begins.

need publisher, imagination will travel

gypseefire — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:49:06 -0800

I've recently begun work on a children's book. It is inspired by my granddaughter. I was wondering if anyone had any information on how to get a children's book published? Suggested Publishers? Also, any other information pertaining to this process, would be appreciated. ***I realize that children's books are a dime a dozen...but mine just might be spectacular ;)***

What well-known novels lack any character description aside from names?

odinsdream — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:05:32 -0800

What well-known novels lack any character descriptions aside from names?

Paging Julia Cameron!

mynameisluka — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:26:28 -0800

Published writers, how did you deal with post-sale paralysis? Nutshell version: How did you deal with post-sale paralysis and write the damn book anyway?

Longer version: So...I got The Call, The Deal, The Contract, even The Check for a non-fiction book with a major publisher. And now I have a January 15 deadline and a contractually-stipulated word count and the flashing cursor of doom and I am just paralyzed.

Though my deadline is in January I need to come in significantly ahead of deadline to give my agent time to read and make suggestions/revisions. My general outline is pinned down and I'd wager I have 10% of an incredibly shitty, incredibly amateurish and dismal first draft written. And here I have stalled, paralyzed and terrified.

Tactics I have tried thus far: bribery, fear, spreadsheets, gold stars, mockery, marathon writing sessions.

If it helps, I have a history of procrastinating on projects until deadlines loom large and then finishing them with guts and glory at the last possible minute. This approach is not an option for this work. It won't be good, and plus it deserves my time and attention. In addition, I am a full-time freelance writer, so it's not like I fear the editorial process or deadlines in general. I'm just scared.

Any advice/suggestions? Commentary on how amateurish first-timers should not attempt to sell books that haven't been completed yet is unwelcome at this point, since all non-fiction sells on proposal and since it may cause me to freak. :)

recommend short story collections that would be good short film fodder

timsneezed — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:57:28 -0800

recommend short story collections that would be good short film fodder I'm a film student currently experiencing a bit of writer's block. I'm considering adapting a short story for my next short film, but I haven't found anything suitable in my preliminary bookstore/library searches. Part of the problem is I really don't know much about contemporary short fiction, so I'm lost about where to start looking.

More specifics on the type of stories I'm looking for:

1) It goes without saying that the story must have visual potential. That doesn't mean the writer's descriptions need be vivid. If the seed of a good visual idea is there, then I can flesh out the visuals myself.

2) The story should have a definite mood. I'm attracted to the strange, disturbing, dark, quietly moody and (sometimes) allegorical. A few film examples: "Woman in the Dunes," "The Vanishing" (Dutch version), "The Conversation," "Repulsion." I appreciate subtlety. I also enjoy character studies, as long as there is some overall mood or visual element.

3) It needs to have a discernible plot. A lot of contemporary short fiction isn't easily translatable to film because of the narrative looseness. Let me be clear: I can't stand typical Hollywood narrative. I'm looking for something more subtle and true to life, but there's got to be some sort of structure there.

4) While there can be humorous elements, I'm not looking for something incredibly tongue-in-cheek, self referential or po-mo. Content over style.

5) Probably looking to avoid anything that has a gimmicky O'Henry like twist.

Any good authors spring to mind?

index, book ..... 124460

jessamyn — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:08:02 -0800

Creating my book's own index, crazy or sensible? I'm in the process of negotiating a contract for a non-fiction book I'll be writing. Part of the contract involves the indexer's fees being subtracted from whatever money I get. Indexing costs about $3/page, this is about a 250 page book, I'll be paid the typical small percentage per copy, no advance.

I'm aware of this question from 2004 which, yes, I even answered. I'm wondering whether software has advanced at all since then so that a person with a decent grasp of the tools could create a decent index given the time and inclination? Are there tools you'd suggest?

I'm actually interested in this process, not just doing it to save $750 or whatever. I think it would be fun to create my own index, but I may be wrong about that. Relatedly, since the book will be available in formats that are keyword searchable (I'm presuming) do indexes have the same import as they used to? This is more of an "I'm wondering" question but it's along the same lines. Thanks for any suggestions/advice.

Dead Cow Wrappers For Words

devilsbrigade — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:13:08 -0800

I've seen a couple people recently with very nice fairly stiff leather journal covers, maybe a little smaller than 8 1/2 by 11, that hold a smaller replaceable floppy journal inside. I want one. I've looked around some, but all I can find are the cheap mass-produced ones. Does the hive mind have a lead on where to get a good-quality leather cover online or in the SF bay area?

Recommendation for a book on putting together a memoir?

adfeb — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:34:14 -0800

I need a recommendation for an instructional book on putting together a memoir. I already have a good portion of it written. The area I need help with is what to do with the various experiences that I've written about. Right now it's a bunch of stories with a central theme. I need to pull it together and make it a book in other words.

The phenomenology of text

0bvious — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:21:33 -0800

The phenomenology / ontology of text: has anyone examined this issue directly in philosophical, literary and/or critical terms? I am interested in the experience and perception of text, both within readership and on an abstract (more holistic level perhaps) as the archetypical mediator and virtual-archive of human culture. I wish to explore it via its mediums (e.g. book, computer screen), its modes (e.g. semiotics, translation) and its means (e.g. poetry, fiction, encryption).

I came at this problem through Heidegger (most specifically in his re-appropriation of the term 'techné'), looking at text as a technology.

I have since come upon the writings of D.C. Greetham and a couple of other bits and pieces.

I feel that this is an area not much covered by the critical fields, especially in these times of ever encompassing digital/web-based mediums. I'm interested in following through some of this to a PhD proposal.

What paths should I be taking?

Your help, as always, is much appreciated.

Tété-Michel Kpomassie: Where is He Now

luriete — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:46:43 -0800

Tété-Michel Kpomassie: where is he now? Whatever happened to him? I can't find other books by him after An African in Greenland; I've read he eventually received French citizenship and lives there now - but what does he do? He must have written other books or articles, right? Anyone know?

Grant writing 101

greta simone — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:17:22 -0800

Best book for grant writing? I would like to pick up a book to learn the basics of grant writing. I've perused the Amazon listings, but they all look the same to me. Assume I know absolutely nothing about grant writing (which is true), and point me in the right direction. Thanks!

Help me get this book out of my office and onto shelves.

Sophie1 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:55:12 -0800

I need a new name!!! I've written a book for friends and non-primary caregiver family (NOT for primary caregivers) regarding illness and death. The book includes things you can do and say as a friend or peripheral relative for someone in the hospital, at home bedridden, survivors of violence, young people, older people, grieving families. It also includes some of the things not to do and say.

I have a name for the book but it seems not to be working with publishers/agents. I'm not going to write the name because it tends to influence what people think about the book. Second, I can't for the life of me, come up with an elevator speech that makes sense which is probably preventing me from getting it sold.

Pretty much everyone who has reviewed the completed manuscript says a version of "OMG, I so needed this when my (mother/spouse/ friend) was in the hospital. Why hasn't this been published? Can I have a copy to give to my ______?" I had an agent for two years but she pretty much didn't do anything with it and I ended our contract.

So, my two questions are,
(1) What should I name this book? and
(2) Can you come up with an elevator speech that makes sense?

For the moment, I don't want to self-publish for various reasons. So there's that.

Thank you in advance for all of your help.

Oh, also, I have a very long and very strong background in health/illness/grief and social services.

Self publish much?

lothar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:59:00 -0800

The rights to my ~400 page pop/technical book reverted to me when the publisher went bankrupt. How can I best monetize the second edition? What publishing method (specific company suggestions welcomed) have you had success with? I'd like my investment to be minimal, ideally less than ~$1000. Are you aware of a simple, effective publish on demand solution that works with Amazon? Or should I break it into chapters, offer it online, and get money from Google AdWords or some such?

Yes, I'm certain I own all rights to my book.

Looking for lowbrow books

reenum — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:35:23 -0800

Looking for sites or reviewers who review books other than literary fiction I've gotten into Bookgasm and I love it. I've realized that I'm not that into literary fiction. I prefer books that are plot-based, rather than character-based. So, that gets me into genre fiction or non-fiction stuff. I'm not into sci-fi at all.

Problem is, most sources like Bookslut and NY Times Book Review devote most of their reviews to literary fiction.

So, are there any other sites or magazines out there like Bookgasm? Meaning well written reviews of books that are not literary fiction?

Which books are most representative of each city?

reenum — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:21:37 -0800

What one book will allow others to gain the truest insight into the soul of each city or region Inspired by this recent Metafilter post and blatantly stealing the idea (and some text) from this AskMe post, I have decided to try and read a book about all of the major cities in the United States and the world. I've seen AskMe's in the past about various cities, such as London and New York.

So: which single book from each city is most revealing of the lifestyle, customs, struggles, and spirit of that nation? I lived in San Francisco a while back, and I would recommend any of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City' books to get a true idea of life in the City.

My god, it's full of Stars

Artw — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:27:24 -0800

I'm looking for a series of hardback science fiction anthologies I dimly remember from childhood (sometime in the mid 80s). I think it had a one word title with a number, and the series went up to at least number five. I remember two stories in particular... In one a childs home starmaking experiment goes wrong when he puts too much matter into his simulated universe, creating a spinning cylindrical black hole which escapes and destroys the earth.

In another two creatures, essentially sentient stars, play a game in which they throw their cores at each other. The cores are of different colors, and the color difference is analogous to a gender difference. In the end the "male" star impregnates the "female" star but loses it's core. As a dying act it creates life on an earth like planet and then flings the planet out into space.

Any ideas?

A new way to look at the world...

reenum — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:23:42 -0800

Looking for books that talk about aspects of society or culture in new and interesting ways. I loved Freakonomics, I love the work of Malcolm Gladwell, but I'm not really sure how books in this vein are categorized.

What I like most about the above are the new and interesting way they look at sometimes mundane subjects or are able to find connections between seemingly unrelated topics.

Any suggestions on similar types of books from the hive mind?

Thanks!

Is Jack Vance hoaxing me? Does "The Lonton Times Historical Atlas" exist?

grumblebee — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:51:49 -0800

Is there such a book as "The London Times Historical Atlas"? Google and Amazon are clueless. In an interview published in 1986, Jack Vance stated that "the best way to teach someone to be a writer is to force them to read twenty books I would set out for them": he then names, in addition to Wodehouse and Baum, Cervantes's Don Quixote, Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, Richard Adams's Watership Down and The London Times Historical Atlas ("my favourite book - I don't know of anything more clutching for the imagination"). -- Wikipedia [emphasis added]

What book writing software exists for Max OSX?

Chuck Cheeze — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:27:34 -0800

What book writing software exists for Max OSX? I want to write a book that will be likely published at Lulu. This will be a book on how to use a specific website building CMS, so it will be a typical instructional book.

I know about Scrivener and am really tempted to give it a try.

I also might just use my copy of Pages.

What else is out there?

Will blogging while writing my book create copyright problems?

jeffmshaw — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 16:52:14 -0800

I'm writing a book and keeping a blog along the way. I have a questions about copyright law in case I want to use text from the blog posts. While writing my book, I'm keeping a blog that's mostly observations, but also sort of conversations-with-myself as my research deepens. Undoubtedly, this will inform my writing.

What I'm wondering is, suppose I want to lift whole paragraphs or even a full post. Are there copyright problems with this? I've heard that publishing free online might undermine publisher interest because the publisher may not be able to copyright something that has been published online for free. Also, I wonder if the blog host will have any claim on what I write.

The blog is on Vox (URL in profile) if that matters. Though I appreciate all advice, I promise not to take it as legal counsel. Thanks!

Ideas on how to write a Peace Corps book

brokekid — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:22:07 -0800

I need help putting together a book about my Peace Corps experiences, though I have no idea where to even begin. Any ideas? I'm aware that a number of books already exist but still feel like I have a fresh direction which to go in.

I kept a blog and an off-line diary of my experiences, kept track of every book I read, have a list of the music I listened to and have a lot of art and pics from that time. I want to do something a little different with all my records but don't have a clue where to begin. Do you have any ideas for me?

Please Help Me Find an Old, Obscure Parody Book on Writing

Nedroid — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:29:39 -0800

Please help me find any and all information available about an old book about writing whose very long name I cannot recall. This book was a parody of "how-to" writing books. From what I can remember, it appeared to have been printed in the 60s or 70s, though that's just estimation.

The title was long... so long that the font grew smaller and smaller as the title continued down the cover. I can only remember bits of it, but it started out something along the lines of "How to Write Ten Different Bestsellers in your Spare Time and Become the First Writer on your Block, Unless There's Already a Writer on your Block, in Which Case You'll Be the Second...." and so on. Again, I'm paraphrasing, so the actual title could be very different, but that's the gist of it.

There was a section on how to end a story in which the author suggested simply saying, "and then they were all run over by a truck." Or, if your story were about trucks, have them run over by a larger truck.

All of my searching has proved fruitless. I know it's a longshot based on the minimal information I have, but if there's anyone who can help me out, it's Metafilter.

Does self-publishing a book impact the potential for mass-market publication?

JWright — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 10:38:24 -0800

Once I've made my sci-fi novel available via Lulu.com, will it still be viable to shop around to agents and editors for potential mass-market publication? Are there factors that influence it? For example, if it sells a lot, is it considered a good buy by a publisher, or has it basically had its first run?

Please help me identify a short story

reenum — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 07:58:49 -0800

I remember a friend of mine telling me about a short story/novel/novella about a baseball pitcher whose pitched balls disappeared after leaving his hand, only to reappear in a totally different place and kill someone. There's I think he mentioned that the story was by Stephen King, but I'm not sure if King is the one who wrote it. It sounds a bit like his horror stuff.

I've tried everything to find this story, short of sitting down for a month or two and wading through King's entire oeuvre.

Is there anyone out there who might be able to point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.