Anyone ever write a book?

[Primate]

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Seriously, anyone?

Feel free to embelish. 😉

 

[Apollyon]

I'm writing a chapter.

 

[jdr]

I'm putting the finishing touches on a manuscript I've been working on for a couple of years. The book will be out next spring, its def. been a long time coming. Why do you ask? Are you interested in writing?

 

[DrQuinn]

I'm writing a pocketbook for medical students (aimed primarily at 3rd years), it is in review now with several publishers.

Q, DO

 

[Primate]

I'm putting the finishing touches on a manuscript I've been working on for a couple of years. The book will be out next spring, its def. been a long time coming. Why do you ask? Are you interested in writing?

Hi,

Congrats on getting published.

I've written a few small pieces (not counting scientific papers, which hardly seem like the King's English) and just started my first long piece of (pop, hopefully not pulp) fiction. I'm just curious if anyone else has killed time the same way. 😉 I actually love to write and have been kicking around several ideas for some time but only recently decided to just start writing one of them. I figured, it might not be great, but if I didn't just write the damn thing, I'd never know. So.... off to the stationer's for a writing tablet (I like to start on paper and then move to computer) and dose of humility.

What's your manuscript deal with? What was the process like? Love to hear about it. PM me if you'd rather.

P

 

[Primate]

I'm writing a chapter.

What subject? Scientific or medical (or both, or neither)? Alone or with co-authors? Fun or not?

P

 

[docB]

I wrote a book on drugs for EMTs. I sent it off to a few publishers but I never heard back. I didn't even get any rejection letters so I assume they didn't read it. If I ever get some spare time I'll revise it and try again... if I ever get some spare time.

I wonder if they've ever thought of publishing stuff from this site. You could edit some of the longer running threads and make a cool magazine article out of it.

 

[Primate]

I'm writing a pocketbook for medical students (aimed primarily at 3rd years), it is in review now with several publishers.

Q, DO

Very cool. Was it solicited, or did you write it and shop it around? About EM, I'm guessing? Fun to do? Aaaaahhh... fame and fortune, not to mention getting into so many 3rd year's pockets. 😉

Do pocketbooks have a royalty payout? Did you have an agent?

Sorry for all the questions, but I think this is quite interesting.

P

 

[Apollyon]

What subject? Scientific or medical (or both, or neither)? Alone or with co-authors? Fun or not?

P

"Subway disasters" for the upcoming Mosby disaster text. Solo author. Interesting as hell, because of what you find out when you're researching.

 

[Apollyon]

I wonder if they've ever thought of publishing stuff from this site. You could edit some of the longer running threads and make a cool magazine article out of it.

I thought about this same thing last month, and it was about the gentle giant you created - Things I Learn From My Patients - I thought that, if Slovis and Co. can make "A Little Book of Emergency Medicine Rules", this could AT LEAST match that.

 

[neutropeniaboy]

Seriously, anyone?

Feel free to embelish. 😉

I've written a couple of chapters in ENT texts, some publications in peer-reviewed journals, and abstracts. It doesn't seem to get any easier. I've come to two conclusions: 1) I can't write and/or 2) you become more critical of your writing and expect more with each piece. I'm sure there's a little of both involved. For me, at least, it's very demanding work.

 

[jdr]

Hi Primate, congrats on starting. I had the same feelings as you and finally just began writing-I'm convinced that's the trick.
Anyhow, my book is non-fiction, discussing college success and the 'balancing' it requires. A company called Delmar Learning (a subsidiary of Thomson Learning) picked it up and I am now wrapping up the revisions. Reviews are tough but overall its a rewarding process-if you have tough skin. PM me if you have any particular questions about proposals, etc. Although I have no experience with fiction, I have been through 'the process'. Good luck.

 

[docB]

PM me if you have any particular questions about proposals, etc. Although I have no experience with fiction, I have been through 'the process'. Good luck.

So say I wanted to re submit my Drugs for EMTs book. Who do you talk to and how do you go about it?

 

[jdr]

Hey DocB, I PMed you.

 

[Primate]

So, if one has an idea for a fictional novel and has the book planned to at least the general chapter level, and one ALSO has several other less well developed ideas for books (but enough to have a skeleton outline of a full book), does one concentrate on writing the first book and getting it done, or does one also start to develop the other ideas? This is assuming that one doesn't have unlimited time.

Second - what makes more sense as a first stab at fiction, plausible but still fiction or more of a stretch (CIA involvement and such 😉 )?

I realize that this isn't a creative writing forum, but that's quite why I value the input.

P

 

[jakstat33]

How does one go about writing a chapter in a book... do you go seeking this opportunity, or are you approached by an editor/doctor to do this?

Thanks

 

[Apollyon]

How does one go about writing a chapter in a book... do you go seeking this opportunity, or are you approached by an editor/doctor to do this?

Thanks

The text I'm writing for was conceived to fill a gap, and the associate editors were all residents together, and one of them is one of our attendings, so that's how we all got hooked up.

IE, some connections, and some luck. If there's a topic you are into, and there's an attending you know that is also "hooked up", ask him/her if they know of anyone that might be updating a chapter on the topic you know/like. That can get you in the game (as per Mike Ditka), writing it, instead of reading it.

 

[DrQuinn]

I thought about this same thing last month, and it was about the gentle giant you created - Things I Learn From My Patients - I thought that, if Slovis and Co. can make "A Little Book of Emergency Medicine Rules", this could AT LEAST match that.

Actually I had approached Lee about that, and haven't had time to follow it up but it is definately in the back of my mind to pursue it. Lippincott (the group currently about to review my book) wasn't interested in it. If you wish to pursue it Apollyon (or docB), let me know.

Q

 

[DrQuinn]

So say I wanted to re submit my Drugs for EMTs book. Who do you talk to and how do you go about it?

I contacted several publishing companies about my book, wrote up a book proposal, and sent out a few sample chapters. If you'd be interested, I can send you a copy of my book proposal. PM me with your email addy.

Q, DO

 

[southerndoc]

So say I wanted to re submit my Drugs for EMTs book. Who do you talk to and how do you go about it?

Talk to Bryan Bledsoe. That man has published more EMS books than anyone I know. PM me if you need his email address.