I just had my 1st book published.

[H2O Man]

I wrote a book about the cultural and economic impact of the Irish-American immigrants who traveled from the east coast cities, to work as laborers on the canals and railroads in rural, upstate New York. Of particular interest to me is the New York, Ontario & Western Railway, the first Class 1 railroad to go bankrupt in American history. My father wrote the last order for it in 1957; his great grandfather's siblings had been among the first to work on it in the 1860s. The book examines the relationship between cities and rural areas, natural resources and trade relationships, and politicians from Jefferson to JFK. It took two years and ten months to complete!

[SoDesuKa]

1. Sounds Interesting

You really ought to provide the title so we can look for it.

[sistersofmercy]

2. Congratulations!

Sounds very interesting and loaded with info. :toast:

[NC_Nurse]

3. Congrats!

That's wonderful! What's the name of your book?

[The Lone Liberal]

4. What is the name of the book?

Irish history is one of my favorite things to read.

[bobbieinok]

10. NAME OF BOOK - NAME OF BOOK ???????????????

[blondeatlast]

5. Tell us more, some of us have connections, friend!

Publisher, ISBN, any reviews I can point to? I do some library selecting; might be too regional for us, but I know people...

[wyldwolf]

6. Congratulations! But I have a question...

...do published authors on DU have to have the Muhammad Ali avatar?

[mlawson]

7. How long did the publishers take to evaluate your manuscript?

My own manuscript has been at a publisher's office now since mid December. I hate to bug them, but I am starting to get worried.

Can they steal it, and claim they THEY wrote it?

[H2O Man]

20. I hope they couldn't

steal it and claim they wrote it .... but it's like a good song, right? Could they "reject" yours and then write one a lot like it? Here's a funny story: there was a 16-year old boy who lived in this neighborhood in 1820. He used to whittle whistles from willow branches (say that 3 times fast, huh?) like all rural kids used to, and it gave him an idea. He made an organ the same way. Played it in the local stage coach station, became well-known locally. His name was Phelps, and this is the orgins of the Phelps' Organ. A few people offered to buy a Phelps' Organ; he made a small factory here. But he couldn't make enough, so the factory moved two towns away, to the canal. Then people in NYC "bought" the factory. In time, Phelps was a pauper in NYC, working as a lowly laborer in the factory making Phelps' organs, and then was buried in an unmarked grave. That's why after dealing with a few publishers who wanted to control the content of my manuscript, I opted for "self-control."

[scottcsmith]

8. Congratulations!

I'm trying to get published myself. I've been writing a column that has appeared here and other liberal web sites. My dream is to have a syndicated column...so if any DUers have any good advice, please let me know!

[Qanisqineq]

9. Congrats! Wow! Neato!

Cool beans! Bravo for you!

[Deb]

11. Congrats! Tell me more

I'm an UpStater that loves to buy regional history books.

[H2O Man]

12. I considered many options.

I could have gone through one of the local publishers, or even the regional railroad historical society. But, for reasons of control over content, I decided to publish it myself. I had the fellow who edits all local railroad books "edit," after having family & friends read etc. I've had things printed in newspapers and magazines for years, and get frustrated when editors change things from what I want to say. Anyhow, if anyone wants to try this, with today's technology it is not expensive. I looked all over, and selected Offset Paperback MFRS, Inc./101 Memorial Highway/ Dallas, PA 18612.
My book is called "From Glenagore to Guilford: Irish Destiny on the O&W." I'll sell it at local stores, and go on the mini-tour of historical societies and libraries. The Irish Echo (largest Irish paper in the country) ran a little thing on it before. I'll have my boys help me with a web-site. Should any d.u.ers be interested, I'd sell them at a "radical" discount. It's available at "First Edition BookStore/ 13 S. Broad Street/ Norwich, NY 13815. I'm asking $20 for the book, and won't charge you P&H; if you can't afford that, give me assurance that you're registering voters and writing letters-to-the-editors. (grin)

[Rabrrrrrr]

15. Congrats! And I suggest you remove your address

and tell people to PM you if they want to send for the book. Otherwise, your address is open to the world, and will possibly get archived at googl;e and elsewhere and be available forever.

Mostly I'd worry about freepers or other malcontents seeing it and harassing you.

I love railroads. Big Union Pacific and C&N fan myself.

[DrWeird]

13. Can you offer any advice to inspiring writers

such as myself?

[H2O Man]

18. Well, I can try.

I think that there are the obvious things: read a lot, and write a lot. I'm not sure what area you are interested in: poetry, fiction, political essays, children's stories, etc. But I suspect some general rules of thumb work in all of them. Take as many literature and writing courses as possible. A few teachers will likely be able to help you a great deal. Even the "bad" ones will challenge your ability to be creative enough to get an "A." I don't think classes should be overlooked by anyone of any age. I also think it's like basketball: if you want to get good, practice every day; study the very best; and remember that he who knows "why" always has the advantage over he who knows "how." Never be offended by having an article rejected. Start small .... with letters to newspapers, then to bigger publications. I think the most important thing is to have fun. I have to let my son use the computer to do homework now, but will return shortly.

[GOPisEvil]

14. Congratulations!

:toast:

[Kadie]

16. Congratulations!

:toast:

[madrchsod]

17. cool

i`m sure if you get the word out to the train mags and rr societies you`ll be rollin in dough!!! big train nut here..i.c and c&nw

[Insider]

19. congratulations

quite an accomplishment. good luck with it.

:bounce::bounce::bounce: