Book idea:

[Barad Simith]

I had the idea while reading this excellent post by WilliamPitt...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1342857&mesg_id=1342857

...and I made this suggestion to him in that thread. Then I began to wonder just how many copies of a "DU biography" would sell just to DUers alone.

Here's the basic idea:

The Democratic Underground. Just the title would make one pick it up to see what it's about.

The first chapter could open with the 2001 counter-inaugural demonstration (the genesis of DU; see the link at the top of this post), then some back story, and then a chronological retelling of the history of this place up to the book's publication. Ends with To Be Continued.

In my opinion, much of what has happened just since I joined in 2003 would make compelling reading, not to mention all the previous events that I didn't know about before reading Mr. Pitt's post.

I don't know how many copies a book has to sell to get noticed, but it seems like an Amazon link through a DU banner ad could reap sales of 10,000 in the first week. I'm guessing there are that many DUers who would want a copy right away. But the title would provoke curiosity (remember, to many of those who have never heard of DU, the idea of a "Democratic Underground" would be an intriguing pull) in bookstore browsers and talk-show hosts, and coupled with those initial DU sales, the book could rise in prominence very quickly.

Could a "DU bio" sell enough copies to DUers to create an instant buzz in the publishing industry?

[Barad Simith]

1. going to bed (day sleeper here) - kicking for day shift n/t

[rucky]

2. self publish and sell a paperback version on Amazon. n/t

[johnaries]

3. I think the story of DU would make a wonderful book!

And I agree with the idea of self-publishing. DU could also offer an on-line PDF version - for a donation one could download and print it.

It would be worth it just for the articles by Plaid Adder, Will Pitt's "rough drafts" that he's posted, and - of course - the Top 10 Conservative Idiots. Also, the posts of our fallen brethern such as Kephra and Andy. Andy's story alone is worth telling. A harsh lesson in reality and how far the extreme RW's will go that the world should hear. We miss you, Andy.

I would love to hear more about the "early days". I didn't join until 2004, and I've seen many references to "the early days"

[Barad Simith]

4. I hadn't even thought of including DU articles, but that's a good idea (nt