Writing My Book....Savage Single Shot Arms.

[Garnett]

I am offering some unsolicited advise to anyone who may be thinking of writing a book on any subject.  I hope what I am sharing with you will help in some way.  A local gunsmith, Ralph Walker, wrote several books back in the 70's.  His first, "Hobby Gun Smithing" took a long time to get printed because he could not find a publisher willing to take a chance on it.  After almost 2 years he did find one.  My barber told me that he had written a book about the Southeastern Sports Conference 20 years ago but never had it published.  He said a "friend" who was a sports caster in the SEC and an author of several books advised him that he had to have a publisher, an editor, a publicist, etc., before he could get his book printed.  As a result, it has never been printed.  Last week I talked with a lady in my church who writes poetry.  She tried for some time to get a publisher interested in her books, to no avail.  Today, I read a story in a book where the author tried to get a friend's novel published.  He went to several publishers, and none were interested.  His friend died before the book was ever printed.  When I started my first book, I asked for advise from a good friend, Bill Lockridge, who has written several books.  I asked him who his publisher was.  He replied that he did not have one and that I did not need one.  He gave me the name of his printer who was more than happy to discuss printing my book.  So, if you are writing a book, or thinking of writing a book, here is my suggestion.  You can write it with a pencil, a typewriter, or much better, a computer.  Have someone who knows something about your subject and proper grammar, to proof read it, and make any necessary corrections.  Once completed, find a local printer and get a price.  The printers I talked to had either no minimum number of copies, or a small minimum.  I suggest you use the latest version of "Word" if you have no pictures.  If you have lots of pictures, as my books do (405 in the revised edition), then I suggest" Word Publisher".  My son installed the program on my computer, and my daughter, and a very close friend, Connie Mori, showed me how to use Publisher.  The printer required a "PDF" copy on a thumb drive.  I do not speak "computerese", but my daughter described "PDF" as like a photograph, and would not change at anytime during the set up for printing.  If you are thinking of writing a book, I encourage you to do so.  If I can....anyone can!  Good luck!  Oh, the lady at church finally went to a printer and had her books printed.  Pros and Cons.....a publisher will cover all the initial costs and advertise nationwide at no cost to you.  You must pay a printer on delivery and advertise at your own expense.  I advertise on Amazon, EBay, Gunbroker and my web site, at no cost to me until a sale is made.  I am very happy with this arrangement.

[Mike Armstrong]

Sound advice.  I worked in the technical publishing field for many years as an acquisitions editor, copy editor, proofreader, ad writer, and marketing director--sometimes all at once.   

Nobody is going to get rich with limited "niche" publications like Garnett's book.  But each one enriches the lives of its readers and its author more than the "blockbuster" big money, big market thrillers that we read.   And then forget. 

I never wrote a book, in spite of having the technical skills.  Why?  Because it is VERY hard work, and most authors don't get a true monetary return for the long hours they put in (editors do).  But it is certainly a "good work," and you can be proud of it.  That's worth a lot.

[Garnett]

Mike, Thanks very much for your thoughts.  Under the word "enriches" I will say that writing the book helped me spend quality time with my son and daughter and a nice lady friend.  Also, some of my close friends helped with their expertise on some of the technical gunsmithing stuff.  All in all, a lot of fun sharing my new found knowledge with others interested in these two fine guns!