Homage to - The Castigation of the Clergy

[lbpierce]

Post moved by Moderator to this new thread and edited.

Hmnn....Gerard's story in The Castigation of the Clergy got me thinking. I have self-published a few books and I have already have the structure set up to publish books, basically using Amazon's Create Space program for printed books and of course Kindle for ebook versions. I wonder if I should edit and publish a book of "Amazing Stories from the Camino de Santiago (or hopefully some other more original title)" with contributions from folks who would like to submit stories.

Both the printed version and the ebook version would be sold in any market where Amazon is present, which is pretty extensive these days. As a semi-retired person in my late sixties, I don't want the administrative work of accounting for, and distributing royalties to, lots of people. But here is what I'm thinking: I would contribute 50% of all receipts (less actual out of pocket expenses) to Ivar. If for any reason this forum ceased to exist, we would have to provide for an alternative to receive the distributions.

The only expenses I can think of would be some set up fees for the Amazon printed book program, which might include a simple cover design (I could use one of my photos to save on costs) and the cost to layout the interior of the book. I would not spend money on marketing but would let the book thrive or die on word of mouth. I would also provide transparent accounting to anyone who wanted it.

As for my Camino experience, I walked my first Camino Frances in 2013 (at age 65) and have walked a portion of the CF each year since, and hope to walk a Camino every year until I reach 80 years old.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

 

[lbpierce]

I just realized I should have started a new thread on this, but I love the Castigation of the Clergy title!

 

[lbpierce]

P.S. If you want to know about me, you can read my blog about my 2013 Camino at http://caminojoy.tumblr.com/. The password is linda2013.

 

[Cam1952]

P.S. If you want to know about me, you can read my blog about my 2013 Camino at http://caminojoy.tumblr.com/. The password is linda2013.

Thank you for the link to your blog. I enjoyed this very much.
As Always..... Cam'.

 

[jimabfalter]

Post moved by Moderator to this new thread and edited.

Hmnn....Gerard's story in The Castigation of the Clergy got me thinking. I have self-published a few books and I have already have the structure set up to publish books, basically using Amazon's Create Space program for printed books and of course Kindle for ebook versions. I wonder if I should edit and publish a book of "Amazing Stories from the Camino de Santiago (or hopefully some other more original title)" with contributions from folks who would like to submit stories.

Both the printed version and the ebook version would be sold in any market where Amazon is present, which is pretty extensive these days. As a semi-retired person in my late sixties, I don't want the administrative work of accounting for, and distributing royalties to, lots of people. But here is what I'm thinking: I would contribute 50% of all receipts (less actual out of pocket expenses) to Ivar. If for any reason this forum ceased to exist, we would have to provide for an alternative to receive the distributions.

The only expenses I can think of would be some set up fees for the Amazon printed book program, which might include a simple cover design (I could use one of my photos to save on costs) and the cost to layout the interior of the book. I would not spend money on marketing but would let the book thrive or die on word of mouth. I would also provide transparent accounting to anyone who wanted it.

As for my Camino experience, I walked my first Camino Frances in 2013 (at age 65) and have walked a portion of the CF each year since, and hope to walk a Camino every year until I reach 80 years old.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

If it is your book shouldn't you be the one to write it?

 

[movinmaggie]

If it is your book shouldn't you be the one to write it?

I tend to agree; I hear and see more and more where writers wanting to write about the Camino and are soliciting stories from others. A few people in my area have been approached. I'm sure no harm done, but for me I would much rather read of a personal experience written by the pilgrim. Either way, good luck with your endeavour.

 

[SYates]

The first thing that came to my mind is what you would do if you receive a submission that is NOT good enough to publish in an anthology? Authors can be terribly thin-skinned and telling them 'thanks, but no' might not be an easy thing to do. I would really encourage you to think about this and other possible scenarios before taking things further. Buen Camino, SY

 

[lbpierce]

This would not be "my book." I have no desire to write a book about the Camino, although I may post other blogs in the future. I was thinking more of publishing a "Chicken Soup for the Camino Soul" type of book, especially as I already have the infrastructure as a publisher to publish books. I just thought there are a lot of amazing, heartwarming, and hilarious stories about the Camino that, if assembled in one book, might be inspirational to others. And I liked the idea of supporting Ivar's hard work on this forum. By the way, as a publisher, giving a 50% royalty (in this case to Ivar) is much more (by leaps and bounds) than any author would receive from any publisher.

But I think Sy's point is a good one. There could be hard feelings if people submitted stories and I, as editor and publisher, decided not to include them, either because they were not that good or because I had more stories than I could use. And others may think that, as a publisher, my keeping 50% of the net receipts, would not be fair or appropriate. So, you know what -- life is very short, and I have no need or desire to ruffle anyone's feathers, so I think I will file this idea in the area of my brain that holds lots of creative ideas, few of which materialize.

Thank you for your input.