Writing a book...........

[Erdinger]

My wife is considering writing a book and would appreciate suggestions from you learned AB'rs on what course of action she should take, ie, is it appropriate to contact potential publishers in the first instance outlining her ideas etc?
Erica is degree educated, has excellent writing skills and has produced many published papers within her role as an archaeologist.
Since the age of 10, in her spare time, Erica has been closely associated with the south of England champion ploughman, Charlie Coffen, she works as his groom at numerous shows, ploughing matches etc, he is in his eighties and is an amazing character, one of the 'old school, you might say, he has been a ploughman since the age of nine and has undoubtedly many great tales to tell. Erica believes that Charlies memoires should be recorded, she knows that he would confide in her his many tales and indeed his life story, there are very few 'Charlies' left in the UK and it would be a shame to lose this opportunity. Thankyou.

[saxy_jag]

If she's hitherto unpublished, she's unlikely to be taken on by an agent or publisher on the strength of an idea, no matter how good that idea or how good a writer she may be.

I would suggest she gets on and writes it; gets it documented before it's too late. Any writing/editing difficulties can be addressed later.

Then she could go one of two ways. She could get a copy of the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook and begin to submit the manuscript to those publishers and agents likely to represent such material (again, submission advice is out there), or she could go down the self-publishing route. I'm a self-publishing advocate, but I would advise her to consider and research very carefully before heading down that route - it has many pitfalls for the 'beginner'.

A good book to get hold of is Bob Trubshaw's "How to Write and Publish Local and Family History". It's mine of really useful information on all aspects of publishing in this genre, whether you do it yourself or otherwise.

And wish your wife good luck. It sounds fascinating.

[Erdinger]

Thanks so much for your answer Saxy, very clear and precise advice, Erica is planning to proceed in the manner you suggest........