Book Publishing
What to call it? What to put in it? What voice to use? What should be on the cover? How many pages should it be? Who to dedicate it to? What size? I’ve posted the good, the bad and the ugly as far as images go. I’ve written and sold screenplays. I’ve written what seems like millions of words in these blogs over the years.
Why this paralysis sets in when thinking about creating a book - I don’t know.
You would be amazed at the ideas I’ve had for the first one:
The title would be based on numbers: sort of. For example, the first book would be called, “Won,” which corresponds to the number 1. The second book would be “Too.” And the third book in the trilogy would be — oh, that’s right. I ran into problems with three.
I had a similar idea based on the alphabet. First book would start with the letter A, etc. But this was done already with the mystery books — A is Arsenic etc. I forget the author, but it worked well for her.
Let’s get looser and just call the first one Beckerman, Volume I. Selections from…
Should I include writing alongside the images? There are good stories for some of them. Or should the images just stand on their own which is classier; and have some explanations at the end?
Titles speed through my mind at night: “Native Tourist.” “New York, Night & Day” (here I would have opposing but related images).
I still think in terms of a narrative curve. Some sort of dramatic beginning, middle, and end.
Then there’s the chaos method. Take a bunch of numbers that represent images. Toss them in the air. However they land is the order. Call the book, “No. 1.”
I can’t bring myself to do the obvious, a book based on location: “Central Park, 40 Images,” for example.
Yes, the book is somewhat permanent, as opposed to all the other forms I’ve worked in. The screenplay is written, and re-written, and changed for the film. Each time I do a print, I can take another crack at it. And the blog is just so much stream of consciousness (like this) with a touch of something worthwhile now and then.
There are a few things that I do know:
- I’m thinking in terms of a series of books. Probably small, both in the number of images, and the dimensions. But definitely hardcover.
- The first one is the most difficult.
- It needs to be loose enough to include a number of subjects.
- I’ll begin with an arrangement of photographs, and come up with the title, theme afterwards. Let the images, at least in the first book, do the talking.
- It won’t be a symphony. It will be a string quartet.
Or think pitching. Think - stay within yourself. Don’t try and overthrow… (easier said than done).
Comments
Comment from dave
Time: September 13, 2007, 2:59 pm
That’s pretty good. (Tree). Four is easy (For, Fore).
Which reminds me of another idea I had — Show & Tell.
I don’t know if they still have “Show & Tell” in school but when I was a kid that was a big deal. And frankly, that’s what most of these photo blogs, my own as well, are doing.
Comment from JPH
Time: September 13, 2007, 5:40 pm
Just curiosity questions -
What screenplay(s) have you written?
What would be the end use of the book(s) that you would make?
All the best,
Jeff
Comment from dave
Time: September 13, 2007, 6:31 pm
Before I went to NYU Grad Film school, I wrote a screenplay with a friend called Adon. It was about 400 pages. Sci-fi comedy. I got into the school based on the screenplay - although a normal length should have been about 120 pages.
I wrote screenplays for my own short films while in school.
Then I went out and worked as a lighting guy on films for a while.
And eventually settled back into writing screenplays. The one that got the farthest was Uncle Lou - which was never made because the lead actor who was signed on to do it was Lee Marvin and he died before the film could go into production.
Before that I wrote numerous screenplays and treatments which were bought but never produced.
End use of the book - just to sell to people who want ‘em. I am asked frequently whether I have any books to sell. After I began posting about this I have a list of emails from about 20 people who want to be notified when the first book is ready. I don’t see much profit in it - but it’s simply another artform I want to explore.
Comment from JAC
Time: September 13, 2007, 7:53 pm
Have you seen how much an out-of-print book by Roman Loranc is going for these days?
You could market this as an investment opportunity.
Comment from Terrence
Time: September 18, 2007, 7:54 pm
Maybe you take some inspiration from music…
When a band or solo artist releases an album, the successful products usually have a underlying “flow”. Maroon 5’s “Songs About Jane”, for example, has a obvious focus, but allows for variety with the moods of the songs.
Maybe when you brainstorm, you can use a feeling or a phrase that brings otherwise disparate images together…like “Suspicion” or “Too close for comfort”.
Then, once you’ve compiled the collection, you’ll have imagery that may not tell a straightforward story, but will continually reinforce an feeling–which can be very powerful.
Comment from Scotty
Time: September 13, 2007, 2:48 pm
Call book three “Tree”, (you know, play on words. kids seemed to often mispronounce the “th” in three, thus it comes out sounding “tree”.) and it could include nothing but images of children and trees. haha. maybe that makes a bit of sense. cute silly idea nonetheless.