Who's written a book?

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by von Poop, Sep 10, 2015.

  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Got a thread on who's got a website, and always reasonably sanguine about people flogging the odd tome in dedicated threads, but curiosity strikes.
    Who's been published in a proper printed book?
    Go on, spill the beans.
    Tell us what you wrote and whether it was a nightmare or a gratifying trip to more authorship.
     
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  2. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Yes, I commenced authour. It was (is) called Armies of Empire and was a comparative study of the 9th Australian and 50th Divs, published by CUP as part of the Australian Army History Series. I had a great editor (Roger Lee) and great assistance from the Australian Army Unit. The best part about the whole thing was that I got to go to Australia and London to research it. The book got one good review in the ADFA journal, sold about five copies, and earned me approximately $1.98, which is why I am now pushing a broom behind the circus elephants for a living.
     
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  3. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

  4. Nijmegen

    Nijmegen Member

    Writing about WWII is actually studying "known" military actions. What I love is discovering (in the sea of primary sources, not per se in books) what actually took place. Log files, are my favourite, and maps. On a daily basis, I get a sense of what the mindset would have been (what happened where at what time). My first two books were about Market Garden, and now I am writing about the British and Canadians in the Rhineland battles of February and March 1945. And, liberation of Holland and Operation Infatuate are on my todo list. So, it's really a study.

    Planning to do battefield tours, when I retire. :)
     
  5. XRayX

    XRayX Aalst-Waalre

    In mather of fact, sunday my second book will be launched. My first one was: "Aalst-Waalre in oorlogstijd", which is about the villages of Aalst and Waalre during WW2. The village is located in Holland between Valkenswaard and Eindhoven. It handles everything from 1940 till 1945, although it has an special focus on the airplanes that came down in the village and their casualties.

    My second one is called "De weg naar Valkenswaard". This book is about the fights from Joe's Bridge Lommel Belgium up to Valkenswaard. It focusses on the stories of the casualties and individual soldiers who made it trough the fights.
    The facebookpage for it is: De weg naar Valkenswaard

    Both books are in Dutch but I am planning to do an English version of the 2nd book.


    [​IMG]

    Ray
     
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  6. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Probably not what you intended but my only proper published printed book is:

    'Children of the Dragon'. A study of the educational experience of children of Chinese origin in British schools.
    University of Bradford.

    Mike
     
  7. tmac

    tmac Senior Member

    I started researching my late father's wartime unit, 7th Loyals / 92nd LAA, in 1992 and initially published the results on a website.

    But by 2010, with more and more information accumulating, I decided to put together the history in a book, called True Loyals.

    My main intention was to produce a keepsake for regimental veterans and their families and for everyone else who had helped me, but I thought it might also be of interest to a wider audience.

    Doing the research was an immensely rewarding experience, which entailed many long sessions at the Public Record Office (now the National Archives), a lot of in-depth reading and learning, as well as several journeys around various parts of the country.

    But my greatest stroke of luck was managing to trace around a dozen veterans, who generously shared their memories. Most have now sadly passed on, but I will never forget their kindness, good humour and modesty in recounting their experiences.

    True Loyals was published by Countyvise of Birkenhead, a superb little local history and niche publisher which has unfortunately now ceased trading, meaning new copies of the book are no longer available.

    Because of this, I have transferred the complete text of the book on to my website at www.trueloyals.com, where it is available to everyone.

    Back in 2006, I wrote a book called Damburst: The Birkenhead Dock Disaster, March 6, 1909. This was the story of how 14 men were killed when a coffer dam collapsed during the construction of a dock in Birkenhead. It was also a Countyvise publication.

    I've also published three fiction books on Kindle and I'm still waiting for the royalties to flow in!
     
  8. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    Yup X 2 :)

    History of The 10th (Royal Fusiliers) Medium Regiment RA 1940-1946, published 2010.

    The History of The 2nd Canadian Army Group Royal Artillery 1942-1945, published 2012

    When i can get round to it, hope to do: Either The history of 3AGRA or 4AGRA.

    You can be assured of one thing, doing it will cause brain damage :eek:

    Best
    Rob
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  9. zahonado

    zahonado Well-Known Member

    What a lot of authors here. Interesting to see results from research done. Self publishing is a strange thing...relatively easy to get a proper looking book, but marketing it is something else! Here is a link to my three offerings. What will my next project be, I wonder? Maybe an account of following in some of my father's footsteps in Assam and Burma?
    http://delacuesta.wix.com/familyhistorybooks
     
  10. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    Old Hickory Recon, Memories of the 30th Infantry Division, 1943-1945.

    Digital Cover.jpg

    We're still selling paperbacks and it is available in Kindle format. We've only sold about 650 copies (620+/- paper copies and 30 or so digital)

    https://kindle.amazon.com/work/old-hickory-recon-memories-1943-1945-ebook/B00UGYCTVI/B00UGYCTVI

    The subject of the book died this past July 30th. I miss him greatly.

    We self-published and did not use one of those self-publishing companies. I did everything myself (write, format design), except print and bind the book.

    Excerpts from the book also appear in this widely-selling book: The Fighting 30th Division.
     
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  11. RCG

    RCG Senior Member, Deceased

    Have to admit that I have also had a go at self publishing.
    It was my dogs that did the story. Both gone now.
    Just did not work out though cost me more than it was worth.
    An example of their chats.
    http://www.bazjasp.co.uk/html/monthly_diary.html
     
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  12. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    This is all sort of pleasant. More power to anyone who at least gives it a go.
    And, no, wasn't really thinking specifically WW2 or non-fiction books, anything really.
     
  13. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    A handful:

    Risdon Beazley, Marine Salvor - with Lyle Craigie-Halkett. Self published
    Ebb and Flow, Evacuations and Landings by Merchant Ships in World War Two. Self published
    Merchantmen in Action, a hard back version Fonthill Media
    The Suffolk Golding Mission, A Considerable Service. Amazon

    Only the first one ever really covered our costs, it and Suffolk Golding are still in print.

    Well you did ask!
     
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  14. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    My first book was entitled: "Operation Manna" - The British contribution towards the liberation of Greece, September to December 1944.

    Available in Greek language for 15 Euros, in all good bookstores in Greece and also online.

    Gus
     

    Attached Files:

  15. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    Never thought I would write a book....failed my "O" level English so not a great literary work but one of in-depth research about an overlooked action during the Burma Campaign. I'm afraid it has become an obsession of mine and more information has been found since I published it in 2001. A revised edition is called for!!

    For those who are thinking of writing and publishing their own book my advice to you is that it's your work, it's your vision, make sure you keep a handle on it at all stages. Do not let a publisher or printer dictate to you what they want. My book was my baby and the only time I let it out of my hands (to the printer) it went to rats sh*t. Luckily I found another printer who I could sit down with and discuss what I wanted.

    Lionboxer
     
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  16. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Long time ago (135 pp.): The 51st Highland Divsion in the Ardennes 1944-45

    Consider a reprint ... but, alas, no time!
     
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  17. zahonado

    zahonado Well-Known Member

    What is your book called Lionboxer?
    After I posted late last night it was interesting to see that I had several hits on the website link...so thanks to those here that bothered to take a look. As everyone is saying ,make the book what you want it to be. I was lucky in that my partner was able and willing to do the design work, plus loads of content for the last book from friends on this site. Even if I don't get many sales it was a very interesting process to go through.
     
  18. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    I researched using the self-publishing firms and was not impressed. Before publishing, I talked to several people who had used them and none had broken even yet, even after selling more books than we have so far. The companies claimed to put the book on various sales listing sites, which they did, but he sites only generated a handful of sales. The rest were direct sales by the authors themselves from from books they had to buy from the publisher at high prices-far more than what I paid for mine.

    We've not made a lot of money, but we were in the black fairly quickly and used some of the money earned to help fund the trip to Europe last year.

    I paid for the initial print run with a no interest, introductory credit card. As soon as the books were paid off, I closed the account and have paid for each additional print run out of the profits.
     
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  19. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    Yes, I forgot to add that if you think you will make money from it then you'll be sadly mistaken! It was the fact that I had researched and found something unique that it had to be shared and recorded for histories sake (and in memory of those who were there). No fame or fortune for me!!
    Over the years it has cost me a tidy sum but I have absolutely no regrets about that. It was, and still is, my hobby and passion and from that I have made many great friends and had some truly amazing experiences that no money could ever pay for.
    "The Forgotten Army's Box of Lions" is the true story of the defence and evacuation of the largest supply depot on the Imphal Plain.

    Lionboxer
     
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  20. JohnS

    JohnS Senior Member

    My first book, `Storm Boat Kings' took 5 years for the publisher(Vanwell) to get around to getting it out. There were countless other problems, which I could write a book about. In short, it was a nightmare, but I am proud of it. I am happy that it was published and the painful journey to get there only added to it.

    My latest book is: http://www.amazon.com/Establishments-R-C-E-WWII-John-Sliz/dp/1927679346/
    The publisher is much easier to do with and I didn't have to wait 5 years for its release.
     
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