Last week, my dear Hungarian father in law was wandering round his village church where they were having an exhibition of local artists work.
He noticed a very elegant old boy wandering about with an unusual tie.
Of course he got into conversation with the old chap and, well at first, he thought he had been a Lancaster pilot, but this isn’t quite the case, Mr Enthusiastic hasn’t quite got over his visit to the BBMF Do at DX yet.
Anyway, he’s written a little book about his experiences that is only available in our local bookshop, it’s not a glossy publication, about 100 pages long in a ring binder, each one personally autographed, but it’s a really good read, he had some incredible experiences and took part in a lot of missions, winning the DFC.
I’m sure you lot would love to get your hands on a copy, but it seems to be only available to Braintree residents.
Now, I gather that certain local people have made it clear that Tibi and myself can go over to his house for tea and a chat, what do I do, I would love to see this little book made more available, but he’s 85, though fully compus mentis, I’m sure he’s quite happy as things are and wouldn’t want the hassle of a proper publication.
I’m not going to reveal his name, though I bet some of you locals know who I’m talking about and may have even read the book.
What do you think I should suggest to him.
If you are Internet wise and look at this site sir, I will leave things as they are, but your little book is really a little piece of magic, unexpectantly found.
By: Nostalgair - 30th June 2007 at 13:02
Dear Pete,
I have just finished a book on a very unassuming RAF veteran who migrated down under here to Australia some years back. (In fact it’s being ‘launched’ at Duxford Legends next week.) In researching this book, and with all veterans, I have always set my primary goal as recording the story for their family. If no-one else reads it and the story is preserved for them; mission accomplished. However, some tales definitely stand out and beckon to be more widely published. The decision to do so is solely theirs. At 85, if he is happy with the status quo, then let it be.
If he is interested in publication, I would suggest that his 100 pages would equate to a few more when examined more closely by a biographer/writer. Such brevity and understatement is commonplace amongst this marvellous, dignified and modest generation.
As Garry relates, publication is very competitive, so the story and the style in which it is written must be just right. As a suggestion, you may wish to put a proposal together to submit to Publishers, based on the 100 page manuscript. (Again this will have to conform to Publisher guidelines) The proposal permits an opportunity for publishers to show interest without the project prematurely become all-consuming. Pondskater has also raised some good options in private publishing and the like.
Overall, if the veteran is happy with the way things are, I would suggest leaving it be. There is quite a lot involved in turning a story into a published book and all parties must have their heart in it. Perhaps a copy can be donated to the IWM for their records. At the very least, it is great that he has recorded the story in its present form.
Best of luck,
Owen
By: Pondskater - 30th June 2007 at 12:18
Pete,
A couple of options occur – finding a publisher might seem daunting to him and private publishing certainly is without the marketing and distribution knowledge.
So why not just offer to help expand what he’s done. His memoirs are already produced. It is a simple job for a local copy shop to produce more copies, either in ring binders, spiral wire binding or they may be able to do a cheap glued binding with card covers. Orders can be by subscription and printed to order so there is no surplus stock left. But, wouldn’t the local bookshop be willing to take orders from far and wide?
But also, have you considered doing an oral history recording with him? There may well be a local oral history society who would loan you equipment and give a little advice and, most importantly, offer an archive to put the recording into. If you are going to just sit and chat over a cup of tea, recording at the same time is surprisingly unobtrusive.
I’ve been doing oral history work with veterans – it is quite inspiring.
By: Garry Owen - 30th June 2007 at 11:34
If I were you I’d tactfully suggest that his book would be well received by many people,and has he thought about a wider publication?.
I’m in a similiar situation,although in this case it’s a book about one aircrew who died in a crash and I am the researcher-writer.At first I was writing it for the mens families and those locals who are interested,however the families have said they would like a wider publication if possible,so that is now my intention.
I know of someone else who has already written a book on an aviation related topic,it took him years and he carried out a massive amount of research but after being told by one publisher there “wouldn’t be any interest” he put it away and left it,I have suggested that he should try other publishers.
Garry.
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June 30, 2007 at 10:41 am