A few years back there was a thread on here somewhere about writing your own book. As I recall, a few people said they would be interested in having a go but thought that perhaps their subject matter would be considered too niche for a mainstream publisher to take on as a viable money-making project (highlander I'm sure said he would like to write a book on clyde patterns??).
I myself have often thought about it but the thought of being rejected by publisher after publisher did not appeal to me in the slightest- who's going to want to read about some arsehole fifer fannying about in the hills eh?
Still, I really liked the idea of having a half-decent book that I could give away to friends and family as gifts.
Long story short- I went ahead and did it anyway and have just taken delivery of the first copy of my own book and I have to say it looks the muts nuts!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pockets-full-stuff-Brian-Morrison/dp/149128160X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376506722&sr=1-1&keywords=pockets+full+of+stuff (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pockets-full-stuff-Brian-Morrison/dp/149128160X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376506722&sr=1-1&keywords=pockets+full+of+stuff)
[attachimg=1]
For anyone who is interested I will post later about how I managed it, but for now I have some reading to do.
Well done u.
Your right Alan it's a great read.
I read some on Amazon as well, great stuff Brian.
Thanks all, but before anyone gets carried away- it is no achievement at all- literally anyone can do it.
It's printed via a "print on demand" service meaning there's no book deal, no contract and no room full of books to be sold. Apart from my copy and a couple of poor bastards in America who have bought it without realising what it is- the book does not really exist anywhere in physical form. If someone buys it, it's printed instantly and shipped off.
I have no intention of promoting mine for sale- Only to give away to friends and family as an alternative to the usual shite they get at Christmas :D
Well done for taking the step to publish. These small on demand printings are becoming more and more popular with unknown writers. You might be surprised how well it will sell :) I liked what I read too.
Good for you Brian, I'll be buying a copy right away. :D
They must be quick at printing Brian, I just ordered a copy an the projected delivery date is 21 Aug 2013 - 23 Aug 2013. :D
Oh FFS don't go buying it!- I've no even finished reading my copy yet and I've already found mistakes :D
Mistakes? Who cares? Adds character! :D
I admire folk who do things rather than just talk about them, their efforts should be supported. I'm really looking forward to seeing this, I had no idea it was possible to do it that way.
Quote from: admin on August 14, 2013, 11:20:43 PM
I had no idea it was possible to do it that way.
TBH that was my point in posting in the first place. I'm sure there's a fair few on here that could write a far better book but haven't because they didn't realise it was possible either.
Hopefully it's the first of many to come from the forum:
Tony's Mythbusters?
Highlander's Clyde patterns?
Wildfisher publications anyone?
Quote from: Alan on August 14, 2013, 11:39:02 PM
hang on are we in it? :lol:
How funny you of all people should ask that Alan - because I nicked snippets of a conversation between you and Malcolm about rods, to use in lieu of a conversation my friend Alan and Steve had which I can't remember :D
Quote from: bushy palmer on August 14, 2013, 11:27:23 PM
Wildfisher publications anyone?
I'm sure we could produce a very interesting collaborative effort and one sensibly enough written with no collateral damage or baggage of ego. Some years ago Bruce suggested to me we publish a book of photographs.
Quote from: guest on August 15, 2013, 12:10:00 AM
Why?
I wasn't suggesting we do, just saying we could. We are the best and can do
anything. :8)
To be honest I am pretty fussy when it comes to fishing books. Many I have read have been dull to point of inducing a coma. For my taste the best fishing books are written not about fishing, but are about human experience with a thread of fishing woven through them. Same as fishing reports I suppose. I saw, I came I caught and here are a few pictures to prove it don't cut it half as well as a well written account of a blank and heavens we have had enough of those. :lol:
Quote from: guest on August 15, 2013, 12:32:52 AM
The WFF Bumper Book of Ripping Blanking Yarns?
As long as we don't name waters. :lol:
Brilliant, well done for having the resolve, flair and commitment. Will definitely be giving this a read!
Like the Just In Time Publishing/Printing.....no money and inventories of books lying everywhere!
As has been said there appears to be more than enough unique knowledge, experience, wit and humour (most of the time) on here to create an annual fund raising publication of some type without compromising the subject locations, WFF goals or members views, rights etc. Just would need to decide purpose, angle ....maybe some anecdotal stories or accounts?
The WFF Annual
with sideline
What F****** Fish Annual
:)
Well done for seeing it through. I'll be buying a copy mistakes or no mistakes.
I recently spoke to a guy on the Don who has done the same thing with extracts from his (dry fly) fishing diary. He only had 300 printed and has been asked to have more done by the publisher but he is resisting.
He said it was something he just wanted to do for family and friends so I'm glad I bought a copy of that when I did. He even gave me his address to pop in for a coffee and a chat if I wanted it signed.
I always thought that a compliation of some of the members stravaigs would be a great read but as Fred said it would need to have the locations removed. The mythbusters trips are a good example of this and always fantastic reading without actually knowing where they are but I think part of it is trying to guess where they have been. I'm sure Roobarb would be able to come up with a book every season with the amount of fishing he gets in. Hillend dabbler is another example and he has written a load of it already. Sandy is another with his week long treks into the wilds.
I think there is more than a book available on here. I would say more like a library with some great phtos to boot.
Just ordered it!!
Billy
Congratulations and well done!
Very well done to you! I've just ordered a copy and look forward to reading it when it arrives. :D
Looking forward to reading it. Well done
Billy
A bit belated but another well done. I am intrigued how you do this & yes as you said I always had a hankering to put pen to paper so to speak. Was a task I was going to set my self on retirement which now draws ever closer. You doing this has relite the desire. I never knew such a thing was possible untill now & I thank you for that.
Well done that man.
Tight Lines
well done :) always thought about doing it but never quite took the plunge.
Quote from: Barfly on August 15, 2013, 08:18:42 PM
Or a weekly. :lol:
We already have an occasional :)
http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/wildfisher/ (http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/wildfisher/)
All we need is more of you to write for it :)
Quote from: Clan Chief on August 15, 2013, 07:05:58 PM
Very well done to you! I've just ordered a copy and look forward to reading it when it arrives. :D
:pat That's two folks that won't be speaking to me in a week then!
I really appreciate the gesture guys but really there's no need buying the bloody thing- you all know most of my movements over the last few years already :D
Just ordered a copy......looking forward to reading it, next best thing o being on the water!
Brian can see a "Manbooker Prize" coming your way ....2014!
nice one well done
You're all mad!
You've just made it 6th in Amazon's best selling fishing books!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/10193971/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_4_last (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/10193971/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_4_last)
Only 6th?
I'm certain we can do better than that. :lol:
Quote from: bushy palmer on August 16, 2013, 12:00:07 AM
You're all mad!
You've just made it 6th in Amazon's best selling fishing books!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/10193971/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_4_last (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/10193971/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_4_last)
Call yourself a writer Brian, some has-been Ernest Hemingway is hogging the number 2 spot :lol:
I should take a screen dump- it'll be back to a millionth by tomorrow :D
Firstly congratulations on your achievement and secondly, I've not had chance to clock it yet, off fishing now, have a look at Amazon later.
Quote from: Alan on August 16, 2013, 01:29:19 AM
You need to get reviews on it, helps the purchase decision along :8)
Indeed. I'll be doing one on Amazon and The Wildfisher :8)
Quote from: Highlander on August 15, 2013, 07:44:58 PM
I am intrigued how you do this & yes as you said I always had a hankering to put pen to paper so to speak.
Go for it. Clyde patterns: do it before they are lost in a sea of deer hair and CDC. You are a superb fly tier, so the illustrations will be no problem.
On line stuff is fine, reaches a lot of folks, but is ephemeral. Not as ephemeral as magazine articles, but not as permanent as a book. Books are still THE way.
Some of the best outdoor / fishing / Scottish related books I have were printed 100 years ago. Does anyone seriously believe this will be the case with e-zines, forums and blogs? Most are drivel that vanish in a year or two.
Bob Wyatt told me that all of his great writing for magazines was no more than preparation for his books.
Quote from: Highlander on August 15, 2013, 07:44:58 PM
I am intrigued how you do this & yes as you said I always had a hankering to put pen to paper so to speak.
Fuck it!
I've spent an hour typing a responce to this and some arsehole cut through a cable outside
Quote from: bushy palmer on August 16, 2013, 12:56:48 PM
I've spent an hour typing a responce to this and some arsehole cut through a cable outside
Aye, it seems there is no end to the lengths those envious of our community will go. :lol:
I have moved Brian's post on how to publish to its own topic to save it being lost in this thread.
http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=21636.0 (http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=21636.0)
Quote from: Caddisfan on August 16, 2013, 01:06:55 PM
That'll be John C. Walker, I bought the very first book from him which he signed ! I am good friends with John, so I will maybe suggest the "print on demand" format for future copies, though Somers still had some copies last time I was in.
Well done on writing your book and seeing it through, some achievement.
Lindsay
I was speaking to someone on the Don who mentioned this does he mostly fish dry spiders? I didn't catch the name of the book, is it worth a read. Sorry for going off topic Brian
Congratulations Brian! I'll download a copy when I get a moment and look forward to reading it. Your info on self publishing's useful too, because like many I've fancied having a go myself. Just need find a narrative style I'm happy with and can pull off convincingly. Then there's the subject matter to wrestle with, my tendency to avoid doing anything constructive when there's fishing to be had, my lack of 'me' time due to demanding family members, a dog that needs walked, a house that needs decorated, an inability to achieve a creative mindset weekdays and weekends, a lack of...
Joking aside, your book's quite an achievement and it's success will spur you on to more ambitious literary challenges in the future I'm sure. :D
I think that is an incredible achievement.
One of my nieces writes for magazines and has just finished the second draft of her first novel. Bit airy fairy for me but I've seen just how much work goes into it.
Fred's right though, there is nothing like a book. Always going back to dip into one long after the magazines have been chucked out.
Brilliant achievement! Don't know how I missed this thread. I too looked at a couple of the extracts on Amazon and it's very well written. Echoing other comments on here, i've often thought about attempting to get a published book out. I have years of journals, notes and prose pieces. Mind you I have had several articles published down the years in the outdoor press, most recently in TGO a couple of years back, but I never seem to be in the right "mental place" to put it all together and craft the finished item. But however you put it out there, it's still inspired and inspiring! (as responses in this thread clearly demonstrate :) )
You should go for it Les. I'll be your first customer.
I'm sure Brian's effort has inspired and shaken a few of us up. It's sometimes said that everyone has at least one good book in them. I'll probably have a go myself. I need a winter project. :lol:
Quote from: admin on August 16, 2013, 06:14:37 PM
I need a winter project.
So do I, few ideas in the mix for the workshop- suggestions always welcome.
Now I fancy a self-published SBS book, again, suggestions welcome.
But firstly, tnx BP for this insight, book is ordered for my birthday.
Quote from: admin on August 16, 2013, 06:14:37 PM
You should go for it Les. I'll be your first customer.
I'm sure Brian's effort has inspired and shaken a few of us up. It's sometimes said that everyone has at least one good book in them. I'll probably have a go myself. I need a winter project. :lol:
I wouldn't make such promises until you've actually read some extracts Fred! (if they ever make it "out there" that is :lol: ) However, thanks for the pre-endorsement :)
Mind you, given the clear inspiration and shakeup you mention, I wonder if the net result will be a flood (getting the riparian pun in there. Ahem) of such books and an eventual expectation, followed by disappointment, recrimination and alienation when the numerous budding authors realise that forum members can't buy every one that's published, resulting in a breakaway "Wild Fishing Self-Published Forum of Bitterness" set up by disaffected, alientated and rejected forum pensmiths spouting venom about WWF members who didn't buy their tome? ;)
Actually no. That won't happen. WFSPFOB doesn't exactly roll off the tongue!
Got mine too. All I need now is a a rainy day :lol:
Hopefully my copy will be at home when I get back at end of the week!!!!
A change from reading Jo Nesbo - Crime thrillers!
Just home from work. Book has arrived. Will have a start on it tonight.
All the best
Billy
My copy arrived on Saturday. I'm about halfway through it. Thoroughly enjoying it and can relate to quite a lot of it except the chapter about Rod Speak! :)
:D
I demolished this book this afternoon. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is not a guide book or an instruction manual; it's a personal journey and any true wild country trout fisherman will readily identify with the ethos that underpins it. He will feel the sweat running down his brow, the exhaustion, the heavy packs, the aching legs, the insect bites, the tragic losses and the triumphs.
A grand read, written in the true spirit of Scottish wild trout fishing. No fragile egos, no cheap exploitation. Brian's book proves that it is possible to write an interesting account of wild trout fishing without naming and endangering fragile waters.
Well done Brian! :D
Quoteinspired and shaken a few of us up
It has me so thanks for that Brian. I will, though wait till I retire at the end of the year.
When things settle down we will look into how one goes about.
Tight Lines
Quote from: admin on August 21, 2013, 08:48:21 PM
I demolished this book this afternoon. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is not a guide book or an instruction manual; it's a personal journey and any true wild country trout fisherman will readily identify with the ethos that underpins it. He will feel the sweat running down his brow, the exhaustion, the heavy packs, the aching legs, the insect bites, the tragic losses and the triumphs.
A grand read, written in the true spirit of Scottish wild trout fishing. No fragile egos, no cheap exploitation. Brian's book proves that it is possible to write an interesting account of wild trout fishing without naming and endangering fragile waters.
Well done Brian! :D
Thank you for that Fred- just noticed it's on Amazon too :D
I have also done a review on the wildfisher
http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/wildfisher/index.php/reviews/551-pockets-full-of-stuff-brian-morrison (http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/wildfisher/index.php/reviews/551-pockets-full-of-stuff-brian-morrison)