My book I Can Hear Music. Can we work together to get this out?

[MBE]

I keep reading about how much most of you are looking forward to my book so I decided to write this addressed to everyone on the board. I am still waiting on word from a fellow author who thinks he can help me get it out, but it's not a sure thing.  It's not easy for me to sell it right now as I have no free time. I am finishing up a Presley book with a tight deadline and then I am starting a book on The First Edition pretty quickly. I can't put that off any longer as I want them to get some recognition while they are still here and healthy.

So I am reaching out to you. Anyone who knows of an agent, or who knows someone who could make a difference in getting this published with a publisher, please email me edermike@msn.com. Honestly I feel so bad because it's my baby in a way and I would love nothing more than to have people read it. I think the Beach Boys deserve to have some balance in their story too. Jon, Ian and Mark, are doing a great job at this lately, but there is so much exclusive interview material, and uncommon music discussed that I know this has it's own value. I've worked too hard on it, and know there is too good a market on it, to publish it myself. I couldn't give it the quality it would get from a professional publisher at this point because honestly I just don't have the kind of time or money they would be able to give it.

So what do you think we should do? Does anyone feel on line petitions are good, should I forward requests from you all to get it published to the people who may be able to help me? This book is really a product of the excellence of this board and I feel it's time to make it a reality.
Thanks for your time.

[Lonely Summer]

A friend just had a book on Rick Nelson published by McFarland, have to talked to them?

[MBE]

A friend just had a book on Rick Nelson published by McFarland, have to talked to them?

What is the title? I've been looking for a good book on Rick. Can you ask him who may be best for me to contact there as far as submitting the book?

[Dove Nested Towers]

How about Da Capo, Mike? They've published many fine show business books through the years, kind of low-profile, usually on more old-school genres & personages, but they might be open to the idea. Sorry, I don't have any contacts there.

[MBE]

I remember that name I think. What have they put out that you read?

[Dunderhead]

Kickstarter!

[MBE]

Kickstarter!

I've heard of them a lot recently. What is the word on them?

[hypehat]

Kickstarter!

I've heard of them a lot recently. What is the word on them?

Kickstarter would give you the funds to publish it yourself - I suppose you're looking for a publishing house, so it would not be suitable?

If I had any clout where I work (or indeed, were anywhere near the arts section geographically speaking or otherwise) I'd help you out.  I might have a chat with a colleague who's about to move up to the London office to work on art books. Something might come up.

Besides that, Da Capo would be a very good bet, especially in the USA. Small, music focussed publishing, very prestigious. I'd definitely contact them, they'd probably love a Beach Boys book.

[Malc]

I wish you luck. My forthcoming biography of BREAD received enough rejections to re-wallpaper the house before Helter Skelter Publishing took it up (due out in December). They've already had a few books on the BB's published in the past (by Kingsley Abbott) but are a fairly small house so they won't be looking for new projects until next year at the earliest. Nevertheless, persistence pays off so don't give up !

[MBE]

I won't give up and thank you guys. Helter Skelter and De Capo both sound like good options and I will follow up on it.

[AndrewHickey]

You could always try self-publishing. For fairly niche books like yours, it probably makes about as much financial sense as getting it out with a publisher. I've self-published several books if you decide to go in that direction and want advice.

[Lowbacca]

Good luck getting it out there, Mike. Looking forward to it.

[Rocker]

I'd love to read it. Unfortunately I don't have any knowledge about this topic. If it helps, I will say that I certainly would buy a copy

[MBE]

Again thank you for the support. After my Elvis book is finished at the end of this month, I will devote a few months to pursuing all the ideas put here or sent to me.

[ontor pertawst]

Get a nice self-contained selection or two published in a good venue as an "excerpt from the forthcoming blah blah blah blah." That would help.

[Mark Dillon]

Kickstarter is interesting. I recently spoke to an author going that route. You get pledges from people who would be interested in supporting the project, and it goes forward only if you reach the amount you say you need to get the book published. It's a real DIY path, but I'm sure you would find a lot of fans who would kick in some dollars, in return for, say an autographed copy. Persistence does pay off, Mike. It took me a long time and a lot of disinterest before I found a publisher!

[jeremylr]

Ironically enough, I am currently interviewing Sheree Homer, author of Rick Nelson: Rock 'N' Roll Pioneer. The book has tons of new interviews with Rick's bandmates and friends, including a very rare conversation with Kristen [Kris] Harmon, Rick's wife. She also provided at least 30 unseen photos from her archive. The only thing to consider -- the publisher, McFarland, priced the book kinda high at $35 [paperback, 196 pages]. I still recommend it, though.

[Banana]

Kickstarter could be an excellent route to go.  You should look into it.  As Mark said... you essentially collect donations from people to finance the book.  I know of several musicians who have used similar approaches (not sure if it's the same site) and it's worked out great (Juliana Hatfield and Ben Folds Five).  I would have to believe that there is another interest in the BB that you could raise the necessary funds... and with the world wide web... you can reach interested fans in all sorts of countries.  I, for one, would love to kick in if you went this route.  We've been blessed by several great, new BB books in recent years... and there is always room for another.  I can think of few fan bases who care as deeply as Beach Boy fans!

[MBE]

Well thank you all for giving me info. I will keep at it especally after this month. I have to hit my deadline on the Presley book, but next month I can start shopping it harder.

[Rocker]

Well thank you all for giving me info. I will keep at it especally after this month. I have to hit my deadline on the Presley book, but next month I can start shopping it harder.

But please keep us also updated about the Presley-book

[MBE]

Get a nice self-contained selection or two published in a good venue as an "excerpt from the forthcoming blah blah blah blah." That would help.

That is a fine idea too. I didn't see that before. The Elvis book will be done at the end of this month Rocker and should be out in about 10 months.

[rn57]

Well, Mike, you're in Chicago...and Yuval Taylor over at Chicago Review Press is an editor who has put together a very extensive list of music-related books, both new titles and reissues.  And he does have an interest in California music - two of his recently acquired titles are a biography of Karen Carpenter and an anthology of writing about the Carpenters. I think he has over a hundred music books in his backlist and...lemme check the CRP site....just as I thought - not a single book about the Beach Boys yet. So I'd suggest you get in touch with him at ytaylor@chicagoreviewpress.com. 

[Mark Dillon]

Well, Mike, you're in Chicago...and Yuval Taylor over at Chicago Review Press is an editor who has put together a very extensive list of music-related books, both new titles and reissues.  And he does have an interest in California music - two of his recently acquired titles are a biography of Karen Carpenter and an anthology of writing about the Carpenters. I think he has over a hundred music books in his backlist and...lemme check the CRP site....just as I thought - not a single book about the Beach Boys yet. So I'd suggest you get in touch with him at ytaylor@chicagoreviewpress.com. 

Chicago Review Press did Charles Granata's Wouldn't It Be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. Which is not to say they wouldn't do another BBs book.

[rn57]

Well, Mike, you're in Chicago...and Yuval Taylor over at Chicago Review Press is an editor who has put together a very extensive list of music-related books, both new titles and reissues.  And he does have an interest in California music - two of his recently acquired titles are a biography of Karen Carpenter and an anthology of writing about the Carpenters. I think he has over a hundred music books in his backlist and...lemme check the CRP site....just as I thought - not a single book about the Beach Boys yet. So I'd suggest you get in touch with him at ytaylor@chicagoreviewpress.com. 

Chicago Review Press did Charles Granata's Wouldn't It Be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. Which is not to say they wouldn't do another BBs book.

Forgot about that one. CRP no longer has it listed on its site, and the book appears to be out of print.

[MBE]

Thank you very much for the email. I will be in contact with him.