BoxRec

jameswilson wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:29

Do I know what's actually going to make a great book? No. So my opinion against the opinion of this ghost writer means jack sh1t,

jwfg wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:23

Spud wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 14:01 I am gutted …

It seems the dream of writing a book is over before its even started…

I like speaking to people who are brutally honest and I spoke to a ghost writer today who I admire greatly and he says people would not be interested.

My story would have included :

Mum & dad barnodos kids
Dad died on fathers day 1973
Mum diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic
Brutally bullied at a military boarding school

My 24 years in the Army which included serving with the elite pathfinders platoon

My 20+ years in boxing which included working with Lennox Lewis, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton & David Haye having tales which would make your hair curl.

On leaving the army working as a Debt Collector in some of the most deprived areas of the North East

Working as a care officer for some of the most disadvantaged looked after children in the country

Having to keep quiet some high profile sportsmen were drug cheats.

Being diagnosed and coping with Parkinson’s

It seems a publicist would not be interested.

Oh well it seems i am a boring ****

I asked for honesty and got it straight between the eyes.

It depends on the reason for writing it. If you would be writing it because you want it to sell lots of copies and buy you a bigger house and car, don't do it.

On the other hand, if it's something that you just have to do. Something you'll regret not doing when you're on your deathbed...... write it. Forget what anyone else says, just write it. Even if no one else ever reads it, it'll give you an incredible sense of achievement just by finishing.

I'm rooting for you spud.

Fray Bentos wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:35 I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

Fray Bentos wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:37

jameswilson wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:29

Do I know what's actually going to make a great book? No. So my opinion against the opinion of this ghost writer means jack sh1t,

You'll know far more than him on what would make a great boxing/military book!

Fray Bentos wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:35 I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:54

Fray Bentos wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:35 I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

well done fantastic achievement to publish 2 books Fray.

Fray Bentos wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 18:15

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:54

Fray Bentos wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:35 I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

well done fantastic achievement to publish 2 books Fray.

Thanks!

Spud needs to get it written down, even if he has to do it himself. He can write! He writes on here all the time, it might be hard with his condition but you have these apps where you can speak into a microphone and it writes it down! I think he is going about it the wrong way by contacting agents, publishers etc before having it written down - Robbie Williams can do that - 99.9% of the rest simply cannot!

I see it like entering the London Marathon - very few people enter it because they are going to win it or come in the top ten, they do it because completing it is an achievement and it is such a massive thing for your self-esteem! I wrote it because I had something to write and if one person who I didn't know read it and liked what I wrote then it was it worth it and more than one person has read my stuff and liked it (loved it even...) of course, not everyone will like what you have written but that's life. You gotta roll with the punches with it - you will face rejection, criticism and people telling you that you are shit, your book is garbage and you have no chance but you just have to shrug it off because it is part of it all. Just don't be like John Kennedy Toole and kill yourself about it!

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:55 I think Spud's book would get some traction as he knows so many people and has genuinely unique insight, as well as loving the sport. He's also done over 20 yrs in the forces, is positively battling the cruelest illness yet remains a good guy. Who could fail to get behind that. I really hope we see the book.

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 18:22

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 17:55 I think Spud's book would get some traction as he knows so many people and has genuinely unique insight, as well as loving the sport. He's also done over 20 yrs in the forces, is positively battling the cruelest illness yet remains a good guy. Who could fail to get behind that. I really hope we see the book.

I agree, there's a fantastic story in there, but it is important to work out what it is you want to document.

Set out a vague framework - work out the story you're trying to tell.

Spud wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 16:33

Muttley wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 16:21

Spud wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 14:01 I am gutted …

It seems the dream of writing a book is over before its even started…

I like speaking to people who are brutally honest and I spoke to a ghost writer today who I admire greatly and he says people would not be interested.

My story would have included :

Mum & dad barnodos kids
Dad died on fathers day 1973
Mum diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic
Brutally bullied at a military boarding school

My 24 years in the Army which included serving with the elite pathfinders platoon

My 20+ years in boxing which included working with Lennox Lewis, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton & David Haye having tales which would make your hair curl.

On leaving the army working as a Debt Collector in some of the most deprived areas of the North East

Working as a care officer for some of the most disadvantaged looked after children in the country

Having to keep quiet some high profile sportsmen were drug cheats.

Being diagnosed and coping with Parkinson’s

It seems a publicist would not be interested.

Oh well it seems i am a boring ****

I asked for honesty and got it straight between the eyes.

Unfortunately Spud this very true. But you can self publish. It just depends what you want to achieve by writing it. If you are looking to make a few quid,then it is unlikely. But if you want to write just to get your story out there,then why not go fit it?

Thank you for your extremely valid points.

I dont give a toss about making money.

Any profit will go to Parkinson’s UK

stujones wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 16:51

I know (vauguely) a lass who has done a tiny bit of niche presenting. A very niche memoir at age 24 about going into farming from a city life.. it made a times best seller list, but she is photogenic and has 150k followers…

coneye wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 20:53 Just be honest with yourself , and ask WHY is it for money , Then give it some real thought , and the answer will probably be Naaw will not make enugh money .

If its for personal acheivment , well don't ponder just do it what do you care if it sells , give them to your mates for xmas and birthdays .

Spud wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 14:01 I am gutted …

It seems the dream of writing a book is over before its even started…

I like speaking to people who are brutally honest and I spoke to a ghost writer today who I admire greatly and he says people would not be interested.

My story would have included :

Mum & dad barnodos kids
Dad died on fathers day 1973
Mum diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic
Brutally bullied at a military boarding school

My 24 years in the Army which included serving with the elite pathfinders platoon

My 20+ years in boxing which included working with Lennox Lewis, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton & David Haye having tales which would make your hair curl.

On leaving the army working as a Debt Collector in some of the most deprived areas of the North East

Working as a care officer for some of the most disadvantaged looked after children in the country

Having to keep quiet some high profile sportsmen were drug cheats.

Being diagnosed and coping with Parkinson’s

It seems a publicist would not be interested.

Oh well it seems i am a boring ****

I asked for honesty and got it straight between the eyes.

Controversial wrote: ↑09 Apr 2024, 06:33

Spud wrote: ↑08 Apr 2024, 14:01 I am gutted …

It seems the dream of writing a book is over before its even started…

I like speaking to people who are brutally honest and I spoke to a ghost writer today who I admire greatly and he says people would not be interested.

My story would have included :

Mum & dad barnodos kids
Dad died on fathers day 1973
Mum diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic
Brutally bullied at a military boarding school

My 24 years in the Army which included serving with the elite pathfinders platoon

My 20+ years in boxing which included working with Lennox Lewis, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton & David Haye having tales which would make your hair curl.

On leaving the army working as a Debt Collector in some of the most deprived areas of the North East

Working as a care officer for some of the most disadvantaged looked after children in the country

Having to keep quiet some high profile sportsmen were drug cheats.

Being diagnosed and coping with Parkinson’s

It seems a publicist would not be interested.

Oh well it seems i am a boring ****

I asked for honesty and got it straight between the eyes.

Don't give up Spud, I was listening to Donald McRae being interviewed a while ago (author of Dark Trade) and he said the first publicist he went to told him no one is interested in boxing. You will find someone who will take it on