Joho the Blog
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April 19, 2006
About five or six years ago, I started writing a novel for kids. (I think the industry calls them "young adults," although I personally prefer "halflings" or "Hey, you, get off of my lawn!") It's about a kid who wins $100,000,000 in the lottery but can't tell anyone. II finished it a few months ago and have shown it to a couple of publishers and a couple of agents, each of whom has wildly praised it as (if I may quote) "Not right for us." So, here's my plan. I'm going to post an html version of it on the Web for free, and sell a softcover version of it through Lulu.com. Sound like a good plan? Before I put it up for general release, though, I'd love to have someone take an editing pass at it. I'm most interested in copy editing (= nit picking) at this point, primarily because it wouldn't be fun to do a major rewrite. (Maybe I'll post the whole thing on a wiki once I go live with it so that the wisdom of the crowds can do the next round of drafts.) So, if you'd like to comment on it, let me know (self Also, I'd like to set up a discussion forum for readers once I post the book on its web site. Any suggestions for an easy way to do that? [Tags: my100milliondollarsecret books bad_writing] Posted
by D. Weinberger at April 19, 2006 08:59 AM
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evident.com) and I'll send you the current version in Word format. (It's 63,000 words, which formats to a 220pp 6x9" Lulu book.)
Comments
Hi David,
I'll leave the editing to others, but I'd be happy to pitch in on the design. Sounds like fun.
Best,
Jon
Posted by: Jon Cahill | April 19, 2006 09:18 AM
Of course I have no time, but still, I love your writing and I'm a CRACK copy editor (I will support YOUR style / goals rather than imposing my own) and I'm volunteering! If you already have a lot of good offers I'll do the next one. *jumps up and down enthusiastically*
I actually came here because one of my Australian clients (a frequent public commentator or pundit or whatever it's called) is wanting a web site and I'm going to recommend your multifarious site as an example of How To Do It.
Posted by: Julianne | April 19, 2006 10:30 AM
I would love to take a crack at copy-editing your book. I love making fun of grammar and spelling errors. I promise to be mean and nasty and never to call a typo anything but "another egregious bit of quasi literate snuffgubble." I think I have a blue pencil somewhere.
Posted by: fp | April 19, 2006 02:42 PM
Jon, do you honestly think you can do better than this for a cover? I mean, really! :)
But seriously, that is a fantastic offer. Thank you!
Posted by: David Weinberger![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.hyperorg.com/blogger/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 19, 2006 03:13 PM
Have you seen Millions? Its a UK film with perhaps a similiar story line. Just in case.
Another idea: do you have a local college nearby? Seems like an opportunity for a free and useful collaboration with a journalism class maybe.
Posted by: Pablo | April 20, 2006 09:43 AM
I read about Millions. I'd written a draft of the book a few years before, and was kicking myself for not getting it out into the public. But, Millions sounds like it's substantially different than what I'd written. Still, it sure gave me a sinking feeling when I heard about it...
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April 20, 2006 12:39 PM
I love the idea for the book and based upon Small Pieces, which is one of the most optimistic, joyous looks at tech I've read, I expect this to be great fun.
Posted by: Karl | April 21, 2006 11:09 AM
I'm happy to take an editing crack too (and can recommend Julianne above, having had the benefit of her editing expertise myself in the past).
Posted by: Erica | April 24, 2006 03:20 PM