Writing a book for the recreational diver

[ScubaJohn65]

I've been diving for over 25 years, and been an instructor since 1990. Love it.

For the past few years I've thought of writing a couple of books on diving. One is more of a "how to" type book and one is more about my experiences both as a diver and as a dive instructor - the good, the bad and the ugly.

That said, my background is as an engineer, not a writer. This is not so much of a blank page, writer's block issue, but more of a question of publishing. How do I get started on the road to a published book?

Any ideas of how to protect my work within the scope of copyright laws?

Thx,

[tech_diver]

Hello John,

I've noticed several writers and aspiring writers on the forums from time to time and thought about starting some 'scuba writers' group. If some of the other writers here think it might be worthwhile, maybe we should start some underground SB subforum for writers. Do writers of scuba fiction/ non-fiction have enough voice to warrant our own forum?

To answer your question, generally when you write something you own it when it is created. The deal is you need to document when you created it to keep others from claiming credit for it. This is generally easy to do just by creating a manuscript.

Copyright infringement is a very minor hazard that a writer faces compared with crooked agents and vanity press scams. If you're writing a non-fiction text book, a real danger is people using your photos and drawings.

The print on demand publishers usuall have great FAQ sections that address copyrights. You might surf:

www.createspace.com
Smashwords - Ebooks from independent authors and publishers (http://www.smashwords.com)

Also, publishing industry blogs are a great resource. Google 'Alan Rinzler' and 'Nathan Bradford', they both have great blogs.

[ScubaJohn65]

thanks Jack!

[Thalassamania]

It was a dark and stormy night ...

[Pullmyfinger]

Once upon a time...........

or

This is no $hit.

The difference between a fairy tale and a true story.;)

-Mitch

[covediver]

i have heard that in order to get content for ebooks, publishers like amazon and barnesandnoble are accepting manuscripts from a lot of different sources.
Amazon.com : Self-Publish with Us (http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html/175-0502604-5019346?ie=UTF8&ld=AZFooterSelfPublish&topic=200260520)


You might want to check out similar works by other authors to get an idea of the market. I Though I Saw Atlantis by Tillman is one of the better ones; Taking the plunge by Bill McBride not so good (it is badly in need of a good editor).

I have published a few magazine artlcles on scuba and have two books on shipwrecks that get my attention every so often. Writing is like any other skill; you get better at it with practice. Don't think of it as writing a book; think of it as writing a series of stories; with each story as a chapter.

[vladimir]

I'd go with self-publishing at Amazon. As I understand it, it's cheap, and they give you a decent cut of the proceeds. You'll have to forgo the multimillion-dollar advance, but publishers are increasingly less prone to cut checks like that, particular for scuba diving manuals. But before I wrote a word, I'd look at the popular books already available, and honestly evaluate whether you can do a better job.

If you could incorporate some amusing anecdotes into the instructional material--taking advantage of your gifts as a humorist and raconteur--it might have a broader appeal. <cue 30-second ad by DivemasterDennis>

:D

[fisheater]

We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold.

[mattaphore]

We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold.
This is gonna make for an interesting story :)

[Beowulf]

This is gonna make for an interesting story :)

It was quite a story. Ever hear of Hunter S. Thompson.

I remember saying something like "I feel a bit lightheaded. Maybe you should drive..."

Suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what looked like huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the car...

[Thalassamania]

We are at Berkeley at the same time. I didn't know him well, but we were "motorcycle waving at each other" friends 'cause we both had British bikes (Dunstall Norton for me, BSA for him - if I remember right).

[Quero]

I have been a professional writer of educational materials for over 20 years. It's a lot more challenging to become a good writer than readers tend to imagine. As noted by some of the respondents above, the more you write the better you get at it; it's also true that the more you read the better a writer you become. This is because you begin to notice not so much what works, but rather what doesn't work. When I mentor new writers, one insight I share is that the writing should be "transparent." What I mean is that the reader shouldn't notice the writing at all--it should almost be as if the minds of the writer and the reader are linked. When a reader notices the writing, it's most often because s/he has to re-read a part of it multiple times to try to work out just what the writer is trying to say. This is an indication of poor writing that needs good editorial intervention.

For writers who have not yet become published authors, it's best to contract with an independent editor, or even a ghost writer, rather than to save on that expense and produce a work whose readability suffers. There are several contributors here on Scubaboard who have publshed their own work. I can easily tell which are professional writers and which are just writers with something they want to say. The first group really know how to communicate something the reader wants to learn, and these writers value the parternship between the reader and the writer; the second group like to hear themselves talk/see their words in print. Make sure that your motives are of the first sort and not the second. When you're convinced that there is a readership for what you have to offer, get editorial help. It's an investment well worth making if you're serious about writing.

[DivemasterDennis]

I have published three books, #3 being "The Scuba Snobs Guide to Diving Etiquette" on which there are 2 threads here on scubaboard. I am happy to share with you what I have learned. First, unless you have an agent, your best route is a "self publishing house." It will cost you from $500 to $1000 to get your manuscript to final form, including cover design, etc. Most publishing companies will then offer you promotional services for a fee, and I frankly am not impressed with their services as to marketing, but they are good at assisting with production design. You will be your own editor and proof reader, so if you make a mistake it will be there for the world to see. As to content and format, there are about 1800 books on scuba diving out there in the market, including PADI SSI and etc. manuals, plus guide books, and independent how to books. If you get on amazon, books, and search scuba diving you will get them all listed, and you can review what is out there. There isn't very much that hasn't been done. Finally, I will say that e-books are the thing now. Presently about 1 in 5 sales of books is an an e-book, and that market share will grow, so you need a publisher who will put you book in both Kindle and Nook book format and make it available. Accordingly, I would NOT go with amazon or barnes and noble as publisher. You want a paper book you can sign at appearances and send to friends, and e-book in all formats.
Most self publishing houses will take care of copyright issues, or you can hire a lawyer to do it, but that is not necessary.
As to the writing, each writer is unique in approach. The key is to write- put words on the page, and then massage them, rearrange them and order them to make the content and style better and better until someone who reads it tells you "this is good." Have 2 or more people read and comment as you go. I have a writing teacher wife and co-author and dive buddy who is our grammar and verb tense person. You need one of those too.
Good luck with your project. Know that the writing of the book is the beginning- the easy part. Promotion of it and sales is the hard part. If you want to get your book in the mainstream of scuba books that sell, the top 100 say, then you need to invest some money, 5000 to 10000 or more, in magazine ads, website development ( see for example scubasnobs.com ) and the like. Private message me or email me at dennis@scubasnobs.com if you'd like to discuss this area in more detail.
DivemasterDennis