I just wanted to say thank you to Linda H for her wonderful offer. (been having a hard time keeping up with posts..) I would so go to Scotland, if it would help....

Since Rick has taken on project leader for this one, I am awaiting marching orders, very calmly...

i consultingly agree tbat fiona would make a great representative/
paula

They don't make 'em like Tricky **** anymore.

While I admit to being Project Instigator, I would prefer to be part of a small project committee rather than Leader of anything. If Fiona and Girija are going to hawk it at WPC, I'd like them to be in the Core Group. Maybe two more of the Editors' choice and max out at five.

The Core Group would, briefly and quickly, put together a one page description by consenus of what they think they are working on to put before the Editors. The Editors will, briefly and quickly, merge the Core Group's ideas with what they think they are working on. Presumably this will be a group of subjects. Then individual Contributors will be assigned to an Editor who will scan back through the archives and collect the good stuff, paste it into a Word doc, and present it to the other Editors. Once everything is in a big pile, the Editors will put it all together.

See, that wasn't so hard

Linda
I am just reading this thread, but we had already discussed the possibility of writing this book (yoour offer to help, that is).

Thanks to those of you who responded by giving permission to use your writings. I guess a topic by topic flow might be best - and I especially would like to see lots on family relationships (for example - kids dealing with a parent with PD).

Joy (Rosebud) - you once mentioned helping with something on spirituality - still offering? I will talk more with Linda about how to go about this. Your book When Parkinson's Strikes Early was one of my first read after being diagnosed.

Thanks, Linda and others. More to come.
Peggy

Thanks Rick! Just let me know what needs to be done and when its due......
I would love to attend WPC if my finances allow it, even if I am not going, I will be happy to make posters etc or whatever is appropriate. Waiting for your instructions and start signal!!!
Girija

Rick
You are welcome to use my posts if they help at all.

Tom

dRick has apparently nominated Fiona and Girija as Core Group members. I would respectfully suggest Sasha be included particularly since she offered a comprehensive list of chapter topics. Bob C

Hi Neurotalk Book People,

I offer the following as suggestions only -- feel free to use any of them or none.

RE: finding material for your book: For When Parkinson's Strikes Early, Barbara and I had first decided on the topics we wanted to cover in the book and then did a search of the Parkinsn list archives on key words related to those topics. We asked the authors of the postings for their written permission to reprint. Just about everyone was enthusiastic about participating.

Or sometimes we remembered reading an especially moving, or funny or intriguing posting or a great poem or short story by list members like Bill Harrington, Rita Weeks, David Boots . Sometimes we asked the author to add to their original postings. We also found accounts about important medical developments and political actions our list members had been involved in – such as postings by the first American to undergo experimental DBS surgery; the role of list members, organized by Jim Cordy and Margaret Tuchman in passing the Udall Bill, Lynda McKenzie;s story about participating in the first fetal transplant clinical trial – and receiving sham surgery. These online discussion group archives are a treasure trove of PWP’s history.

So if you decide you want to apply to Hunter House Publishers, they will probably want to see a book proposal (there is a very useful book titled “How to Write a Book Proposal”) and a few sample chapters. But for now, if you'd like, I can just ask them if they might be interested in the concept of your book. I don’t think it should be a sequel or a revision of WPSE . Even if you follow a similar format, it should be a completely new book that represents the people of the Parkinson's Neurotalk community and their lives in 2009. Actually I first learned about Hunter House from reading a review about another one of their books that also used writings from an online support group -- one for women with MS.

One of the downsides of working with a publisher is that if they give you a suggestion, you sort of have to do their way . Barb and I originally planned to use only list postings, edited and rearranged to give the feeling of a global l conversation. However, the publisher requested that we add factual information interspaced throughout. And looking back I think it did make the book stronger and more useful, but it required a lot of rewriting. Among other edits, they also chose the title (originally it was to be called “Behind the Masks” ) If you want more literary freedom, there is always the option today of self publishing, which has become easier and less expensive, and I think able to reach more readers

So just let me know if there is anything I could help you with now or later on. I think the book ‘s a great idea, and a much needed resource, and hope lots of Neurotalk community members will get involved.
linda

Going back through and listing only those who have explicitly agreed to use of their posts and those who have offered editorial time:

Posts: Myself, Fiona, Bluedahlia, Lindylanka, Sasha, Girija, bandido1, chicory, olsen, WendyS, RLSmi, Shake 'em up, Violet Green, TommyI,


Editorial: Myself, Fiona, Lindylanka, jcitron, bluedahlia, bandido1, chicory, LindaH, olsen, RLSmi, Shake 'em up, Sasha, Violet Creen,

Who have I left out and who have I miscategorized?
When do we have enough?
Is the Core Group approach acceptable? If so, is five a good number? Do we want to nominate and vote? I don't care if I lose, but if Fiona and Girija really take it to the WPC they need to be in the thick of it.

rick, you can use my posts but please clear them with me first for everyone's protection.

paula