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Author
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Topic: Writing about my 'Apollo Experience(s)'
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Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 04-28-2018 02:19 PM
   
After recently receiving a "medical reprieve" on my life, I realized that being close to 75 years old, I'm not going to live forever.Reluctantly, in order to offset medical expenses (to gain "medical reprieve" status), I had no choice but to sell most of my Apollo memorabilia collection. Considering the above, I feel that I can't procrastinate any longer about writing a book about my "Apollo Experience(s)." In order accomplish my objective as professional as possible, I'm looking for someone, i.e. writer, publisher, etc., that is willing to partner with me in this endeavor (as a for profit venture). As many of you know, my collectSPACE posts include a lot of material that I feel would be applicable for inclusion in my proposed book. I have much additional Apollo Experience material both, from a personal and professional standpoint that could be included in the subject book. My initial thought is that I would like to both document my very unique Apollo related experiences as well as "motivate" our youth to pursue an educational path leading to careers in Engineering, Science and more importantly the "Exploration of Space"! I'm looking forward to hearing from those of you interested in helping me achieve my objective. |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 04-28-2018 04:00 PM
Whilst I can't speak for any of them in terms of what they are currently working on or whether they would take on more projects. I can't speak highly enough of authors Francis French, Colin Burgess and David J Shayler. Each one of them has written numerous collaborative books that are very highly regarded. I'd love to see one of them take this (Apollo training) on as its a topic not covered in the detail it should be.Best of luck Dan. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 04-28-2018 04:11 PM
Thank you for your input. Colin Burgess is out as he is in fact working on other projects. |
Kite
Member Posts: 831
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 04-28-2018 04:20 PM
Very sorry about your health problems Dan but hopefully your reprieve will last for many years yet. I too am over seventy now and realise just how time and our lives pass so quickly. You have certainly have had an exciting, useful and memorable life in which you have enthralled us on collectSPACE with great detail and clarity. Thank you for this.Its a great idea to make a book of your very specialist subject and it would be a very welcome addition to the literature of that golden age of space adventure. I am sure there are many on this site who could help you achieve your ambition and hopefully it will happen. Keep well and good luck. |
em8g16
Member Posts: 21
From: Spain
Registered: Dec 2017
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posted 04-28-2018 04:21 PM
I would absolutely love reading a book about your numerous experiences on Apollo. As a young aerospace engineering student I've loved reading through your posts and learning all those technical details and work experiences. You have certainly inspired me! Perhaps you could set up a Kickstarter page once you've found a suitable partner in this endeavor in order to help you collect some funds for the book. I'm certain lots of people people from collectSPACE would help you. Best of luck! |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 04-28-2018 05:35 PM
Why not consider publishing your book in the excellent Outward Odyssey series put out by the University of Nebraska? They have 25+ titles already, from the early days of space flight to the ISS, both manned and unmanned missions. I'm sure someone on this forum (or on Facebook, as there are several space enthusiast/history pages) can take you up on your offer as a co-writer/editor etc. and then present your book idea to the University of Nebraska press or other publishers. Good luck, and be well. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 04-29-2018 04:33 AM
Certainly looking forward to such a book! |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 04-30-2018 10:23 PM
I want to thank those of you that responded to my post looking for help writing a book about my Apollo Experience(s).Based on the very "limited" responses without any concrete proposals, I am re-thinking whether or not I'm willing to devote the time and effort required to write and publish a book that I thought, perhaps naively, would be of interest to a large enough audience to be a profitable venture, especially now considering the fact that I must find work to help offset medical expenses. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 05-09-2018 02:20 AM
Good luck with your upcoming RR auction, hope you do well and get well. |
oly
Member Posts: 905
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 05-09-2018 03:19 AM
Daniel, I believe that a book about your experiences would be a fascinating journalistic read. The information and detail that you have shared over the years here on collectSPACE have been an unexpected treasure trove and the information that you hold is part of a US national treasure that should be recorded for posterity. I hope that you find a partner to share the load and get your life recorded in print. If I had the skill set to assist with your endeavour, and we were not on opposite sides of this planet, I would put my hand up to help. Good luck with your health, I look forward to reading more of your adventures. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-09-2018 11:30 AM
Thank you so much for your encouraging, positive response. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 05-09-2018 05:33 PM
Sign me up for an autographed copy! Make that two autographed copies! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 05-10-2018 04:12 AM
Ditto! |
ELinder
Member Posts: 20
From: Cleveland, OH
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 05-10-2018 09:04 AM
I also hope you find a way to publish your book. In many ways I find the stories of the people "in the trenches" more compelling than those who received all the glory. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-18-2018 11:40 AM
I have not yet decided if there is enough interest in reading a book that I might write. To help me make this life changing decision, I would like to know how many cS members would purchase a book if I do decide to go forward. A "YES" or "NO" answer is all I'm looking for. |
Kite
Member Posts: 831
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 07-18-2018 04:46 PM
A definite 'yes' please. Good luck. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-18-2018 05:50 PM
You can put me down for two yes's. |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 07-18-2018 06:17 PM
A big fat yes from me! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-18-2018 06:43 PM
I think it is safe to say that you won't see anyone replying "no" here.That said, I think it might make more sense to do this as serial ebook, much in the same way that Andy Weir first published what became "The Martian" or how Harrison Schmitt is now releasing his Apollo 17 diary. You can write individual chapters and release them piecemeal, either for free or for a fee, the latter perhaps using Amazon's self publishing service or the like. Then you can gauge how many people are downloading the chapters and make a decision if there is enough demand for a physical book or a single volume ebook. |
oly
Member Posts: 905
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 07-18-2018 07:05 PM
Without hesitation, YES. |
Jonnyed
Member Posts: 396
From: Dumfries, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 07-18-2018 07:42 PM
Daniel — Yes. You have some amazing stories. Please compile your NASA memoirs. |
Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 07-18-2018 09:51 PM
YES! |
thisismills
Member Posts: 262
From: Michigan
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 07-18-2018 10:59 PM
You could also try using a crowd-funding website, there have been many recent successful space-themed projects on Kickstarter. It does take some upfront work to get the overall scope and cost nailed down (i.e. the amount required to complete the project and deliver the book to those that want one). The site allows for everyone interested to publicly pledge money to the project rather seamlessly. If the project doesn't meet its set pledge goal over the set time period, there is no commitment to provide anything as the pledged money is returned (technically speaking, the credit cards are not charged). If you get the money required, hooray, you write the book according to the schedule you committed to upfront and everyone has an addition to their library. I'm not an expert on this topic by any means, but crowd-funding doesn't necessarily seem like the best way to make a bunch of money right away. It does make a great way to get a specific project done (or business started) without having to front the money yourself. In your case, the end result being a finished book that could be sold anywhere afterwards. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-18-2018 11:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
That said, I think it might make more sense to do this as serial ebook...
Thank you Robert for identifying a possible path forward that I was not aware of. I will certainly research this as an option. quote:
Originally posted by thisismills:
You could also try using a crowd-funding website...
I am aware of crowd funding and began recently exploring it as an option. |
ELinder
Member Posts: 20
From: Cleveland, OH
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 07-19-2018 11:58 AM
Absolutely yes! |
mrspacehead
Member Posts: 43
From:
Registered: Jun 2017
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posted 07-19-2018 12:16 PM
Count me in as a definite yes! |
SpaceyInMN
Member Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013
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posted 07-19-2018 09:32 PM
I'm in, especially if I can get an author signed copy.  |
minipci
Member Posts: 365
From: London, UK
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 07-23-2018 08:50 AM
YES! Ideally as a signed copy please. |
mikepf
Member Posts: 441
From: San Jose, California, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-24-2018 12:56 PM
Yes for me! |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-24-2018 01:21 PM
Although there's a trend for eBooks, a paper version is the way to go... once ready it can become available in digital format as well. |
David C
Member Posts: 1014
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 07-24-2018 01:22 PM
Me too, print. |
Spoon
Member Posts: 143
From: Cumbria, UK
Registered: May 2006
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posted 07-25-2018 11:57 AM
A big ‘YES’ from me too, and I would also like to add that a print version would be my preference, if possible. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 12-02-2018 01:23 PM
A big ‘YES’ from me too, and I would also like to add that a signed print version would be my preference, if possible. |
TopWorldBooks
New Member Posts: 2
From: Hinesburg, VT USA
Registered: Jan 2016
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posted 12-10-2018 07:14 AM
Count me in for a signed hardcover should this ever come about! |
Grounded!
Member Posts: 367
From: Bennington, Vermont, USA
Registered: Feb 2011
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posted 12-10-2018 08:25 AM
Count me in! Would prefer signed and hard cover. |
dwager
Member Posts: 59
From: Augusta, GA
Registered: Sep 2014
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posted 12-10-2018 07:02 PM
I'm in, as well - would buy multiple signed copies! |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-05-2019 07:59 PM
I've been trying to organize my Apollo experiences — to what end, I'm not sure! I think I've gone as far as I can with the following three PDFs, i.e. one non technical (Part 1) and the other two on the technical side (Part 2 and Part 3). I hope, at least, some cS members will find the contents interesting. |
GTBuzz
New Member Posts: 4
From: Atlanta, GA, US
Registered: Apr 2019
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posted 06-05-2019 09:59 PM
Dan, I just finished reading part 1 and it is absolutely outstanding! Thank you so much for sharing your photos and memories. What an incredible time to be working at the Cape!
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3207
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 06-05-2019 10:12 PM
A very impressive effort, Dan, to document your wealth of knowledge and experiences during the Apollo program, and to make all this available for others to read about as the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 approaches. Thank you. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-06-2019 02:20 PM
My greatest satisfaction is knowing that there are people like GT-Buzz and LM-12 that are interested in the history of "Man's Greatest Technological Achievement". I'd like to sincerely thank those of you that read my writings for actually taking the time to live through my experiences. My sincere wish to all cS members is that you continue your interest in the past, present and future of space exploration. |
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