Would you buy this book?

[ckissick]

I hope this is an allowed use of PPOT. If not, I apologize and please delete.

Anyway, I'm about to send out book proposals for a book I've written called America Through a Beer Glass. It's about the oldest operating bar/saloon in every state. It's also about my travels in my VW camper while searching for the oldest bars. (That's over 37,000 miles of driving over 6 months!) It turned out that most of the bars were very interesting with some great stories, and some important historical events are associated with some. The stories feature presidents, generals, ghosts, cowboys and Indians, pioneers, pirates, and the ubiquitous Jessie James.

Book proposals should include marketing info, so I thought I'd let PPOT supply some data. So, do you think you might buy such a book? It will include some pics and be formatted as a gift book. Please be honest. Don't say you'd buy it just to be nice. I need an honest assessment. If I can't take rejection, I shouldn't be trying to publish a book.

Now, let's see if I can figure out how to set up a simple poll.

[onlycafe]

i would certainly take it from the library. if i liked it, i would then buy it, and multiple copies for friends.

[dhoward]

Ever think about serializing it as a series of articles as a form of self promotion?
I'm not sure I know what I just said.
I would be interested in reading it.

[masraum]

sounds very interesting. I'd think that you should get a taker somewhere.

[daepp]

Did you go to Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop in NOLA?

[Christien]

Can't say I'd be overly interested, but then I'm not your target market.

[Dottore]

Sounds like a fine idea for a book—and a very worthy road trip.

[Jim Richards]

Hmmm, probably not. I think I would read it if it was a single or multi-episode magazine article. That's about my limit for a story of this genre.

[m21sniper]

I would read such a book, but not sure i'd buy it. I would definitely watch an adaptation of it on the History channel.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by daepp

Did you go to Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop in NOLA?

It was probably not a tavern in 1802 when the nearby Old Absinthe House opened its doors.

[daepp]

I don't know that much but they claim to be the oldest continually operated bar in America.

[dd74]

I would buy it. Any topic that involves a culture, bars being a culture in itself, interests me. I think it's a great idea.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I would read such a book, but not sure i'd buy it. I would definitely watch an adaptation of it on the History channel.

I think it would make a great TV show, too. I know. I was there. I met some real characters.

Since you won't actually buy the book, have someone buy it for you.

[flatbutt]

If it had a hook to it like good food plus good motorcycling roads in the area, MC routes between some of the taverns then I'd be more likely to purchase. But from a purely historical interest not so much

[911Rob]

I'd buy it and read it with the hopes that there was an emphasis on the 'history' portion. I love history stories. My local paper runs a full page each week from the 1800's and I just love it!

Good Luck, sounds like a fun project and I wish you all the continued success!
Cheers

btw, your post and poll was no where near out of line!

[Zeke]

I voted yes, but that is contingent on it being well written with excellent photos. That will make it an expensive book to print.

I think (I know) that the publishing business is full of pitfalls, crooks and rejection. I hope you can bypass some of this. Great idea, though.

[vash]

i voted no. i typically dont read travel books. too long. i found out i didnt like porsche restoration/build books either.

but i do like the compact format of a magazine article. good photos are a must. i guess i have a short attention span.

[the]

I think the concept is fine - but the concept alone isn't going to sell it or make it a worthwhile read.

It MUST be very well written. I don't think there should be many pictures, probably none at all, as that takes away from the writing and the ability to paint a picture with words, in a way that the individual reader can interpret for himself.

The writing must be compelling. The stories alone are not enough to carry it, IMO. I would not buy it if it were merely an informational book about 50 bars and a dry factual description on how you got to some of them.

[GO DAWG GO]

I would vote yes if it were on the bargain table for under 10 bucks. More than that probably ..no!

But try...Good luck!

Bob

[jyl]

I voted yes but actually it depends.

What do you mean by "gift book". If means "coffee table book", then no. If means "travel narrative", then yes.