I know it seems a little early to pick October’s book of the month for book club discussions, but I’d like to do them a bit earlier so people have more time to get and read each book. Discussions will continue to start on the 1st of each month.
In October we’ll be back to books for authors and aspiring authors. Here are your three picks. You can vote by leaving a comment below.
- First Draft in 30 Days — Karen Wiesner (writing a novel)
- Damn! Why Didn’t I Write That? — Marc McCutcheon (writing nonfiction)
- The Well-Fed Self Publisher — Peter Bowerman (self publishing your book)
In general, we’ve had a real problem with people showing up in droves to vote for books but then not coming back to actually discuss them. People seemed to love the idea. We went with the most-requested book club discussion format. So I’m not sure what the problem is. If you have suggestions for changes to the book club, you can also feel free to leave a comment and I’m happy to consider them. However, if we still have the same issue through the end of this year, I’ll have to cancel the book club due to lack of interest. I know things can take a little while to pick up steam sometimes, so we’ll keep it going through December at a minimum.
On that note, July’s book club discussion (we didn’t have an August one because of July’s late start) is still open. So please stop by when you have a chance and leave your thoughts on Write that Book Already! You can also find previous book club discussions (which I ended up leaving open) in the book club category here on the blog.
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Cathy Miller
Amandah
Andrew Kardon
Amelia Ramstead
Lori
I would really *like* to participate in the discussions, but just haven’t had the time recently. I checked a few books out of the library and never got to them either. :(
If you wind up using a book I already have in my collection, I’ll make sure I refresh my memory and participate. (If I get a project that I’m pitching, though, I’ll be booked through the end of November and will barely have time to breathe.)
I’m going to vote for the second one — DAMN, WHY DIDN’T I WRITE THAT? and then go buy it and read it before October so I have something worthwhile to say.
I KNOW how to write the first draft of a novel in 30 days, I couldn’t make a living if I didn’t, and, much as I adore Peter and his work, I’ve used the title of the second book so often when I read something I should have gotten around to writing myself that I should bloody well read the book and discuss it! ;)
In my own defense I couldn’t join the July discussion as I didn’t get a chance to read that book. I was going to join in on the August but it didn’t happen so. But that’s all besides the point. I’m kind of curious myself as to why it hasn’t turned out.
June seemed to do pretty good once things got rolling though. Maybe we need to look at what everyone is really looking for when they vote eh? I think it’s a wonderful idea if things get going. And I hope they do.
Oh and I vote for Damn! Why Didn’t Write That! just because it looks interesting.
All of the comment threads are still open on the former discussions, so you’re always welcome to comment if and when you do get a chance to read the book. ;) The original plan was to close them each month due to the supposed interest everyone was showing — I didn’t want people hung up on the previous month when it was time for a new book. But since that’s not the case I’m not closing them for now.
Excellent, I’ll keep that in mind :)
I am new here and this sounds like a great idea! I would like to vote for number 2: DAMN< WHY DIDN'T I WRITE THAT?
Thanks for a great idea. Since I am new, I do have a question or two—will we read the whole thing, and then discuss? Discuss chapter by chapter? Do any of the exercises?
Ruth
Generally I try to give people about a month to buy and read the book. Then I pose 10 questions (some mine and some readers submit to me, if they submit any that month). We then discuss those questions in the comment thread of that month’s book club post. And readers are always welcome to discuss it beyond those questions or pose more of their own. They’re just meant to be conversation starters.
Oh, and welcome to All Freelance Writing. :)