I'm considering writing a book

[gafftaper]

Yep... Gaff's thinking about writing a book. Not really sure about this yet but I'm thinking about it.

There are a lot of great books out there but very few simple books for the lost. "Technical Theater for Non-Technical People" is an excellent book but it's more general... I get the feeling the target audience was community theater, churches, and beginning college students (I use it as the text for my college intro class). I'm thinking about writing something similar in style (fun and easy on the tech jargon) but focused specifically on educational theater. Something to help the lost drama teachers out there who think running recorded cues on an Express can somehow lock up the dimmers.

Has anyone seen anything out there specifically targeted to help teachers run high school/middle school theater tech programs? Does anyone have any experience trying to get a trade book like this published? I know nothing about how that works.

Also if you are one of those lost high school teachers trying to get a grip. Please send me a private message. I would love to get input from you on questions you would like answered in such a book.

[cutlunch]

It's an interesting idea Gaff. You certainly have the knowledge

Reading this reminded me of this topic Sound Reinforment - Westlake High School BOOK!
in which a guy wrote this book on sound. http://www.lulu.com/content/209251

This was published through the following company http://www.lulu.com/

I have only had a quick look but I get the idea it lets you be your own author.
You create the book, then when people want to buy it they print it and send it out etc.
On their website they say setup is free but offer paid packages with things like style checking, formatting help etc.

I wonder if this might be the cheapest way to go to test the waters.

Hope this helps.

[derekleffew]

A book on the topic is certainly needed. Why don't you start small, with an article submission to Stage Directions, (seems to want to be more, but still tends to focus on high school theatre) or Dramatics or Teaching Theatre magazines?

Are you an active member of EdTA? Seems to be right up your alley.

[porkchop]

I had a teacher admit to teaching out of astronomy for dummies once in high school, and she taught a required class for freshmen. A book of the nature your talking about would be no less needed, you should write it, I know there's a lost high school teacher or three out there that would turn a poor program into a decent one with it.

[gafftaper]

Hey Cutlunch. That Lulu site looks like a great option to try this without going heavily into debt.

Derek, I've thought about writing articles but the people I want to read this book don't know those magazines exist.

Pork chop you've got my idea exactly. There are so many drama teachers out there who are intimidated by technology and don't know what question to ask in the first place so when they contact their local dealer, so they say give me some pink and blue gel and run away to safety. That's my target audience.

The negative part is this project would cut into my CB time severely.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

...The negative part is this project would cut into my CB time severely....

As a Senior Team Member, and I feel I am unanimous in this, we simply will not allow that!

Originally Posted by gafftaper

...I've thought about writing articles but the people I want to read this book don't know those magazines exist. ...

If your target audience has never heard of the Thespian Society, or EdTA, how will they ever find your book? I would think you would be more likely to get a publisher interested if you had established a track record of being published.

Not trying to discourage you. I just think a connection to EdTA would be a good first step in the right direction.

[gafftaper]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

If your target audience has never heard of the Thespian Society, or EdTA, how will they ever find your book? I would think you would be more likely to get a publisher interested if you had established a track record of being published. Not trying to discourage you. I just think a connection to EdTA would be a good first step in the right direction.

Sorry not clear... I was responding to the idea of writing for Stage Directions. You are correct that working with the Thespians or EdTA are both good possibilities.

[Grog12]

While it may cut into your CB time...we're here for you to bounce ideas off of. I would never encourage you to put rough drafts up here. But we could be a sounding board for ideas.

I say go for it.

[gafftaper]

Good point Grog. I figure IF I ever actually finish I'll send it to a few of the regulars for criticism and critique.

I'll have to hire Derek as my editor and perhaps I can talk Logos into working on the Australian translation.

[Logos]

Ages ago I started work on a book called Shoestring Stage Management. A few of the chapters, The SM's kit, The Prompt Copy etc have been published in magazines but the whole thing sort of faded a while ago. I may ressurect it. I don't think I'll be competing.
My intent was to write a good cheap book for amateur and community theatre to use as a reference and training manual for SM's who in amateur theatre often seem to start off by being the boy/girl friend of a cast member who gets conned.