Help with wife's book

My wife recently completed a small book about her childhood and the funny memories it entailed. I know I could be looking through rose-colored glasses, but it is funny and explains some of the fun experienced by her growing up in Chicago in the early sixties.

Now, I know that one should find a starving crowd FIRST before writing a book, but this was something my wife wanted to do...so she did.

Any ideas on a market for this? Or the steps to find a market?

Any help would be appreciated.

Millard

Hi Millard,

> Any ideas on a market for this? Or the steps
> to find a market?

What comes to my mind is that other people who grew up in Chicago in the early sixties could enjoy your wife's book especially too....

It could help them relive wonderful memories as well! (Especially since they may know of some of the places mentioned in your wife's book, and would help them "relive" the "good ol' days"!)

- Dien Rice

Hey Millard....I too grew up in Chi Town in the early sixties. Then lived in Evanston after Northwestern...then to Northbrook...then to Aspen...and to Roseburg.

Things were "happening" in those days...less crime, more trust in your fellow man...far less "blended families" (the chance of someone having a dad at home was around 90%)....less drugs...in fact, I think the only drugs around in those days was heroin (which nobody but inner city people used) and weed...which most of us gave a try on. (Made me sick)

Things were "simple" in business also. I started my first business (burglar and fire alarms) and I SIMPLY PAID someone in Mayor Daley's administration whenever I had to wire a building in the city limits. "Payoffs" were standard practice.

And...whenever you got stopped for a traffic violation you handed the officer your driver's license with a "ten-spot" underneath. The officer put the tenner in his pocket, handed you back your license and said, "This is just a warning. Drive a little more careful...sir."

I wonder if that still works?

One possible audience would be "Classmates.com" where she could log in and find people who also grew up during that time.

Don Alm


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Thanks for the tip...We figured we'd start here in Chicago and try to get some book signings at stores, libraries, etc.

Then we'd send press releases out to various women's magazines, groups, etc.

Frankly, I have other books I have written specifically for niches and have not gone after a "mass" market, so I know that this is a product created without the "starving crowd"...but, I want to encourage my wife with her writing...so, with her first effort, I want to give it my all for her.

i appreciate the advice.

Millard W. Grubb

Just a quick thought along the same lines as Don's response. You might try contacting the Chicago-area schools (thru Dept of Ed.?) to see if they have fairly up-to-date contact info for alumni (for reunions & such). Perhaps they could do an endorsement mailing...? Or, if any are preparing any reunion announcements in the coming months, maybe you could have a ride-along with whatever they send out. Maybe your wife could even do a signing at a reunion? (Never been to one myself. Don't know if that would be considered tacky or awkward.) And if she'd already gotten some media coverage, a clipping would be ideal to include in any letters.

Chris

> Hi Millard,

> What comes to my mind is that other people
> who grew up in Chicago in the early sixties
> could enjoy your wife's book especially
> too....

> It could help them relive wonderful memories
> as well! (Especially since they may know of
> some of the places mentioned in your wife's
> book, and would help them "relive"
> the "good ol' days"!)

> - Dien Rice