Would you like to collaborate on a book?

[sweetheart]

Envision a book, printed across the english speaking world,
but written primarily for people outside the united states who've
never been there.

"Letters from the American Gay community"

We can form an editorial group. I'm willing to do this, as
i am straight, and cannot really contribute to the works.
I believe that between us, we could produce an outstanding book,
one that would really be most awesome and compelling reading.

The editorial group could work in concert with the writers, perhaps
just pointing to text that could be cleared up, or errors in grammar
and such, that the work really have the utmost polish worthy of what
i know Gay people to be like, very impeccable and great-hearted.

The book at the very least would be printed privately and sold in
a run with an advert on DU. The GBLT community is in a unique position
to share some soul in a soulless vacuum of fear.

/just an idea, does that sound interesting?

[BR_Parkway]

1. Not sure I understand, do you want each of us to tell our personal story

or how American politics affects our lives?

I'd be willing, could I donate any royalties to DU?

[sweetheart]

3. Yes, good idea

Royalties to du-- yes of course.

An open letter, from the heart, about what you're going
through today and the last few years under bush, and how
it concerns you, what your concerns are, and what your hopes
are.

It could be an anonymous letter if need be, really its an
open concept. I was just seeing that if people in other
parts of the world could see a voice they never normally
hear from, one that speaks common sense and sanity, then
it would help us with GBLT issues worldwide.

As well, some persons on DU don't like me, and wouldn't trust
me to edit. Then we could nominate a set of editors then
that everyone felt comfortable, and the editors could
look to the whole composition without using the names of
the authors and leave the choice up to the author whether
to use their name or not.

It would probably read like a book of short stories, personal
ones that are too fucking real to fake... that feel really
what our new republican world is about.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Alyson Books did something like this about 20 years ago

Alyson Books was one of the first publishing houses set up specifically to put out gay and lesbian titles.

The book I'm remember was "One Teenager in 10." It came out in 1983 and consisted of short, first hand accounts by gay teens about life and coming out. That book is out of print, but you can still get an updated title, "Two Teenagers in 20," which was published in 1995.

Alyson also published "One Teacher In Ten" in 1994, with an updated second edition in 2005. It is a similar idea, only focusing on gay and lesbian teachers.

[sweetheart]

4. Good so the niche for political is open

I figure, a work with essays from GBLT persons on DU
would include a political angle that would be especially
interesting, one that would show something more than
the ones you point to.

GBLT has become core politics used as a divisive tool by
our adversaries to injure our interests, surely GBLT persons
have some very eloquent thoughts about that, that would
make for an exceptionally penetrating set of essays.

I'm really inclined to think of the book as beyond GBLT
but include other oppressed, disabled, GBLT, Cannabis.

Perhaps an open remit... no need to rehash the same old GBLT closet
if you're saying its "been done".

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. I think it would be a great idea

A similar book, but focusing on first-hand accounts from people working to promote equal rights and political influence. You might want to pitch the book to Alyson, as I think they would be willing to publish something like this.

[sweetheart]

6. Here IS the book

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=216&topic_id=3703&mesg_id=3703

You'll get it in july.

:-) We can look at what we think of it when we all have a chance to look at it.

I can afford to self print a small run, and then we retain all the control as
the DU writers we are.