Yesterday my day started innocently enough – with a hot cup of coffee and my Sunday NY Times. I pulled out my reading glasses (a relatively new necessity bowing to my age) and settled into my chair, hoping to learn just a little bit more about the world and times I live in.
My eyes immediately caught this little nugget on the Style page:
“Why Blog? Reason No. 92: Book Deal”
I was intrigued mainly by the fact that this was the first time I could ever remember the NY Times using the word “Blog” in a headline (hey, we’re mainstream!) . I also was interested in the little tease about the book deal.
I read on.
And here’s the punch line – a guy who’s never written a book before and has only been blogging since January just received an advance of $300,000 from a major publisher to write a book based on the blog.
Yep, $300K – that’s not a misprint.
What on earth could this guy be writing about that could attract that kind of money? What original philosophies and profundities are he posting that is stirring the masses?
He’s writing about “Stuff White People Like”.
It’s a clever satire on the “WASP” stereotype, although someone is quoted in the article as calling it prone to “snarkiness“, defined as “contempt before investigation“.
So its kinda edgy – edgy enough to attract plenty of attention (give the blog its due – it supposedly has gotten 1.5 Million hits), and a book deal.
But it’s still a BLOG – a periodic posting of individual musings. It looks like a blog, reads like a blog, it barks like a blog.
Just like my blog. I write a bunch of original things. Sometimes they are even kinda funny (at least I think so). I preach positivity and “half-fullism” and the benefits of great leadership. I’ve also been doing it much longer than this other guy – for over two years now.
I guess the missing ingredient is the “edginess”. I don’t write anything that could be interpreted as offensive. I don’t write about politics or religion.
Is that the “$300,000 difference”?
Well, maybe not. The article said the site “Gawker” got a book deal, but it only sold 1,000 copies. They are edgy, right?
Maybe it’s just plain weirdness that carries the day – I kid you not, there is a blog called “Skull-A-Day” that simply features skull images made from candy, sparklers and other “things”, and THEY GOT A BOOK DEAL.
Bottom line, I suppose it’s no wonder I haven’t been inundated with book deal offers- I have no edge and no weirdness.
But hey, I do have mystery – doesn’t that count? I blog under an assumed name. I’m living a double life. People I’ve known for 25 years don’t even know I blog.
I even have a name for the book – “The Secret Life of Terry Starbucker“.
Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?
So Random House, give me a look-see!
Lark, Gotham, Crown, Harper, and St. Martin Books, check out the temple of Half-Fullism and lay down a few bucks on me!
Hey, I’m a Blogger Too!!!!!!
Is that a little too strong? Edgy perhaps?
What do you know! I just might be ready for my close up. 
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Brilliant! I think you’ve got enough leadership going on here that you can avoid the snarkiness and shoot straight for the good content… with some snark sprinkled in.
Let me know if you need a copyeditor for your final manuscript.
Hey, maybe I should resurrect the ol’ “Blue Shark” image I used to use. Think that would be edgy enough?
I’m convinced publishers do this every once in a blue moon, just to drive the rest of us crazy. I mean, it’s a relatively small investment with such a huge return, ya know?
Suggestions:
- Change pseudonym to Terence Snarkbucket
- Break a half-full glass over someone’s head each day and video it
- Voila! – book deal
Terry Starbucker…I think YOU should have a book deal….(I know what white people like why on earth would I want to read a book about that?)
Now “The Secret Life of Terry Starbucker”…that is a book I would want to read!!
Oh it is only a matter of time before the offers start rolling in
Hey Terry, it’s 9:00 p.m. at night and I should have packed away my laptop for the night. Instead I’m reading your blog post and laughing. I love your bold and brassy title. Now I want to know your REAL identity!!
Hi Terry –
Why are so many prolific bloggers talking such sour grapes smack about this ‘bloggers getting book deals’ thing? I know you are well aware that that blogging in any form it takes, random musings or comedic concept ( a la things white people like ) or art project ( like my brothers blog Skull-a-day ) are hard work. Some of the people making them work day jobs as writers or artists and spend all their extra time honing their craft and sharing it for free on the web! Many may even be using the blog as a place to intentionally develop a book. If you really want a book deal, I am sure you can make it happen.
Excellent article!! In this day an age controversy sells. People are getting book deals from some of the most ludicrous titles and subjects. $300K of a lot of money especially for that particular topic. But I do have a suggestion.
Write your own book and publish it yourself!
It’s what I’m working on right now. It does require some of your own out-of-pocket investment, but a lot of authors started that way. Next thing you know you’ll receive book deals past the $1M mark.
Gook luck and this article will be dugg.
Anthoney Grigsby
Hi Jesse, Bob, Steve, Karen, Gavin, Deb, Mica and Anthoney – thanks so much for stopping by!
Jesse, you are “in” as the copywriter – stay tuned for the manuscript!
Bob, whatever did happen to your Blue Shark? Is it for sale – that might work well with Steve’s suggestion of “Terence Snarkbucket”!
Steve, I’m working on that glass breaking thing; although it’s hard to say I’m a “half-fuller” when I’d be constantly emptying glasses all the time! Maybe I could just have people drink a half-glass of liquid and tape that?
Hey Karen, because of your kind words you will be one of the first to get an advanced copy of my tome! (whenever that happens……)
Gavin, I’m still waiting………
Deb, your just going to have to read the book to find out my true identity (glad you had a laugh on this)!
Mica, I guess it’s hard to see my tongue in my cheek on the printed page. While I certainly wrote this with a teeny bit of envy (ah, my humanity), it certainly wasn’t meant to be “sour”. Truth be told, I do have great respect for this craft and all who practice it, and for those who can profit and benefit from it in ways like books, bully for them (like your brother)! Thanks for the encouragement too – you are so right; we have to make our own “luck” happen through our own hard work and positive attitude.
Anthoney, thanks for the digg, and the encouragement to “do it myself”. I just might give that a shot!
Thanks again to all of you, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. All the best!
Ok, you know what this means? We’re going to tie you down at SobCon and take a look at your drivers license.
Anyone want to line up to hold Terry Whatshisname down?
Terry,
I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands and self-publish my own book like Phil Gerbyshak and many other bloggers have done! Although it would be nice to get one of those advance royalty checks
No worries…we’ll get there!
Great post and discussion. Hey Terry – I agree with you — when a blog barks – it deserves a big book breakthrough. How does a brain bark though?
Lovely post – made my day.
4 things sprung to mind:
1. I’m in a band were’s my record deal!
2. All bloggers should vote for the best blog to get a book deal
3. Let’s start a partition on Facebook to get YOU your book deal
4. You ask, you get!
Andrew
Hi Karen, Maria, Ellen and Andrew – thanks for stopping by!
Karen, just give me a heads up when the rope approaches…
Maria, thanks for the encouragement, and good luck with your book.
Ellen, I need to ponder that one for a little while…
Andrew, I think a record deal would be much cooler than a book deal. I’m a Facebook novice, so how do you actually start something like a partition?
All the best to all of you!