I have been asked by a new UK Publisher to write another book on knots and knotting, which for various reasons I cannot take on at the moment. If you think you would like to have a go at it please contact me on IGKTLibrary@aol.com
Publishers outline requirements:
Previous writing experience is not essential ? what is essential is passion for, and an expertise in, knotting. The book is 5 x 8 ? in (210 x 130mm) and 208pp, though this is not set in stone. The format may well come down in size. It is likely that the book will be around 30,000 words in length. We want the book to include the following features:
? Step-by-step photographs and clear instructions for each stage of tying over 100 knots.
? Special ?Knots in Action? features that demonstrate the most useful practical applications for some of the knots, including how to construct a tent or shelter, how to tie a secure bandage, and how to secure a load to a trailer or car.
? Profiles of the different types of rope available, including advice on rope maintenance and tying techniques.
? Quick reference symbols that allow the reader to identify the uses for each knot.
My personal guess is that they know which audience they want to reach, and thereby what contents they want - but lack the expertise and knowledge to make a good presentation of it.
Recently I heard ruoumrs about a person in Sweden who was hired to do a translation of a book (I think it was one of Budworth?s books) and apparently did not have much knotting knowledge beyond tying his neck tie and shoe laces. Not entirely ideal, I might say…
Good question. (Such things tend to get forgotten.)
It has puzzled me that with the quantity of Knots-101 books in
print that there continues to be some publisher demand for more.
Especially as so many read alike, where the information source
for one book seems to be other books. Admittedly, color
printing from the Far East is cheap.
I just took a stab at guessing by searching Amazon.com
with “knots 2009”: nothing turned up that resembles the request.
(But, goodness, a LOT of titles similar to the quoted one I show
below, and at some few-hundred-dollars prices, per country:
The 2009 World Market Forecasts for Imported Brooms, Brushes, Mops,
Feather Dusters, Prepared Knots and Tufts, and Paint Pads
by Icon Group (Digital - Oct. 1, 2008) - Download: PDF
