Thursday 8 May 2008

Quick Post

How do people feel about a book of BADD posts? It can be done with the full involvement of anyone who posted and wants to be part of a book that brings together a truly great event.

There are two main reasons behind this, and I really don't want to let it fizzle out. The main one is that I know I for one would pick up a book more often than search around the web specifically for BADD posts. That's impairment specific to me, and kind of ironic given that much of my support network is online. But I also have this feeling that a book would prove a valuable asset to anyone interested in, researching or working in the disability arena. It could be a personal or professional interest, or both.

The second reason really is impairment specific. I would dearly like to read BADD posts in bed, and feel I cannot be alone (in wanting to read BADD posts in bed that is, not being alone in bed you understand, which actually I very much prefer - more room and an absence of irritating presences, like crumbs and...oh, you know, other irritating presences).

So, to recap. I think embarking on a book is a big but shared excitement and anyone who feels they can help could offer to help with proofreading and editing. A small team would be great as we could work out how many posts are involved and perhaps in the first instance divide them up. Then we'd bring them all together again and see what we've got. There's 164 comments over at Diary of a Goldfish, which gives a fair idea of the scale of BADD this year.


Update: Crucial information I left out: The vehicle for producing the book would be lulu.com which is a self-publishing site where you buy books at the cost of production plus postage. We'd submit posts once we'd got them all together and ready, and the book would be produced very quickly. That's the easy bit.

So I wonder whether Goldfish, when she is less wiped out than at present, would be willing to invite people to say "I'm in" over at hers. I don't feel I can do it here as I'm only really here to waffle on about how enthused I feel about getting a book off the ground. And I'm happy to keep waffling because I really want to help get this going. And Goldfish, if you remain wiped out for quite some time, all that's needed is just the initial "Who's Interested?" question asking. We can take it from there and a job shared is a job halved after all. Though I'm hoping more than two will be able to look through some posts. Five or ten would be great!

But the first thing to establish is who is interested. Then how many entries we're looking at. Then who is able to help organise the content. End of waffle.

15 comments:

Cusp said...

Yep I think that's a great idea ;-))

fluttertongue said...

Great idea. I'd be happy to do any work that needed doing, as I'm as free as the proverbial bird. But how possible is it, do you think?

Anonymous said...

Intersested English student offering proofreading skills! (BADD contributor who would LOVE ro be publisdhed!!)

D Phoenix said...

I think it's a great idea. I haven't read many BADD posts because I am having a tough time with the screen and my headaches not getting along, so I would really love to be able to sit down with a book.I can't offer any help, but I would buy a book for sure.

seahorse said...

Thanks all! It's great to see people agreeing in principal. Will do further looking into it with Goldfish, and once we have an idea of involvement we will see if we can do it.

Anonymous said...

Any news? I'm excited about this! Happy to host the sign-up list for this over at my blog if you guys would like that!!

Anonymous said...

... I've been following links around the internet.

When I was young we had a book of collected writings and drawings by disabled children, What It's Like To Be Me. My Godmother has it by the loo now.

I have been appreciating the posts and would love to see a book of them... much easier for rereading and trying to absorb things...

Hope it goes ahead!

seahorse said...

Thanks mair, donimo and samedifference! Momentum is being gathered and we're just ironing out some of the practicalities. But the basic principle is the same. Get more of an idea of interest, find out who wants to be in the book from BADD posts this year, and work our way through them getting them ready! Exciting!

Inkpot said...

Hi, this sounds like a great idea. I don't know if I can help with finding the posts etc, but I am more than happy to be involved with putting it together, proof reading, art work and promotion or anything of that sort. I've done up some books on lulu before (strictly for friends and family) so I have some idea of how it works and am very happy to give any help I can. You can email me at immurphy@o2.ie to chat about further about the idea.

seahorse said...

Hey there inkpot! I emailed you so hopefully you got it. Thanks :-)

Sally said...

Excellent Idea, hope it doesn't get lost, but fully aware that a lot of work and goodwill is needed to bring it about. It would solve my pressie problem for ever ...
I'd have a stack of them shipped over to County Hall ! ... Wait, don't lets stop there ... lets have a Launch Party at the House of Commons/White House/your country's government HQ, on the terrace, with drinks and Lord Ashley (that'll be on the Terrace at the House of Lords then ?) ..... you see, full of enthusiasm, empty on get up and go. Best of luck.

Anonymous said...

Any news?

seahorse said...

Hi samedifference, yes indeed. I am giving this my full attention in the next week or so and aiming to establish a list of who is interested in being in the book. Then we'll be able to talk numbers and take it from there. Thanks for stopping by :-)

Anonymous said...

Where's the list going to be?

seahorse said...

Hi there

I want to do a post linking the people involved on one page. Goldfish is happy for me to take this on so I'll check back with her to see that she approves this way forward and be back to you v soon :-)