Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sleek on January 29, 2022, 11:02:58 pm
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So I'm considering putting all my notes and thoughts in here. I'm worried about leaving behind incorrect information however and many of my musings I have in my notes are tests id like to do, and thought experiments I haven't concluded. I don't have the energy to sort through it all and filter out what I am just simply uncertain of and what I am. I'll do my best though in the coming days. The biggest thing is I'd like to share what I have learned with people who are interested.
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good to see you posting...hope you and yours are doing well. I'm looking forward to reading your rambling thoughts... :)
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Looking forward to it
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I think your thoughts are worth putting out in some form. Could be a series of short essays instead of a big cohesive book. Seems like everyone is putting out a book but I think you’d have something more to add to the volumes of tutorial.
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There are some great points made here... I think anything detailing experimental methods and results is great as it moves away from the heresay and missinformationwhich abounds on the internet (there is some great stuff there, but also some rubbish)
I originally started my blog and Youtube chanel as a reference for myself and it's become a good way to pass it on.
A book is a lot of work, and it's impossible to correct the inevitable typos and errors once it's published.
People have suggested I should do a book, but I feel it would just become a vanity project or never get finished (there is always more to say about making bows ::) ).
I do have a series of sketches I've done, generally to answer a question or illustrate a point, maybe they would make an interesting little book.
Anyhow, whatever you decide, I wish you luck.
Del
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Documenting builds made for future reference is the only way to compile info for a future book.As there are so many variables with different types of builds.Then getting a general consensus.Stating the reasons why and why not things are done in such a way as it's easy for anyone to understand to avoid mistakes.
Compiling information so a laymen can understand it sometimes is'nt enough for some.As the attention to detail trait using patience is absorbed by some more readily than others.
If you don't mind repeating yourself and enjoy the interaction a book is'nt necessary.
Good luck with your book.
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I have published a few books through Amazon. I'd be glad to help if I can. I'm thinking of writing a series of DIY books with their new series publishing. I so agree writing a book is a lot of work, so if you don't enjoy writing, it's not worth it.
It's just another hobby for me.
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One more note, ask a few people to help edit. Any new bow builder would be glad to read your stuff (including me) and give feed back before it's published.
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Good luck with it . I might build a good bow ever now and then but could never do a book about it. Arvin
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I can discourage you now or you can get discouraged on your own after a lot of work.
1. There has never been a best-selling archery book--Not by Saxton Pope, nor Robert Elmer, nor Howard Hill, nor Byron Ferguson. The market is not and never will be big.
2. Everybody and his dog is writing a book on every subject there is, those who ARE interested, have to wade through a flood of poorly written books by authors who know little about their subject in the hope of finding a book by someone like you who does know something.
3. The market for self-published ebooks has starved a lot of traditional book publishers out of the market. They used to pay fairly well. Now they are taking on very few books and only those that seem likely to sell many thousands of copies.
4. Whatever you do, do NOT pay anybody to publish your book. That was never a good idea, and now with self-publishing, ebooks and print on demand, there is no excuse at all to pay anybody to print a thousand copies for you to sell.
Jim (who is a retired copy editor and whose wife has published more than 100 novels.)
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I can discourage you now or you can get discouraged on your own after a lot of work.
1. There has never been a best-selling archery book--Not by Saxton Pope, nor Robert Elmer, nor Howard Hill, nor Byron Ferguson. The market is not and never will be big.
2. Everybody and his dog is writing a book on every subject there is, those who ARE interested, have to wade through a flood of poorly written books by authors who know little about their subject in the hope of finding a book by someone like you who does know something.
3. The market for self-published ebooks has starved a lot of traditional book publishers out of the
market. They used to pay fairly well. Now they are taking on very few books and only those that seemlikely to sell many thousands of copies.
Jim you never cease to amaze me! I know nothing about this stuff but that sounds like sound advice . Just saying. Arvin
4. Whatever you do, do NOT pay anybody to publish your book. That was never a good idea, and now with self-publishing, ebooks and print on demand, there is no excuse at all to pay anybody to print a thousand copies for you to sell.
Jim (who is a retired copy editor and whose wife has published more than 100 novels.)
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Jim you never cease to amaze me. That sounds like sound advice. But I’m in for $25 if you write one! Arvin
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You will mention me right!🤠🤠🤠
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I appreciate the logical discouragement. I won't be doing a book, I've pretty much decided I'll be posting a bunch on here as I have the time/energy. I just need to figure out the best way to do it so it doesnt look like a bunch if chaotic word vomit and nonsense.
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Sleek, may I suggest that you write up your posts in Word or some other software. Let it cool for a while, read through and correct or change as needed, then copy the text and paste it to this forum.
All of our posts might benefit from that kind of preparation.
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If you write your book using your PC back up every chapter on disc or print it out as hard copy, as you go.
I had just started a screenplay when a lightning storm burnt out my PC of the time. Luckily I had not gotten far into it so actual work lost was trinial, but I never got back to that project.
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Several people have suggested I write a book. Even my wife has encouraged me to do so. Not interested
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Many good ides have not been put down, and are now forgotten - at least as many more shouldn't have been! But to quote Tom Paxton, "Are you going away with nonword of farewell, will there be not a trace left behind". At least post here so your thoughts can be seen.
Hawkdancer
PS: my book is still in ye olde thought process (lol)!
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i hope your doing ok sleek! im interested in seeing your thoughts and what you write! (whether in post or in book form)
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"Several people have suggested I write a book. Even my wife has encouraged me to do so. Not interested"
Marc, I can understand not wanting to write a book, you have to feel motivated to do it justice. You have written plenty of articles for PA, and made huge contributions with your bowmaking and heat treating. I would buy a copy of a book containing your distilled knowledge, if you did decide to publish one day.
I'm sure glad the guys around a 100 years ago wrote the books they did. They give us a perspective of the times, designs, methods and materials involved with making bows. You especially have built on what those older guys taught us, so you wouldn't be wasting your time if you changed your mind. Imagine some young fella, a hundred years from now picking up a book written by you. Your work and name would live on in the minds of burgeoning bowyers.
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Sounds like it’s time for a traditional bowyers bible volume 5. (-P
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just do a little at a time, it will get done,, ;D
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Sounds like it’s time for a traditional bowyers bible volume 5. (-P
:OK :OK :OK
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I'll throw up another :OK (-P for volume 5!
Hawkdancer
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Id be happy to have another volume as well. We could use it to correct the errors in the first 4, and add further knowledge discovered since then. My focus on my notes has been the short bow, specific to the recurve. If I can prove my theories at the salt flats this year, and if I'm asked, maybe I could do a chapter on the hows and whys on short bows.
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I would really like to hear more about short bows, Sleek. :OK
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Id be happy to have another volume as well. We could use it to correct the errors in the first 4, and add further knowledge discovered since then. My focus on my notes has been the short bow, specific to the recurve. If I can prove my theories at the salt flats this year, and if I'm asked, maybe I could do a chapter on the hows and whys on short bows.
I too would be very interested in hearing your thoughts.
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I have considered doing a mini series to be published in PA magazine, one chapter an issue for a complete year. They said they would like me to write for them but I'm not certain they understand the quantity of info I'm wanting to put out, and if they would give me enough pages. But that was a route I was considering that didn't involve a book.
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Serialized articles, (in Trad Bowhunter?)from memory , I think that's how Dean Torges wrote Hunting the Osage Bow, and then eventually published it as a book.
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Good to know there is a model to show it has worked in the past then.
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If you published your findings in the PA magazine i would gladly buy a subscription to read it!