Olin Lathrop wrote:
>
> I don't know anything about the literary world and have no such contacts.  I
> got put in a situation where I had to say I would "ask around", but have no
> idea where to even start.
>
> So how does one find a author capable of writing such a book?  They would
> have to interview this person at length and write up the (true) stories in a
> way other people would want to read but not turn it into fiction.  I don't
> want to get into this too far because I wouldn't know how to interview
> potential authors even if such people could be found.  Should they be
> looking for someone young trying to make name for themselves, someone older
> with a track record, something else?  Any contacts?
Some good general Advice (links to Datasheets ;-) )
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/navigate.do?pPageID=1577

I think you want a sort of Ghost Writer/Author rather than plain Author. 
Unless this person is famous an actual regular Author won't be interested.

Particular advice:
1) Don't pay for anything other than maybe a $25 reading fee (if you 
have a manuscript) up front. Anything else is Vanity Publishing or a scam.

2) The person should write it. Then you have something to show 
publishers and literary agents in search for Writer or Ghost Writer. Who 
knows, one way to learn to write and write better is to write.

3) Don't send anything other than an interesting extract without being 
asked.

4) Without actually Vanity Publishing (or paying a Ghost Writer) you 
won't get anywhere with just an idea, Write it down. Even if it's not an 
overall coherent narrative.

5) Talk to literary Agents. Publishers are less interested than ever of 
unsolicited manuscripts or ideas or anything not mainstream. The "High 
Street" market is getting narrower as more sales are via Supermarkets 
(USA may be different to UK & Ireland).

6) eBooks, though small market is really the only viable non-Vanity self 
publish route (Barnes &Noble, Sony, Amazon, Apple, Waterstone's)

Normally I'd not presume to advise you, but you did ask.

Are we talking about an Erma Bombeck style book?


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