The Book Project - Discuss, Anticipate, Collaborate here

[maya]

Hi everybody,

i'm not so good in english so i never posted here before, i'm french and i would love to try to help you but i don't know really how !!  i can try to find out some french forums or groups about BBM et let know what you are all doing here about the book...i don't really know if it can help, but i want to help you, you're all so fantastic and this movie is so powerfull, these fans are extraordinary, i'm really proud of you all, thanks for all the things you do.
if i can do something else please let me know.

[KittyHawk]

Maya, welcome to the book thread! There is no need to apologize for your English; what you say is very clear!

If you could spread the word on French forums about Beyond Brokeback: The Impact of a Film would be very helpful. Thank you for offering to let friends in France know about this project that means so much to those of us on the Forum. In a week or so we should know how our publisher handles overseas shipping, so watch this thread for that information.

Thank you for your help. 

-KIttyHawk

[KittyHawk]

Congratulations, Preliminary Authors of Beyond Brokeback!

Posts from the Forum members listed below have survived a rigorous process involving a two-stage selection phase which included reviews by four individuals and an editing phase which involves a review by two editors and members of the leadership team.

One of the most difficult tasks was turning down some of the stories which did not make it into this book. Forum members have told so many powerful stories, that selecting the ones to finally go into the book was a tough, tough job.

For those who were selected to go to the final editing stage, the next step is giving the OK for your story to be published. Brokaholic will be contacting all authors and asking for your permission. It is important that you respond to her as quickly as possible. She will also be asking how you would like your name to be listed. We are hoping for real name, screen name, and location. However, you may go just with your screen name if you prefer, or you may even use a different screen name.  NOTE: If we do not have your permission, your story will not be published.

For all those whose stories were not selected this time, there is rumor of another book...

Please note that any of the selections on this list may be cut during final the editing process. 

Authors of stories selected for Beyond Brokeback: The Impact of a Film

“Ennis del Mar”
1224butternut
2onthehilltop
alma
amdaz
amymm
artijensen
atomicscot
aybanks
B73
Basqueboy
baycityjohn
Beethovenrox1770
BenKing
bgriffith
BigEd
Bobby19in1963
Boris
BradinBlue
brokaholic
brokeback_1
brokebackLJ
broken okie
cathy1121
Changedforever
ChrisFewa
Christina
Cincydarryl
City Girl, Moonbeam
Conny
couzins43
Cowboy Dave
Curt
Dan
danac
Diego
Doug2017
Drake
e
Ed
Evie
exennis
Fish
garryLH
gary74
GazDU
gblady
Glacier_east
gpeddino
Harvey
hayek_uk
Helena Marks
Iltra2005
imennisshesjack
IMJackNasty
Ironwood
Island_boy
jack
jackandalma
Jackie
Jay63
Jaysmommy
Jenny
Jermaine P
Jerome
jimspain
joe-broke
Joetheone
John Beene
John In Canada
John_In_Saluda
johnjay
johnjohn
Josie
Jpq716
jt44
Juliacat
kaboyz
kaidogsmom
killersmom
kumari
liketoday
linustwist
lookingforluff
M Alexander
magicmountain
mcnell1120
Meira
Mejack
Michelle
Mike M.
Mike80
Mimo
MindyM
Mooska
Mr. Wrong
MSPJeff
mwp2paris
MyLeftArm
neatfreak
Nelson
nickinidaho
Nicole
NYCBuck
OnesEnough
paintedshoes
Panorama
Passion
PennQuaker
PhoebeC
Pierre
Poohbunn
prayerofthanks
quijote
Rebel
Redbrit
RickB
rmbahr
Rob
Robert
rodsmith
royandronnie
Ruth
Sagha/Mo
Sam in Chicago
Sharyn
Sheera
shipwrecked
sinne
Sparkle
StellaStar
strazeme
SYC
Tacitus
tex_in_ok
Theresa
therese
Tim
Titus
toddnorthcarolina
tomnewyork
Tory Kennedy
valkyrie
Vassily
Wade
waynerman
whelmed
WLAGuy
Wolf
wtg02
wyomen
Zadoc

[peteinportland]

I am hugely excited that we are able to present the list of preliminary authors for our book.

Please keep in mind that for this book we looked for very specific posts that fit within the themes of the book and that would give us a wide range of forum voices. We know there are so many great posts on our forum and great writers that don't fit within the theme of this book. For example, almost no posts were included among the many, many fine posts in Scenes, Elements, and Themes (we think that is another book). There are many other entire boards where few posts were found that fit the theme of this book.

However, the posts that were chosen are all very special and survived a very thorough and very rigorous selection process. Put together, they make for a very, very fine book of which our entire forum can be proud. Thanks to all the selected authors for sharing their personal, and oft times heartbreaking, stories with us on the forum. We hope that you will consent to us sharing your story with the world.

The next step in the process is gaining permission from all of those who were selected. Brokaholic will be contacting these people over the next week to obtain permission. Please understand that our authors can be as anonymous or as public as they want. We don't want to out anyone or place anyone in a situation that will make them uncomfortable.

Finally, another big thanks to those many volunteers who have helped us reach this point. Being able to share this list of names and this list of posts is very special. We have a lot more work to do, but we feel great that we have come this far.

Pete

[Jaysmommy]

And thanks to you and Trish for all the great progress you are making with your section. It is much appreciated.

    Thanks Pete - It's a real pleasure!! Especially working with Trish!!   

Pete, thank you it has been a great ride! Working with wdj has been so much fun! Thanks, Wayne, you are awesome!

[dback]

Congrats to some of my favorite posters!  Represent us well. 

[mountain boy]

Pete, thank you it has been a great ride! Working with wdj has been so much fun! Thanks, Wayne, you are awesome!

Likewise, Sweets!!          It's a pleasure!

And yes, all you authors, remember, JUST SAY YES!!!  I think this book is gonna be something really special that can continue to reach people for a long time to come.

[ImEnnisShesJack]

My girl made the book!
I'm so proud of my sweet Carol and all our authors.

This book will hopefully continue to bridge the gap in our society.

Perhaps others will be moved to see the movie and be moved BY the movie....

A continuing force of nature.


thank you to all our volunteers for the donated time and efforts in putting this together.

Heidi

[conny]

impressive list 

[imennisshesjack]

There are very few independent booksellers left, but my favorite bookstore in my city is one of those few.  I buy all my books from this store and have asked the owner if he will carry the book and he assures me he will.

Small potatoes I know, but it's something...

 

For those of you in the NW, I bet Powell's would carry it. They're only the largest independent bookseller in the US, and Fran Liebowitz's fave bookstore in the world. 

[Brokeback_1]

I still can't believe I'm on and in that author's list.

 It's one thing to feel that you are changing,  growing,  one thing to believe it about yourself ... but it's quite another when other people  notice it as well.

What an enormous honor. You've made me feel I'm becoming the man I always  felt i could be.

Thank you

[KittyHawk]

Congratulations on having your story selected, brokeback_1.
And a bigger congratulations for all that you've accomplished.

((Hugs))
- KittyHawk

[peteinportland]

Bobby started a thead and asked some great questions about the book process. I have copied my reply below, as I am sure many potential authors have the same sorts of questions:

Bobby,

I'm going to answer you here and on the book thread for those who may not make it to this thread. You ask some great questions.

1.  What are the pros and cons that I have to consider in allowing publication of my story and the use of my real name and place of residence? We allow each author to be as public or as anonymous as they wish to be. So, this is something that person must answer for themselves.

2.  Since I have decided to allow the use of my story and my name, what do I then have to do, and how much time do I have, to prepare my family and friends for its publication? Bobby, your family and friends probably won't be aware of this book right away unless you tell them. We'd like it to be an overnight sensation, but our marketing plans for this book lay a slow foundation to hopeful broader public knowledge about the book. It may only remain a book of interest to BBM fans and film studies departments. So, make the steps best for you in your life. Make them aware of the book when you are ready.

3.  Will I be able to review what the Editors have decided to print of my story (I've written thousands of words here by now), and since I am willing to 'let it all hang out' will I be able to have an advance copy that I can read as I prepare to come out to my family and friends? The answer is yes, although as neatfreak has said most of the editing was for consistency in grammar and tone. I do think with your story, Bobby, we took a number of your posts and created one very powerful story.

4.  Should I be asking these questions?  Can, or should, I trust the Editors explicitly?  (I've already said I'm grateful, so asking questions doesn't mean I'm ungrateful.) Well, I trust these guys, but it always good to ask questions. I will say we would never do anything that would bring dishonor on our members or our forum community.

5.   As an author, how am I responsible for the success of the book? Great question! We are going to ask willing authors and book volunteers to contact local media, market the book to friends and family, and even do a local book signing. However, participation is up to each person. We want each person to be comfortable with what they share and how much they participate in our marketing efforts.

6.  Are we going to have help, such as a 'media kit' of some kind, if we are asked questions by local or national media? Oh yes, my Friend. Each author, book volunteer, and even interested members will get a media kit and help along the way. We will be with you each step you take in helping to market the book.

7.  What if Oprah wants to do a program on Beyond Brokeback...The Impact of a Film...and I am asked to appear as a representative?  (Honestly, stranger things have happened in this life...right?) Oprah is in the marketing plan. This is the type of grass roots story she loves to do. Maybe she will bite (stranger things have happened). And Bobby, your story is one of the more powerful ones in our book IMO. So, maybe in a few months Lydia or I will call you on the phone and say get your butt to Chicago. If you want to come or not is up to you.

8.  Will we have some guidelines to use in talking to media and others so that we do not reflect adversely on the Forum? Oh yes. I will be producing talking points and serving as a resource for anyone from the forum doing media.

9.  Is it fair to our fellow Brokeaholics to have our story included, anonymously, and never respond in anyway about the book in the future? Sure. Each person is at a different point in their life and must make the best decisions for themselves. Even anonymously, these stories will powerfully impact people (IMO).

10.  How many questions have I not asked that are important to have answered? Probably, quite a few. However, Lydia or I are always willing to answer any questions anyone on the forum has about the book.

Thanks for asking. I hope this helps!

Pete

[KittyHawk]

get your butt to Chicago.

Yeah, I like the sound of that! 

One other question which may come to mind is
"How soon must an author respond to Brokaholic in order to be included in the book?"

The first proofing process is over half finished. Laying out the first section began today. The earlier an author tells us they would rather their story not be published, the better chance we have of meeting our timeline. I say that, not to push anyone toward a rushed decision, but to encourage you to think about it from all angles and to let us know as soon as you are comfortable with your decision.

Our plan of action calls for getting permissions to print your stories and finish proofing them this week, then to get all of the sections laid out and proofed again, and then get the book to the printers two weeks from Friday. (Everybody needs a dream, right?  )

If other questions come to mind, please post them here, or PM Pete or me.

- KittyHawk

[Bobby19in1963]

Thanx! Pete and KittyHawk.  I have contacted Brokaholic and given permission to use my story...the absolute scariest thing I'll ever do...next to talking to my wife.  Almost did that today, but chickened out.  Just a few more ducks to get in a row and perhaps I'll be ready.  My mind is swirling.  Juggling the two worlds consumes tons of energy...but thanx! to the 70 lbs weight loss, I'm in much better shape to get it all done.  Just wish I could have taken off and met all of those 'fishin' buddies' at the BBQ in Texas!  Sigh.....