42 Rules for Successful Collaboration
The 42 Rules book series differs fundamentally from other non-fiction business books. The writing, publishing, distribution and marketing approaches for this series have all broken rules in order to build something unique, flexible and fast.
I talked with Mitchell and Laura in November of 2008 and told them of my idea to write this book, and how I wanted to approach it. I put out a call for rules before Thanksgiving, and gave a due date of 1/1/09 (which I missed by a month). I ended up writing 10 rules in this book and have about 30 contributors, many of whom I have never met in person. Some contributors are in my personal or professional networks, some are on LinkedIn or on my mailing list. Others are academic or research colleagues. If I had received rules from all those who said they would send one (or more) in, I would have enough for a Volume II.
Many of the rules sent in were not in the right format or did not project the right message and so were sent back to their authors (some several times). By the end of January, I had turned in my first draft of the book and over the next six weeks, and went through the publishing process with Super Star Press and HappyAbout, with the book coming out in April 2009. All told, less than six months from start to finish.
Since I published my first book with Prentice Hall in 1995, the technology for publishing has changed radically (unfortunately, many publishers have not). In the old process you needed an “agent” who will negotiate an advance for you from a publisher who accepts your book idea or manuscript. These publishers are something of an “old boys’ network” and once you are in, you are in, but often it takes a great deal of effort to be a member of this club.
I have never had an agent, and tend to follow a philosophy proposed by that greatest of philosophers, Groucho Marx, when he said, “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” My first two books took 18 months to come out once I had submitted the manuscript. The problem with this slow process is that the technology I was writing about (collaboration technologies) was changing very rapidly (and still are), and the books were out of date before they were printed.
It is my hope that this collective wisdom around collaboration techniques is of value to many. To that end I will be publishing 5 (selected) rules from my forthcoming book 42 Rules for Successful Collaboration over the next few weeks to give you a taste of what is available in the book. The book should be out in a few weeks, but you can still order it at a pre-publication discount of 15%. I could not have done this book without the collaboration of many others, and look forward to feedback from many of you.
Comments
It was very interesting to find out about your experience in book publishing. As for me, I would also like to publish a book. This is a book for children that is why I'm not afraid that it will be out of date soon. It will never be I hope. But still 18 monthes is a very long period. Well, in this context I recalled one song It's Takes Too Long by Hank Snow (I found it at music search http://www.mp3hunting.com lately). Well, to heal for a broken heart it takes a long time but to publish a book should be much faster.
I wanted to approach it. I put out a call for rules before Thanksgiving, and gave a due date of 1/1/09 (which I missed by a month). I ended up writing 10 rules in this book and have about 30 contributors, many of whom I have never met in person. Some contributors are in my personal or professional networks, some are on LinkedIn or on my mailing list. Others are academic or research colleagues. If I had received rules from all those who said they would send one (or more) in, I would have enough for a Volume II.
The 42 Rules book series differs fundamentally from other non-fiction business books. The writing, publishing, distribution and marketing approaches for this series have all broken rules in order to build something unique, flexible and fast.Ball Bearing
Your article is very nice. Will be looking forward for the 5 best selected rules from your book. Hope you will be doing like this quite often to help others to learn about collaboration.
the publishing process with Super Star Press and HappyAbout, with the book coming out in April 2009. All told, less than six months from start to finish.
glad I came and read this article. I can relate to collaboration on my seo tips website.
never fail to impress me. glad I came and read this article.
Print On Demand does work very well when you really cannot estimate how many will sell.
I had tried this on two books and it went very smoothly.
Marine,
My publisher at "HappyAbout" books has also been very cooperative in working out deals, customizing each of the books when requested, etc.
david
Successful collaboration, either online or in person, depends on good team dynamics. The facilitator plays a key role and is needed careful planning. The tools for Internet-based group collaboration ranging from simple e-mail to sophisticated multimedia environments. When deciding what tools to use, remember that all members must be able to easily access the area of collaboration, especially members who are in developing countries. Often works best to start with a simple technology such as email, putting more effort in team building, planning and facilitation. Whether the goal line or an encounter in creating a global network, resources gathered here will help the groups to choose the appropriate tools for collaboration, facilitation techniques to develop and plan a successful strategy for working together online.
some are on LinkedIn or on my mailing list. Others are academic or research colleagues. If I had received rules from all those who said they would send one (or more) in, I would have enough for a Volume II.
Have you ever considered POD - Print On Demand? Can be a bit costly
but the control is certainly worth it. I've just written a memoir No Easy Road,
available on Amazon, and I have no regrets!
This sounds like a book that I should get hands on to, and I think the discount have been increased to 20% that's great.Thanks for all your efforts.
Ben