Okay, I've had several messages saying we should do this and giving permission to use certain people's postings. Still need to ehar from Max though. But, just in case:

I had asked if anyone knows how to find grants and how to write a proposal for one. I think there should be interest and monies available for a book about such an incredible cyber-community.

Also, since I've only been on since Jan. I am sure there are many of you who who remember threads I've not even heard of which would deserve to be excerpted.

I am willing to try to pull it together and edit. Catspaw has already been nominated to write an intro. And he and Big Mick have alreayd put in their two cents about being sure to include the Xenophobia and Music Therapy threads, which I agree with. BUT, I would need your help big time!

It will take some time to do, prob. many months, maybe even a year. We may be moving this summer (don't know where or when, depends on what Rog finds in his field; he's leaning heavily towards New Mexico. I'd prefer more rain; we both think a lower altitude would be better for me) and, with the critters and junk that can be a major production which takes a lot of energy.

I would ask everyone to choose 2 or 3 of their very favourite threads and/or several of their absolutely favourite postings by themselves or whomever else they choose. You could either email me the exact thread title and posting name or excerpt them to me. It would save me a lot of time if everyone would cut and paste their favs to me.I wouldn't want this to be something that I arbitrarily put together based on my tastes, at all. This would be for everyone and in a sense by everyone, because we would collaborate on what to include. Of course, there would be no guarantees that favs would make it in, but at the moment, like Tom Petty says, "the future is wide open".

While I think proceeds from sales of the book should go to the 'Cat, I would appreciate it if someone could look into grants etc. Since writing and editing is what I do, I need to try to contribute to the household through my efforts. Of course anyone else who gets really involved in this, through proofreading or whatever should be included in any renumeration. Any ideas? I don't have much experience at finding grants, etc.

Also, would like your thoughts on what directio it shoudl take. Do we want this to be a book mostly for seasoned Mudcatters or do we want to be able to pick it up, show a friend and say listen to this! (That's what I do already!) What kind of editing is done would depend on this.

This whole thing also brings to mind a previous thread about do we want the world in general to know about the Mudcat? What kind of an effect would this have on the Mudcat's future. I know we may not be talking bestseller here (although, ya' never know!), but it is something to consider. Anybody familiar with what happened to the Burning Man Event in Nevada? You know what I mean!

I have the programs and ability to mock this up,in book form, on my computer. Hell, if we want it to be a slim and simple book, paperbound, cheap, down and dirty, I've even got the big stapler to put it together (as I did my bro's), BUT I'd rather NOT be chief cook and bottle washer.

Also need to know if we would want photos?

I'll save some room on here now by shutting up. This has all just been thougths rattlin' round in my lil' head, filling up empty space. Please feel free to add, subtract, suggest, throw me out on my ear, or what have you. This is yours!

katlaughing