Need a Consiglieri.... Informed Comments Would be Great Too

I have this strange proclivity to spend a lot of money accumulating research material like this 800-plus-page tome, full of records covering New York mobsters in the 1940s and 1950s. I would hate to have to put a single figure on all the cash I've doled out buying various books and electronic files. Now I gotta earn some money back or at least start showing something for my efforts....

Gonna write a book. Already started it actually. I have a rough outline to work from and am just finishing up some research.


Ironically, my giant collection of New York police files really has nothing to do with this particular work.

Only thing is, it's more novella length. I could try to expand on it, but I don't want to pad it. That's why I am going to play around with some research, maybe expand on the backgrounds of some tangential characters in the story. It's nonfiction and no, I ain't gonna tell no one a word about it... It has nothing to do with the Ndrangheta or Canada, or even the Colombo war... (I've dropped some false hints here and there for busybodies...)

I'd rather go the traditional route but Kindle seems to offer so much potential... I believe my writing and research are tight; the only problem, as I say, is length. I don't see this thing as coming in at much more than 100 pages.

Any opinions out there? Funzi? Any fellow scribes have advice? Any idea how to sell a 50-70 page book? Is Kindle the way to go? I'll give everyone who comes to this site some kind of discount on the thing, of course -- assuming the subject interests you....Thanks in advance...

Comments

  1. If a book is great, I will happily pay $9.99 for it whatever it's length. 100 great pages is better than 200 pages with 1/2 filler. Electronic publishing does allow you to charge less for shorter works and still be paid. Write it the length it should be and then figure out the price.

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  2. Hey Ed, my names Russ and I am addicted to buying mob books. It started with Bloodletters and Badmen in the late seventies and shows no signs of abating. The most exciting thing for a grizzled, veteran mobophile is discovering stories on people I've never heard of like Frank Sheeran or Nick Calabrese. Why not a book about some of the sleeper mobsters, the guys who managed to fly under the radar or some of the colorful old timers who never garnered big press. Just a thought

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  3. Hey Ed, I've been hooked on mob books since Bloodletters and Badmen in the seventies and there's nothing more exciting to a grizzled old mobophile than finding stories about crooks I've never heard of like Frank Sheeran or Tommy Pitera. How about digging through the archives and putting together a book about some of the sleepers or some of the more colorful old timers who haven't been dragged out into the light yet. Maybe give them each a chapter. That is a book I'd shell out for.

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  4. Scarface - great point, that's what I think I'll do, only priced lower....Amazon I believe has pricing policies.... Russ, I've actually been approached by a publisher last year to do just that. I put that on hold.... really, I need a lawyer to read the contract. I may be involved with another project that, if it happens, would change my life. Lot of possibilities but nothing solid -- Samo, samo! Thanks again!!

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  5. The histories, trials, and stories of Dominic " Quiet Dom" Cirillo" and "Joe Waverly" Cacase would be a good starting point for your book.

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  6. Contact Anthony M. Destefano and ask him how he did it. The Ugly Rise and Fall of a N.Y. Mobster is a great book.

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    1. Ahhh, I doubt he'd have time for that. Funny you mention him, he's one of my favorite writers....I think due to length (50 pages) I'm gonna go Kindle route. I have never self-published anything other than this blog; it's not my favorite route. But it's not a full-length work. Unless I maybe add a couple of other stories......Hmmmm. Or maybe there's a way to expand the work to 200 pages. There are larger "trends" I could tie into it. I could work other stories in, as well. This comment section is great! I do a lot of ruminating while writing and you guys stimulate a lot of ideas.... thanks! You too Quiet Dom!

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  7. How about a book on the Pleasant Avenue crew? Kindle is convenient, but sometimes I look thumbing through an actual book if it's good and there are photos to boot.
    Old School-Anonymous

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    1. Great idea for next one, Old School! Appreciate it...I'll email you some other ideas I had, if you don't mind....

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    2. Ed you were on point with the Colombo War.....someone is going to cash in on that. Why not you!?!

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    3. You're right. But I haves access to exclusive information for the one I'm working on now. The Colombo war is a great topic and if this first one works I'm sure I'll be looking to write another.... you wouldn't be interested in editing/proofing the work I'm writing now, would you?

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    4. Sure, it would be more proofing then editing like you said but I have no problem reading and letting you know what I think. I just finished the new Alexander Hortis book so I could use something new to read. You have my email...send it over when you get a chance.

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  8. What about your friend DeLucca? If he is what he says he is I bet he could fill a couple of books.

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    1. I could write a book on the emails he sends me! Not the stories I publish, the emails he writes to me.... that's how his stories started. I told him his emails were so interesting I'd like to post them....! You wouldn't believe the stuff I edit out of the stories.... the murder and wanton criminality.... I make no claims for him; as far as I know he is a writer with a big imagination. How could he truly be a Camorrista and write about it like that? I believe he's using a farcical Fellini-esque Italian style of writing wherein you exaggerate and put yourself in the shoes of another to create an experience for them.... Of course Charles, feel free to answer if you should see this... I find his stories colorful, informative and interesting... and his stuff gets more page views than mine!

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