[escapedtothecountry]

I'm throwing this out there to see what if any interest there would be. Could be a daft idea - who knows. Grateful for comments.


A while ago I had a book published on a totally different topic.


Given (in my view) there is more and more interest from people wanting to leave the rat race and in essence escape to a better life in the country I thought about doing a book which focussed on my experience of trying to do it. What we did; why; how etc - some of the learning points - some things that worked and some that didn't.


I wondered whether this type of thing would be of interest to all the esteemed people here?


I haven't firmed up my proposal for a publisher - and it is inevitably never going to make any money (publishing books generally doesn't these days) but I wondered what you may think?

[Carl f k]

Sounds like something I would read go for it

[Mammyshaz]

It sounds a good idea. The shelves are getting more books on this subject ( I've already bought a couple) as you say, more people are considering this lifestyle so IMO the more choice of books on it the better 

[smallholder in the city]

If you publish on amazon kindle you can do it without a publisher. Upsides are youbset your own price and can maximise profit. Downsides are lack of editorial input and need to publicise yourself. There was an article in the guardian a few months back about a few authors that had been very sucessful with this approach.

As regards the topic. I read several such books when we were starting out. What I found frustrating was the lack of detail about people did it. Often the practicalities of moving to a smallholding lifestyle were glossed over,e.g. Just simply stating we decided to buy a small holding. I wanted to know how they chose the area, how they funded it and how they made it work with jobs.

But I guess a lot of people are more interested in tales of living the dream.

I also think people get into the smallholding way of life for many different reasons and by many different routes. I would find a chapter, or even a whole book, about peoples different experiences and set ups very interesting.Ideally with pictures.

There is an occassional column in the guardian from a lady who has very much gone down the self sufficient living the good life route which I find  quite amusing and interesting.

[smallholder in the city]

Perhaps not exactly what you were thinking of but I would love a book that documented what fellow TASers do and how they got there.
I appreciate though that sharing online isn't the same as in a book and some might be a bit reluctant to do so. Imagine the fun that could be had visiting all the TASers though.

Apologies for any typos I'm on a very wobbly train typing on my phone

[rispainfarm]

I agree with smallholder in the city, amazon and kindle are the way to go nowadays for books like this. You only really make money on novels, but books that appeal to a niche market will always have limited monetary value. I thnk it is a great idea.  I love reading books like this especially if they make me laugh

[Anke]

The library shelves are full of books on self-sufficiency and smallholding, living the good life etc etc, but most of them are probably not written by people who have actually done it themselves... Full of errors and misguided statements....
Really the best is still.... For realists and dreamers... John Seymour and after that, get specific books on what exactly you are doing. I found the "starting with... " series really helpful and of course Tim Tyne on sheep, Mackenzie on goats (written last edition in early 1990s - still not out of date!), Carol Harris on Pigs. I have several really good goat boooks from the 1970s and 80s, and other than up to date veterinary books I don't need any new and don't buy any anymore...
I am not sure that the effort to write another book on smallholding is quite justified, but that is my personal opinion, so please no shooting down and disregard if it is not helpfulfor you.

[rispainfarm]

I always think there is room for books even if they have been written before. Times change for one thing, rules change constantly and ways of doing things change. I have every pig book going but still buy new ones. As you can always learn something new thats for sure.

[doganjo]

Sounds a good idea to me - I'd read it - on my kindle .  Amazon definitely a good idea, even if it is only a few pounds a download and they probably have fees to pay, I'll bet you'd still make a bit on it.  I used to read about 3 or 4 books a year, but since the kids bout me this kindle for Christmas I've read over 90 - just checked my archive list!(That's 10 a month!) I now get to bed at a reasonable hour instead of sitting at the PC till silly o-clock.

[escapedtothecountry]

Thanks for all the comments - keep them coming! 


It inevitable would not be a bible about how to do smallholding - as I don't know anything about it. That would be the point though. It may evolve into being a year in the life of someone attempting to live in a life in the country - warts and all. Including all the mistakes I have made and will make.

[Lesley Silvester]

A few years ago someone wrote a book about his experiences of moving from England to live in France.  It was called 'A Year in Provence' and was very successful, and ended up being televised.  I would say go for it but certainly think about Kindle.  I write novels and am going down the Kindle route myself.
 
Good luck.

[sabrina]

What about a book on how to work and earn a living that is enough to raise a family, be happy, manage to pay all your bills . where life is fair for the small man. I know, a fairy story.