BOOK CONCEPTS

Nature & Wildlife

WHITETAIL SAVVY: Understanding America’s Most Populous Deer––by Leonard Lee Rue III. Wildlife author

and photographer of more than 30 books, Lennie here

on whitetails ever published. A fascinating

read for lay readers, this will also be an essential reference for scientific researchers.

    In spite of the manuscript's astounding comprehensiveness, Lennie has managed to keep it short (78,000 words) to allow room for hundreds of his extraordinary photos, illustrating virtually every aspect of whitetail behavior, physiology, and more.

    "Lennie Rue's expertise on whitetails is unparalleled."––Bruce Nichols, Publisher, Adult & Reference, Houghton Mifflin

    "I've edited dozens of books on wildlife and at least a dozen on deer and deer hunting, but I've never encountered a manuscript as interesting and comprehensive on whitetails or any other species. Most information in this book is entirely new to me. In addition, this is a very good read, its factual material gracefully presented and richly enlivened by Lennie's personal observations and good humor."––Neil Soderstrom, author of Deer-Resistant Landscaping

    The potential audience is huge. This book will appeal to anyone remotely interested in whitetails and other deer: nature buffs, deer lovers, deer haters, gardeners, farmers, photographers, biologists, mammalogists, highway troopers, and––not least––deer hunters. Even though this is not a deer-hunting book or directed specifically at deer hunters, hunters will find a wealth of material that will improve their understanding and appreciation. Manuscript complete; 380 photos available for viewing via PDF thumbnails. (LLR)

FEED THE BIRDS (AH)

FIELD GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN TREES, by Dr. Thomas S. Elias, Director of the National Arboretum, is a rights-reverted recent classic available for republication in updated third edition. The original 948-pp, small-format edition contained more than 1,000 exquisite line drawings of 800+ native trees, with labeled identification features. It also included illustrated identification keys, as well as maps showing native ranges. However, to reduce the page count to about 550 pages, while increasing the book’s appeal as a true field guide, we recommend republication as separate Eastern and Western editions. In the proposed editions, Dr. Elias will supplement the original information on importance to wildlife and commerce with advice on landscaping uses and cultural information, including the best cultivated varieties. He’ll also address effects and likely trends in tree hardiness resulting from global warming, which is allowing some species to move northerly and into higher elevations, while also causing regional die-offs owing to reduced rainfall. More than 85 percent of the book’s original line art is available without fee. A sample copy of the second edition shown is available upon request.

EMILY DICKINSON’S WILD FRIENDS: Literature courses often overlook the importance of wildlife and wild plants in

Emily’s writing. Her letters teem with related references, and

her poems are often based metaphorically on them. This book would combine Emily’s related prose and poetry with photos of the flowers and wildlife she mentions. (NS)

BEARS & MAN IN ALASKA:

Brown Bears, Polar Bears & Black Bears.

Here longtime Alaska resident and reporter,

Lew Feedman will describe how people interact

and coexist with Alaska’s three bear species, both

in the wild and in communities that attract them.

Having experienced close calls with brown bears

himself, Freedman will place attacks in

perspective with bear behaviors and annual

cycles that often differ by specie. He’ll also

examine population fluctuations and trends in

diet in relation to bear management, whether

through hunting other means. He’ll also address

Global Warming’s threat to polar bears. 50,000 words, documentary and wildlife photos. (LF)

WILDLIFE RESCUE & REHABILITATION:

The People, the Rescue Centers, and the Rescued.

This would profile the people and organizations that

rescue orphaned and injured animals with a goal of

returning them to the wild--recounting stories of the

rescued and challenges they face upon being returned

to the wild. Many of the people, including veterinarians,

are unpaid volunteers. Some centers are nonprofit

dot.orgs (NS & others)

Memoirs

ADVENTURES OF A THIRD-WORLD PHOTOGRAPHER.

It’s unlikely that any other photographer has risked more or endured greater hardships––and lived to tell about it. These are hair-raising (often humorous) adventures, artistically photographed. As a boy in Belgium, Victor Englebert yearned to become an explorer, an option that became irresistible when

the restaurant where he worked as a waiter threatened firing

if he continued showing up with black eyes earned in the boxing ring. Rather than conforming to restaurant demands, Victor headed south by motor scooter to explore the length

of Africa. In the Sahara, he often needed to push his scooter through deep sand, sometimes meeting a lone camel rider in robes and veiled face--Victor vowing to return someday to

experience that elegant means of desert travel. In East Africa, he slept in trees to be safely above lions and hyenas. Food

and potable water were scarce. But resulting photographs and articles won assignments from National Geographic and others that eventually financed Victor’s explorations of remote

BEYOND MY FATHER’S HOUSE: A WOMAN’S JOURNEY HOME by Gwendolyn Evans Caldwell. This beautifully written memoir describes the often difficult

journey of an artist whose search for truth, self, and home begins during a shy and imaginative childhood dominated by

a family's legacy of religious healing. Her journey includes

MY LIFE AS WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER & AUTHOR

The long-awaited and wonderfully anecdotal autobiography

world, including an astounding 1800

magazine covers. This memoir could

include photos throughout or have color inserts. Manuscript is nearly completed.

Photo & Gift Books

FACES IN NATURE: Each photo features a rock, a cloud, a shadow, a tree trunk, a stone wall, or a snow formation with uncanny resemblance to the visage of a person, animal, or monster emerging like an apparition. Each face is presented as it occurred in nature--no Photoshop trickery––and is accompanied by a humorous comment in the imagined voice of that particular personality. I've spent years searching for and photographing such faces––80 so far. A larger sampling appears at the bottom of the "Children's Authors" page on this website. The faces in my archive could also give you six years' worth of 12-month calendars, and additional years as I continue shooting. Suggested book trim size: 6x6" or 8x8". (NS)

WORKING HANDS: Close-up photos with extended captions that convey witty commentary and the personality of the artist, crafter, laborer, farmer, writer, gardener, etc., while also providing sage instruction on the tasks shown. (NS)

Anti-War

ANTI-WAR FILMS, BOOKS & SONGS

THAT COULD IMPROVE THE FUTURE.

Reviews of the best antiwar films and books,

accompanied by sheet music featuring song

scores with lyrics, the songs arranged for easy

play on keyboard and guitar. At right, at a recent

Hudson River Clearwater Festival, Buffy St. Marie

sings her “Universal Soldier,” which she composed

upon encountering Vietnam war wounded being

rolled on gurneys through a major airport well

after midnight. Neil Soderstrom photo (NS&DF)

)

“Evergreen” Appointment Books

(appointment books that don’t become dated)

             

EMILY DICKINSON ENGAGEMENT BOOK—a 365-day engagement calendar, each day’s page accompanied by a color photo of a plant, animal, or Dickinson artifact linked to lines from her poems and letters. (NS)

GARDENER’S ENGAGEMENT BOOK (AH)

OPERA LOVER’S ENGAGEMENT  BOOK (JD)

Songbooks & Music Instructionals

CRASH COURSE IN MUSIC READING: An Easy

Step-by-Step Guide by Dan Fox: Targeting keyboard

players, guitarists, singers, and interested others, this

richly illustrated book will provide all you need to read

music like a pro. Basing the book closely on his highly

popular 10-week course on the subject, Dan will illustrate

all music notation electronically

using Finale software. Many book pages will have Dan’s

musical examples as well as photos of the keyboard and

guitar fingerboard, and hand positions. Text sidebars throughout the book will present fascinating insights into

the origins and development of music notation.

We suggest about 15,000 text words, large format, and

96–128 pages, as well as an accompanying CD Dan will create in a recording studio. The CD will provide a "sound picture" of the rhythms, meters and pitches discussed in the book. It will also allow students to hear abstract concepts such as dynamics (how loud or soft to play), tempo (how fast or slow to play), accelerando (speeding up), crescendo (getting louder), and so on. Full proposal available by return email. Series follow-on books could include Crash Course in Learning the Guitar;

...in Learning the Piano; ...in Music Theory; etc.

CLASSIC SONGS OF AMERICA, arranged & with historical introductions—a reprint of a book initially published by Andrews McMeel.  Easy scores for keyboard and guitar and other C instruments (DF)

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS & SONGS, arranged & with historical introductions as above (DF)

ANTIWAR FILMS, BOOKS & SONGS THAT COULD CHANGE THE FUTURE. Best antiwar films, related books and songs, with reviews of the films and books. 20–50 songs arranged for keyboard and guitar. (NS&DF)

Travel Guides & Camping

AUTHOR HOMES, HAUNTS & GRAVESITES OF THE EASTERN U.S., potentially east and west books, or smaller regions (multiple authors)

COASTAL CAMPING, a 3-book series: (1) East Coast & Gulf States; (2) Great Lakes States & Canada; and (3) and West Coast. Or one North American book. (NS & others)

GREAT PUBLIC GARDENS OF THE NORTHEASTERN U.S.

(multiple authors)

GREAT PUBLIC GARDENS OF THE UNITED STATES or potentially East and West books, or smaller regions (multiple authors)

GREAT PUBLIC GARDENS NEAR NEW YORK CITY (multiple authors)

HAVE TENT, WILL TRAVEL: Camping, Light & Easy. This book will show how tent camping by car can increase travel enjoyment while also saving at least 75% on travel costs, compared to car travel that relies on motels and restaurants. For more than 30 years the author and his family have often relied on “tent travel” for visits to wild places, historic sites,

city museums, and far-flung relatives and friends.

The "light-and-easy" approach includes minimizing chores, especially cooking chores, and cooking gear. In fact, the prime heat source for “cooking” on the road and at campgrounds can be a 2-oz. electric immersion heater, which can boil water for eggs, while simultaneously heating water for coffee and tea, prior to heating water for minimal dishwashing. That is, electric outlets are available at virtually all campgrounds and highway rest areas. Yet the book will also provide guidance on the simplest forms of campfire cooking and on selection and use of single-burner camp stoves.

Initial chapters will lay the groundwork for the go-light philosophy, also presenting transportation options, tips for taking children along, and even the pros and cons of staying connected digitally. Most chapters would assume the presence of children, incidentally or as occasional foci. Most chapters will also assume campground availability of drinking water, toilets, and showers.

Of course, campgrounds allow rigorous activities beyond their boundaries, whether for day hikes, backpacking, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking—these options will be discussed briefly in several chapters.

The geographic focus could be limited to the U.S and Canada, rich in anecdote from the author’s decades of tent camping throughout much of North America and Europe. But if Publisher desires, the book could conclude with a substantial chapter or book section on tent camping abroad; in that case, the author would do additional tent-camping abroad. Appendices will provide a wealth of planning aids and information sources. 80,000 words, 300–400 photos

by author, 20 drawings (NS)

FUNNY SIGNS, photos & captions. (NS)

U.S. Corporate Origins

BIG COMPANIES, small beginnings: Humble

Origins of Major Corporations. This book would

profile 80–100 or so high-profile companies that grew

from small—often humorously small—beginnings. We’d

select mainly brands/companies that most people would

recognize. Depending on design concept, each company

could have its own page spread or perhaps 4 pages,

featuring brand logo and documentary photos

accompanied by texts up to 800–1000 words. An

introductory chapter could explain why most companies

give trademark protection such high priority, thereby

helping avoid loss of trademark protection, as was lost

by Kleenex and more recently by Xerox.