There comes a time in every creative endeavor when you begin to question your sanity for having embarked on it in the first place. I have reached that point with a book I have written. I am not at all sure if there is really a market for what I have created, and I have run up against some technical obstacles to publishing it that will require some ruthless editing, anyway, so I feel it is time to re-evaluate. I'm exploring several options, and I would love some WIXer feedback on it, since I consider those of you here (or your kids) to be my target audience.
Therefore, I am offering you all a chance to download a copy of my book in its current state for free. You can find it at
http://www.fritzthefox.com/ww2book_ver2_e-version.pdf
I had hoped to write a book both kids and adults could enjoy, but I am unsure if I have done this, or if I should even be aiming at so broad an audience. I am also in a position where I simply must lower the file size so that Amazon's POD service will let me upload it, and nothing short of a major edit will do it. Therefore, I'm considering the following:
1) Giving up. I know that sounds terrible, but I've spent well over a year on this thing and I am beginning to wonder if I'm not simply wasting my time making something no one wants. It's hard to know exactly when healthy persistence has become blind obsession. You tell me.
2) Re-writing the book for a younger audience. My best guess is that the current book is about the 12th grade reading level. It is heavily illustrated on every page (hence my file size issue), which I think gives it appeal for younger readers, too. I like the idea of a book kids can grow into, and adults find entertaining. But it could be I'm simply over-reaching and need to narrow my sights a bit. What do you think?
4) Splitting the book into two shorter books, one a visual guide to WW2 planes, and the other a history of WW2 air combat. Both could be fleshed out a bit, and perhaps one or both could use a rewrite to make them more accessible for younger readers.
5) Going even further with the illustrations to create a sort of graphic novel or cartoon history of WW2 airplanes. A formidable endeavor, time wise, but possibly more marketable.
6) I'm open to suggestions. What do you think? Would you buy it for your child? Would you buy it for you? Would you buy it at all? Still needs work or just a decent burial?
Be honest. I've done creative work too long to take things personally...
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