[Stardust]

Ok, here's the deal. I've decided to undertake a project I have been wanting to do for a few years now. I am going to write a book on my own, around 180-200 pages. I plan on spending upwards of a year on the project. After some preliminary research, and topics I would be most interested in researching more, I have narrowed it down to 5 topics. I'm asking for some of you guys to give me your opinion on which book you would be most interested in reading. Yes, I will forewarn you, all 5 ideas are baseball related, but those that aren't into baseball as much as other sports, you can still let me know your opinion on what you think would be the most interesting. I am sure some of these topics have been covered in several different books, magazines, etc, but I want to try it myself. It's something I've always wanted to do. Hopefully it won't come out a complete disaster and waste of ALOT of time.

Here are the 5 ideas:

1. "Complete Game: An extra-inning debate on the game's 10 most dominating pitchers"

2. "Fielder's Choice: A position-by-position argument of baseball's greatest playmakers"

3. "Strikeout: The hits and misses of baseball's most notorious blackballs"

4. "Sacrifice Fly: The story of baseball's most unheralded heroes"

5. "The Greatest House Ever Built: A History of the greatest games ever played at Yankee Stadium"


This is something I've been pondering for a few years and finally decided to take a shot at it. Thanks to those who take the time to give me some insight.

Ring'EmUp

My personal interest would be #4. There is always great support for the underdog. From a marketing standpoint, it may be difficult to get it published due to the widespread support for "pop appeal", meaning it is a must read for the average baseball fan.

I like #3, and think it may have the most merit. If this is a book about the seedy characters, this is a winner. Our society loves the bad boys, and we are always clamoring for the dirt. This would have marketing value, as well as immediate appeal due to the recent dirt regarding Steroids. This book could be very intriguing and be a value to the reader.

#1 & #2 has many books all ready in publication. I'd be prepared to answer "what makes this book different than all those that have preceded it". If you can give the reader something different, then you may be on to something.

Finally, there is probably not many books on the Yankees that I have yet to pick-up. That is not meant to be a bad thing, but a positive. The Yankees is a story that transcends baseball. The Yankees are a "Subject" that people just can't seem to get enough of. What you need to be careful of is retelling the same stories that have already been in print. If you can take the same subjects and give them a different nuance, you have a sure fire "can't miss". Any book about the Yankees seems to sell (even those that are rehash). What you want to strive for is a review that says this book has added to the story of the Dynasty we know as the Yankees. If you can give something that has been written about before, a new spin, that will get recognized by the critics who will be reviewing the book. If they give it a good review due to the ability to learn something new, then you have a real opportunity to make this book a hit.

Good luck, and I am excited to see how this progresses.