So Busy
I am no stranger to being busy. Before my son Mateo came along, I would often work day and night and on the weekends. Work was just a way of life for me. After Mateo, I still work my butt off but I only do it Monday thru Friday from 8-5 and during naps. As a one-man operation with high aspirations, I am constantly on a quest to work smarter, not harder. But eventually, everyone reaches a point where there is only so much they can do on their own and something has to give.
A New Book
Between the free site, the Guild, the new shop, and life in general, my plate is filled to capacity! Frankly, I just don’t have much time for extra projects. But sometimes, an opportunity comes along that is so awesome I’d be a fool not to make room for it. I am currently working with Popular Woodworking/F+W Media on my first “real” book. Last year I self-published Finishing: It ain’t over till it’s over, but that was a pretty tame experience. The book was fairly short and I wrote it in my spare time on my own schedule. Working with an actual publisher is going to be……different.
Something I have working against me is the fact that I am absolutely NOT what I would call a writer. By now, most of you know I was dedicated to science in my previous life and it suited my natural writing style perfectly. Scientific papers are written in the most concise way possible with no flowery language at all. As a scientist, your job is to simply convey the facts and explain the data in a clean and organized fashion. So when it comes to writing a full-length book that is intended to be instructional as well as entertaining, I see it as a major personal challenge. And like all challenges put before me, it is one I will overcome. It’s just going to take a great deal of Spag-neurons and time.
Emails
So here’s what you can expect from me over the next few months. I probably won’t be as responsive to non-critical emails. For six years now, I have answered every email that has come into my inbox. Well, except for my daily email from Matt asking me, “So, whatcha doin’?” At a rate of 20-30 answer-requiring emails per day, this is one aspect of my daily routine that I need to tighten up. So if you do email me and you don’t receive a response, please don’t be offended. As always, the Wood Talk Online Forum is there to help you with anything you could possibly need.
Free Videos
Concerning videos, we actually have quite a bit of content to roll out during this busy period, so you might be pleasantly surprised to see MORE videos instead of fewer. Here are some of the upcoming topics: my shop build, the Thorsen House visit, an amazing Clock project from my buddy Rick Urschel, my Clear Vue Cyclone installation, as well as a bunch of videos from the old Guild archive including Bent Lamination, Flexible Sanding Strip, the Wall-Hanging Magazine Rack, and the Knife Block. So you can expect a steady flow of videos between now into the new year.
The Guild
In the Guild, things will proceed as expected. We have a new build starting in November which will be our first Advanced Series project. I am building an amazing bed with a frame and panel head board for a client. My goal is to take viewers on the journey from concept to finished product, all while working to satisfy a client’s needs. Should make for some interesting video!
WFC Charity Build
The final thing I need to mention, and it’s the one that bugs me the most, is the annual Woodworkers Fighting Cancer charity build. I simply have no time to organize and execute the event. So what I hope to do is make up for lost time with a build in the Spring. Stay tuned for details on that and I apologize to those who were really looking forward to the next charity build.
So that’s all there is to say. I just wanted to make sure everyone was aware of the current goings on. It’s a crazy time for me but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I feel incredibly lucky to have this book opportunity and I want to do you guys proud. After all, I wouldn’t be where I am today without your collective support. Thanks and have an excellent Fall woodworking season!
Marc,
I’m excited that you’re doing another book! I’m also a blogger and ended up writing a couple books and yes, it’s different, but I don’t think you will have any trouble.
My best advice is continue to write like a scientist! Get your point across as succinctly as possible. The content has to come first, and I think you’ll find that your personality will still come through in your writing.
Other than that, keep up with your delivery schedule, but build in some time away from writing too. It’s intense work and if you don’t take a day or two each week to not write it’ll drive you nuts and your writing will suffer.
Good luck! And, of course, thanks for all the great info on the site!
I am very happy for you for this new book. I am looking forward to reading it as well as the new shop tour and the cyclone installation…
All the best.
Hey Marc,
I’m sure you have plenty of readers already lined up in addition to Popular Woodworking’s editorial resources, but if you’d like another set of eyes before you pass drafts off to your editor, I’d be more than happy to help. One of the hats I wear is that of managing editor for an academic journal, and I’ve done quite a bit of copy editing in that capacity. Transforming academic jargon into readable text is one of the things I do.
I’ve read your book and you write exceptionally well. So, it would be a pleasure to work with a maunuscript that is well-written from the get-go.
Of course…I misspell ‘manuscript.’ Smooth move on my part. :)
Marc, good luck with the book and am sure it will be great. Any chance the bed project might have a Greene and Greene feel to it??
No G&G. This one is for a client and they are making most of the stylistic decisions.
I have enjoyed all your videos and everything you have written. I am sure you will do great.
I really don’t think you should change a thing about your writing style, in fact I think that is part of the reason why you’re so successful in the woodworking world. Why use fancier words when dealy whacker is sufficient!
Since I was in the workplace when the phrase ‘Work smarter not harder’ was invented, here is my first tip to you. Always wear shirts the same color as your toothpaste, nobody will ever be able to see the stains AND how often do you have to change or launder a shirt that smells minty fresh. Good luck in your endevers and may Calliope’s bite be deep.
If the book is supposed to be instructional then you don’t need all the flowery stuff.
I really enjoy watching your videos and readying your posts etc. However, when I want to learn something from reading ( or watching a video) I always appreciate and “get down to business” style. I usually just fast forward through all the fluff.
I am sure your book will be great.
thanks,
robert
I do not think that you have a problem writing at all. Every thing that you have written so far comes across in your normal “my best friend helping me” voice. I hear every word as though you were speaking it instead of me reading it. I look forward to buying your book.
I also feel confident that you will not be leaving us behind in anything…the real question is can we keep up!
Hi Marc,
Congrats on the book deal and looking forward to seeing it in print! Please make sure you offer autographed copies to your fans :)
I am not sure what you think of this idea but I will throw it out there anyway! I am familiar with many Computer Science books which were written with a community involvement. The author/s published “beta” versions of the book online and people read and provided feedback. The authors of such books seem to have valued this early interaction very much . You can look up “Real-World Haskell” for an example of this process.
I realize it is non-traditional way to write books and many barriers may have to be overcome. But the thought of your writing the first woodworking book in this pioneering style is tantalizing. Hope you give it some consideration!
Good luck my friend.
Phil
I personally like that idea and i think it is very cool when authors do that sort of thing. But that is one of the limiting factors of working with a publisher. I need to play by their rule. I honestly doubt they would approve such a thing. Perhaps on my next self-published book, I’ll do exactly that. :)
Marc,
Glad you like the idea. I completely understand having to play to the publisher rules. Another self-published book with community beta would be great though. The more I think about this and the potential result, the more excited I become :) Hopefully, it will happen someday.
PhilM
Slow and steady wins the race… You make the pace. Keep up the stellar work bro, it’s all good!
Your oral communication is quite good and is a big reason why your videos are effective.
Concise writing is good, but is also hard work.
But, I was expecting your next publication to be following in the footsteps of Grandpa’s Workshop: http://www.lostartpress.com/Gr...../bk-gw.htm
(Tolpin’s Wit and Wisdom book is second on my list for picture density)
Matt
Hi Marc
Good luck with the new book, if its anything as good as the first one, it will be amazing, you have nothing to worry about!!
BTW You ARE what I would call a great writer!! :-)
I think you will find working with a publisher is a lot easier than self publishing, which is a big task in itself.
Best of luck
Mark
Good luck on the book. Any idea on what it’ll be about?
Having experienced your video scripting skills, I would not worry too much about your writting skills either.
I would just keep the same honest and playful character
Great news on your book deal. I look forward to reading it.
Marc
Next Guild build sounds good!!!
My dear wife has been nagging me for almost 8 years now for a headboard! Might as well do a bed also! Between being a dad and family time I am sure I’ll get it done…
One idea to consider is storage below the bed. Having limited space this area becomes ideal for storing additional blankets, shoes & clothes.
Looking forward to it!
Grant
Marc… what about Mateo’s sister or brother? :)
One and done my friend! :)
Professional woodworker, Internet entrepreneur, Podcast superstar and now an Author. Ballin outta control!
You are a busy man and I don’t think anybody will fault you for not replying to 30 emails a day. That’s ridiculous. Congrats on the book deal and we’ll all await the charity build in the spring. Stay busy!