Meh.
I've been trying to get a proposal for a book accepted for a couple of months now, and trying to put together a proposal for a second. The first keeps getting knocked back with "Nice idea, well done; but we don't think there's a big enough market."

As for the second... gah. How the hell do I know what's going to be in it on a chapter-by-chapter basis until I've written the fucker?


God: the things I'll do to get a paid year off.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:37, 3 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

since when has "not a big enough market" stopped a book from being put out?
those fools
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:39, Reply)

Since the end of the Net Book Agreement, I fear.

( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:56, Reply)

Put something really controvercial in it,
then you've just doubled your market.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:42, Reply)

Make references to the illuminati

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:44, Reply)

Tricky.
The good but unsellable one is a textbook, so I need to convince publishers that there's a large and growing PG market. Which there is - but it's hard to prove.

As for the monograph - that'll be dealing with potentially controversial stuff... hmmmmm...
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:45, Reply)

Could you in some way call the pope a cunt?

(PsychoChomp, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:48, Reply)

I think that goes without saying.
The problem is, it's hard to out-controversial my current Head of Department.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:50, Reply)

Careful now!
You don't want to alienate one or two of the three people that might buy your book.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:52, Reply)

Pah...
In the last couple of years I've published three papers pointing out in great detail where his most recent book is wrong, wrong, wrong. He just smiles.

He likes the attention.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:55, Reply)

Oh, you have a lot in common then!

( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:57, Reply)

Worryingly,
this is probably true.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:59, Reply)

You work for Jonathan King, don't you?

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:52, Reply)

With the Higher Education system the way it is?
And the fact that you've only just got a permanent post?
Don't fancy your chances. In fact, I'm surprised your department hasn't been dramatically cut (to take out all the non-essentials like non-medics and non-lawyers).
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:44, Reply)

There oughtn't to be a problem.
I'm entitled to six months, and if I can get the AHRC (EDIT: or Wellcome, or someone like that) to match fund, the official policy is to encourage people on sabbaticals to extend it to a year.

EDIT: My bunch is pretty essential to the Law School at the moment; we pull in MUCH more funding per head than the lawyers. Actually, even on a non-per-head basis, we pull in much more. They need us.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:47, Reply)

Well, AHRC is subject to funding cuts
but as a percentage cut that probably doesn't affect them much since they've got fuck all money as it is.

Also, everyone knows that "sabbatical" is another word for "DIY house projects".
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:49, Reply)

Oh, absolutely.
I plan to spend 45 weeks of the 52 weeks shambling around in an increasingly filthy and wine-stained dressing-gown.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 11:51, Reply)