Debt Free Diaries - The Book?

MSE_Martin

Wow you are an inspiring bunch. So it got me thinking - maybe I should bring out a 'Debt Free Diaries' book of the stories here to help others who don't use the site be inspired and save.

And I wanted to canvas your opinion.

Here's a few issues

1. Do you like the idea?

2. I don't want any money for this (though of course publishers and agents will do, as will the write who puts in together (I dont have enough time - I'd just read it check Im happy and write the intro).

3. The money generated could be either given to charity (debt charities primarily - which is my favoured option) or to the authors of the diaries - yet that does make it difficult. I was thinking perhaps the bulk could go to charity, but a small payment £100-£200 ishto anyones diary who was used as a main stay (as opposed to a snippet)

4. Copyright - by law having written things on here, technically I have the right to publish it. Yet of course I would want permission of the posters too - so those who write diaries is this something you'd be happy with (certain identifying details could be changed on request)

5. Do we identify the posters with pics and biogs - not sure people would want this - but its an interesting option - CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT THIS BIT IGNORE IT. ML

Of course no publisher may want the book - but I think they might.

What dya reckon?


NOTE I WILL TAKE ANY THANKS AS A GENERAL INDICATION THAT YOU SUPPORT THE OVERALL IDEA

Midnight

I don't have a diary so I cannot really comment on any of the questions outlined above, but I have often thought that I would love to read a book based on the great ideas that are contained in the debt free diary posts.

They are hugely inspirational many of them and really help to make you see that light at the end of the tunnel is possible

Broken_hearted

While I know Martin has the right to use the info how he likes I think the diaries are deeply personal and should be left alone.
Also the offer of money to those whos diary's are used may push them into agreeing to something they would not ordinarily do.
On the positive side Martin has asked permission which is very kind and I hope he does not think I am being harsh. I just feel that sometimes people forget their information becomes the property of someone else when they post on here. We have a lot of very vulnerable people on MSE now more than ever and I would hate anyone to be put of seeking help.

se999

I don't have a diary, but I do post on them.

The diaries are more an emotional support system that purely debt busting. People do post a lot of very emotional personal information even though it is a public forum. I don't think most people read the T&C's about copyright either.

Also is it just the diary thread starter who gives the OK., lots of the diaries have lots of input from other people going through other similar situations personally not debt, would they be given a veto too.

If it was just debt busting without the personal stories it would be less problematic. But presumably you want some of the personal slant to make it more sellable.

The other effect could be to get more 'watchers'/'stalker' types due to more publicity of the threads/forum section. OK this can happen on a public forum anyway.

Sorry but personally I don't like the idea, and I would worry that the thought of diaries being published could also deter people from starting diaries and missing out on the help & support they provide in the future.

Mags30

It's a great idea. Not sure if people would agree to having real names or photos published but some probably would so don't rule it out too quick.

I'd buy it:)

Tixy

I don't write a diary but my comments anyway

MSE_Martin wrote: »

1. Do you like the idea? Yes in principal

2. I don't want any money for this (though of course publishers and agents will do, as will the write who puts in together (I dont have enough time - I'd just read it check Im happy and write the intro).

3. The money generated could be either given to charity (debt charities primarily - which is my favoured option) or to the authors of the diaries - yet that does make it difficult. I was thinking perhaps the bulk could go to charity, but a small payment £100-£200 ishto anyones diary who was used as a main stay (as opposed to a snippet) sounds like a good compromise

4. Copyright - by law having written things on here, technically I have the right to publish it. Yet of course I would want permission of the posters too - so those who write diaries is this something you'd be happy with (certain identifying details could be changed on request) would you actually seek to ask each individual if they are happy to post their words or the person's whose thread it is or did you intend to to just canvas opinion generally? would it be possible for people (particularly the main stay diaries you might use) to see proposed sections of the books to check they would feel comfortable with the infomation posted?

5. Do we identify the posters with pics and biogs - not sure people would want this - but its an interesting option some people would definitely be against this but my guess is that others would have no problem with being identified.

Of course no publisher may want the book - but I think they might.

What dya reckon?

NOTE I WILL TAKE ANY THANKS AS A GENERAL INDICATION THAT YOU SUPPORT THE OVERALL IDEA

Obviously I think that someone (the book writer?) would need to pick with care which diaries and which posts they might use. Some diaries for various reasons certainly would not be suitable but I can already think of some that would make great reading and would translate well to a non mse audience (well aside from the abbreviations that are used of course!)

hypno06

Obviously, the diaries aren't going to be reproduced in full, but the main bits picked out and used, which I wouldn't have a problem with.

Unless, of course, there is anyone out there who is interested in the last 4 years of me avoiding the ironing pile.......:rotfl:

I don't think that the majority of people would want pics etc though - even if people have "opened up" on facebook, there is still a feeling of being hidden on MSE to a certain extent!

TriftyDiva

I don't think a book is such a great idea. Especially one which hard up money savers would have to spend money on to buy.
This forum has generated some great free money saving-ideas to people (including myself) who have huge or small debts and I don't think a publisher/agent should be allowed to cash in on that.

Rather than giving x amount of money of annual charitable donations maybe book agents and publishers could be persuaded to produce a free booklet with the best money saving ideas which could then be distributed to debt charities provided the original authors agree to this.

I also believe that forum members whose ideas are used should be financially compensated in some way. After all that is what these ideas are all about - how to raise money to become debt free, to not lose your home and possessions, to increase savings etc.

Morally it wouldn't be right to 'borrow' the ideas from the members who thought of them even if, legally, they are Martin's property.

Another alternative would be if someone were to volunteer to publish a complete list of the top ten or twenty money saving ideas on this forum, which debt charities could refer to when advising their clients.

Swinstie73

Think it's a good idea, especially since I actually started writing my own 'book' - for my own enjoyment (would never get published, ha), based on my own two diaries! There are quite a few similar type books out there but I'm sure an MSE one would be very useful.

MSE_Martin

Thanks for all the feedback folks, let me reply to a few of the points.

This isn't a new concept - this is in much the same ilk as the "thrifty ways for modern days" book that was written off old style

1. It's not primarily about MoneySaving techniques.

While of course there'll be much of that info - the point here is about the inspirational stories - I can alway write books on saving money myself (i've chosen not to as I dont have the time).

This is about inspiring others to have their lightbulb moment - and to educate and inform those who don't have issues about how hard it can be and how much work and effort goes into turning it around.

Plus it helps others who are going through it find out the trials, tribulations, and some of the solutions to the practical impact.

2. Agents or publishers doign it free.

That's not what they do. We could of course spend a fortune producing a free booklet that's downloadable from the site, but that doesn't fulfil the point of reaching those who don't and won't use the internet or web forum - and spreading the reach is the key here (as well as raising some cash for charity)

Im afraid I also don't agree with the "morally it wouldnt be right" - this is a public website - and pubished for everyone in the world to read. The ideas are out there (and in fact you can't copyright ideas - as I know to my own detriment).

3. Giving a chance to tell your story.

Many people on here have emailed me in the past asking me how they tell their story a few have even unsuccessfully tried to get their story published. This is a way

4. Who would be asked.

I'm not going to force people to do it - though we'd of course want to pick the best stories and hope they'd agree - I wont do anything that people are uncomfortable with.

Names and info can be changed to disguise things too. Though of course this forum is very well read and just as public (in some ways more so) as a book. So I don't forsee too big a problem

As for asking those who've responded - well of course not everyone could be asked - but providing there's no personal info about those people I don't forsee it as a problem.

Hope this helps

For me this is a brilliant idea to spread the word that you can fight debt.

Bizarrely many people consider books to be more authoritative (even if same content) in my own career writing my first book all those years ago suddenly made me an "author" and it became serious and something for people to talk about.


Martin

365days

I think it's a good idea but then I don't have a diary (well I do but it's as good as redundant)

Would it not be more time and cost effective to select some people who have great stories and publish a book of interviews with them. Then they can be sure that what is published is actually what they wish to disclose. Maybe with certain snippets of diary with in them.

It would take hours for a writer to trawl through all the diaries. Whereas interviewing and the writing up the story would probably be more efficient.

Just a thought.


And as god loves a trier...my rates are very reasonable;)