Ha Ha I already read it

The fishing world is crying out for a "how to fish BI" book. The memoir part is fun and adds interest.....but unless you have major literary skill stories alone quickly sound the same. I find it incredibly frustrating to hear story after story about ancient blitzes without some factual information that gives me a realistic hope of being able to fish the same water. Trying to redo Zane Grey would be a mistake. Write about what you know and love, write simply and try to make what you say helpful rather than embellished entertainment and I think you'll find an eager audience.

DZ, I remember a recent post of yours which described how you set out finding fish with plugs and only then switch to eels was worthy of the book. Believe it or not,people may value some anecdotes or how-to you can feel comfortable revealing.

Sweet! Dennis 'ol buddy 'ol pal! :gh::love::)

Although it wasn't on Block, I'd love for you to include the story of the fish I saw you catch.:drool::wave:

Dennis, as you know, I have read most of your book. I agree with Mr. Sandman (I think he said it) All the spots are known. If you name them you will get vilified. If you don't you will also so do it.

So you state the SW Point or Black Rock or Dorries or Cow or Charlestown whatever. I wouldn't get as specific as to where the holes are between the rock or how far you can get on a certain reef without getting killed. Let the reader discover those facts for themselves but if you want to say the Snake Hole so what, everyone who has fished the Island more than a few times knows where the Snake Hole is and how to fish it. If they don't know how to fish it so what. It's marked on all the maps. let them figure it out.

Now The 4 Corners, that's a whole different story. You will not find that on a map and I can count on one hand the number of us that know where that beautiful honey hole is.

by writing a detailed memoir of past experiences, successes and failures, it also becomes a how-to in the process... the "how" comes from reading about what worked, what didnt, and when... the same information, presented in an engaging manner.

DZ.
In the words of my late Grandfather Red:
Asked where did you get him?
"In the mouth"

Keep it vague and us in the unwashed masses will glean what we can!

As others have said you have to write the book as you see it coming together. I agree that a "how to " approach has been done and you should write it the way you want. I wouldn't worry about "spot burning" you're selling this book after all, if you want to talk about certain spots you're welcome too since people are paying for this. On the other hand I doubt there will be many people wandering around the beaches of the block with book in hand looking for X marks the spot. For the most part people want to be entertained and maybe learn something if it's convenient. Write it however you want I'm sure it will be awesome!

Dennis
I went through a rejection process no man should go through. It was suggested to me to add clams, white buckets and beach buggy sections to make it more "selable"....oh year ,and don't make it too lure specific, you might leave a potential buyer out of the mix.
Screw them all...you got to write what it important to you...and nothing else. Regardless of what you write you will incur the wrath of few but you'll get a lot more "thanks for writing it honestly" emails.
You don't need to write about stuff you don't want to. If anything, if you are just writing it to "add" content and make it more attractive to broader audience, but your heart is not in it, people will see right through it. Stay the course and let your passion for an event or a place tell you what you want to share. Lord knows we could use a good read.
Screw the publishers too and do it yourself... much more rewarding to be in control of your own destiny. What is a publisher of fishing books actually do for you ? Book you on Oprah? I don't think so. My offer still stands to help you in any way I can, Heck, you can have my printer,designer and graphic artist. I don't need them any more
Whatever you do, I am certainly looking forward to what it should be a fantastic read

While I certainly enjoy some level of how to, I really like more of why someone choose to do something or why it worked. That said I think the memoir style book would be timeless while how to's loose their touch with "what's in"
If its a publisher / seller issue then I certainly understand as that is a major factor and maybe a sprinkle of how to would be worth it. Either way write want you want if for no other reason than you want to feel good about what you put out and if its 20 years in the making I certainly would never comprise for anyone or anything that I did not 100% have to. Last but not least its going to be a better book if you write what you want - think about the class and homework you liked vs the ones you hated. The difference in quality of ones work is night and day.
I wish you the best and will certainly buy a copy as soon as it comes out either way...

I like how JJ put it. I'm going to buy your book regardless, as are many, if not the majority of the folks that frequent this forum. I would appreciate info re why some something works and why you chose to fish there... why that particular spot and what made you chose a particular presentation. While I won't say that I wouldn't love to know what works and where, I'm ok with a more general observation. I hope I'll figure the rest out, catch some large and feel damn good that I caught them with a bit of my own smarts added in and didn't just follow the map to the x and dig, if you know what I mean. I may be naive here, but how many people that aren't serious surf fisherman that want to get better and are willing to put in time hunting fish are going to a) buy your book and b) visit BI to fish? Not many, right?

Finally, what will sell the book on a larger scale will be the stories, not X marks the spot. A heckuva story is key and while I don't know you from Adam, from the bit I've read you might have a few stories worth telling. I for one hope so. I'm planning on taking a few of Gary Soldati's plugs to BI next month and trying my luck. Hopefully I can find a few of the places I'll eventually read about in your bestseller!!!!!! Best of luck to you and the book.:soon:

Dennis,
I have only fished Block Island a handful of times in my life, but it seems like everytime I get off the ferry, you just get a sense that there is a strong fishing history on the island filled with plenty of great characters and strories. Stories that would definitely fill and make a great read.
I see plenty of cars and SUV's driving around the island with rods and reels sticking out; as well as large numbers of daytrippers who brought their setups over for the day. I doubt more than 10% of those people are fishing beyond the entrance to New Harbor, Old harbor jetty and possibly in and around the bluffs during the daytime.
That being said, most fisherman who are heading to the island to do some serious surfcasting; your target reading audience, are probably fairly aware of some of the general areas you may choose to describe in the book. Describing general fishing conditions and strategies for Area X and Y seems fine in my opinion. Providing details such as fishing the 8th rock on the left side of the entrance to Area X could be problematic. Just my humble opinion.

I hope you continue to make forward progress with this project, I would absolutely love to read something related to Block Island fishing regardless of the final format.

Dennis no matter what you write i am sure it will be a great read. I know you will never give a spot away to the rock in a public forum. In my opinion unless you fish the island already no book will make you do it to a point where you will be a bother to anyone. That island takes time to learn and more time to make it pay off. It just isnt somthing you are going to do in a weeks time of fishing no matter what information is available. One of the beauties of fishing Block is the island itself, how you can feel like your the only one on the whole island on the south side at night. It is a spectacular event every time you step foot off the ferry. As far as big fish water IMO there many other places that produce big fish more consistantly and with a lot less effort. I am missing it as I word process this post! Drop in, take a deep breath and a calm comes over you, at the same time the excitement as you anticipate what will happen on your very fist cast that night. I can't wait to read your book, Good luck!

great post and well said. I have fished the Block every Fall for over 25 years and I know NOTHING!!! But, I get excited the minute I know I am going over.

C'mon Pi! You know the "corners"! I bet you can tell/teach me a few things I don't know.


Thanks for all the comments from everyone - I hope to finish a project that will blow you all away.

DZ

:hidin:

Maybe, but not when it comes to "needles" you are the master!!

Yeah PI knows what every frigging rock on the backside of the island is...
Looking forward to the Book DZ

from the heart
 

memoir style, anyone can write a how tooooooo.