Male Golfer Gives Birth

Male Golfer Gives Birth

by Peter Blair
(Santa Barbara, CA)

Gardening for Golfers Book Cover

Genre: Humor

I was inspired to write my first book "Gardening for Golfers" one day while out in the backyard swinging a golf club around. I had so much yard work to do, but I could not resist taking a few swings. Why not combine the two? Better yet, why not write a book about it? Even better, why not rob a convenience store? That would be dumb, the book would be a better idea.

Most golf books are boring and droll, so I had no competition. I wanted to write something that was a spoof of Golf Digest Magazine, the Sunset Garden Book, and Mad Magazine all rolled together. My goal was to put together 200 pages of material and then go public.

There were sections of the book that would make me laugh out loud no matter how many times I read them. I tried to write more material like that, and the rest is history.

It took me 18 months to write, and during that time I did not tell anyone about my secret project. Once you tell someone you're writing a book, then you set an expectation that you'll finish it. I did not want the pressure, so I kept a low profile.

I finally shared with my kids what I was up to, and they became very interested and excited. I decided to shoot for a November 2007 release, so the book would be available for the holidays. I hired a photographer and we took some great photos for the book.

During the first photo shoot at the Santa Barbara Mission, a woman asked us what we were doing. I explained we were taking pictures for a book, and she asked if I was the author. I proudly said yes and realized I had just become something new. This was this first time anyone called me that! She then asked what I did before I was an author, and I did not have an answer as I had only been an author for thirty seconds or so.

Since publishing the book last year, I have had many encounters with people who have heard about my book or somehow find out I am an author. Their first response always is, "Where did you find the time?", which says a lot about people and how busy they are. Most then share with me some secret project of their own that they are working on. I encourage people to finish those projects and get them out there. What's the worst that can happpen?

Visit Reference Golf.

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Male Golfer Gives Birth

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May 22, 2008
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Thanks for filling in the blanks...
by: Steve B.

...and for the added, no-extra-cost humor!

May 22, 2008
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Post Partum
by: Anonymous

Steve:

Thanks for your kind words. I tried not to push my book too much in the write up, so I avoided marketing talk. Since you asked, I'll elaborate a little.

As a bit of a back story I knew from the get-go that I was going to self-publish my book. I had friends who had published technical books the traditional way, and they made very little money from very expensive books. I realized that I too could make very little money from my book, but I could avoid the hassle and rejection of dealing with the publishing houses. I found out about lulu.com, and that is where I published my book. But you asked about marketing didn't you?

I have been self-marketing my book primarily through my web site at gardeningforgolfers.com and that has worked well so far. Sites like this one are a great place for authors to get noticed.

I have noticed that there are lots of books out there on how to make money writing books, which is really the reason I quit my job stuffing envelopes at home in the first place. I need to get more involved in the book industry so I can be more effective, but I have a day job and a family, both of which take time.

I have made radio appearances (some available through my web site) which has helped a lot. Marketing a book is like weeding, you are never finished. There's material in my book about drinking Roundup by the way, please don't try this at home. Don't try it anywhere in fact. Ok, a light sprinkle on some lemon bread is fine.

I could go on but I am afraid someone will pass out from all this text. Thank you for providing this site.

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May 22, 2008
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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Steve: Thanks for your kind words. I tried not to push my book too much in the write up, so I avoided marketing talk. Since you asked, I'll elaborate a little. As a bit of a back story I knew from the get-go that I was going to self-publish my book. I had friends who had published technical books the traditional way, and they made very little money from very expensive books. I realized that I too could make very little money from my book, but I could avoid the hassle and rejection of dealing with the publishing houses. I found out about lulu.com, and that is where I published my book. But you asked about marketing didn't you? I have been self-marketing my book primarily through my web site at <b>gardeningforgolfers.com</b> and that has worked well so far. Sites like this one are a great place for authors to get noticed. I have noticed that there are lots of books out there on how to make money writing books, which is really the reason I quit my job stuffing envelopes at home in the first place. I need to get more involved in the book industry so I can be more effective, but I have a day job and a family, both of which take time. I have made radio appearances (some available through my web site) which has helped a lot. Marketing a book is like weeding, you are never finished. There's material in my book about drinking Roundup by the way, please don't try this at home. Don't try it anywhere in fact. Ok, a light sprinkle on some lemon bread is fine. I could go on but I am afraid someone will pass out from all this text. Thank you for providing this site.

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May 21, 2008
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30 seconds of authorhood
by: Steve B.

Peter, thanks for the entertaining story of how you came to write your book. It's abundantly clear you know how to find the humor in everyday life. I only wish you'd have told us more about the marketing of your book. (And if you'd like to, please use the Comments form. We'd all appreciate more info!)

I was going to ask you why your humorous and humorously titled book was being marketed on a website called, dryly, "Reference Golf." Then I stumbled upon this explanation, right there on your home page.

"Reference Golf was started several years ago to offer quality golf products to golfers around the world. That didn't work, so we decided to write a book instead."

I don't even know if that's true, but it sure explains why you got into the humor business!

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Male Golfer Gives Birth

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Male Golfer Gives Birth