Let's talk about publishing rights...

James81 · Oct 13, 2009

Specifically, I'm interested in what the "official" stance is on republishing content from your blog into book form is.

I mean, I know that whenever you publish a blog, that that's considered "first publication" rights (or something to that affect anyway), but is it taboo/impossible to, say, group a bunch of blog posts together and get it published? Officially, I mean, not self-publish.

Anybody know of any cases where a blogger repackaged their content and caught the eye of a publisher than wanted to publish their book?

(Heh, I sure am using the word "publish" a lot, aren't I? :tongue

)

Bubastes · Oct 13, 2009

Two blogs that became books: The Julie/Julia Project by Julie Powell and Greek Tragedy by Stephanie Klein.

katiemac · Oct 13, 2009

As Bubastes said, Julia Powell is probably the most famous example where the blogger herself is important to the content. Not just book deal, but a movie deal, too.

But then there are others--like PostSecret or Stuff White People Like--that also deal with user-generated and/or non-biographical content.

James81 · Oct 14, 2009

Hmmm, so those two people took content directly from their blog and turned it into a book?

willietheshakes · Oct 14, 2009

As have Belle du Jour and John Scalzi...

aadams73 · Oct 14, 2009

Isn't that what the Waiter Rant guy did? I haven't read his book, but I do read his blog and the impression I got was that much of his blog content made it into his book.

Let's talk about publishing rights...

James81

Great Scott Member

Bubastes

bananaed

katiemac

Five by Five

James81

Great Scott Member

willietheshakes

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

aadams73

A Work in Progress