Future retirement plans

[Tony uk]

Over the last few months, many people on the dialogue have responded brilliantly to my posts for advice on health and things to do regarding my (early) retirement. As a result, I have come up with a idea going forward. 

I have an idea, for possibly, writing a book, factual/partly modern historical, regarding an area of France that I have visited on many occasions. This is something that I have never attempted beforehand. I have plenty of material at hand regarding my subject matter. Also, I have contact details, of various people and institutions regarding further research.

I wondered if any others on board the Dialogue, had any thoughts regarding this matter. Any advice, for or against would be most welcome.

[manol]

53 minutes ago, Tony uk said:

I have an idea, for possibly, writing a book, factual/partly modern historical, regarding an area of France that I have visited on many occasions.

I think you are being inspired.  And it sounds to me like at-the-time seemingly disconnected threads in your life are now weaving together.  I think there's a story out there that wants to be told by YOU. 

Edited September 12 by manol

[Tony uk]

38 minutes ago, manol said:

I think you are being inspired.  And it sounds to me like at-the-time seemingly disconnected threads in your life are now weaving together.  I think there's a story out there that wants to be told by YOU. 

Many thanks for the kind words Manol.

[Calm]

I think it’s Stargazer who has written a book.  Maybe he will show up and share some advice with you.  
 

My sister is writing a book, she is a retired, occasionally substituting elementary education teacher/former English lit university professor who writes daily for an hour or two first thing after breakfast iirc.  It’s a deep dive version of one of her classroom adventures she would create to anchor the lessons to, which creation was something she greatly enjoyed.  Writing about something you love and catches your attention seems to be the key to success of staying with the project.  
 

[Tony uk]

19 minutes ago, Calm said:

Writing about something you love and catches your attention seems to be the key to success of staying with the project.  

Thank you Calm for your input, appreciated.

[bluebell]

Love it!

[Tony uk]

12 hours ago, bluebell said:

Love it!

Thanks bluebell

[Stargazer]

On 9/12/2026 at 9:42 PM, Calm said:

I think it’s Stargazer who has written a book.  Maybe he will show up and share some advice with you.  
 

My sister is writing a book, she is a retired, occasionally substituting elementary education teacher/former English lit university professor who writes daily for an hour or two first thing after breakfast iirc.  It’s a deep dive version of one of her classroom adventures she would create to anchor the lessons to, which creation was something she greatly enjoyed.  Writing about something you love and catches your attention seems to be the key to success of staying with the project.  
 

Speak of the Stargazer, and there he is! A few days late, and possibly a dollar short. Sorry, I've been busy writing a book! (Seriously) And I've actually written two books.

So, @Tony uk, you are thinking of writing a book! That's really neat! If you know how to write I definitely encourage you to give it a try!

Do you have an idea how you're going to publish it once it's done? You can either self-publish or try to find a traditional publisher. Self-publishing might be something you have to try if you can't interest a traditional publisher in your project. The advantage of a traditional publisher is that you don't have to worry about promotion of your book, because they'll have an advertising budget to do that, as well as distribution channels to put your book into shops. The downside of the traditionals is that they can be very selective about what they'll print, and they will of course get their cut first, and I have no idea what your "cut" would be, but for a hard-cover book I believe it is typically 10% of the cover price. 

Your subject vaguely resembles the subject of the book I wrote and self-published about Bramber Castle, a ruined castle that I can see from my backyard. Since I had made three videos about it for my YouTube channel (playlist HERE), I had enough material for a book, I thought, so I went and published one in 2024: Bramber Castle and the Rise and Fall of the House of Braose. This was self-published through Kindle Direct Publishing. 

But I ghost-wrote and self-published another book about 12 years ago. It was my mother-in-law's story of her three and a half years in forced labour in the Soviet Union after WW2. That one is out of print. 

I far from an expert on the subject of book writing and publisher, but I can answer questions to some degree.

 

 

Edited Thursday at 06:08 PM by Stargazer

[Tony uk]

Many thanks for the information Stargazer, I really appreciate what you have said.

 I have plenty of subject material, to aid my research. Have a start, middle and finish lined up. I just have to make a start on the beginning, if that makes sense. 

As for publisher, there are a few that I am looking at. However, before I make a start with that. I thought I would see how I get along with this 'project' before I get to advance.

Once again, many thanks for your advice and assistance.

[Stargazer]

On 9/17/2026 at 8:34 PM, Tony uk said:

Many thanks for the information Stargazer, I really appreciate what you have said.

 I have plenty of subject material, to aid my research. Have a start, middle and finish lined up. I just have to make a start on the beginning, if that makes sense. 

As for publisher, there are a few that I am looking at. However, before I make a start with that. I thought I would see how I get along with this 'project' before I get to advance.

Once again, many thanks for your advice and assistance.

If you have a start, middle, and finish worked out, you are in a good place! Back when I was a teenager I came up with a premise for a science-fiction novel, and had even started writing it, but wasn't sure how it was going to end. I wrote to famous science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov asking for advice, and he actually replied! He said that what I should do is come up with an ending first, and then let the start and middle bend towards it.  

Since have all three, you're golden!