As of last Friday, I’m officially a weblogger with a book deal. I’m a little sorry to say, however, that the book won’t be an offshoot of the Legal Underground. Instead, I’m writing a book for James Publishing about a particular aspect of civil litigation. The precise subject, at this point, is still a secret. The intended audience is practicing lawyers, and the tone and style is similar to what you’ll find on The Illinois Trial Practice Weblog. One chapter of seven—about 70 single-spaced pages—is already finished. After the initial book is published, I’ll write yearly supplements indefinitely.
I’m pleased about the book deal, even though I find the lighter fare you’ll find on this weblog—in addition to fiction—more personally satisfying to write. It’s this satisfaction that explains why I’m not giving up the Legal Underground. After all, this weblog did play a role in the new opportunity. Originally, it was the publisher that sought me out, and without the boost that Legal Underground provided in the search rankings, my list of publications would have been nearly invisible. In addition, once I was found, my various weblogs gave the publisher a better idea of how I write about legal topics.
Perhaps I’ll post more about the book as time goes on. It won’t be published for quite awhile, but when it is, I hope you won’t blame me for using this weblog as a vehicle for promoting the book—just as the weblogging law professors have been known to do.
Nice job, congrats Evan!
Posted by: Matt Schuh | October 11, 2004 at 06:58 AM
congratulations! :-)
Posted by: Katherine | October 11, 2004 at 10:07 AM
Another congratulations! Glad to hear this weblog is bringing good things to you, besides the adoration of the masses!
Posted by: CM | October 11, 2004 at 10:11 AM
Evan - that's great news! Congrats.
I too have a writing deal set up. What happened to you happened to me: my blog brought them to me.
Posted by: Federalist No. 84 | October 11, 2004 at 10:52 AM
Congrats!!! I love book deals... they are a real rush. When is the target publishing date?
Posted by: Dave! | October 11, 2004 at 10:53 AM
Excellent. Are you going to get a dog to pose with you in the jacket photo? Serious authors always pose with a Golden Retriever, their chin pensively resting on their hand -- the author, not the dog. Who's going to play you in the movie?
Posted by: Rufus | October 11, 2004 at 12:17 PM
That is great news. When you become rich and famous, we can all say, "we knew him when..." Congratulations!
Posted by: Marie | October 11, 2004 at 12:56 PM
Rufus: I expect that Evan will have to use a dog to help sell his book--like this desperate author.
Posted by: Abnu | October 11, 2004 at 02:34 PM
Congratulations! That's wonderful news!
Posted by: Mad Kane | October 11, 2004 at 10:51 PM
To all: Thanks for all the thanks. It turns out this was a really good way to find out who's reads the weblog on Monday!
As for you, Dave--I know you to be the author of many books, and I'm humbled by your resume. My book isn't scheduled to be published for at least 1 1/2 years unless I get it done more quickly than is called for.
Meanwhile, I'm still looking for a dog as Rufus suggested, although Abnu can rest assured that I already own a Glock and a Smith & Wesson AirLite, and so will have that aspect of the jacket photo wrapped up.
Posted by: Evan | October 11, 2004 at 11:08 PM
Congratulations -- belated.
Posted by: Lashlar | October 12, 2004 at 07:21 AM
Congratulations on the book deal with James Publishing. Litigation, eh? I'll keep an eye out for it. When is it's anticipated publishing date?
(Did you know that James Publishing is also the publisher of Legal Assistant Today, the national paralegal magazine?)
What's up with all the book deals? I'm also working on the 2nd edition of our paralegal textbook on legal research and writing with Robert Barr Smith, author and law professor at the University of Oklahoma. Bob, of course, is the brains of the outfit . . . .
Posted by: practical paralegal | December 29, 2004 at 09:24 PM
Congratulations! Great news.
Posted by: Account Deleted | August 31, 2006 at 10:32 AM