Hello HammockForums friends!
I'd like to make a BIG announcement about a small new project I've been working on that will be publishing soon -- a new "mini" book on hammock basics.
As the title of this post states, this new book is NOT for you, at least not specifically. So why announce it here? Well, many of you may already have a copy of The Ultimate Hang: an illustrated book on hammock camping (TUH, second edition). At 330+ pages, a BIG book. Its purpose was to serve this community. To be a resource to the hammock camping community. It's chock-full of hammock camping goodness.
However, ever since I published TUH2 back in 2017, I've received a lot of requests for a smaller book that is a little easier to take out in the field, to share with friends, and focuses on the basics. But it's really my wife who finally convinced me to make this suggestion a reality. Thanks to the pandemic, I had a little more time to make this happen.
This illustrated hammock basics book pulls most of its content from TUH2, but with a lot of re-written content that goes even further to simplify the core message about how to choose a hammock, set it up properly and safely, and take care of it. The target audience are recreational hangers who may be new or even somewhat experienced, but still primarily use a hammock in activities other than true camping. I've cut out a lot of jargon and focused specifically on what truly matters to get set up easily and quickly. So, you won't find Whoopie Slings, tri-glides, or even any cottage vendors in the book, although I do shamelessly plug TUH2 if the reader's interest has been piqued.
My purpose is to educate and inform. Like you, I've noticed how hammocks have reached a tipping point and have become more commonplace, but alarmingly, I've also noticed an increase in accidents and fatalities. I want to do more to get this information out into the public to help folks make better choices. I want to get this book / info into the hands of this growing group of hammock users.
To achieve this purpose, I knew I had to make the information accessible. The book is one part of that. I keep the book small, not only to appease all the requests, but also to reduce production costs so I could offer it at an accessible price point. I'm also re-tooling my website and making the content available in blog form, so anyone can access the information for free.
FAQ
Do I need to buy this book? - No. Of course not! If you own TUH2, there is nothing "new" presented in this book, although it does greatly simplify the core message, which may inspire how you in turn talk to others about hammocks.
How much will it cost? - I'm still finalizing publishing details, but we're looking at an MSRP of $8.
Who is it for? - Anyone who just wants the basics, delivered in a fun, illustrated, easy-to-understand format.
Is it illustrated? - Yes! Actually, I've created a few new illustrations and updated many others. However, most of the content is pulled from TUH2. The tone is still fun and the illustrations simple and direct.
How "small" is it? - About 70 pages.
When will it be available? - In the next two weeks, or less. I just received the author's proof copy last week and I'm making final tweaks now.
Will a digital version be available? - No, for three reasons. First, the print version will already be at a low price point. Second, there is no incentive for me to go through the effort of programming a digital version (complex layouts are even more complex in e-Pub format and the author (me) gets charged for the extra download time). And finally, because I am also "publishing" the content online for free, the "e-book" content will be on my website. This is a tenuous decision for me because I know that the content and illustrations can be stolen and re-purposed, but I am sincere in my desire to make this content available broadly, so making it available online seemed like a necessary conclusion. Of course, I may change my mind if I have more "free" time in 2021 -- digital e-books with complex layouts are NOT easy to create.
Will you make a PDF available? - No. I'm being nice but I'm not crazy Writing, illustrating, designing, and publishing a book are each singularly time-consuming activities. Put them all together and you have an insomnia-inducing 900# gorilla on your back. If you want to show your appreciation, just buy a copy.
Is the book available for wholesale? - Yes. If you want to order bulk copies, email me at [email protected] for pricing.
I have some pre-production screenshots I'll share here. Please post any other questions and I'll try my best to answer them.
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The cover WILL be in full color. This is just an author proof copy.
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