[Clayart] free book philosophy

[mel jacobson]

There is not a great deal of money to made with information books.
Ron and John have done well on their book, but that is an anomaly.
And, it changed the world of electric firing, cone 6. And, many times said
"That is not a recipe book, it is a vital teaching and learning book."

All of my books have been about passing on information that is vital
to being a potter in 2023 and beyond.  It is an act of passion to pass
on and teach. It creates a fine legacy. One to be proud of.

As I have said on clayart many times. I was there at the beginning. I witnessed
it, and lived it. I saw the first kaowool, it was used for nose cones of rockets.
I saw the early ifb, soft brick. I had that old set of "blueprints" from Iowa State.
Free stacked kilns with lid beams, Jim and Nan.  I helped Nils make his first "MN Flat top."
He used an old bed frame, cut up and drilled for 1/4 inch "all thread". He moved to half
inch fast. Now 5/8 or 3/4. It was wonderful to have Donovan Palmquist write the chapter
on aches for the kiln book. So many stepped forward to help and teach. How could I monetize that book?
When we ran out of books, it went digital/ free.

My first book "Pottery a Life, A lifetime" is still selling on Amazon. I have to pay taxes on that book,
like $14 a year.

It is a joy to `not` have your book "rejected". We just do it all oursleves.  "from the ground up", another
example.

the new book called "Letters to Colleen" is about 100 hours so far. All joyful. I have sore fingers from typing.
That is sheer Joy. I was laughing the other morning at 4 a.m. "I am going to have to order one of those
"My Pillow" pillows to pad my computer chair. You know the joke "working authors have iron butts." I can see
the Gary Larson cartoon.
Mel


website: www.melpots.com
www.melpots.com/CLAYART.HTML