We've done a few book promotions in the past and given away quite a few free books. 

Anybody have a suggestion for which book to give away next?

Does a month seem too long? 

I really like the "gardening in hard times" and "plants for a future" books.

Jocelyn was pointing out the "Wildcraft" board game in another forum.  That seemed really great to me - so I tried to contact them about that.

quittrack just linked to this book! it looks like it might be a good one.....
http://www.amazon.com/Eco-Farm-Acres-U-S-Primer-fertilizers/dp/0911311742

I put in a request at the library.

Check out the wildcraft game

paul wheaton wrote:
We've done a few book promotions in the past and given away quite a few free books. 

Anybody have a suggestion for which book to give away next?

Does a month seem too long? 

I'd like to see one with this fourums photo's and classic posts/comments

Just a thought

Bird

I guess I don't follow - what do you have in mind?

Hi Paul

I'm new to this forum and have been trolling through some of the older posts, when i found this one asking what book to give away i thought a book put together about this site would be good - I can see it now PERMIES DOT COM with silver chard man on the cover -
A low budget thing with photo's, some of the funnier posts (gossip backfire) ect and variety of posts and chit chat from all the areas of the fourum, show the lighter side of permaculture and related topics, as a lot of permaculture books seem a bit hard core and technical
You would probably need to get permission from posters before reprinting their photos and or posts?

Just a thought
I'll place my order for two in advance, plus postage and handleing

Bird

Bird wrote:

as a lot of permaculture books seem a bit hard core and technical

Bird

I think Bird is on to something here. One thing I think about a lot is that much of the info on this site is "hard core" and not easily applicable to people who live on small lots in neighborhoods, where there are building codes, etc. You know...most of the U.S.? Maybe a section of the book (or this site, even) could be dedicated to permie ideas for people who don't have acreage, homesteads, etc.

I think many people have to start small before they can think big. Maybe I'm wrong here, or looking for info in the wrong place. I just think that if you want to win the "average joe" over to the permie way of thinking, they'll need to be able to see that it can work for them where they live now. Just IMO.

The book promotions we have done here in the past involved books that were already published.

So what you two are saying is that I should explore writing a book that is a summary of the lighter side of these forums?

Sure! Why not?  I'd buy your book before I'd buy Sarah Palin's! 
Ok, maybe that was a left-handed compliment, sorry! Didn't mean it that way.

I do agree with Bird regarding the technicality of much of the info, and the ability of most people to actually be able to apply it to their situations. Maybe I need a "Permies for Dummies" book! 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like we get people (newbies) who start posting on the site. They are looking for some pretty basic info and they seem to disappear. Are they disappearing because some of it's overwhelmingly specific and too technical, or is it other reasons? Probably a bit of both. There is no doubt that the site has grown, user wise. Congrats on that, Paul! 

Regarding the book promotions you've done previously, I think they're a great idea! Books are a wonderful thing. Seemed like it was well received before, and I'm sure it would be again.

Hi Paul

if you decided to go ahead with this idea, the book is already written and ilistrated amongst the threads. you would need to write intro about yourself and why you started the forum and how it has progressed, maybe a couple of testimonials from long term posters, then use the material amongst the threads
EG:
swiss chard man, war of the weeds By Leia i think
show how info is shared amongst the forum with humor, wit and also with tec no-how
every section of the forum seems informative and with humor
there are many bits worth printing in all sections

you could produce a book that shows permaculture is not a group of radical greenies trying to enforce their ways on the world, but is a choise on how to exist in harmony with earth and everything on it. that it can be done in back yards, farms anywhere by anyone, its just not gardening but also power, pollution reduction, basicaly everything

aim for a low cost paperback say $10 -$20 retail?
maybe ask some of the buisness posters to help with the costs of publication, with advertzing sectoin included in book

if you are unsure what to put in you can ask the forum im sure most will have memorble informitive posts that have stuck in their minds, show pro's and con's

a simple honest book for the people by the people and about their permie dreams and actions, a forum full of published authors? now that would be different

Bird