Which Book Should I Write Next?

[George Rice]

The algebra book would do the most good, except that many who it would help have no inclination to learn algebra. But if it was picked up by a lot of school systems it might make some money.

What poker teaches us. Good luck trying to get people to read it. But I would read it, David (and I know that's important to you).

50 poker hands (why stop at fifty?) would sell the best among those already predisposed to buy Sklansky books. My selfish self picks this one.

TOP guide would sell some books, but not as many as 50 hands, imo.


Best for the world (if many read it): The algegra book

Best for me: 50 hands

Best for 2+2: probably 50 hands, possibly TOP guide.

[Nate.]

David --

The Algebra book. It's not close. I'll edit it for free. (I bet I'd be a better copyeditor for this book than anyone at 2+2 and probably anyone you know.)

--Nate

[George Rice]

By the way David, we all know that deep down you want to write the algebra book. So just go ahead and do it and make the little David inside of you happy. No need to apologize.

But change that title if you want to sell any.

[*TT*]

[ QUOTE ]
ALGEBRA FOR TEN YEAR OLDS: #1 priority, however I would encourage you to do a co-publishing deal for this title with a company that specializes in educational books. If 2+2 were to publish it under its own masthead it would not reach the audience it would deserve.

[/ QUOTE ]

I almost forgot - please include calculus, trig, geometry and statistics in your book formula!

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[RoyalStraight]

I would buy the algebra book in a heartbeat. Excellent idea.

[Leonardo]

Saying you are close to the best Algebra teacher in the world is just downright stupid. It would require you to

a) Teach thousands of students to get a decent sample size
b) Know of at least 100 or so teachers considered to be extraordinarily good (including those that didnt go to your high school...)
c) Compare your results with their results over thousands of students (which would obviously be very difficult to do)

Making wild statements that cannot be substantiated based on your math skill as a 15yo is silly.

But I do think writing the algebra book is the best idea for you. It will flop and you will realise that outside of your tiny world there are people significantly more intelligent than you. Have you ever noticed that no one outside the poker world considers you intelligent or has heard of your work?

[andyfox]

The Algebra for Ten Year Olds would have to compete with the Dummies/Idiot's Guide series. Theory books don't do as well, I think, as How-To books, so I vote for 50 Poker Hands.

[tshort]

Most money:

1. A Simple Guide to TOP (Increase TOP sales too)
2. 50 Poker Hands that Really Teach You Somethinng
3. What Poker Teaches Us
4. Algebra for Ten Year Olds

I don’t think it would be remotely close between 1 and 4 in terms of revenue. The algebra book would have to get some remarkable acclaim to profit more.

I would buy A Simple Guide to TOP and 50 Poker Hands, as would most 2+2ers, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if you didn’t write them. I assume these two books would be quicker and easier to write than the other two.

What Poker Teaches Us? Self help? I would have to hear from others it is good before I bought it. This would have some potential.

As for the elementary algebra book, I think this would have to get some really good press to do well. I don’t see how Mason could be excited about publishing this. There are hundreds and hundreds of algebra books and plenty are targeted to people who think like 10 year olds. Regardless of how well you explain it, learning math takes effort and practice. Even if you understand the concepts, you have to practice and then later practice again (for the vast majority of people). Who wants to do that?

People aren't going to work to learn algebra unless they have to.

[chezlaw]

It may not do well but how great would it be if it did.

Finding out what other stuff that bloke who wrote your great algebra book author did, bit like finding out your french-mistress was a porn star.

chez

[rocketlaunch]

Algebra! As someone with a long history of tutoring and teaching kids in math, I think a book like that would be very helpful. Although, considering the state of most kids' math abilities, you might want to include some ideas on how to teach algebra to people who think like 5-year-olds.