My first book--and the work involved!

In June 2007, I told my boyfriend that I had an idea for a book.  Listening to me very patiently, I began to tell him that I wanted to write a tribute book on the rock band Better Than Ezra---a band that he and I had been following for the last ten months.  He didn't say much, just softly laughed at my idea.  The laughter didn't offend me; it became my motivational force.

 Since the time of receiving this motivational force just three months ago, I have really begun to dig my heels into the work that goes along with writing: research, more research, writing, and more writing.  Though I have written things in the past and have gotten them published (mainly in high school), I never realised just how much work went into the idea of creating a book.  Most of my published items had been poetry (high school) and Opinion pieces printed in the various local papers through out the years (whenever a news item would touch a certain chord with me, I'd write).  However, this book I am writing now...it's much bigger in scope and size; and, well, part of the idea for the book represents legal issues.

What legal issues? Well, first, I am writing a tribute book on a well known rock band that has been around for quite a few years now.  They are already mildly famous ( I believe them to be mildly famous due the fact that the music industry continues to spurn their talent) and most people only remember Better Than Ezra as the group that were famous for the song "Good" in the mid 1990's.  Yet, in order to do a tribute book justice...I believe that certain things are needed: pictures, the history of the band, the band's albums and singles releases, and the ability to quote the band and their lyrics.  Though this legal issue seems easy to solve---just write the band and their management team (which I have done twice now--once through snail mail and once through myspace)---I am still waiting for a response from both the members of Better Than Ezra and/or their management.

 The second legal issue: do I need an agent to be able to get things done? If so, where do I begin the search?  I'm quite lost with all the legal issues that are popping out at me, yet, I definitely don't want to face a court room for not making sure that my book doesn't break any laws or step on someone's toes. 

Aside from the legal issues, there are also creative issues as well: I am attempting to give my work more of an edge---to make it a meaningful, creative tribute book -- by including fans of the band (known as "Ezralites")---their thoughts and their experiences in each chapter.  Though I have gotten a lukewarm response and have received five submissions at this point---I would like the book to represent at least a group of 100 "Ezralites", if not more.  So, I find myself writing messages to members of the band's message board forum, requesting participants.  Although this isn't hard, it's very time consuming: most of my evening was spent doing this sort of thing before signing in here at gather.  And this is only one of the creative issues.

Another creative issue:  my boyfriend and I are big fans of Better Than Ezra ourselves.  Do I include our stories and our thoughts as well?  Or is that bias? Do I include my amateur photos in the book---or do I contact the professional photographers that have been able to work with the band?

I want my book to have a professional look, yet, I have no idea as to what an actual "professional look" looks like.  The hurdles seem immense at this point, yet, my inspiration is still burning quite bright.  I honestly believe in the children's story "The Little Engine That Could"---and I believe that I can write a great tribute book.  The work is a little tedious at times, yet, it feels so rewarding when I have my "epiphany" moments. It also feels really terrific when I receive more information from the fans or come across new information on the band.  It keeps me very busy these days!