If you’re a regular reader, and you have or would buy one of my books, I would really appreciate it if you would post a comment/reply to this post about two questions:
1. If I were to publish complete collections of my work on a regular basis–books that collected all my editorial cartoons and illustrations, for example, or perhaps all my columns–would you buy them? How much would you be willing to pay for them? How about collections of older material, going back to the early 1990s? Would you buy one, or a stack of them for your family and friends?
I’m asking because these would be self-published, and I would need to know how much interest there was in such books before shelling out the bucks for them.
2. If you could request any kind of Ted Rall book–about Central Asia, a graphic novel, a self-help book, whatever–what would it be?
Thanks in advance for your replies. If the results are interesting, it’ll help determine what I do book-wise in the near future.
54 Comments.
Hi,
I would buy a book of comics yearly around the holidays.
I want a book on what socialist should do when they run the country.
– A big fan
Hi Ted,
Yes, a compilation of cartoons, published or otherwise that had a central theme or chapters of themes would get a product endorsement from me.
Regarding content, I'll defer to you. I'm tired of Bush and would like to move on with my life so how you view things post neo-con is frankly more appealing to me.
I like your columns very much, but you tend to get preachy and that turns people off. The cartoons are your strength…stick to that.
As for pricing, most graphic novel type items appear to map at about $1 per 10 pages. I just looked at my bookshelf and can report that I paid $16.95 for 174 pages of Harvey Pekar goodness. Seems about right.
Lastly, thanks for all you do and have done. It is appreciated.
Cheers.
I have 2024, the Afghanistan one, and I think one more. Latchkey Kids, that's it.
Honestly, get the fuck away from politics. Obama being a boring red but not liberal enough is not funny. The world sucking and the future being bleak and college being a scam? Funny.
Politics is boring. Politics is fucking boring.
Please go back to anything but comics. Since about Attitude 2, I've been reading Achewood, Garfield Minus Garfield, Japanese stuff. Bush, 9/11, Cheney, Hussein Obama, all that shit is boring as fucking shit.
Of your work I have, the Afghanistan one, while it might have been the best researched and, for you, the most heartfelt, was really kinda dry.
I think a graphic novel would be very effective at conveying your messages, especially if it were several short stories.
On the flip side, I'm not sure how well it would do, but then again I don't know how well any of your books do. I'd guess that it would do just as well as one of your collection books.
I wan't you to reprint that interesting "1984"-ish graphic novel, or are you still disowning it?
– Strelnikov
As a loyal reader for 15 years, I've always marveled at the range of your work, but the ones I give as gifts tend toward the more personal, like My War With Brian and Revenge of the Latchkey Kids.
I'd buy collections of your earlier material for myself; I probably emailed links to your Columbine column to a dozen or so friends to determine by their reactions which ones to keep.
Hi Ted,
I think your books about Central Asia rival anything being produced in academia and far surpass all of the dreck coming out of the popular "non-fiction" (yes the quotes are there for a reason) genre. I would definitely buy a collection and put them right next to my collection of Winston Churchill's history of WWII, Ernest Hemmingways, John Irvings, Jack Londons, Donald Snows, Daryl Hammers, and my pile of Locke, Jefferson, Hans Christian Anderson compilations.
I also love your political cartoons. I would definitely buy a collection of those. I honestly can't say I have seen or read any of your graphic novels.
For the south asian collection, I would pay the same that I paid for Daryl Hammers 4 books (about $125). I can't say on the cartoons. I guess it depends on how big the collection is and what time period it covers. I would probably pay 25/30 for all your Bush era cartoons.
I like the idea of independent publishing. I am trying to figure out how to do that with music. Any advice you can give, I would appreciate.
Kurt
Most likely would not buy one.
I bought "To Afghanistan & Back" a couple years ago, and I would be likely to buy anything you publish on Central Asia again. I like your toons, but I'd lean towards something more text-heavy.
Anon 12:42–You funny, round eye!
1. I'd buy, especially if there were some commentary along with the comics. Obviously the columns don't need commentary. I don't know if I'd buy dozens, but would collect for my own use. I'd be comfortable paying in the area of $15-20 for a collection. I think that's the going rate…
2. For a book, I'd be more inclined to buy a book about foreign affairs, be it Central Asia, France, or elsewhere.
Hi Ted, I'm a big fan of yours.
1. books of works: no, since I can read them here on your awesome website 🙂 Exception: glossy pretty oversize coffee-table type book, containing a "best-of" type collection. Can be mix of old and new, actually looking back at the old clinton days can really put today's and bush's days in perspective. (Except for the bailout…) I'll bid $20 for that kind of book. I'd buy 1 for me, maybe 1 as a gift.
2. I loved the central asia / trip through afghanistan, or *-stan. That was a great book, spot on for all the post-9/11 feelings of USA doing everything wrong. So more like that (except 9/11 feelings are no longer current) Maybe, if you like trips, another cool one could be an account of various remote reaches of the American empire- military bases in odd places and the culture there and how it reflects ours back home? dunno. I guess today's version of that might involve the twisted and comically alien world of banks and hedge funds? but that wouldnt be as fun and interesting. Also- cookbook-combined-with-comics! yess!! That is what you must do, Ted.
All the best!
-Pete
I love comic books and I list the ones that I would like every year. My husband uses the list as an easy way to pick out gifts. I'd definitely add compilations of your recent cartoons to my list, but I can't say for sure how much my husband would be willing to spend. Most of the books on my list are under $20, so that's my best guess. I'm not as sure about the compilations of older material unless they offered something new too.
I would most like to see a new graphic novel from you.
Again, your wordy books are great for nerds who got into you via your cartoons, and now want to know what that abrasive prick on Bill Maher's show thinks about politics or whatever, but staying commercially relevant is gonna be in cartoons with a broader appeal.
You certainly aren't winning any Republican hearts and minds with your Obama stuff, and although I agree that Ballsack Hussein Osama is a bit boring and misguided, it isn't for the same reasons as you.
Broader appeal without becoming irrelevant. Everyone struggles with the kind of issues you wrote about in Latchkey kids. Those were exciting stories.
Politics is really really really really really really boring.
Placed on 8.5" x 5.5 inch stock to keep sizing (and paper pricing) standard, with one years' worth of panels (150, I estimate) in B/W with a color cover (think Gary Trudeau in the 70s), and priced at $8.95 (so most could pay price plus tax with a proverbial $10 bill) you'd get a good mix of consumers…
Hi Ted,
I you want to self publish, why don't take a look at http://www.lulu.com/?
Ted!
I bought several of your books as recent as two or three years ago and I read your column regularly. I wouldn't buy any collections of your work. For the fouth estate to truly be the fourth estate, average citizens, elected officials and corporate thieves have to respond to the written word and editorial cartoons as though guns were put to their heads. They don't. As Bill Murray chanted in "Meatballs," 'It just doesn't matter!" America is past rules and a Constitution. The greatest experiment in the history of the USA occurred between 2000 and 2008. We wanted to find out what would happen if we allowed a psychopathic illiterate-from-birth to hold the keys to the nuclear codes. NOW WE KNOW! We are on that too-oft-misused abstraction, the slippery slope. To doom. Nothing you write or draw, Ted, will make a difference. Look at your messageboards. The same dolts who pride themselves in names like Marley and Grouchy plant their useless butts in front of keyboards in order to tell other know-nothings how the world is supposed to work. Well, it's right here in front of us. If you place a total fuckup in the White House, you won't get lemondade. We got disaster, disease, crime, war crimes, treason, carpetbagging, murder, nepotism, corruption, politicizing of government programs, religion slithering into our Congress, and yes, Dick Cheney doing whatever the hell he pleases on his own redefined terms. Ted would do better to return to his previously successful work in banking. Mollie Ivins is dead. Jimmy Breslin just gave up. Ann Coulter will soon say something foul about the 9-11 widow who just died in that New York plane crash, and Rush Limbaugh is going to be the next Presidential nominee of the Republican Party with, you guessed it, Sarah Palin as his side kick. Talk about welfare queens!
No, Ted, I will no longer buy your colllections. I enjoyed them when I thought they made a difference. No one listens to you, but they listened to a do-nothing like Bush for eight years. That tells us how far America has descended in every aspect. I WOULD buy collections of Calvin and Hobbes, though, because right now, I need an overdose of fantasy.
I bought Silk Road to Ruin about two years ago, enjoyed it immensely, and I'm planning to read it again to tune up my understanding of the region in preparation for you know what. The toons are great in Silk Road but the story and in-depth information are what really stand out. Any more books like this in the works?
I've bought some of your non-cartoon books because of your cartoons and columns. I don't think I would buy a copulation of old published cartoons. Unless the cartoon was the story, like America's very own version of Rashomon: Pat Tillman's death.
You want to get into Scott Adams' niche of partially-cartooned self-help books? Like maybe a French grammar guide?
Boy scout's word:
1. I would buy the cartoon collections. I don't care for the editorials, there's enough punditry in the world.
2. Definitely Central Asia, which is an interesting subject in itself, and because of the foreign policy implications and ramifications. I don't care for the socialist pamphleteering, I can usually get enough of that by leaving the windows open, or strolling no further than a block from my place.
I would like to see sequels to Revenge of the Latch Key Kids and The Worse Thing You've Ever Done. Especially the latter.
very quickly: probably not on the old collected cartoons, but not sure.
you already did silk road to ruin, so a followup would depend on how good it was, and how cogent.
The only thing I feel a stir of interest in is a graphic novel, if you're up to it.
I bought America gone wild. Pretty much had all your best bush years stuff. Maybe wait a bit. See what comes are way the next few years.
I got real tired of bush comics by the end.
I think with the financial crisis dominating the economy, a graphic novel on that subject would be my first pick. But not a black and white tale of evil bankers; something that shows them as being as human as everyone else. You can read Dreiser's The Financier today and see that it has aged well.
I don't think I would buy your collections. I would buy almost any graphic novel you make. (especially if it's The Financier)
Hi Ted,
I've had a stagnant wage for the last decade and while my job is fairly secure, it also suck monkey balls and I dare not leave it. I pretty much don't buy anything I don't need except for the holidays, and even then politics doesn't make a good gift.
Use the Jane Siberry/Issa Model.
Also from the article at Boing Boing on Jane Siberry's music store.
Pete sez, "Kudos to Jane for following the lead of former [Canadian 90s indie greats] The Inbreds drummer Dave Ullrich and his zunior.com label, which has been doing a booming business for several years now. In addition to providing plain-Jane (pun intended) mp3s they allow you to download a full sized CD ISO file for your burning pleasure. Beat that! Plus if someone wants a CD, they can pay a bit extra to cover shipping, and get both."
More central Asia. Fascinating region, and not many people have been there.
The "Silk Road to Ruin" was epic!
I think there is always a market for trenchant political cartoons and commentary. I love your political perspective; finally, a real leftist.
On the downside, I don't buy very many books – more of a library guy. I would think about it though, especially if it meant you would keep working.
I'm a socialist, Ted, you know I only participate in things that are free.
I have bought in the past 'To afghanistan & Back' and 'generalissimo el Busho' and really enjoyed them both. But I'm broke right now…
for collections of previous works, why not something like "The Complete Ted Rall" in easily collectable of either 1 or 2 years each depending on the amount of material that year. Mix comics and columns, with some commentary similar to America Gone Wild on the comics. Perhaps some extras like illustration work, magazine work, articles, TV and interview transcripts.
Graphic novel! Graphic novel! Graphic novel!
Hey Anonymous,
Socialists buy things.
Don't you pay rent?
Ted deserves some of our bucks.
– A big fan
I would pay 100 dollars for your entire cartoon collection, pref. in hard cover.
I'd buy a graphic novel that explains the entire world monetary system, the current ecological catastrophe including carrying capacity of the earth, energy sources and the worldwide race to secure them, all in terms that the average American can understand!
BUT…failing that…another book on Central Asia would be great. Actually you could go out and do a Silk-Road-to-Ruin type book on any of several world regions (Latin America newly independent of US domination, SubSaharan Africa coming under the sway of the Chinese), and it would be more interesting and timely than 99.99% of what passes for political journalism here these days. But please don't get yourself killed–we need you around.
I would buy a book of comics every couple of years or so.
Price should be around $20.
I would love it if you did a graphic novel.
I would buy any collection, especially some oldies, but the problem would be: I am on a tight budget thanks to this crysis, thank you very much! If not, I would buy every single one of them, I think you are the best!
I'd buy a year of political cartoons for 10 or 15 dollars
bought, read, and thoroughly enjoyed silk road to ruin.
would definitely buy another book like it – something that has its unconventional style and the unconventionally high level of "insight" and authenticity…
btw does that mean even a regular like you cannot find a regular publisher in these sorry times (even for stuff somewhat related to "surging" afghanistan?)…
regards
andreas
No, it doesn't mean that. I can still get my books published. For some titles, however, it makes more financial sense to self-publish. You can keep more of the money, so ev
1. I would buy complete collections going back to the earlier work, and I would buy a handful of other copies to give as gifts. I still have my copy of "The Worst Thing I've Ever Done!" that Mr. Rall autographed for me in 2004.
2. I like the prose/graphic novel format, like "Silk Road to Ruin."
I like the idea of a glossy coffee table book cartoon collection, and would certainly pay $25 or so for it.
I would really like to see a follow-on to Silk Road to Ruin…what's Turkmenistan like after Turkmenbashi, the likely dangers of escalation in Afghanistan, what do Kyrgyzstan's Russian base deal and China's stepped-up pursuit of Central Asian and African mineral resources portend, etc.
I would love to get my hands on a deluxe, oversized hardcover collection of all the strips, in full color. I'm sure the printing costs would be substantial, but I think the readership would gladly pay $75-$100 for such a treasure trove.
1. Publish two types of editions, "uptown" and "downtown." Uptown for people who can afford to be spendy on gloss and glamour, or who love your work and want to splurge, or who could do for a collectors edition. Downtown for folks who don't have much cash, but love your work and want to have it, loan it, keep it. Reach out to community-run bookstores. It could even be a plain-jane zine. Uptown could be priced at $30+. Downtown keep it $14 or less. There are people who aren't even on the Internet who would benefit from your work and your perspective. Plus they need a laugh. And if you want to generate interest, roll out a pdf of selected work for bittorrent distribution. Word of mouth undermines thrones everywhere.
2. Keep the politics rolling out. You say things others are afraid/too busy lying to themselves to say. It's a freaking public service.
I would like you to do a serious assessment on Pakistan – tell me why you think the Pakistani nation is "fundamentalist" (as a Pakistani I believe you are mistaking our tolerance for the existence of these maniacs as "support"). I would really like it if you went to Karachi, Quetta, Faisalabad, Gwadar and reported on the surrounding rural areas; and if you assessed the viability of the Indus river valley (and all its tributaries) for their ability to feed the population of this 175 million people country; especially considering the possible implications of solving the problems we might face.
A serious recommendation on what WE (Pakistanis) can do would be appreciated; and a book like this if marketted properly; would definitely sell; making you money even amongst the English speaking Pakistani popualtion; not to mention think-tanks, libraries and the general English speaking public.
And if you loaded it with LOTS of Four Panel Cartoons (or wrote The Whole Thing As a Comic) It would do really well.
Sincerely
Y_S
Pakistan
By the way, Ted, I have to mention; there is a Large population in India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa that reads English Language Non-Fiction. I think you are capable of strategically either sending them reviews of your book; or asking for what book chains are most popular And carry a large non-fiction section and then convincing them to buy your books. You can ask Ahmed Rashid for advice on this. I am pretty sure he could plug you in on some good contacts.
Sincerely
Y_S
Pakistan
I love the graphic novels. I say travel more in the places where the US foreign policy is ludicrous and put your perspective on that. North Africa, Nepal, Indonesia, Turkey; it's not hard for you to figure out where the screw ups will occur and publish what is going wrong there. I'm not sure your style lends itself to anyone wanting to listen to US domistic policy even though you are right. I love Silk Road and can't get enough ofyour discussions about Afghanistan.
Hi Ted –
I check your site pretty much daily, and love your work.
1) I likely wouldn't be too interested in a collection of prior works (I'm a bigger fan of your articles than the comics), as I've already read them. And while I do sometimes go back and reference older ones, I'm more apt to spend my money and time investing in new knowledge.
2) I would, however, be very interested in purchasing any new book you produce. I very much enjoyed "Wake Up You're Liberal", and loved "Silk Road to Ruin" – I think the mix of prose with the occasional graphic novel section worked well there, and the combination of history, current events, and your own personal anecdotes was great and enlightening. I would eagerly pay for another along those lines.
Hi Ted,
I would focus on books about Central Asia. Considering the Obama Administration's focus on Afghanistan, the fact that the area is rife with various energy sources, etc… it will be a significant foreign policy subject in the coming years.
…Which should translate into (almost) mainstream interest in the subject matter, positioning you well for book sales.
I'm placing emphasis here on what would be most profitable for you, as I want to make your you continue to be well-funded and continue to be a voice in the public sphere.
I would buy a book to better understand the -stans and how they are today (and how they got there).
On a more neat-o theme (commercial success notwithstanding): A book that uses your political cartoons to tell a certain story would be original and fun to read. (E.g. "A history of the Bush Administration" could follow him from his campaign against McCain to his dismal approval ratings, through the lens of your cartoons from the past ten years.
Hi Ted,
1. Yes, specially cartoons from the 90's. They aren't outdated; in fact, I think they are pretty much related to the current situation.
2. A Bush Compilation.
Would you send them overseas, to Europe?
Ted, I am a long time fan. I've seen you do book readings and have a copy of nearly everything you've published.
Some suggestions: "My War With Brian" is essential reading. If you're going to do a graphic novel, the personal/political is a great strength of yours. If you issue a collection of your editorial cartoons, you are essentially a newspaper competing with your free online version. I don't have to explain the flaw.
If you prefer to stick with politics, go straight to text and keep the funny pictures to a minimum. Also, find whoever proofread some of your more recent text-heavy books and kill them (unless they are family). Spelling errors defeat sound arguments in the published world. I really enjoyed "Wake Up, You're Liberal", but bring me the head of the copy-editor. Push yourself past snark and really make the words sing — more Thomas Frank and less Greg Palast.
I realize that these suggestions are basically heaping a whole lot of work on top of what you already do, but you did ask. Whatever you do, keep up the good work.