20 replies to this topic

[DeeCeeM]

Eight years ago today, Aaron opened RMNPForums.com for business. The hope was that this would become a place for people to share information about Rocky Mountain National Park. That dream has become a successful reality. It is obvious that the forums have attracted members who are extremely knowledgeable about both the park and the many different aspects of planning that can lead to an enhanced enjoyment of this land we love.

In hopes of drawing on the expertise and love of Rocky Mountain National Park displayed by the members, RMNPForums is proud to announce the planned publication of an e-book guide to the park. Additionally, the release of this e-book is planned for Thank a Ranger Day, July 29; and the e-book will be dedicated to the rangers of RMNP in honor of that occasion.

However, this book cannot become a reality without your help. We will soon begin accepting submissions from the members for inclusion in the e-book. There will be three categories: photography, non-fiction articles and poetry. An editorial board has been formed, and submission guidelines will be released in the near future. Anyone whose work is included in the e-book will receive proper credit. It is also perfectly acceptable to submit a picture you have posted here previously or rework a post or blog entry into an article.

In order to help the board keep things organized, we will be asking for submissions via email in different categories at different stages. First up beginning on Feb. 1 will be “Photography – RMNP Water Features.” Start picking your best shot of a stream, lake, waterfall, etc. – one entry per person – and check back later for more details. (Please don’t post your photography entry; remember, submission is by email only.)

As far as the two original writing categories, we want to encourage everybody to participate. We want a wide variety of information included, so there will be no limit on the number of articles or poems you can submit. Perhaps you don’t feel like an expert on anything? Then tell us about why you love the park, your favorite location, activity, etc. If you have some subjects that you are particularly interested in, like backcountry camping, photography, winter activities, etc, then write about that. In any case, please don’t be shy about giving it a try. The editorial board will be more than happy to help take care of things like spelling and grammar. What they are looking for most is the information you can provide to make this project a success.

As stated above, this will be in the form of an e-book, available initially through the Kindle platform. The cost of the e-book is planned to be minimal, and proceeds will go towards supporting the operating costs of the forums.

This is your chance to be a part of forums history! Don’t wait – start looking at your photos and thinking of ideas now!

[zzcoop]

I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it!

[iceberg]

What exactly are you referring to by "non fiction articles?" Trip reports? Experiences in the park? Are you looking for articles on specific topics or certain information?

[DeeCeeM]

We're looking for a wide variety of aritcles. Trip reports and experiences in the park will certainly be considered. More generic articles along the lines of "how to. . ." and "what to know before you go" are also good. There are also certain questions that get asked around here repeatedly; articles that address them would be particularly helpful. Then there are those of you who have specialized knowledge; we really want to hear from you. I don't want to list specific topics, because we need you to come up with ideas, rather than just write about ones we list. Think of it as being about why people should go, what they need to know to plan a trip, what to do once they get there and how to do it safely/with the best results.

Does that help any?

[DrCloud]

Because this is being dedicated to the Park staff, I'd imagine that the emphasis will be on personal experiences related to favorite places or routes; possibly time-of-year adventures; visits for which Ranger advice has been especially helpful, and so on. I'm sure there will be a bit of "how-to" and safety-related things, but only for completeness as a guide. We don't need to tell the staff how to do their jobs, after all; we need to tell them how we appreciate them and how much we like their place. It will be helpful if specific places can be clearly identified, however, so that people can find them -- or ask a Ranger how to.

Kristen, you have put up a couple of photo-essays about long day hikes in upper Wild Basin that would seem to me to be great candidates for an article. HPH

[iceberg]

So you're thinking along the lines of "the beginner's guide to vacationing/hiking in RMNP" ? This project intrigues me, because it combines two things I am very passionate about, writing & RMNP. I guess for me, I would prefer a specific list of exactly what it is you want, rather than me taking the time to write something & submit it, only to find out it wasn't what you were looking for. When you say trip reports & experiences will be "considered", I get the feeling that isn't really what you want this to be about. I'm assuming maybe you'll be able to give a more clear cut view of exactly how you want this to take shape as it progresses. This is exciting!

DrCloud, on 23 January 2012 - 12:55 PM, said:

Because this is being dedicated to the Park staff, I'd imagine that the emphasis will be on personal experiences related to favorite places or routes; possibly time-of-year adventures; visits for which Ranger advice has been especially helpful, and so on. I'm sure there will be a bit of "how-to" and safety-related things, but only for completeness as a guide. We don't need to tell the staff how to do their jobs, after all; we need to tell them how we appreciate them and how much we like their place. It will be helpful if specific places can be clearly identified, however, so that people can find them -- or ask a Ranger how to.

Kristen, you have put up a couple of photo-essays about long day hikes in upper Wild Basin that would seem to me to be great candidates for an article. HPH

OK, now this confuses me, because this seems different from what Dixie is saying the book is going to be about.

[DeeCeeM]

I only used the word "considered" in relation to trip reports and experiences because we can't guarantee that every article that gets submitted will be included. For instance, if we get two trip reports on hiking to Thunder Lake, we would probably only include one of them. However, reports on classic, "must do" hikes would be very appropriate. And you're right - exactly how this will take shape will probably become more clear as we progress. As for DrCloud's comments, articles that include examples of how rangers were helpful will certainly be particularly appreciated. However, we want to make sure this e-book is helpful to others - you know, folks who might actually buy it - so there has to be a balance between why we love the park/the rangers and solid trip planning information. I think your phrase "the beginner's guide to vacationing/hiking in RMNP" is spot on.

As for listing what articles we want, it is my experience that's dangerous unless you're a teacher assigning homework. People write best about what they're passionate about, and only you know what that is. Plus, if we give out a list, we may get 15 articles on one subject and none on five others.

As we go forward, we'll try to get a little more specific for you. Remember, this publishing business is new to us, too!

[DrCloud]

Well, there are several books out there, available everywhere in Estes Park and online, with titles like "day hikes in RMNP," "backpacking RMNP," etc., etc. I don't think we need to duplicate them in the form of another "how to..." guidebook. Besides, the photos and (probably) the poetry will offer more personal and artistic views of Rocky. So the essays, in my mind at least, will fit in better if they're personal remniscences of favorite things -- walks, destinations, places to sit and dangle your feet in a stream, whatever. As I said, I'm sure there will be some guide-book stuff (just to cover the safety issues, if nothing else), but it seems like what RMNP Forums members really offer for this sort of project is their love for the Park. To the extent that we can capture that, I think we'll succeed. HPH

[HighPlainsMedic]

Ponders a topic.. wonders about Bibliography and giving credit to those who have done the studies..

[DeeCeeM]

As Dr.Cloud said, there are a lot of hiking books, but not many that cover other aspects of how to enjoy the park. Believe it or not, it is entirely possible to enjoy the park without once setting foot on a trail! Articles that cover these areas would be really good to include.

[DrCloud]

Well, if you need a peer-reviewed, scholarly article to pad your CV, this is the place!

I rather expect, though, that each contribution will need to be self-contained (I doubt there will be a master bibliography -- although a "further reading" list might emerge). HPH

[DeeCeeM]

HighPlainsMedic, on 23 January 2012 - 01:46 PM, said:

Ponders a topic.. wonders about Bibliography and giving credit to those who have done the studies..

Each article will include the byline of the person who wrote it, so you will certainly get credit for your contributions.

[HighPlainsMedic]

DeeCeeM, on 23 January 2012 - 01:56 PM, said:

Each article will include the byline of the person who wrote it, so you will certainly get credit for your contributions.

I was thinking about Medical Journal information.. I am not into credit, but don't want to run afoul of using someone else's primary information to support the topic at hand..

[DeeCeeM]

Certainly a citation of source material would be necessary. I would see it handled more within/at the end of the article.

[zzcoop]

DeeCeeM, on 23 January 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

Believe it or not, it is entirely possible to enjoy the park without once setting foot on a trail!

"Woo-hoo!" - Snady