As genomic science fiction becomes science fact, Dennis Meredith explores in fiction the ramifications of developing genetically engineered pets, including exotic crosses, like cogs, dats, and hamakeets, and an alluring iridescent blue cat.
Advance Copy: Backstories on books by NASW members
For this column, NASW book editor Lynne Lamberg asks NASW authors to tell how they came up with the idea for their book, developed a proposal, found an agent and publisher, funded and conducted research, and put the book together. She also asks what they wish they had known before they began working on their book, what they might do differently the next time, and what tips they can offer aspiring authors. She then edits the A part of that Q&A to produce the author reports you see here.
NASW members: Will your book be published soon? Visit www.nasw.org/advance-copy-submission-guidelines to submit your report.
Publication of NASW members' reports in Advance Copy does not constitute NASW's endorsement of their books. NASW welcomes your comments and hopes this column stimulates productive discussions.
In the U.S. today, remains of some 40,000 individuals have yet to be identified. In The Skeleton Crew, Deborah Halber explores a subculture of amateur detectives, who strive to solve cold cases. Many do their legwork on the Internet. As one reviewer noted, it’s DIY CSI.
Starting August 30, at the request of his British publisher, David Quammen pulled information on the Ebola virus from his 2012 book, SPILLOVER, edited and rearranged it, and added a new introduction and epilogue to address 2014 events. The result is a concise Ebola information resource for citizens, media professionals, and public officials. “I hadn’t imagined, months earlier,” Quammen writes, “that it was physically possible to shape, print, and publish a book so quickly.”
Six articles by NASW members are among the 26 works selected for inclusion in The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2014 by guest editor and NASW member Deborah Blum.
Her late mother’s 1963 travel diary inspired Jane Stein’s children’s book, presented as letters from a teacher to her students: Dear Class: Traveling Around the World with Mrs. J.
A close encounter with a sea turtle in 2005 sparked Melissa Gaskill’s interest in protecting this endangered species. Her co-authored book, A World-Wide Travel Guide to Sea Turtles, tells how people can support this goal by volunteering or visiting conservation sites.
Catherine Dold had no experience writing about addiction, and didn’t think she wanted to write about it. She had never written a book, either. After responding to an ad seeking a co-author, however, she accepted the challenge.
Spending time in a primatology research center gave Dennis Meredith insight into the behavior of chimpanzees, and honed his appreciation of legal, ethical, and emotional issues affecting their care. That experience, he says, helped shape his novel, Solomon’s Freedom.
In Surgeon General's Warning, Mike Stobbe cites advantages of having a strong advocate for public health as the nation’s doctor.