Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Being a “gun writer”?

So, if a guy publishes a gun book, does that make him a gunwriter?

Asking for a friend.

Posting on the 24hourcampfire "Ask The Gunwriters" forum makes anyone a gunwriter.

Publishing is one thing. If the book SELLS, then yep.

Same thing for magazines. JB SELLS, so he's a gunwriter.

I sure won’t be earning a living off the sales, so I’ll just remain another obscure author.

I can live with that. Being famous like JB would be too much of a burden.

Publish it and enjoy.

I published my first book over 20 years ago. It was for a niche market of Cdn Rangers who used the No 4 rifle (aka the Lee Enfield). I was surprised when others expressed an interest in it. I was teaching, started a website and put out more niche books for interested readers. My earnings pay for more rifles, powder, bullets and presents for the grandkids.

Many people mistakenly believe that every author earns a lot of money. Most don't. You should write because you want to and have something to say. Writing about guns, cartridges and related stuff won't make you rich or famous, but it can help others and will make you feel good.

That’s perfectly stated. If I was after money, I’d have made FAR more picking up some computer consulting gigs. I did this because I thought it needed to be done, and because I’ll enjoy it. Hopefully others will find it useful. If not, that’s fine as well.

And reference books are not… simple. Thought it’d be reasonably easy to put together a pretty comprehensive book. Ha… ha ha… No.

Rewarding, but not easy. Just photographing guns can drive you bonkers. So many curves to reflect light! Aaaargh…

I’ll restrict myself to this pocket reference, and a larger 99 book if this is popular. Then I’ll bow out and just enjoy the guns.

I think that with any writing you really have to be in it for love, rather than as a quick way to fame and fortune. My old man quit respectable employment to be a fulltime writer when I was a young kid, and while successful it didn't make him a plutocrat. My own efforts have brought in the odd payment, but I wouldn't want to depend on it for my income.

I hope your pocket reference sells, and you enjoy writing more to follow it.

Well... I wondered how long it’d be before I was a recognized
Gun Writer.

I’ll be looking for my royalties.


btw, jwall is my pseudonym.

Jerry

I gotta put that in my resumé.

Those that can do . Those that can't dont they write / talk about it ...

I am so happy! Now I are one too!

I am so happy! Now I are one too!

No, no.

"Them as can writes, them as can't edits". There are more editors than writers.

Jerry

Thats how I got counted...

Hmmm....for maybe the first time, I have to disagree with JB. To be a writer, you need to be able to hear the rhythm of the words you write. Punctuation is important too, but it's not everything. Keith was a writer.....needed editing, but his stories flowed in the reader's mind. O'Connor, JB, and many others can do both. I can do punctuation and grammer, but couldn't write anything others would enjoy reading. To my mind that is the difference.

Ever heard of sarcasm?

That's why I said I was glad to be a G W. !


Jerry

You guys make me sleepy.......

Well, dang.. that leaves me out. My book's just a reference book.. plain, straightforward, dry as heck. Just has the data.

Which is what you want in a book you carry through a gun show, tho. Maybe I'll practice my prose for the bigger book. Minored in literature.. put a bit of alcohol in me and I can probably still wax a bit poetic.

Not every writer is a poet, nor needs to be.