Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

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Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Hi all,

just wanted to announce that the book you all shanghaied me into writing last winter is now done :-)

The Cobra That Hijacked The Camera Bag - Snakes And Stories From Taiwan is now going through its second editing round. Once that's over, I shall start looking for a publisher.

In its current form, the book contains 95000+ words. I should reckon that's about 250 pages, not counting the photos, of which I hope to be able to include a few (that's always a matter of cost).

As a teaser, here's the list of chapters:

Prologue – Why did it have to be snakes...and why in Taiwan?
Herping in Taiwan – An Overview
Cobras – Rice Ladle With Attitude
Ratsnakes - The Fast and the Furious
Vipers – Clint Eastwoods of Snakedom
Krait – Satans Rubber Toy
Rear-Fanged – Daggers in the Back
Miscellaneous - The Weird and the Wonderful
Pangolin – The Beast That Time Forgot


Wish me luck with the publisher hunt!

Hans
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by woongson »

I wish you luck

Woongson
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Mark Brown
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Mark Brown »

That's amazing, Hans!!!! I've still got your last email (which I still intend to answer!) from October when you were still in the "talking stages". I can't wait to get my greasy little paws on this one! :thumb:
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Thanks, guys! "Talking stages"...well, then came the winter, and I had nothing to do. Things took on a life of their own :-)
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by kkchome »

Put me down for a copy or two, Hans!
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by mikemike »

Awesome, Hans! Looking forward to picking a copy up once it gets released. Congratulations on the hard work being fruitful, and I hope it works out for the best.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Paul White »

So, any chance of getting autographed copies stateside? :)
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by brick911 »

Congrats Hans... I can't wait to get a copy.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by moloch »

Hans,

You are an excellent and entertaining writer. The book will be a good one!

Regards,
David
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Phil Peak »

Congratulations Hans. Thats quite an accomplishment!

Phil
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by heavenscloud »

Freakin' awesome. :beer:
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Wow....thank you very much for your kindness, all of you! Makes me feel like J. K Rowling already! :-)

I hope that I can get the publisher hunt over with before July 12, the date of that other little project I have running on the side: moving to Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. During our first month or two there, I probably won't have much time for anything but house-hunting, car-buying, familiarity-with-the-new-enviroment-gaining, and, of course, eating tons of durian (they have HUNDREDS of cultivars there - even RED ones!!)

But I digress. Sorry. I hope to have the book on the shelves (an anachronistic expression in these times, for sure) by Fall at the latest.

Again, thanks a billion for your continued support!

Cheers

Hans
PS: Autographed copies stateside.....hmmm...that would depend on whether the publisher is willing to spring for a book tour :-) Failing that, you can always visit me in Borneo.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by MaartenSFS »

Congratulations, Hans! I plan to begin writing a book when I get settled in back in China based on my life experiences and how one is to live life to the fullest - Carpe diem. It will also feature a lot of natural and cultural history. ;) Tentative titles are "The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side", "Confessions of a Megalomaniac: How I Became a Kazakstani Minority in China", "How to Randomly Start a New Life in an Exotic Locale and Not Die an Untimely Death", etc. I may need your advice if you succeed! (Which you will) :thumb:
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Sweet! I've been trying to do that Kazakstani bit for decades over here, but the dearth of non-Asiatic, yet Chinese-speaking minorities on Taiwan always worked against it. I've tried to remedy that by pretending to suffer from a rare skin disease (which also affects the eyes, turning them from brown to green), but even the grade schoolers usually just take one look at my girth and go "dude, ain't no Chinese folk alive as fat as you" :D
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by MaartenSFS »

Haha, your attire is also very non-Asian. Neither is mine, but my facial hair, fluency in Mandarin, the sheer size of the country, my ability to bullshit, and the naivity of many Chinese go a long way..
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Martti Niskanen »

That's fantastic, Hans. Best of luck finding a publisher. I'll definitely buy a copy.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by SnakeStick »

After reading an excerpt you posted on here a while back I told myself I would buy your book. Hope you get it published soon. Thanks, Ian.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Daryl Eby »

Can HerpNation publish it? I've really enjoyed seeing Scott expand his brand and bring us so much great stuff. Lots of authors and potential authors frequent his sites and he certainly has an audience for anything he wants to publish or promote.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by M Wolverton »

I'll buy a copy for sure.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by klawnskale »

Perhaps the notorious Mr. Brian Hubbs would consider adding an international title to his inventory? Hubbs? Are you out there?
Sure, no Lampropeltis in Taiwan but you have Taiwan Beauty Snakes and Bamboo Vipers. What's not to love? Oh and yes Pangolins! Even though they're not herps.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by chad ks »

Excellent! Yet another bold member of the FHF becomes an author. Well done Hans, put me down for one copy and I'll be sure to spread the word...
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by hellihooks »

I'd pay to read your stuff on bout any topic... yours is indeed a unique and refreshing voice. :thumb: Congrats Man... :thumb: jim
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Thank you very much again, everyone! You're the best! :-)
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Steve Atkins »

congrats Hans, can't wait to see it in print. :thumb:
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Curtis Hart »

Congrats! I can't wait to buy a copy. I also can't wait to see how your adventures in Borneo turn out.


Curtis
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Li'l update here, folks: the second editing round is now done, and the book is ready to be flung at the publishing world. I have a long list of publishers I want to write to (complied with the generous help of everyone here!) but any further tips on publishers, asides from those already mentioned, would be greatly appreciated!
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

I want that book.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by JAMAUGHN »

Me too. Put me down for a copy, as well.

JimM
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by TimCole »

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:I want that book.
Same here!
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by justinm »

Hans,

I'm excited to see it as well. If you're asking for help with publishers try these guys.

http://www.eaglemountainpublishing.com/
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TimCole
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by TimCole »

Or try Bob Ashley at http://www.ecouniverse.com/.
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Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Thanks very much, guys!
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by MaartenSFS »

I can't help you, but I wish you the best of luck. If it goes well for you (which it will!), I may try my hand some day. ;) If I ever leave China I will get myself a copy. Until then I will continue to enjoy your excellent posts.
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Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Thanks, Maarten!
MaartenSFS wrote:If I ever leave China I will get myself a copy.
Amazon doesn't send to the Middle Kingdom?
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by MaartenSFS »

I don't know about that, but I stopped my credit card before I returned here and the prices here are ridiculous. :?
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Norman D »

Congrats! That is a great accomplishment! Love the chapter names
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Asnyder »

Congrats Hans! Can't wait to get my hands on it
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Ladies and genitals,

I'm proud to announce that, thanks to your continued help and support, I'm now in talks with an interested publisher. Won't be long now....I hope!

Cheers

Snakin' Shakespeare
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by geckoguy747 »

awesome! i can't wait!
josh
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by TimCole »

geckoguy747 wrote:awesome! i can't wait!
josh

Same here.

I now have a cousin living in Taiwan who could benefit from this book.
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Eipper »

Congratulations Hans,

I have my first two books coming out this year, What a ride! You certainly appreciate how much work goes into a book once you have written one.

Cheers,
Scott Eipper
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Mike Pingleton »

cool!
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Thanks all!
Eipper wrote:I have my first two books coming out this year, What a ride!
What are they?

Tim, does your cousin about this site: www.snakesoftaiwan.com?
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Eipper »

Hi Hans,

A guide to Australian Snakes in Captivity - Elapids and Colubrids
A guide to Australian Frogs in Captivity


Cheers,
Scott
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Biker Dave »

If Fedex goes to where ever you are, I will buy a copy and request it autographed. Even if I have to send it to you myself!

Dave
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Thanks, Scott!

The book will most likely be print-on-demand, so they should send it anywhere (I hope)
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Lardies and Gremlins,

ze book - eet ees done! We just submitted it to the printer; now we're waiting for the final proofs to come back, and then it'll hit the market.

Its final title is A Cobra Hijacked My Camera Bag! - Snakes And Stories From Taiwan, and for a teaser, here's the blurb from the back cover:

The herp is on! Hans Breuer searches for a new pet ratsnake in Taipei restaurants, loses a coral snake in his living room, confronts a cobra in complete darkness, and assumes unorthodox yogic postures to photograph kraits, habus, and bamboo snakes. Between the tree ferns of Taiwan's lush, rugged mountains, this brilliant amateur naturalist draws us along to experience a fantastic variety of snakes, along with turtles, civets, pangolins, and other representatives of the island's immense biodiversity.

During his constant search for reptiles and amphibians, Hans introduces the best of Taiwan with quirky humor, while educating the reader in remarkable detail. The author’s twenty-two years in Taiwan, and fluency in Mandarin Chinese, have given him a broad experience with all facets of Taiwan life, complementing his herpetological observations. We learn about food and drinking customs, dealing with curious police officers, and the aboriginal relationship to Taiwan’s rich animal life.

With this book in hand, you don't need a plane ticket to enjoy the thrill of herping Taiwan, but after reading Hans' adventures, you might just book your next vacation there!


Rest assured, I can't wait for it either :-)
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Biker Dave
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Biker Dave »

Excellent! Good job Hans!
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Mark Brown
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Mark Brown »

That's fantastic news, Hans - I can't wait to get my greasy paws on a copy!!!
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Kevin Messenger
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Re: Herping in Taiwan - The Book - DONE!

Post by Kevin Messenger »

I'll take one too of course! can't wait for it to roll out
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