JAM's book on Keith

I would LOVE a signed copy of the book. Look forward to reading when it is published and I am not a big book reader. I can only imagine the wealth of stories in there
 
ElCorazonFrio said:
Thanks for all the hateful replies.

I know queenie is worshiped here, but there is more positive to my post than any of you realize.

I was harsh in my post, but there is rational behind it. If a person wants to write a good biography, it is essential to be fair to both sides. That is to say that one's bias shouldn't shine through blatantly. A bias can be shown in the culmination of the work, but my experience with JAM's posts about keith is that she makes him a demigod. A biography should show the bad as well as the good. The biography should definitely lead people to one side or the other, but it shouldn't leave out the bad to show the good.

For instance, 'Walk the Line', which I'm sure all of you have probably seen...Johnny Cash himself refused to give rights to his biography and subsequent biopic because he was afraid that they wouldn't portray his bad side fairly, or worse, at all.

So, I am reminded of a recent post of JAM's where she showed a shot that keith made and asked if it was on purpose or not. I didn't even have to look at the shot to know two things: First it was an amazing shot; Second that JAM was going to reply that he meant to make it all along.

To anyone who has played this game, it was DOWNRIGHT INSULTING to say that he meant to make it without acknowledging the fact that he still left the shot safe if he had missed. Did Keith make an amazing shot? Absolutely. Did he want the ball to drop? Probably? Did he play an absolute great safe if he had missed? Totally.

And there is the crux. A biography written by someone who has repeatedly said that pro players are abused by their fans is treading a difficult line if she wants to write a substantive biography.

Maybe many of you have watched 'Breaking Bad'. I did and it is the absolute best television ever made. The writing wasn't always the best, the cinematography wasn't perfect, but there was an 'it' factor with the show: The main character was shown to be lovable, honest and good in the first season, but then he went downhill. The audience still wanted to love him, but found themselves questioning things...like: Is it okay to cook meth if you know the meth-heads will find it regardless and you are doing it to help your family?

So, everyone of you who said I was a rude jackass or some kind of worthless human for posting this should go back and see that I offered CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. The book hasn't been published yet and it still has time to avoid the trap of the hero-worship we all know JAM has for Keith.
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You can cuss Keith and Jam all you want I agree with what your saying,but you leave Johnny Cash out of this you Jackass!!
 
JAM said:
The goal of this book has always been is to make it a good read for everyone, not just pool peeps. In this regard, I hope it succeeds. We will offer 50 signed copies in a galley format before the final published version is released.

This is where it stands now. We have some wrinkles to iron out before we can move forward. Thanks again to those with the kind words and for acknowledging Keith's book.
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Just curious JAM, will there be a centerfold?:happydance: I'm thinking something like that Burt Reynolds layout.....:eek:

I'm in for a signed copy, just let me know where and when.:thumbup:
 
I will buy a copy

Jam, I would be glad to purchase a copy in advance if it would help get this published. Please PM me if this would help. I am not sure how many readers there are these days but a book about Keith would be great and I am pretty sure many folks would want it.
 
ElCorazonFrio said:
I was harsh in my post, but there is rational behind it. If a person wants to write a good biography, it is essential to be fair to both sides. That is to say that one's bias shouldn't shine through blatantly. A bias can be shown in the culmination of the work, but my experience with JAM's posts about keith is that she makes him a demigod. A biography should show the bad as well as the good. The biography should definitely lead people to one side or the other, but it shouldn't leave out the bad to show the good.
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You make it seem like the book will sell a few million copies and any bias in the writing due to their relationship will harm the course of human history.

Obviously, an autobiography is going to be biased as would any biography written by a family member, a fan, an anti-fan... even someone who feels impartial might develop a bias while doing research and interviews. At the end of the day, all authors are human beings.

Perhaps you can invent "BioBot 4000", the world's first biography writing robot that collects facts and and stories and presents them in the most robotic, unbiased manner possible with current technology :D

Besides, who's to say it has to be a literal "biography". Couldn't it be a cool book of stories from his life?

Anyway, I look forward to reading it, should it ever come out.
 
I would love to have a copy. i remember seeing keith play a tournament at wagonwheel billiards in hapeville ga late 80,s early 90,s offering the room the 8. some names in that tourney, sigel strickland varner hopkins
 
I know what you mean:
 

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SakuJack said:
Ah, thanks. Or 'yes'. The font colour is everything, it seems.

Anyway, allow me to rephrase: is JAM a professional writer? Genuine question. I'm not trying to be snipey.
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The font color means everything when you need maximum attention, lol.

JAM is not a professional writer, in the traditional sense. She does spend a lot of time typing and transcribing words in her day job, tho.


Eric >I'll buy a copy
 
Eric. said:
The font color means everything when you need maximum attention, lol.

JAM is not a professional writer, in the traditional sense. She does spend a lot of time typing and transcribing words in her day job, tho.


Eric >I'll buy a copy
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She's a typist, then.
 
Ron Swanson said:
She's a typist, then.
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That might be a bit one sided.

All I know is that if someone deals with transcribing words, then you have great familiarity with spoken language/grammar/sentence structure, etc. Now, does that translate into one having the artistic talent to write a creative and imaginative piece of fiction? Probably not, but...Keiths autobio is not a fiction. Actually, if you think about it, JAM would be transcribing Keith's stories (which is very similar to what she does in her day job).


Eric
 
Eric. said:
That might be a bit one sided.

All I know is that if someone deals with transcribing words, then you have great familiarity with spoken language/grammar/sentence structure, etc. Now, does that translate into one having the artistic talent to write a creative and imaginative piece of fiction? Probably not, but...Keiths autobio is not a fiction. Actually, if you think about it, JAM would be transcribing Keith's stories (which is very similar to what she does in her day job).


Eric
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Should this ever come to light, highly doubtful IMO, I'd be disappointed if it wasn't 90% fiction. Why let facts ruin a perfectly good story?
 
Makes me wonder......I wonder if some stories Keith just couldnt tell JAM. I know my wife knows alot of antics, but she sure as hell doesnt know all of them. :eek:

Think about that for a while. :rolleyes:

Ken :)
 
Eric. said:
That might be a bit one sided.

All I know is that if someone deals with transcribing words, then you have great familiarity with spoken language/grammar/sentence structure, etc. Now, does that translate into one having the artistic talent to write a creative and imaginative piece of fiction? Probably not, but...Keiths autobio is not a fiction. Actually, if you think about it, JAM would be transcribing Keith's stories (which is very similar to what she does in her day job).


Eric
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I have to spread it around before I can give you more greenies. :)

I remember when I first started toyed with the idea of writing a book, I had no idea what was involved. In fact, Eric, you are one of the first people I spoke to about this project in 2002 at that tournament in NYC.:grin:

Phil Capelle told me that one of his instructional books on pool took him 6 months to finish. He is, of course, a professional writer -- and very good one at that. :yes:

Some actors never read reviews of their performances in plays on Broadway. No matter what happens on this forum, the AzBilliards forum trolls and banned members posting will find fault, criticizing a project before anything ever comes to fruition. :(

For sure, Eric, you are going to be one of the 50 who gets a personalized galley copy. You've been on this virtual ride with me since the beginning of my pool journey with Keith, and I have always valued and appreciated your friendship. :smile:

Best to you and yours.
 
Ken_4fun said:
Makes me wonder......I wonder if some stories Keith just couldnt tell JAM. I know my wife knows alot of antics, but she sure as hell doesnt know all of them. :eek:

Think about that for a while. :rolleyes:

Ken :)
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Et tu, Brute? Think about that for a while too. :rolleyes:
 
JAM said:
I have to spread it around before I can give you more greenies. :)

I remember when I first started toyed with the idea of writing a book, I had no idea what was involved. In fact, Eric, you are one of the first people I spoke to about this project in 2002 at that tournament in NYC.:grin:

Phil Capelle told me that one of his instructional books on pool took him 6 months to finish. He is, of course, a professional writer -- and very good one at that. :yes:

Some actors never read reviews of their performances in plays on Broadway. No matter what happens on this forum, the AzBilliards forum trolls and banned members posting will find fault, criticizing a project before anything ever comes to fruition. :(

For sure, Eric, you are going to be one of the 50 who gets a personalized galley copy. You've been on this virtual ride with me since the beginning of my pool journey with Keith, and I have always valued and appreciated your friendship. :smile:

Best to you and yours.
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I remember a bit of that conversation, many days ago. It was at Master Billiards, Queens, NY.

Fvck it, just write the book.

What was that Henry Ford quote? "Obstacles are those scary things you see, when you take your eyes off the goal".

Or, something like that.


Eric
 
I expect this book to come to fruition - and I expect it will be a very good read.

Jam, Please put me down for a signed copy as well. Not sure what the galley version you are talking about, but I would also like to acquire one of that version.

Ignore the peanut gallery. Most of them are all talk and no action. If we waited on them to accomplish something, we would all be in trouble.

Cant wait .......................

Mark Griffin
 
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