Everybody can dance, ballroom or otherwise, but few can dance like a pro. Likewise, everybody can write, but few can write well for publication. After all, there is only one JR Rowling in this world.
My new book “Dancing Queens & Kings” strives to be the best in class, which requires that all participants strive to become JR-like, but only for 8 pages!
This article will hopefully help you become JR-like quickly. Together, let us make this book a huge success.
1. The requirement
The only requirement for participation in the book is that you, as an amateur, have competed (pro/am) at the USDC or OSB (2023 inclusive).
Why is there such a requirement?
The USDC and OSB represent the highest level of ballroom competitions in the US, exclusively! By participating in either or both, you have demonstrated your commitment to, and accomplishments in, ballroom dancing at the highest level.
2. The timeline
- 11/30/2023: 1-page (MS-Word) highlight to tell your compelling story.
- 12/31/2023: 8-page (MS-Word) to tell your full story.
- 3/31/2024: The book will be reviewed by Sam Sodano and Wayne Eng.
- 5/31/2024: Publication at Amazon.
Why MS-Word?
The book will be published in MS-Word. By writing your 1-page in MS-Word, you will be much better prepared for the 8-page. It is called “pay it now, or pay more later” – Let us “pay it now”!
3. Dancing vs. writing?
As many have experienced via their efforts on the 1-page, writing for publication is not easy – It is just as hard as competitive ballroom dancing! For example, like a dance routine in which every move is choreographed, every word in a quality publication, as this book strives to be, is carefully chosen and chewed, with “i” dotted and “t” crossed!
Bottom line: Take it seriously and do not expect to write your 1-page, let alone the 8-page, on the phone!
4. How to write well?
- Read well! For the 1-page, you should be able to do it well, after reading this article: Dancing Queens & Kings: Call for Participation (4). For the 8-page, carefully read my guidelines (distributed via FB or email) and follow them closely.
- Write to your audience, not to yourself.
- Make it interesting! For example, nobody really cares about your weight loss, unless you are a celebrity, such as being a champion in ballroom dancing.
5. How can this book be successful?
To be successful, the book requires (1) your participation and (2) a “genius” to put it all together.
Am I that “genius”?
You be the judge – Aside from the “blind trust” from Sam Sodano and Wayne Eng, here is my life story: My American Dream Story.
With that, if you can just become JR-like, first for the 1-page and then for the 8-page, this book will be hugely successful, guaranteed!
6. Discussion
Three points about ownership:
- I own the book, including every word in it.
- Every participant will review and approve his/her 1-page and 8-page after editing and before publication.
- All the 1-pages are publishable for marketing, as I see fit. But no 8-page will be published outside of the book, except for mine: It has already been published as an example (Dancing Queens & Kings: Call for Participation (4)).
Like all my writings, this book strives to be intellectually rigorous. Three examples:
- Nobody in the book claims to be a US champion, let alone a world champion. Instead, just state, “She won at OSB 2022 or USDC 2021.”
- In your 1-page, you may want to highlight your wins at the USDC, OSB, or Blackpool. No wins in other competitions matter as much for this book.
- In your 8-page, list out as many wins as you like in any competition.
7. More discussion
There has never been a book like this, nor will there be in the foreseeable future. So, seize the opportunity to make history along with “who is who” in the industry – No guts, no glory!
Twenty years from now, you will be very happy to read this book again, recalling your brilliant past and sharing it with your grandchildren …
Additionally, this book will be very helpful to all the newcomers in pro/am ballroom dancing: learning faster by standing on the shoulders of giants! For example, when I started ballroom dancing in 2015, many big issues overwhelmed for me. Two examples:
- Which dance to learn 1st?
- How to balance between my desire to advance fast and the pressure to participate in many competitions?
I wish there had been a book like this to guide me through the jungle …
8. Closing
This book will be published.
But how successful will it be?
It is up to your participation, now!
