My forthcoming book “Dancing Queens & Kings” is calling for participation (Dancing Queens & Kings: Call for Participation (5)). The only requirement is that you have competed at the USDC or OSB (2023 inclusive). Below is the timeline:
- 11/30/2023: 1 page highlighting your compelling story in pro/am ballroom dancing.
- 12/31/2023: 8-page full story.
- 3/31/2024: Book review by Sam Sodano.
- 5/31/2024: Publication at Amazon.
I am looking for 50 participants and will accept up to 60 submissions of 1 page (1st come, 1st accepted). After your 1 page is accepted, your 8-page is almost guaranteed to be included in the book, unless it is so poorly written that it is totally unsalvageable.
In this post, I will answer some FAQs (frequently asked questions).
1. Why do you write such a book?
As a direct response to the reality TV show: “Dancing Queens”!
For more, read Ballroom Dancing: Reality Show vs. Reality.
2. How can this book be successful?
It requires (1) your participation and (2) a “genius” to put it all together.
- Who can participate? Anybody with an interesting story to tell, after meeting the simple requirement of having competed at the USDC or OSB (2023 inclusive)!
- Am I that “genius”? You be the judge – Aside from the “blind trust” from Sam Sodano, here is my life story: My American Dream Story.
3. Why the USDC or OSB?
Aside from the fact that I personally regard these two competitions to be the most successful and prestigious in America, look at the cover of the book!
Bottom line: A line must be drawn somewhere. This is the line I drew for this book from the start.
4. Who owns the book?
I do, including every word in it!
Specifically, as the editor, I own 50% outright. The rest will be evenly divided among all the participants. For example, if we end up with 50 participants, each will have 1%. Since I am also a participant, I am the majority owner.
Every participant, after a successful 1 page, will write her/his own chapter (limited to 8 pages), based on the guidelines I set out for the book. She/he is responsible for the contents (e.g., “She won Open Latin at OSB 2022”), while I will go through every word with editorial changes as necessary. She/he will finally approve the chapter, of course.
Every 1-page participant so far will have hopefully appreciated my penmanship, although English is my 3rd language (after Chinese and Japanese).
5. Do I need to pay to participate in the book?
No!
6. Will you profit from the book?
No! Two main reasons:
- Book publishing is like pro/pro ballroom dancing: the path to success is so narrow that 99% do not make it, especially in terms of profits (or making a living as a pro/pro couple).
- Anybody who thinks “yes” has, most likely, never published a book, let alone profitably!
For more, read Section 11 below.
7. Do I become a co-author if I participate?
Yes, you do, proudly, hopefully!
8. Do I have much control over the book?
No, you do not, other than your own chapter.
9. When can I commit or withdraw?
Your participation is 100% voluntary. You commit by completing your 1-page, and you may withdraw any time before your 8-page is finalized. However, once your 8-page is finalized, you are a part of the book, and you can no longer withdraw.
10. Should I trust the quality of this book?
Yes, you should, if you trust Sam Sodano, an iconic leader in this industry!
However, the quality of the book relies very much on all the participants as follows:
- Writing for publication is not easy. It is like competitive ballroom dancing: every word is carefully chosen and chewed (just like every move in dancing) and the entire book is carefully planned and assembled (just like a well-choreographed dance).
- Apparently, none of the 1-page contributors, so far, has ever written anything significant for publication, which makes my job of integration very challenging! It is therefore required that all the participants strictly follow my guidelines. For more, read Patricia Schneider can dance and write!
11. Will you write about pro/pro or am/am?
No!
Why not?
There is no market for it!
Ballroom dancing is a niche, and pro/am is where money is, thus the gravity of the industry. Unfortunately, a big piece of a niche is a niche even smaller.
Bottom line: This book may sell 2,000 copies – So, do not do it for money!
12. Why do you write this book, anyway?
I like to write, just as you like ballroom dancing, which I also like. So, writing a book on ballroom dancing for me is God-given, although my niche in writing is the US-China relations, which includes three mega subjects: the U.S., China, and their interactions.
As a matter of fact, I have been publishing weekly since May 2011, without missing a single week so far. As a result, I have published more than 900 articles and four books (all available at Amazon), with the fifth due 3/2025, as highlighted below. This book on ballroom dancing is merely a minor detour …
13. What is so special about this book?
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 the industry’s “who is who” – No guts, no glory!
Like all my writings, this book strives to be intellectually rigorous. For example, nobody in the book claims to be a US champion, let alone a world champion. Instead, state, “she won at USDC 2023 or OSB 2023”.
Like all my writings, this book strives to be time-testable. For example, twenty years from now, you would be very happy to read this book again, recalling your brilliant past …
14. Closing
Together, let us make the ballroom dancing industry better, faster!
