Sounding out an idea

[Carol]

Hello old friends and new. Sorry I don't look in more often but still caring full time.
I thought I would run this idea by you to see what you think. I've bought an old school log book which starts in 1868 and goes up to the start of 1914 although sadly misses the wars. It is a daily journal with quite a lot of perhaps boring info- rain today attendance poor, Rev such and such visited and collected money, steady progress made, etc etc. A bit repetitive but in the midst of this are some interesting social things that I find fascinating- children away gleaning- yes I had to look that one up, acorn picking, potato picking, off for Coronation day, school received bottle of ink, another day a box of pencils and one day blackboard and easel, annual treat, church visits, exams, new songs learnt although not named- that kind of stuff.
It names lots of pupils who come and go mostly because parents move in and out of area or they get positions- never says where.also measles and whooping cough. It is a lacking in a lot of details that would make it really riveting but still fascinating to me.
I am wondering if it would be worth transcribing it and trying to publish it. Has anyone undertaken a similar venture and do you think it would sell?
The school was in what used to be an old village and to some extent remains an old village but within a large urban sprawl and big town these days.

[Northern Lass]

Hi Carol

moving this to misc. in gen. disc.

How interesting!
Dennis on this forum has published online thru kindle some books so he might be able to help you.
What does google say re publishing stuff.

Which area is it for Carol?

[Carol]

Hi Northern Lass
It is down south- part of Bournemouth now
Haven't looked into any publishing sites yet as it would be a very lengthy process to transcribe it all, just wonderering about visbility.
Perhaps some interesting highlights in a small publication but you would loose the sense of daily routine then

[gardener]

Hi Carol
It does sound interesting!
I've transcribed a couple of manuscripts and I know just how time-consuming it is! I intend publishing one of them but I still need to go back and edit it.
I think that the slow transcribing process makes things even more interesting because you get drawn into that world. Self-publishing means that you can keep it as a whole I suppose. Perhaps you could do that but also write some short article(s) with extracts and submit to a local paper or something?
I look forward to hearing how it turns out - I could learn from you

[Carol]

Hi Gardener
Thanks- that's an interesting idea doing shorter articles for local papers and such. It is such a large journal it would take hours-no months to transcribe solo
Nothing will be happening any time soon as full time carer but planning a few projects for the future.