Michael
Larsen, who with Elizabeth Pomada directs the San Francisco Writers Conference, is a
great believer in using writing as a tool for change. At this year’s conference
he moderated the inspiring panel discussion “Being a Change Agent: Writing for
a Better World.” Larsen’s passionate belief that books can change the world
might be linked to San Francisco’s creative roots. In a San Francisco Examiner
essay written in 1977, he had this to say about what then was a visionary book
coming out of the city, the Whole Earth Catalog:
“…the
vision of the “Whole Earth Catalog” was do-it-yourself reliance, small-scale
living, the unity of nature, and our responsibility for Spaceship Earth. This
lifestyle replaces:
* the artificial with the natural
* consumption with simplicity
* possessions with experience
* economic growth with personal growth
* the desire for more with the need for enough”
Sound familiar? These ideas planted the seeds of sustainable
agriculture, going Green, the DIY movement and buying locally grown food.
The panelists consisted of publishers who also believe that
books can be part of change: Georgia Hughes of New World Library, Jan Johnson of Red Wheel, and Jeevan Sivasubramanium of Berrett-Koehler. It’s one thing to
write a book you think will change the world, another to get it published.
Without getting too caught up in the idealistic, Sivasubramanium offered some
practical advice.
“Many people have great ideas for nonfiction books that help
change the world politically or socially that help individuals grow in spirit
and purpose.” The question to ask is: Does the world need this book? He offered
seven questions you
to ask yourself when formulating a book proposal.
What about you: Do you think writers can bring about change?
What books have in some way changed your life?
-- Elfrieda Abbe, senior contributing editor at The Writer
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Thanks for your article. Michael Jackson's book "Moonwalk" made me vegan overnight from being a meat eater, so that particular book can really change the world, only if his fans read it properly. There are lines in books which can change the world, but the world need someone to put those lines together. That's what I am trying to do- be a reader of those lines for the world. Best wishes from Berlin
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thecoparazzi
wrote
re: Can books change the world?
on
Mon, Apr 23 2012 10:20 PM
Im sure that books though not changing the world have certainly influenced people. Books can also change an authors life. I have my first bookTHE COPARAZZI out on Amazon createspace and I have been extremely excited. On the other hand I have been nervous and constantly, so the book has put me in a state of too many highs and too many lows.
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KB Gibson
wrote
re: Can books change the world?
on
Wed, May 23 2012 8:22 PM
Isn't that why we write? Because books have changed our world?
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