Someone told me that making money in non-fiction is a lot easier than in fiction.  It makes sense to me because I’ve always had a much easier time creating fiction.  Well, most of my non-fiction is personal philosophy kind of stuff…  But the point is that people write fiction a lot more than non-fiction.

So there’s an opportunity for people that want to write non-fiction.  In fact, there’s one right here at Litmocracy.  The News category is pretty easy to win because not many people post to it.  I’d like to see more in it, so here’s mine.

I’m always looking for evidence that would help me change my mind.  I’m also pretty hard core and stubborn in my world view, and I think that comes from the fact that my piles of evidence are quite high.  Ok, this is supposed to be an invitation to disagree with my post.  But agreeing would be cool too.

I’m especially curious to know if anyone else puts effort into spreading the idea that terrorism is a result of meddling, not a result of capitalism or religious offense or jealousy of freedom.

I agree as well.  There is almost always a particular market for non-fiction as well.  If you were to decide to write about your bedside alarm clock, you could have it printed in three or four places from collector’s or antiques magazines in a few weeks (ok, exaggeration, but I still think I made the point).  There are how-to books on wiping one’s nose.  In fact the only category of non-fiction that is always glutted is the Shoulda-Woulda-Coulda brigade.  Just look at the new “Why Bush is really the Anti-Christ” display that is going up at every bookstore.  (And no, I don’t like Bush, which is what disgusts me more.)  And then watch Bowling for Dollars, but only if you can download it for free.

And now that Dave probably thinks I’m going to accuse him of that kind of cheap-shot armchair quarterbacking, I can say that I appreciate his op-ed pieces for avoiding precisely that.  No cheap shots, no “I’m the superior expert” attitude, just well-argued points with supporting facts and some (perhaps optimistic )  suggestions.  I can happily say that I think this piece is well written in spite of almost completely disagreeing with it.