Bruce Zumsteg’s Book

[Leo Grassl]

I am currently reading Bruce’s book, My Life and the Steel Guitar, for the second time. It is a beautifully written book. You get the impression that Bruce is right there reading it to you. His story of determination and passion for playing and building steel guitars while remaining a family man is both humbling and inspiring.
I’ve heard the book is no longer in print? I hope they make some more so more folks can read it.

Leo Grassl

[Ian Rae]

It's an inspirational read, and it's a shame the print run was so short. It appears to be self published - I wonder if Bruce could be persuaded to do some more?

[Joe Krumel]

I enjoyed that book myself.This instrument has a neat history for sure.

[Leo Grassl]

Someone emailed me about this thread and I deleted it before reading it by accident. Please try me again if you wish.

[Greg Cutshaw]

Perhaps Bruce would allow one of us to convert it to a pdf and distribute it for free or donation if he doesn't intend to publish it again.

[Bob Jennings]

Bruce is not only an excellent writer and pedal steel builder, he IS a very fancy Pedal Steeler!!! I couldn't put his Book down once I started reading it, and his CD is excellent listening.

Bob Jennings

[Leo Grassl]

Interesting idea there Greg. If Bruce would register it as an ebook then it could be available on Kindle etc and he could still get money for it : )

[Ben Thomas]

Anyone know where I could buy a copy of Bruce’s book? Thanks

[Edward Efira]

I bought mine directly from Bruce.

[Roger Crawford]

I’ve read the book three times. It seems that I take away some more insight every time I read it. Short story about Bruce the player. Working with the audio/video recording crew at the ISGC in St. Louis every year, we would always go into the hall early every morning to get all of the gear up and running. One morning I heard some of the most beautiful playing I’ve ever heard. No one was on stage, and looking around the room, there was Bruce playing at his table. If you can find them, get the book and CD.

[Bruce Zumsteg]

Thanks for the kind words guys! About a year ago, I sold out of the last supply that I had, and by that time, the number of requests for books had diminished considerably, and I couldn't justify purchasing the required order quantity. I recently checked with the supplier, and their costs have gone up nearly 30%, plus the high cost of shipping to get them to me. I may look into offering it as an ebook, but I don't know if there would be enough interest to justify that either. Thanks again. ZUM

[Roger Rettig]

Bruce

Thanks for chiming in here.

While I love physical books (and have shelves'-full), the reality is that either Kindle or e-books suit me better because of some deterioration in my vision.

I bought a hard copy of the Buddy biography but actually read it via Kindle. If you would consider that option, I'd be delighted.

[Tom Campbell]

I also read Buddy's biography on my Kindle.
Would be interested in an E- version (Kindle) of Bruce's biography.

[Diane Diekman]

Bruce, since you own the copyright, you can post it yourself on Kindle. I put my three memoirs on there, and I don't remember it costing me anything. You also probably have the manuscript pretty much ready to go, which makes it mostly cut and paste. Amazon takes most of the money you make off it, of course, but you do get a little bit, and it will be out there for those who want to read it.

[Gary Spaeth]

count me in for an e-book.

[Ben Thomas]

Thanks for all the info, and count me in for an ebook as well.

[Roy Heap]

I also would like a copy please if it was possible.
Crying shame to lose it!

[Murray McDowall]

I would really love a copy also Bruce, as the proud owner of a D10 9x8 Zumsteel.

[Don R Brown]

Another option to investigate would be a "print-on-demand" arrangement. You upload your book to the printing outfit, and after the necessary arrangements are in place any time someone wants a copy, they send their money to that company, the copy gets printed and mailed, and you get your stipulated amount. This avoids the author having to buy hundreds of copies and then trip over boxes of unsold books for the rest of his/her life.

Maybe someone on here has actually been through that process and could offer us a bit more insight on how it works.

[Bruce Zumsteg]

I used a Print On Demand company for the original book. I'm currently checking with them on the details of offering it direct to the buyer, and also as an Ebook. However, from what I understand on their web site, the cost of printing each hard copy individually will make it rather pricey for the customer. If anything develops on this, I'll post it.

[Bill McCloskey]

I would definitely purchase an ebook

[Don R Brown]

I used a Print On Demand company for the original book. I'm currently checking with them on the details of offering it direct to the buyer, and also as an Ebook. However, from what I understand on their web site, the cost of printing each hard copy individually will make it rather pricey for the customer. If anything develops on this, I'll post it.

Thanks Bruce! Sounds like you are already on it before I brought it up.

[W. C. Edgar]

I'm still looking for a copy too!

[Don R Brown]

Thanks for the kind words guys! About a year ago, I sold out of the last supply that I had, and by that time, the number of requests for books had diminished considerably, and I couldn't justify purchasing the required order quantity.

I used a Print On Demand company for the original book. I'm currently checking with them on the details of offering it direct to the buyer,

I'm confused about those two posts, which seem to conflict. IF I understand, a "Print On Demand" arrangement involves no inventory for the author (unless he/she wants to keep some on hand) and no required minimum order quantity. I believe the book is uploaded to the publisher and the required contract is signed. From there, nothing more is done until an order comes in. If I order one, I pay them directly, they print off that one copy, mail it to me, and the author gets credit for his portion - almost like royalties on a song. From time to time the author gets a check for his earnings. At the time I looked into this process a few years ago, there was no minimum sales needed and no need to the author to "renew" the deal.

In such an arrangement, people see the price and make their decision whether it's worth it to them. It's certainly up to Bruce, or any other author, whether to go through the process or not. But once the preliminaries are set up, it seems like it requires no further action by the writer yet preserves the availability of the book for nthose who would want it.

[Bruce Zumsteg]

Now available here.

https://app.thebookpatch.com/BookStore.aspx