Runners’ Lounge
Contact: Betsy Wasser FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: 309-797-0938
Email: betsywasser@gmail.com <mailto:betsywasser@gmail.com>
RUNNERS AROUND THE WORLD TO WRITE RUNNING BOOK
Runners’ Lounge to Publish Book of Essays by Ordinary Runners
They may not be world record holders or champions, but ordinary runners have a passion for the sport of running – and a desire to share their insights with other runners. That’s why Runners’ Lounge, the online community devoted to running, is inviting runners around the world to contribute to a book of essays about running.
Runners are invited to submit an essay with a maximum length of 600 words by February 28, 2009 for consideration to be included in the book. The book will be published by Lulu and available for purchase both as an eBook and a hardcopy. Proceeds will be contributed to a running-related charity. Essays should be submitted to: joinus@runnerslounge.com.
“This is an opportunity for runners across the globe to share their wisdom, advice, and insights into running. Such a book hasn’t been written about running by runners – at least not yet,” says Runners’ Lounge co-founder Tom Green. “Runners take care of their fellow runners and are eager to help them improve. This book gives ordinary, non-elite runners, an opportunity to offer advice based on their own experiences.”
The project is unique in the collaborative process used to write the book. The content and energy is driven by the online running community, which means runners who have never met, except online, are building the book. Collectively, they are involved in many of the project decisions—including the book title, themes, sections, and cover design.
Runners are invited to submit essays that answer these questions:
You’re in a conversation and you just caught someone’s attention by mentioning you’re a runner. They’re interested in running but you only have a few minutes to tell them what you know. What would you tell them?
Running enthusiast and communication professional Kristina Pinto stepped forward to lead the editing of the project. Others, united only by their running fervor, are offering their assistance with their talents and suggestions.
Pinto encourages those of all running and writing abilities to submit essays. She advises prospective writers to consider one of several questions to guide the article they submit. For example:
· What would you advise a new runner about what consistently predictably works for your running?
· If you could help runners benefit from your lessons learned the hard way, what would those lessons be?
· As you look back, what did running mean to you when you first started–the effort it took and the benefits you gained? How has running changed your life since then? What have you learned about yourself from running?
Runners’ Lounge is a social running website devoted to supporting runners, running communities, and running resources; expressing the voice of ordinary runners; and increasing the enjoyment and success for running for athletes of all ability levels.
