I’ve been working on my sexy guide to Montreal, Naked Montreal, off and on for the past while, and seeing as it’s the end of a decade, I figured I should finally be done with the damn thing. I’ve left Montreal, and it’s time to close this chapter of my life. With a book, that can be slammed shut in an overly dramatic manner.
Partially inspired by a great article by Steve Anderson that I read in this week’s WritersWeekly (which noted that Charles Dickens self-published what is arguably his most famous story, A Christmas Carol, AND managed to win a lawsuit against his evil publishers, who immediately tried to make a cheap, poorly-spelled knock-off to garner a share of his profits), and equally excited by the end of 2009 to act as an immediate, fast-approaching deadline, I decided to finally sit down in the chair and write.
Broke-Ass Stuart, rocking it old-skool (image via Broke-Ass Stuart's Goddamn Website)
I’ve been working on it for the past couple of days. Tonight, as I screwed around with potential layouts over at Lulu.com, wondering who will actually buy this damn thing once I self-publish it, I received a note from the fabulous Broke-Ass Stuart (of Broke-Ass Stuart’s Goddamn Website fame), in response to a note I’d sent him about his recent discovery of a bunch of thieving British wankers who were selling crappy knock-offs of his “Young, Broke & Fabulous” t-shirts. Catching up on my BAS, reading about the whole affair pissed me off, as it pisses me off whenever I hear about some assholes trying to pass off obviously stolen material as their own. (The greatest part? The idjits even admitted in the comments section of the post that they stole the idea from him! Isn’t plagiarism awesome?) Anyway, I had sent him a bit of a rant telling him not to let these fuckers take advantage of him, and to seriously try to press the issue with legal authorities. After all, you’ve got to protect your copyright.
He wrote back saying that the chumps in question are taking down the design, after many irate Broke-Ass Stuart fans firebombed them with hatred, and then popped me a question: would I be interested in helping him out with a new project, something involving Montreal?
Me + Broke-Ass Stuart + Montreal + irreverent guidebooking? HECK YES!
As you can imagine, I’m pretty excited. I’m not sure what the exact details of this project are just yet, but if Broke-Ass Stuart’s involved, I know it’s gotta be good. The guy is hilarious, motivated and clever, so if you’re not reading his blog or his books yet, what the eff are you waiting for? Scoot!
And then come back here for more details as events progress!
Hi Laura,
I have been reading your blog for a while now, and that’s where I came across your plug for Broke Ass Stuart’s website. I was looking at his site the other day and thinking “I wonder where all the broke ass stuff in montreal is?” I’m thrilled you are going to be working on a Montreal section for this site. Good luck!
Thanks Ingram! Broke-Ass Stuart has definitely inspired me to take the self-publishing route, especially since–as you mention–there doesn’t seem to be a lot of info on how to live cheaply in Montreal, even though you clearly can. I think a collaboration between us would be excellent, since I admire his work and think we have different skills/ideas that will complement each other.
Another good inspiration from Montreal, for me, was the Smart Shopping Montreal book by Sandra Phillips. I should add her to my list of Recommended Reads!
They have this Guide coming out every year, it’s a start ;) http://www.montrealmirror.com/2008/082808/survivalguide2008.html
This is awesome news! The growing anticipation of your MTL guidebook is my only comfort since mourning the loss of V for Vixen. Long live sexy (and affordable) Montreal!
Dang! I wrote him a couple months ago, asking (and suggesting) that exact darn idea. I’m not saying it’s not a prospect he hadn’t already thought of, but I definitely proposed the idea of doing some Broke-Ass Stuart stuff in Montreal. I’m happy about this new development (and slightly annoyed that I’m not IN on this)! Good luck, and keep me in mind if you guys are looking for Montreal bloggers to participate.
Gerard: Yes, there’s the Mirror’s “student survival guide,” but look at their emphasis–students. Lots of people in Montreal are living cheaply, and their lifestyles have nothing to do with being a student. It’s a start, but really, given that they just republish the same information every single year, it’s kind of pathetic that there haven’t been any other guides to living inexpensively in the city. I mean, the Mirror guide isn’t particularly inventive with its recycled info, and certainly doesn’t dig very deep into the cultural wealth of freebies and cheap stuff Montreal has to offer.
Liesl: Yay! I’m glad you’re excited about it. This gives me a reason to keep writing.
Olga: He may have had it on the back burner, or perhaps your email was one of several that prompted him to think it’d be worthwhile. Whatever the case, I’ll definitely hit you up if we need up-to-the-minute info! Actually, do you have a digital camera? I could definitely use some shots of a few places. We’ll have to chat once I’ve got a good list together.
I do have a digital camera and would love to scout out some places.
Keep me posted.
Awesome! Will do.