An endgame book based on games of "ordinary" players - interest? how to publish?

I'm not sure what category this question belongs to, so I'm posting it in general chess discussion. Thanks / apologies in advance to the mods, who will presumably move it to the appropriate category.

For about a year and a half, I've been writing a column in Chess Horizons magazine, called Hidden Depths. The premise of the column is that low-stakes games at local tournaments (as well as casual and online games) between club-level players offer much of interest and many learning opportunities. By analyzing these games, we can improve our chess, perhaps just as much as from studying the games of top-level GMs. A side benefit of focusing on such "ordinary" games is that regular players would not feel overwhelmed or intimidated by them, as they might by games of Kasparov, Carlsen, etc., and would be more likely to let themselves get deeply into them and even criticize the play and analysis. Also, this shows that anyone can play brilliancies and uncover gems hidden in any position, which would hopefully be motivating to players of any level.

The focus of the column has been mainly on endgames. It's aimed, roughly speaking, at players in the 1600-2200 range: those who have more than basic mastery of the game but are looking to improve further, to master level and beyond. Here is a sample issue, with my article on p.38:

http://www.masschess.org/chess_horizons/articles/ch_summer2017.pdf

I've gotten a lot of praise and positive feedback for my articles. One of them was nominated for a CJA (Chess Journalists of America) award. The fall issue with my latest article has been delayed for months, but will hopefully come out sometime.

So, I'm thinking of publishing a book of these types of articles. It would include those that have appeared in Chess Horizons and a number of others. I have no shortage of ideas for additional articles / chapters. I would probably organize the book by types of endgames (rook, minor piece, queen, etc.) and show analysis of club-level games as a way to teach strategy and tactics for each type. OK, so now the questions:

(1) Would this type of book be of interest to the chess community? Would you buy a book like this if it were available? Feel free to look at my other articles at the Chess Horizons website (http://www.masschess.org/chess_horizons/chess-horizons-archives.aspx).

(2) Could anyone familiar with the process give me any info on how one goes about publishing a chess book? Do you submit a proposal and a sample chapter to a chess publisher? Who are the chess publishers that publish endgame-focused books? What kind of pay scheme do they use?

Thanks in advance.

It sounds very interesting.
So what do you mean about endgames and club level analysis? Would you try to simplefy the problems and not look for the ultimate best moves and break it down as clearly as you could? An endgame stays an endgame that's what makes the game beautifull because it's (in club level) not so much who makes the most best moves but who does the less bad moves (IMO)
I would definately consider a book like it. reminds me a little bit of Silman's Endgame book (haven't finished it...). Depending on the pricing, i would verzy much consider it good luck

I think the idea is excellent, brilliant even. I often feel that the games of many lower-level players can contain little mini-brilliancies that deserve to a have a light shone upon them, or that they demonstrate how to achieve certain goals using basic knowledge and adequate technique even without a master's laser focus and faultless skills. Personally, I am not a great book buyer these days, but many are, and I think you have identified a large gap in chess literature - a gap in which interesting, useable, accessible, thought-provoking and relevant learning resides - and have already made it your own. I wish you every success.

In fact, I will go further than that, and say that this is really what chess is all about. Its magic lies not in the fruitless, endless search for unattainable perfection, but in the satisfaction simply of having played well. Playing well means different things at different levels, but the psychological reward is the same.

Thank you all for the positive feedback. I'm glad this type of book would be of interest. I do hope someone familiar with the chess publishing business replies. I will also inquire with my chess friends who have published books.

To answer this question: "So what do you mean about endgames and club level analysis? Would you try to simplefy the problems and not look for the ultimate best moves and break it down as clearly as you could?"

- I do and would always look for the best moves. If you check out my articles, you'll see that in the analysis. The "club level" of the intended reader is mostly reflected in how I explain the concepts and what lines I provide. On one hand, I assume that the reader knows basic endgame concepts and tactics - e.g. if a line ends with one side having an extra outside passed pawn in a pawn endgame, I will cut off the line and there and say "white/black wins" without further explanation. On the other hand, I do explain concepts that may be obvious to a senior master but not to, say, a class A player. I also don't show every possible variation at every possible point. Some detailed and complex lines, esp. computer-generated, are useful for objective evaluation of the position but wouldn't teach much to a 1600-2200 level player and would only add confusion. Instead of showing such lines, I would give the evaluation and explain why, in positional terms.

I'd say in the $15-20 range.  I'd be interested!

Contact prospective publishers and ask what their submission guidelines are. A smaller press will usually have their submission guidelines on their website. Mongoose Press does, for example.

Look at CreateSpace. Its associated with Amazon. It allows self publishing: Print on demand and Kindle as well. I've used this and it's not difficult. Essentially Amazon take a percentage, but it means you don't have to take stock of books that will gather dust.

I understand chess-base (including the free version?) allows you to generate chessboard stuff for publishing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Publishing-Masterclass-CREATESPACE-Step-Publishing/dp/150588828X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514075007&sr=1-2&keywords=createspace

I would be interested, the idea is great and it would be very helpful for many chess players!

Below $25 I guess.

Most amateurs play active time control or faster. So precision endgames by GMs played in longer  time controls helps little. I hope to see OPs book published. That would be very useful to amateurs.

chuddog

If i remember -- my coauthor and i submitted a rough draft of our book to Everyman.  They liked what was presented and we spent more than a year to come up with the finished product.

Everyman often publishes books on the openings. Am not sure which chess publisher likes to publish books on the endgame?

Publishing a book is blood, sweat, and tears but your ideas seem interesting--go for it!!

How did you generate your moves and board positions for your script Ponz111?

@ FMchuddog, while I write chess related fiction, I know the submission process isn't the same. With fiction publishers, they want a complete manuscript. With non-fiction a proposal will do. Some chess publishers I'm aware of are Batsford, Everyman, and Mongoose Press. Many books are self-published as well.

Your idea sounds great. Best of luck! 

My co author, FIDE Master Keith Hayward did much of the editing. Most of the moves came from my years of experience with the opening with some added references.