Podcast Summary: The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
Episode Title: Dark Tourism And Self-Publishing Premium Print Books With Images With Leon McInally
Host: Joanna Penn
Guest: Leon McInally
Release Date: November 11, 2024
Introduction
In episode number 780 of The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers, Joanna Penn engages in an enlightening conversation with Leon McInally, the author of A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK. The episode delves into the niche of dark tourism, the intricacies of self-publishing image-heavy books, and the challenges surrounding image permissions. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key insights, notable quotes, and practical advice for aspiring authors.
Leon McInally: Journey into Dark Tourism
Background and Inspiration
Leon McInally shares his academic background in travel and tourism, where he first encountered the concept of dark tourism—visiting sites associated with death, suffering, and tragedy. This fascination led him to explore various dark attractions across the UK, ultimately inspiring him to author a comprehensive guide on the subject.
"I studied travel and tourism in college and that's where I first learned of this term called dark tourism... which is associated with death, suffering, and tragedy."
[11:00]
Leon credits Joanna Penn herself as a significant inspiration. During his research, he stumbled upon her work, which motivated him to embark on his writing journey. His visit to the Paris catacombs further solidified his commitment to documenting dark tourism sites in the UK.
Understanding Dark Tourism
Defining Dark Tourism
Leon elaborates on the multifaceted nature of dark tourism, emphasizing that it encompasses a wide range of sites, from memorials honoring tragic events to locations that evoke profound reflection on mortality.
"Dark tourism is an umbrella term for loads of places... It could be a memorial to remember people who have tragically died or a place that makes you perceive life differently."
[13:12]
Emotional Impact and Motivations
The discussion highlights the varied emotional responses visitors experience, such as remembrance, inspiration, and a heightened awareness of mortality. Leon draws parallels between dark tourism and the popular true crime genre, noting a shared fascination with the macabre.
"It taps into our fascination with death and the macabre, similar to true crime podcasts."
[19:21]
Leon also points out the ethical considerations in dark tourism, especially when visiting sites linked to recent tragedies or notorious criminals.
A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK: A Self-Published Endeavor
Why Self-Publish?
Leon chose to self-publish his guidebook to maintain complete control over the content and design. Traditional publishers might have limited his ability to include a comprehensive range of sites or influenced the book's aesthetic.
"I didn't want a publisher to say no to certain sites or constrain the design. Self-publishing gave me the freedom I needed."
[21:43]
Extensive Research and Documentation
Spanning three years, Leon's research involved visiting numerous sites, developing relationships with location managers, and ensuring the historical accuracy of each entry. His book features over 300 dark attractions across the UK, each meticulously documented.
"There are just over 300 places in the book... I made sure all historical elements were correct by cross-referencing information."
[23:30]
Navigating Image Permissions
The Challenge of Image Licensing
Leon underscores the complexities of obtaining image permissions for an image-heavy book. Even if he owned the photos, permissions were required for images captured in private or restricted areas.
"Image permissions are a nightmare, even if they're your photos. If they're in a private place, you need permission."
[26:50]
Building Relationships for Permissions
To streamline this process, Leon focused on building strong relationships with the sites featured in his book. This approach facilitated smoother negotiations for image usage and often resulted in sites providing high-quality images for his guide.
"It stemmed back to building relationships with places. I would write about them and ask for permission to use images alongside the content."
[26:50]
Cost Considerations
Obtaining permissions sometimes involved significant costs. For instance, Leon mentions paying £170 for a single image to be included in his book.
"One image cost me £170 for permission to include it in the book."
[28:07]
Collaborating with Designers
Collaborative Design Process
Leon worked with three designers to bring his vision to life. The collaboration involved multiple iterations, where he selected elements from different proofs to create a cohesive and visually appealing layout.
"Three designers collaborated on the book. I picked elements from different proofs and combined them into one unified design."
[30:29]
Attention to Detail
The design process was meticulous, with specific attention to background images, illustrations, and map designs. Leon highlights the importance of the physicality of the book, believing that holding a well-designed guide enhances the reader's experience.
"The physicality of the book is important. You've got to be holding it to appreciate all the design elements."
[33:08]
Marketing Strategies for Niche Books
Leveraging Relationships for Book Signings
Leon emphasizes the effectiveness of conducting book signings at the very dark attractions featured in his guide. These events not only attract interested readers but also strengthen his relationship with the venues.
"Book signings at attractions worked well because they were promoted by the venues themselves, leading to increased interest and sales."
[35:20]
Social Media and Targeted Groups
Effective use of social media involved engaging with relevant groups and communities interested in dark tourism and related topics. This targeted approach helped Leon reach his ideal audience more efficiently.
"Getting the book into relevant groups and showing its relevance to those communities has been effective on social media."
[37:55]
Long-Term Marketing Vision
Leon views his guidebook as an evergreen product with long-term sales potential. By continuously promoting the book and building its reputation, he anticipates steady, ongoing sales rather than a quick spike.
"It's a long-term prospect, something that will keep selling over time rather than a one-time financial boost."
[38:28]
Overcoming Challenges in Large Projects
Managing Scope and Expectations
Leon candidly discusses the challenges of undertaking such an extensive project, including underestimating the workload and the importance of not being overly harsh on oneself.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Effective time management and allowing yourself to step back are crucial."
[40:53]
Adaptability and Flexibility
Throughout the project, unexpected hurdles, such as a key designer falling pregnant, required Leon to adapt and adjust timelines. His organizational skills and flexibility were vital in navigating these challenges.
"I underestimated the project and had to adapt when one of my designers fell pregnant, causing delays."
[41:58]
Personal Fulfillment Over Financial Gain
For Leon, the project was a labor of love driven by his passion for British history and dark tourism. The fulfillment derived from sharing lesser-known historical sites outweighed the financial aspects.
"It's not just about the financial element. I want to raise awareness of our British history and inspire people to explore local attractions."
[42:49]
Conclusion
Leon McInally's A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK exemplifies the dedication and passion required to produce a high-quality, image-rich self-published book. Through meticulous research, strategic marketing, and overcoming significant challenges, Leon successfully brings to light the often-overlooked dark tourism sites within the UK. His insights offer valuable lessons for authors aiming to embark on similar projects, particularly those involving extensive imagery and niche topics.
Find Leon McInally and His Book:
- Website: Darktractions UK on Facebook
- Book Availability: Available on Amazon
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
"I studied travel and tourism in college and that's where I first learned of this term called dark tourism..."
Leon McInally [11:00] -
"Dark tourism is an umbrella term for loads of places... It could be a memorial to remember people who have tragically died or a place that makes you perceive life differently."
Leon McInally [13:12] -
"Image permissions are a nightmare, even if they're your photos. If they're in a private place, you need permission."
Leon McInally [26:50] -
"Three designers collaborated on the book. I picked elements from different proofs and combined them into one unified design."
Leon McInally [30:29] -
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Effective time management and allowing yourself to step back are crucial."
Leon McInally [40:53]
Connect with Joanna Penn:
- Website: The Creative Penn
- Social Media:
Support the Podcast:
- Patreon: patreon.com/TheCreativePenn
This episode offers a deep dive into the world of dark tourism and the meticulous process of creating a self-published, image-rich guidebook. Leon McInally's experiences and strategies provide valuable insights for writers and entrepreneurs navigating similar paths in their creative endeavors.