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Termyn8or -> Book idea (5/9/2009 4:07:07 PM)
I have a unique opportunity to spend time with an ex-thief. Sometimes the subject comes up and while I am sure some of the accounts are embellished, the detail is such that I know he pulled off alot of it. Successes, failures and why, much more. Some things you can't do anymore because this and that. In such detail to be almost agonizing. This guy was a real pro, until he severely injured someone while robbing them and wound up behind bars for 15 years. He has enlightened me about vulnerabilities we have, of which we are largely unaware, and when he describes his failed attempts, actually provides some ideas for people to be more secure in their possesions. There would also be a section on why you can't trust a dog to defend your assets. Such a book might have some social value in that it could increase public awareness of what can and does happen, and why nothing is 100% secure. Because nothing is 100% secure. In other words, you can't really stop a thief, you can only slow him down. The only thing that actually stops a thief is to slow him down to the point where the job is not worth the time, which equals risk. Essentially this makes the thief stop himself. I'm wondering if such a project would be worth the investment of my time, would it sell ? Although I have seen some physical evidence, I would put it forth as semi-fiction or something like that. The thing is, would it garner enough public interest to be even mildly profitable ? In this day and age with the economy stumbling, there is going to be more crime. In fact I believe there will be money to be made in the security business as more and more people are forced or coerced by conditions to do things they normally wouldn't do. Opinions ? T

sirsholly -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 4:16:40 PM)
While the book would no doubt be interesting, what would stop me from buying it would be the thought of the proceeds from the sale going into his pocket.

Crush -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 4:34:37 PM)
Go for it. You never know where life leads you...this may be a blind alley or could be whole new path. He paid for his action, according to the law. Would it be more of a novel or ?

DarkSteven -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 4:41:54 PM)
Hey, Term,to get a book accepted, you send in the table of contents and a single chapter. Just do that much, and see if a publisher bites before you write the whole thing.

Termyn8or -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 4:46:11 PM)
Why would you be ? This would be somewhat like an ex-safecracker being paid to assist in the development of better safes. Or an ex lockpicker to assist in the evolution in the design of locks. Actually it is somewhat compelling subject wise. When one can actually beat the system, and the system doesn't like that of course, why would it be wrong for one to switch sides ? He would be giving out alot of "trade secrets" which would have a positive effect IMO. For example I know how to pick locks, and I also know that there are mechanical locks that are pickproof. Once I disassembled one I knew why. Ingenius I say. The truly pickproof locks are in some car ignitions, and that is probably a good thing because I have had a car stolen and it was used in a robbery. The peeled column proved pretty much that I hadn't done it, although I had no alibi. All I had to do is go down to the police station and swear out an affidavit that I had not given anyone permission to use the car. I quipped that when I loan a car out I generally give the person a key ! Not to hijack myself, but did you know that in Illinois at one time car theft carried the death penalty ? I would see this as like when a computer hacker becomes a consultant to people designing computer security systems. Things like that. There is no more empirical evidence than that given by people who have actually done it, beat the security. Information on just how that was done is quite valuable, and I think would benefit society. Why shouldn't the guy get paid ? To say that he should never get paid for things, well all that means is that he would be impelled to again use these secrets rather than to reveal them. Doesn't that seem counterproductive ? Really, now the guy wants to earn his money. Partly because he is in his forties and the odds will catch up to him, but many thieves actually would rather not do it. Usually it is a drug problem or something. T

Termyn8or -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 4:51:19 PM)
I am not quite sure how to structure it right now. Perhaps the anecdotal part first and then the advice section. His tactics beating guard dogs could almost be a book in and of themselves, because the only thing I could think of would be a gun with a silencer. T

pahunkboy -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 4:55:42 PM)
Hey Term, write up a blurb on PDF. I will trade you PDF for PDF. You could sell it here online. The site is ebay with no fees. http://blujay.com/

pahunkboy -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 4:59:26 PM)
You know I read all this doom and gloom stuff. I also like "how to" as in real things I can do. Bob Chapman is probably the best expert. His forecast is grim. So - the hints you say- would have real life applications. A burglar will move on to an easier target if too hard. People in the US don't think as savvy on this topic as there hasn't been a need to. The info would be timely.

ThatDaveGuy69 -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 5:02:38 PM)
Perhaps you could take 5 or 6 of the his best "jobs" and write up each as a chapter. ~Dave

MsSpankhardSk -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 5:54:10 PM)
Why don't you see if it has been done before? I recall a book subject about this. Do your homework. If its been done before, see how you could improve upon the subject.

Crush -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 7:18:30 PM)
I was just curious as to the style...lots of "how-to" stuff out there at your local gun show and online already. Not saying that you can't repeat stuff that's there already, but the ? was what genre and style? I've a cool book by a "card sharp" that Penn Jillette edited and it is presented somewhat bio, somewhat anecdotal. Good read That style? Or "Here is how crooks do...and what you should do to prevent..." like the show It Takes a Thief And of course, being sure that YOU aren't being played too....

Joseff -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 7:24:09 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Termyn8or I have a unique opportunity to spend time with an ex-thief. Sometimes the subject comes up and while I am sure some of the accounts are embellished, the detail is such that I know he pulled off alot of it. Successes, failures and why, much more. Some things you can't do anymore because this and that. In such detail to be almost agonizing. This guy was a real pro, until he severely injured someone while robbing them and wound up behind bars for 15 years. He has enlightened me about vulnerabilities we have, of which we are largely unaware, and when he describes his failed attempts, actually provides some ideas for people to be more secure in their possesions. There would also be a section on why you can't trust a dog to defend your assets. Such a book might have some social value in that it could increase public awareness of what can and does happen, and why nothing is 100% secure. Because nothing is 100% secure. In other words, you can't really stop a thief, you can only slow him down. The only thing that actually stops a thief is to slow him down to the point where the job is not worth the time, which equals risk. Essentially this makes the thief stop himself. I'm wondering if such a project would be worth the investment of my time, would it sell ? Although I have seen some physical evidence, I would put it forth as semi-fiction or something like that. The thing is, would it garner enough public interest to be even mildly profitable ? In this day and age with the economy stumbling, there is going to be more crime. In fact I believe there will be money to be made in the security business as more and more people are forced or coerced by conditions to do things they normally wouldn't do. Opinions ? T Actually, a bullet between the eyes will usually stop a thief in his tracks. You might get the idea that I don't like thieves, that would be a gross understatement. On a lighter note, I think your book idea may have some merit, so take the advice of an earlier poster and contact a publisher. I'm fairly sure such a book has already been written, but there's no reasson there can't be another.

CatdeMedici -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 7:25:41 PM)
Trite and way overdone, 15 years? Small time these days. Unless he hacked a website and stole Queen Elizabeth's jewels or created a pyramid scheme and stole Spain--it won't sell--what we really need is someone like that who has the balls to travel the country and lecture to kids, teens and young adults that crime does not pay--because if he publishes and earns royalties--well it does pay doesn't it?

Termyn8or -> RE: Book idea (5/9/2009 11:15:24 PM)
FR Jos, you can't be home all the time. Cat, that is just one of the ironies in life. But this is for regular people mainly. As far as stealing Spain, no. But he has stolen some quite valuable catches. Some of his most profitable jobs were drug dealers. Caches of cash or drugs, and they don't call the cops. There is a very high risk factor, but the whole aim of the work would be to educate, and in some cases illustrate stupidity, which can be fun at times. Not to highlight his abilities, except to the point to make it clear - that there are people out there who can and will break almost any supposed security system. I am quite sure if you had a car in your yard, I could tell him that I want it and I would have it. He would give me a price. (at least in the old days) It does not matter if you have a twelve foot electric fence and a bunch of pitbulls. Oh, and BTW, you can't use motion detectors if you use dogs. T

ienigma777 -> RE: Book idea (5/10/2009 12:22:35 AM)
Write your book...that's the easy part. Then market it.....before anything, not even a single page shown to anyone...copyright it, then you begin your quest. Send a brief, the responses you'll get from those you send it to will be....returned....written on the envelope.....return to sender, unsolicited materials not accepted. Then get an agent.....send the brief, (synophis).....reply will be,..... return to sender, unsolicited material not accepted.....or a letter wanting to know where you have been published before, with what house. or...we only accept referrals from literary attorneys. Send the brief to a pulishing house direct......reply....Return to sender, unsolicted materials not accepted. Or...a letter.....thank you for your interest, however we do not have a policy of accepting material from authors directy, you may resubmit your property, though your certified agent or attorney. Or...thank you for your interest in having us publish your property, however, we are backed up with other material we are presently considering, our readers have a 5 year waiting list before we would be able to consider your material. And additionally you will get.....we are sorry but your subject matter does not fit with our publishing criteria. Then you will get, from some agents......WOW, this is just the type of material we have been looking for. Please send the entire book ASAP. If you do, and there are the legals attached....you will get a call.....Yes this is a worthwhile pursuit, but we will need to have one of our experts read and rewrite your material to acceptible standards....please send your check for 1500 dollars for this service.....along with the request for the fee, there will be a list of free services offered. A week will go by; you will recieve a phone call, and the fee will be discounted to only $1000 dollars, if you act within 5 days. You can self publish.....and have 2000 books stashed under you bed. List your book on Amazon, and it will be lost, lost somewhere in the masses of other books. Self publishing...you have to supply the pages on disc, the cover art, if you don't have cover art, the printer can supply you with their generic cover, or you can hire an artist to design your cover. All for additional fees. By the way, when you apply for copyrights...you must have the book completed, as the Library of Congress with not accept an 'idea' or brief. Also, to protect yourself you must have a Library of Congress SSI catalog number. There are fees for all this also. go on the net, and goggle publishing your own book. You will also find, just in time publishers....this is where you can have a printer publish 10, or 20 copies...as much or as little as you want. Now, after you have self published, you will have to sell your books.....Borders Bookstores, Dalton, Crown, only purchase from their buyers who buy from accredited reconized sources. But you still want your book out...so you must donate free of charge to librarys (who will review your book, before they will consider it); church groups for fund raisers, and a whole host of other organizations...free of charge.....this called ...promotion. Now, if you do manage to get a publishing house...you will be paid; royalities only. The publisher will want all rights to the property, including motion picture rights. You are NOT norman Mailer who could demand, and get it....a million dollar advance...even on an unwritten book. Think I'm bullshit ? I have a book published in Holland, an erotic art book, and that fiasco is for another time.

CatdeMedici -> RE: Book idea (5/10/2009 4:52:20 AM)
quote: Oh, and BTW, you can't use motion detectors if you use dogs. No, but I can use a 45.[8D]

housesub4you -> RE: Book idea (5/10/2009 5:03:46 AM)
Yea, I work as a writer and performer and everybody believes their story would make a great book. I think there was a survey done saying 98% of the people in this country think their life story should be a book. The problem is, this type of book is/has been done in just about every form. Hell there have even been TV shows created by ex-thieves helping people protect their homes. As it has been said before, writing is the easy part, selling and marketing is the pain in the ass. I still say go for it, but don't count on making a living from it

pahunkboy -> RE: Book idea (5/10/2009 7:13:04 AM)
The national stolen car center red tape place is located in Chicago. (Palos Hills IL) They dont really do anything so far as I can tell. I dated a guy who hung with the type you mention. Bad azz type. Never have a security company hook up your system. It is an invite as to where to rob. I had a guy still some pills from me. The joke was on him. He thought they were codeine. But oops. Niacin. He was heavily drinking and popped 4 niacin's. He started turning red. He said.."oh man, I think I am dying", LMAO. It sure was a comical thing to have stolen.

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