Periodically, cities will commission coffee-table books of photos and prose that sing the praises of their area – less for tourism purposes than in hopes of persuading large companies to relocate to the area.
In 2001, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce decided it was time for an updated edition, and through their publisher, Alabama-based Community Communications, hired me to write the text of its new book, Twin Cities: Heart of the Lakes, Star of the North.
Along with being given the title, I received short, one-paragraph descriptions of the content for each of ten chapters. Taking it from there, I did the research necessary for each topic, turning it into over 20,000 words on the history of the Twin Cities, its economic prosperity (of course), and
its cultural, educational and recreational opportunities.
All on a relatively short deadline for such an
undertaking (about three months).
Although it was intended mainly as a promotional piece, the book was available in bookstores beginning fall, 2002.