My next major project is another nonfiction book. This one is far removed from fishing. It's about the wonderful, wacky and weird world of online chat.

The mainstream media delights in exposing the dark underbelly of the chat world: the child molesters, the stalkers and the adulterers. I don't intend to ignore that aspect but as a denizen for much of the last five years, I've learned there is a lot of good that most media ignores.

The first part of the book will be a guide of sorts, a map of this huge virtual world. I'll discuss software, include some screen shots and provide an overview for beginners. Although most of the discussion will revolve around IRC (Internet Relay Chat) there will be a place for Instant Messaging and java-based chats common to websites (including many writing-related ones).

The bulk of the book will be stories. Real stories of loneliness, love, lust and laughter as told by people like you, your cousin or next-door neighbour.

I've designed a loose-knit questionnaire to which I've already received dozens of wonderful replies. The questionnaire is available for the asking by clicking on the "Chat Book" link below and dropping me a line.

The only prerequisite is that you have a reasonably lengthy history of being an online chatter and have a story or two to tell. All responses will be anonymous. I will use no real names or nicknames. There will no remuneration nor a guarantee that your story will be included in the book.

What I will guarantee is an instructive book chock-full of stories that are by turns warm, funny, cautionary and sexy.

CHAT BOOK