There are only two weeks left to tell the world what you want to do before you die. So say a
pair of editors preparing a book of last wishes to be published (they say) early next year by Little,
Brown & Company. I haven’t checked with Little, Brown. The editors, Mike and Chris, have a
Website, 2dobeforeidie.com, where they’re inviting
submissions and where you can read stories that have already come in.
I have no idea who they are, but I don’t think Chris and Mike are end-of-the-worlders or
anyone like that. “The aim of the book,” they messaged, “is to spark thoughts, conversation and
action about what’s important and what’s possible, encouraging people to consider what would
really be on their list of things to do before they die.” They’re also looking for “true stories” and
want “as many people as possible to send something in to the site about something they’ve already
done that’s memorable or satisfying as they look back on their life so far.”
The due date for all story submissions for the book is April 30. “Unfortunately,” they say, “as
this is just one notch above a labor of love, we’re currently unable to pay for any stories received.”
That part of the project troubles me. If it’s one notch above a labor of love, shouldn’t they pay one
notch above no-pay? Does the proviso “currently” mean they will pay in the future? Besides,
Little, Brown & Company (which is owned by Time Warner Inc.) was a labor of profit the last
time I looked.
