I have published successfully previously (journals and books). You are quite right about some of the hoops.
In my book I am taking a different approach to some of the problem solving that I have never seen in print or presentation. Only doing it since I have gotten so many requests after my presentations.
That's what got me started as well. I got deeply involved in preparedness and started a local group in 2008, and since that time have given several presentations. During those presentations (and during my own preparation for them) I became aware that there was a need for a good, solid reference that wasn't so heavy on the "zombies", but which would provide a deeper level of detail.
Tonight I'm up having to rework the "hunting and foraging" chapter, which was just wasn't strong enough. Once that is complete I've got half a chapter to go. I'm quite anxious to give birth to this baby! :)