[scribus] New to publishing, Scribus, and this list

[Mike Breiding]

Greetings,

I just fired up Scribus this morning and spent some time getting the 
feel of it.

Pardon the off-topicness of this post but I felt I needed to give some 
background.

I am about to embark on my first book publishing project.  And right now 
it looks rather daunting for a first timer.
My hope it to take this website: http://EpicRoadTrips.us/ca2007 and make 
it into a book.
There are around 800 images and comments for most.
My target finish date is 15Dec2008

The primary reason for doing this is to give it to my aging mother who 
has never owned a computer and never will.
But, she is a lifelong bibliophile.
For her to be able to see the website in print would be a huge thrill 
for her and the book would be something she would cherish.

I started thinking about this project a month ago and did a lot of 
rooting around on the web looking for book publishing apps such as 
Blurb's  BookSmart. I tried a number of them and found them all to rigid 
and proprietary
So, I then looked into iPhoto and Aperture. Similar problems.

I then test drove an old copy of PageMaker 6.5 WIN. Aaargghh! Painful.
I then decided to check out InDesign when a local WVU Publications 
person suggested I look into Scribus, which I had never heard of. I am 
glad he did.

So along with some hand holding  and help with Scribus I am also hoping 
to get some more general guidance on publishing as it relates to size, 
layout, printing services, etc.
I am going to keep it *very simple* otherwise I fear I will never get it 
done.

I plan to make only a few copies and I am currently looking at VioVio 
for printing.
See: http://www.viovio.com/index.php?structure_id=483

So, I am now going to get started with some basic photo and text layout 
and then start making a list of question I am unable to answer for myself.

But my first question is:
Is this do-able for a newbie? Or am I nuts?

Thanks,
-Mike