In 2006, three leading contributors to a popular Web site devoted to index investing penned a book on practical investing that found a broad following: A Boglehead's Guide To Investing

Now, the self-proclaimed Bogleheads are at it again—but with a twist.

They're planning another book on investing. And this time, they're inviting the entire online community to take part. In theory, that could involve input from a membership that's grown to 10,000-strong at the popular Bogleheads.org.

"The book will be a Bogleheads community project, with many of you helping to write different chapters," said Mel Lindauer, in an announcement on the site.

On Sept. 5, more details are planned. At that time, Lindauer expects to put out a more detailed all-calls bulletin to enlist volunteers for the project. A specific list of positions to be set up, ranging from writers to proof readers to fact checkers, should be ready for Bogleheads to review by that time, Lindauer related to IU.com.

Last year, "The Bogleheads' Guide To Investing" came out in paperback. Both the hardcover edition and the second book were published by John Wiley & Sons. It will again handle printing and distribution of the new work by the group.

In their first book, the Bogleheads detailed an intensive study of how to use funds and apply modern portfolio theory for everyday investors. It was written by Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer and Michael LeBoeuf.

All three helped pioneer a Bogleheads.org community discussion site that has grown to include a library, all sorts of links to other references of interest and a wiki site.

The working title of the new book is "The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning."

For A Good Cause

All proceeds from the book will go to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. That's one of Vanguard founder John "Jack" Bogle's favorite causes, according to Lindauer, and where he served as chairman for seven years.

The NCC was chartered by the U.S. Congress, and the land near Independence Hall in Philadelphia was donated for the center. "Jack's mission was to raise the funds, build the center and get it operating, all of which he accomplished during his seven-year stewardship," noted Lindauer. "We want to support this worthy cause in honor of Jack."

Bogle will write the introduction to the new retirement planning book. He did the same for the first book as well.

Lindauer and Rick Ferri will help guide the new book project. Other frequent and longtime members will help form a special committee overseeing production as well.

The outline, as posted at Bogleheads.org, entails 25 chapters in six different sections. Topics will include:

• Overviews of the retirement planning process. The chapter will include a detailed explanation of how to start a retirement plan and how to budget for retirement.
• Chapters detailing the differences between using personal savings in taxable accounts, defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. A chapter on fixed and variable annuities could also follow.
• Basic investment principles, of course, will be covered. Diversification, rebalancing, the importance of low costs and tax management will be described.
• Distribution rules and taxation issues facing those in retirement will get plenty of ink. Taking lump sum distributions will be part of those topics, as will income-generating investments in retirement.
• Protecting your assets with insurance and long-term care insurance will be subjects for other chapters.
• An entire section will be devoted to estate planning. That includes a review of legal issues, necessary documents and incapacity planning.

Of course, these are just a few of the retirement issues the Bogleheads plan to address. To find out a detailed breakdown of what's in the works, you can find more details here.