Re: writing solicitation

**"* W* G* <t*@earthlink.net>**

Dan: Don't do it! Peter
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Clost" <dan.clost@sympatico.ca>
To: "Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum" 
<gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 8:32 AM
Subject: [GWL] writing solicitation


>
> Folks,
> I'm looking for some garden writer advice here. A member of the GWA sent 
> me
> a request to write something for a book. I'll paste the post here with 
> names
> removed so there should be no id possible. My questions follow.
>
> Hi Daniel,
> I am a freelance garden writer and also work as the Senior Staff Writer 
> and
> Contributing Editor of ___________Magazine.
> I am in the process of compiling an exciting book on gardening and would
> very much like your input. The book will be a compilation of the wisdom of 
> a
> great many gardening experts like you!
> Each expert will provide a short narrative (500-1500 words), with or 
> without
> supporting images, that outlines one of their favorite gardening tips or
> techniques along with an "about the author" statement that can include
> contact information and/or other business affiliations.
> My publisher has asked that each author include the following statement 
> with
> their submission. "I (Name) understand that this article may be edited and
> published by (insert name of person who sent me this e-mail) and I am
> providing it free of copyright.
> I hope you will consider providing a piece for this project and look 
> forward
> to hearing from you.
>
> So GWL compadres,
> There's a few things that strike me as odd.
> The first is the writer called me Daniel. My wife calls me Daniel when I 
> am
> in trouble.
> The second is that  a "free-lancer" is asking me to give away my work for
> free and give away the copyright. I'm interested but I have never given 
> away
> copyright of anything of mine unless it was for charity or to help out a
> friend.
> The third, although author info is requested nothing is said about it 
> being
> in the book. (Am I overly worried here?)
> A fourth, the magazine website does not supply a masthead, only gives the
> name of the publisher, so I can't check out the magazine credentials 
> listed.
> Next, info about the name of the book, where it is being published, who is
> the audience, who is the publisher etc is not given.
> On the internet and elsewhere, I can only find personal information 
> supplied
> by the individual and nothing associated with the public i.e. no way to
> corroborate what is being said.
> On the plus side- hey maybe my name in a big-time book, with national
> (preferably inter-north-national) distribution, and lots of offers just
> rolling in to counteract this freebie.
> My instincts say toss this, but this person is a member of the GWA and , 
> so
> far, the members in that org with whom I have chatted are pretty decent
> sorts.
> My next thought would be to cross check with the recently announced "new"
> members of GWA and see if they have received similar solicitation.
>
> Do you experienced contributors run into this sort of stuff often? Or do 
> you
> just run?
> Advice on-list, off-list, all is appreciated,
> Thanks,
> Dan
>
> Dan Clost
> The Good Earth Columnist
> Dan Clost's Greenscapes
> dan.clost@sympatico.ca
>
>
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>
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For GWL website and Wiki, go to
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