Re: writing solicitation

**G* R* <g*@tiscali.co.uk>**

Your instincts are right, Dan: toss it.

Graham

>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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For GWL website and Wiki, go to
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