This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: gardenwriters Digest, Vol 2, Issue 22

Dear "Lurker"

Re: writing the chapter for two copies of the book? I say, go for it. You have to do that to get going with being a writer. I did it, and now I get paid 'the big bucks' :) Well, I get paid up to 70 cents a word, or many thousands of dollars to write catalogues. So - I suppose it's up to you, but I think you should go for it. Just don't kill yourself. I think this is the way it goes, with writing.

S


At 10:50 AM 3/14/03 -0500, you wrote:

Message: 2
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 10:39:53 -0500
From: Melanie <melaniev@optonline.net>
Subject: [GWL] Question from a lurker
To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
        <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Message-ID: <002901c2ea3f$f554a680$53652f18@u3f71>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Re: [GWL] to new plant introducers: FishHi all,

Melanie Vassallo, Long Island NY, where I have to admit to being a lurker. I probably joined this group fairly early on but haven't been doing much garden writing in the past year and a half. At one time I was the "ask the expert" writer for www.ligardening.com but due to funding problems, that site's been next to non-existent.

The only other experience I've had in writing has been many articles published in various newsletters and journals for the American Hemerocallis Society. The past two years I've been lecturing extensively on several topics such as perennials, daylilies, garden design and my favorite topic of garden accessories (junk).

2002 was a disaster year for our family, my 8 year old was in a horrible accident, my husband was ill for many months and my father died. Thoughts of writing anything were put on the back burner.

Last week I received a phone call from a man in Canada. He's had a book published by Timber Press in the past few years and is currently working on a new one. He asked me if I'd be interested in writing a chapter and I replied that I'd be thrilled.

Yesterday the contract arrived in the mail. 3500 words and 8 photographs (I love to do photography but have never submitted anything for printing) but the sentance that  caught my eye immediately stated that as sole remuneration I would receive 2 copies of the book.

On one hand I feel like this could be my ticket, my chance to get my foot firmly wedged in the door as a garden writer. On the other hand my husband tells me I'm crazy :-)    He suggested I get some advice asap. The few people I've spoken to have agreed that it's a shame there's no money involved BUT this could be a great opportunity.

So now I'm appealing to the experts. What say you?

Thanks all,
Melanie Vassallo
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/private/gardenwriters/attachments/20030314/6012b4db/attachment-0001.htm

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 10:49:03 -0800
From: "Jeff Ball" <jeffball@starband.net>
Subject: RE: [GWL] Question from a lurker
To: "Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum"
        <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Message-ID: <LOBBIGDNCBANPFIKCLBOOENNDJAA.jeffball@starband.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Writing a chapter for a book to be published by Timber Press has to generate
some cash.  Timber Press does not give very large advances, but you should
never give away such a significant piece of professional work for free.
Other members of the group probably have a more reliable estimate of what
that chapter is worth, but considering it is your first, then maybe only
$1000.  How many pages is this chapter?  If it is more than 20 then $1000 is
very low end in my view.  It’s nice to have in your resume that you
collaborated in a book published by Timber Press, but that should not be a
freebie.
Later,
Jeff Ball

-----Original Message-----
From: gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of Melanie
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 7:40 AM
To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
Subject: [GWL] Question from a lurker

Hi all,

Melanie Vassallo, Long Island NY, where I have to admit to being a lurker. I
probably joined this group fairly early on but haven't been doing much
garden writing in the past year and a half. At one time I was the "ask the
expert" writer for www.ligardening.com <http://www.ligardening.com>  but due
to funding problems, that site's been next to non-existent.

The only other experience I've had in writing has been many articles
published in various newsletters and journals for the American Hemerocallis
Society. The past two years I've been lecturing extensively on several
topics such as perennials, daylilies, garden design and my favorite topic of
garden accessories (junk).

2002 was a disaster year for our family, my 8 year old was in a horrible
accident, my husband was ill for many months and my father died. Thoughts of
writing anything were put on the back burner.

Last week I received a phone call from a man in Canada. He's had a book
published by Timber Press in the past few years and is currently working on
a new one. He asked me if I'd be interested in writing a chapter and I
replied that I'd be thrilled.

Yesterday the contract arrived in the mail. 3500 words and 8 photographs (I
love to do photography but have never submitted anything for printing) but
the sentance that  caught my eye immediately stated that as sole
remuneration I would receive 2 copies of the book.

On one hand I feel like this could be my ticket, my chance to get my foot
firmly wedged in the door as a garden writer. On the other hand my husband
tells me I'm crazy :-)    He suggested I get some advice asap. The few
people I've spoken to have agreed that it's a shame there's no money
involved BUT this could be a great opportunity.

So now I'm appealing to the experts. What say you?

Thanks all,
Melanie Vassallo
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/private/gardenwriters/attachments/20030314/90da877b/attachment.htm

------------------------------

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

GWL has searchable archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters

If you have photos for GWL, send them to gwlphotos@hort.net and they will
show up at:  http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos

End of gardenwriters Digest, Vol 2, Issue 22
********************************************


Sharon Hanna
Writer, Urban Agriculturist
(604) 736 1889

 

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

GWL has searchable archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters

If you have photos for GWL, send them to gwlphotos@hort.net and they will
show up at: http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index