Re: Who's the audience

**"* H* <g*@charter.net>**

Duane,
You address a troubling conundrum that faces many garden writers.  I was the
gardening editor at Woman's Day for six years and almost daily faced this
dilemma.  WD claims 27 million readers per issue and has the potential to
reach and convert many.  I wrote for the first group, as you call them,
because I was paid to do so.  Unfortunately, that is where the money is in
garden writing.  But....I never missed an opportunity to insert meat, but
had to fight to get it by my editors.  I rationalized my writing as follows:
the text should be simple enough to tempt many to try.  Present enough
information so that the reader will succeed and be encouraged to try more.
Hopefully, they will buy real garden magazines (for which I also write).

Sadly, there are fewer and fewer outlets for in-depth garden writing that
tackles the tough stuff.  And, it doesn't pay as well as mainstream
articles. Those magazines that cover gardening as it should be done seem to
want most or all of the rights to articles, too, in order to create a
database to sell as a CD or books later.  They are what smaller serious
magazines see as their financial salvation.

A second thought.  Gardening in this millennium, although it is polled as
the nation's favorite pastime, has become outdoor decorating. Container
gardens are the new flower beds of the century.  Instant solutions, whether
they come in a bottle or the local newspaper garden column, are sought.
Doodads, furniture, fountains and shrubs are placed about outdoor areas like
furniture is arranged in a living room.  Throw in a few foolproof perennials
and a dozen preplanted, purchased containers, and you have instant ambience
that only has to be watered.

I know my perspective is dour, but I trying to be a realist about what I'm
seeing.
Doreen Howard

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