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Re: what's a realistic for a first time author?

> Hi Roger, times in book publishing are tough and different publishers offer
very different amounts which are NEGOTIABLE along with other terms in the
contract.You would do better to ask GWL members  what publisher X is currently
offering and what Y is currently offering.
I've heard publishing experts differ on the value of a large advance vs. the
value of other excellent terms (provided of course that you still have money
to eat). 
When you negotiate, some publishers will pay an extra couple thou for
'expenses' if you're doing the photos, for  travel, styling or planting the
garden. Expenses paid up front or at time of submission of manuscript (or
both) are valuable because they are not held deducted from your royalties.
    Although publishers don't usually prefer this, by all means submit your
proposal to several places simultaneously, as almost all agents do now.
    The fact that you would supply the photos counts a lot, as otherwise the
publisher would have to pay for stock photos.
    Spring of '10 is a more likely timetable.
Would be happy to elaborate further off list or by phone.
212-861-3913
Ellen Spector Platt


> I've had a few publishers contact me in the past few months to see if I'm
> interested in submitting a book proposal.  I've been considering this idea
> for quite some time, but would like to have a better sense of what I need to
> invest in the project in terms of time and what I can reasonably expect back
> in terms of an advance.
> 
> Although I've never written a book, I have a growing list of food and
> gardening publishing credits and a bit of a national profile in my area
> (kitchen gardens), including some attention recently in the New York Times.
> 
> 
> The idea I have in mind is a simple, short how-to book for people interested
> in planting their first small kitchen garden. I'm not sure if it matters,
> but I'd be providing text and photos.
> 
> I'm also trying to understand whether it's feasible to get something out in
> the spring of 2009 or whether that's too ambitious a timetable.
> 
> I'd be happy to have any insights off-list or on (if you prefer).
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Roger
> 
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