Re: Agent replies

**"* C* <y*@ispnet.ca>**

TC Conner wrote: At one point, I thought a good friend of mine (who's a very
well-known published author, lecturer, and garden writer) would help me with
my book idea, but he never seemed very interested. Perhaps my book idea
isn't valuable, but he never said so.
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It's very difficult to get a friend to give you an honest opinion about your
writing. Generally, they won't. I did it once - give an honest opinion when
pressed hard (not a garden book, by the way) - and I lost a friend. That's
why outside agents and editors are invaluable. You will get constructive
feedback, and keep your friends.

I was approached to write a book (a friend of mine recommended me to the
publisher who was doing a Canadian version of the Dummies series), and
subsequently I wrote a gardening book for novices. I approached my friend's
agent, but they told me they couldn't improve the contract, and so they
didn't think it was fair to take me on. I haven't wanted to do a book since
then, (Canadian publishing will do that to you), but that experience gave me
the impetus to start a website, which has been rewarding for me. 

I got off lucky: another friend of mine wrote a very good garden book, but
had a smaller advance, and she had to pay a photographer out of this tiny
advance, and pay for indexing too. I didn't pay for either, so the agent was
right: I had a decent contract they couldn't improve on. Her book was much
lovelier than mine (mine has just has cartoon line drawings), but thankfully
the publisher indexed it and paid the artist. Contracts are full of stuff
like that, and it pays to have someone experienced go to bat for you.

Yvonne Cunnington
Web: http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/
Blog:  http://countrygardenerblog.com/
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CountryGardener

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