[Oliveview]

Does that make all our signed copies twice as valuable now?   Are you writing another book yet John?
Congratulations!  
Pamela

[AndyRVTR]

Got my book when i got in from work tonight.. I'm already on page 119.. what a read!

[SnooziSuzi]

Yay John!

He must be a squidillionnaire by now then  

[AndyRVTR]

Read it from cover to cover... what a fantastic book and I can see me using it for a reference guide for years to come.
Great work John... thanks for sharing your knowledge...  

[John]

Well I'll be honest, nobody is more surprised than me with its success. I felt there was a gap for a basic guide and I didn't want some triumph of the graphic designer's art with pretty staged photos at 19.99. So basically I wrote what I wanted to read and something I would be able to give to someone who hadn't a clue.

The economics of books are surprising. You see how Archer and J K Rowling have made millions but it's a bit like being in a rock band. Coldplay make millions but the vast majority are lucky to cover their costs.

I'm not J K Rowling, sadly, but I am making about what I'd get for a part time job and I'm very pleased about that.

The next book will be, all being well, launched in March 2009 and is called The Essential Allotment Guide. That's the publisher, btw. I wanted to call it Allotmenting, a Guide.

If I'm not about much on the site, it's because I'm writing. It's actually quite hard work and I'm desperate to make sure people aren't disappointed. After all, you are kind enough to trust me with your hard earned money and I have to provide good value for that.

The real reward is when you get people saying they've enjoyed it and found it useful. But a bit of cash does come in handy

[Lynne]

Can we start putting our names down for a signed copy yet? Count me in, I use the other one all the time.

[John]

Can we start putting our names down for a signed copy yet? Count me in, I use the other one all the time.

Thankyou Lynne! A bit nearer the day, I think

[Salkeela]

Can we start putting our names down for a signed copy yet? Count me in, I use the other one all the time.

Thankyou Lynne! A bit nearer the day, I think

John - I don't post here all that often - but I do look at your book!  Joy Larkom and you together sit on my bedside table.....  

Well done with your success!  It's great to see a practical book beating the glamour photoshot books.....

Count me on the list too......  

[John]

I did have one complaint that there weren't any colour pictures. Was really tempted to retort that he could look at the seed packets
I was polite though and explained I'd rather people had something affordable than coffee table.

I also got a bad review on Amazon from someone, which I thought was a bit harsh but then I realised he'd compared my writing to Isaac (sic) Walton in it and I actually think that's high praise indeed. Doubt I'll be remembered in 300 years.

[Oliveview]

Do you do the writing on the pc John or by hand?  How long did it take you to write the first book?  I have to say it is nice to have a book with photo´s but we all know what a carrot, onion etc looks like don´t we? It is nice to have a cookery book with photos though.
Pamela

[John]

On the PC. When the first draft is done I print it and Val proofs and I re-read making notes and then I email the corrected version off to the publisher.

The editor reads it and asks questions / clarifications etc and makes suggestions.  Do all that, re-send and more bits come back. Then we get a final copy and print that out, double check and make the last corrections.

Left out the drawings bit - but all in all there's a lot more to it than you expect when you start.

[birmancats]

Oo add me to the pre sales list too.  Looking forward to it.  How ever did you resist not saying "look on the seed packet".  

[John]

Don't get too excited - I'm not at all happy with it yet

I seem to recall wondering why I said I'd write the first one by the end. The problem here is that there is some crossover with the first. Bit like buying an album and finding 4 tracks were on the previous CD.

[allotmentnut]

Please add me to the list.  The new book is something to look forward to in the depths of winter.  Well done John