Doing it right, writing non-fiction requires considerable research and writing time. While this statement applies equally well for good, gripping fiction works, non-fiction is different in that its nature requires extensive analysis of complex ideas, studies, profiles, photos and conclusions laid out to be readily understandable but without spoon-feeding – meaning more time must be set aside and deep work should be undertaken before moving forward with publishing the final product.
Groundcover on wall
Good gardens and good books both take time. (From The Complete Book of Groundcovers by Gary Lewis of Timber Press.)
Time taken may not necessarily correlate to quality; authors are as prone to procrastinating as anyone; but in an age when tastes, trends, and techniques shift so rapidly that many authors in gardening/horticulture genres only get one year or less to complete a book before its original inspiration has long since faded from memory upon publishing it.
If they want their book to be as comprehensive as anticipated, it would be prudent for them to have researched and written half of it by the time they sign the dotted line – hoping the inspiration stays around for an after-dinner drink or two!
Trends and influencers drive book sales these days, which means we often overlook books that would serve us all best as gardeners – books written by true experts in their fields with in-depth coverage – in favor of trendier titles with short reads or just for fun topics.
Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide by Cole Burrell and Judith Tyler has long been considered an AHS award-winning book; yet due to an absence of updated hybridization efforts over recent decades it remains out-of-print and out of reach for gardeners who would benefit from professional knowledge rather than marketers’ promotions. Timber if you are reading this please understand gardeners need this book!
But enough with my pessimistic theories! Instead, I want to share my excitement at discovering that even in an ever-evolving marketplace, real work time – deep work time – still occasionally exists and the book produced as a result deserves its place on my shelves – just ask Dan Hinkley, Tony Avent, or Panayoti Kelaidis who agree!
Gary Lewis wrote The Complete Book of Ground Covers: 4000 Plants That Reduce Maintenance, Control Erosion and Beautify the Landscape in 2009. At a Perennial Plant Conference in Pennsylvania last August over dinner I got to chat with him about this labor of love that took nine years to create.
Gary Lewis of Timber Press published The Complete Book of Groundcovers as The Comprehensive Resource on Groundcovers.
Nine Years to Write Even I can recognize that nine years is probably too much, but Lewis is an extraordinarily busy individual involved with plants he writes about. His original contract specified three years, but it was extended each time due to his expertise, vision, and schedule – likely justifiable reasons.
Author Gary Lewis from Timber Press
Phoenix Perennials of Richmond, British Columbia is home to an outstanding retail and mail order nursery called Phoenix Perennials which boasts many articles, talks, radio broadcasts, and television appearances by their owner each year. He offers over 5000 plants to walk-in customers alone each year – and about half as many to online customers in Canada alone!
Yes, he’s busy. And yes, he wanted to write the book himself instead of having it ghost written (you’d be amazed how often that occurs!). More importantly, though, he wanted to create an encyclopedia which will inform gardeners worldwide both now and over time.
