NO, I WAS NOT BORN IN WACO, TEXAS, nor do I play the banjo. And no, I never worked at Disneyland, though these days I feel as if I live in a fairytale, if not a theme park, exactly. Lately, nonetheless, I have developed something in common with Steve Martin (and Amy Sedaris and Jon Stewart and a few other writers who get out of the house a little more frequently than I do). Somehow my upcoming corporate-dropout memoir ended up on the cover of the same catalog as their new books. Yup. “And I Shall Have Some Peace There” by Margaret Roach: There it is.
Imagine my surprise when a padded envelope arrived the other day at the Post Office. Nobody at my publisher had told me I had made the cover, let alone alongside such esteemed company. Nobody had told me there would be two pages about my book inside. I didn’t even know the catalogs were in the mail heading my way.
I opened the package, saw the contents, and squealed–but of course, as is the consequence of living a life of relative solitude, I had nobody to even show it to for days.
Now that I have had a chance to show it to my sister and two closest friends, I’m showing it to you.
You can read the whole fall-winter 2010-2011 Grand Central Publishing catalog here if you want to, or even download it as a pdf by clicking the imprint’s name under that season’s offerings.
You can also learn where the book got its name on this page.
Am I the first to say…Mazel Tov?
Can’t wait to read the book and read how you did it. But then again, after reading your blog, coming to many open garden days and now attending your workshop, it is clear that hard work, dedication, drive and talent lead you to where you are today.
It is a beautiful article! How interesting, this entire peak into the literary world. Blessings do abound when we’re on the right path, and you are. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!!
It’s a good thing the door to my office is closed because I just looked at the GC Publishing Catalog and let out a loud scream of delight! So so proud of you M/M – you must be so excited!!!! Gorgeous photo of you in there too!
Most excellent! I can’t wait to read it! Congratulations on taking the road less traveled and doing it so very well.
Congrats Margaret!! Can’t wait to read.
I’m glad your publisher realizes that they have a best seller on their hands. Enjoy your well-deserved sweet spring. I can’t wait to buy it; you had me at the cover.
congratulations …
Congratulations Margaret!
Congratulations!!!!!!! Can’t wait to read it!!!
Congratulations!!!
I’m not suprised that your book made the cover…the graphics alone are gorgeous,…as is your website. Also you have such wonderful gardening information and you’re a wonderful writer……AND photographer. That’s a whole lot of wonderfuls!! Come to think of it, Martin and Stewart should be whooping for joy that they made it to the cover with you!!
Go for it!!
Flora
COngrats – looks like a winner!
Congrats Margaret! Can’t wait to read it, as we always need a little more peace in our life and world. And plants…
The book looks interesting. I shall certainly order it when it becomes available.
I wonder if it a female Walden?
Will you ever go back to the big city?
Is it an experiment that’s working?
I shall have to read it to get a better understanding
Thanks to all of you; what nice feedback on my big week of seeing the catalog cover. Wonderful to have you along.
@Simon: Will I ever go back? I could say, “You’ll have to read the book to know” (tee hee) but that would be rude. I will say this: Despite realities still to be resolved like can I support myself here and will I ever tire of my own company, I think so far so good. Hopefully from the garden-blog posts you can get a sense that I love living in the garden, finally, after 20-plus years of weekend commuting to it.