Comments on: Evolution of a Cover

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:13:30 +0000

I love your new book. Have checked it out of the library a few times already. Hopefully one of these days I will be able to buy it.

At the end of the month I will be in San Diego to visit my sons…on the way to Hawaii for my granddaughter’s wedding (Thank goodness for old frequent flyer miles). Looking forward to seeing a lot of succulents. It is certainly more conducive to succulents there than here in southwest florida where we have had so much rain in the last week and a half. One son cleared his front lawn and has planted succulent.

I love your work with succulents!! Thank you!

Hi, Jan — Thank you! You’re coming to the right place to see lots of great succulents, both in gardens and nurseries. Lots of links on my website to San Diego sources. — Debra

By: agave girl

agave girl — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:43:23 +0000

Hi Debra i loved your first book and all of the great info thats helping me change the look of my garden. I also like to visit gardens and was wondering if you could help with a question. There is a movie with Michelle Pfiefer and Bruce Willis and there is a scene where you can clearly see a wonderful succulent garden in the background of a jogging scene. Would you happen to know it? Hope its in Calif. Thanks so much!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:21:15 +0000

Debra,

Great info! It’s interesting to see the process and experience other authors have. Your photos are great. Not too many succulents grow in my Ohio garden, but I periodically design for clients in the west. Your books are a great resource.

Jennifer

Hi, Jennifer — Thank you~I appreciate your informed perspective and kind comments! — Debra

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:20:36 +0000

Hi Debra, I just discovered your blog, website and new book. I just love your garden. Gardening with Succulents is a wonderful concepts especially where I hail here in So Cal. I have two in containers myself and my intention is to have more. I just have to browse through your book, very beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

Thanks, Karen! Welcome back to garden blogging. Enjoy your succulent gardens! Debra

By: cathie conzemius

cathie conzemius — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:49:47 +0000

Wow, i just stumbled onto your beautiful blog. I’m rushing out to get your book. It looks wonderful. Succulents my fav.

Thank you! And now that you’ve found GGW, keep coming back. We’re proud of our content and contributors, and have lots of cool things in the works! Debra

By: Forest

Forest — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:43:05 +0000

Very interesting to see the process. Thanks for sharing and congratulations! It’s funny that my first impression of the final title for the book was of a double entendre: that the container gardens were suggestively “juicy”, rather than “container gardens of succulent plants.” I like that. heh!

Out of curiosity: Did you take the photos for the book? Or do you hire someone to do the photos? Or does the publishing company hook you up with a photographer? Did you take the photo for the proposal?

Hi, Forest — I took 90% of the photos and bought the rest out of a budget provided by my publisher. It was up to me to contact photographers and get the word out about what I was looking for, so I sent out an email to about 50 whom I found in the Garden Writers of America membership directory (lots of photographers belong). I am primarily a journalist, but became a photographer because that was the best way to sell my writing, and I had learned a lot from professional photographers whom I had accompanied on shoots. And digital photography really levels the playing field. I understand light and composition, and I shoot and shoot and shoot, so out of every 50 or so photos, I get a great one worthy of being in a book, blog or magazine. Debra

By: VP

VP — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:53:32 +0000

Thanks for letting us in behind the scenes, it was fascinating.

The final cover is the only one which makes me want to open the book and see what’s inside, so good choice!

Good to know—and good news! Debra

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:38:38 +0000

Congrats on your new book and I am sure I will be as inspired by it as I have been with Designing with Succulents. Have a great tour!

Thanks, Nicole! The next few months are going to be hectic, but exciting. Debra

By: Mr. McGregor's Daughter

Mr. McGregor's Daughter — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:21:29 +0000

I’m always fascinated by the process behind the finished product. Thanks for sharing an insider’s view.

You’re welcome! But of course the real insiders are the ones who do the layout and design. I thought they did a super job, from cover to cover. Debra

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:50:13 +0000

What a journey to get from idea to product! I think the final photos for both of your books look fabulous and hope to see you in SF!

Hi, Christine — That would be super! Please say hello. I see you specialize in CA native plants. Will Idora Design have an exhibit at the SF F&G show? Debra