Copy Editor and Proofreader for Non-fiction Book Writing Project

Sep. 21, 2018

Dear Cathy:

My name is Dana and I am currently working on completing my first non-fictional manuscript. I learned about you and your book, "How To Take Control of Your Own Life," through Ms. Tia Ross.

Your book has received very good reviews complimenting on how it was written and how strong of a woman you are. I wanted to ask you how it was working with Ms. Tia Ross? I am looking to work with her as my Copy Editor and Proofreader and wanted to know would you work with her again and recommend her?

Thank you so much for your time.

Dear Dana:

Dana I currently have 26 non-fiction books at http://www.AngelsPress.com and Tia edited at least 3 of my earlier books and her work was superb. So initially, she was definitely the reason all my writing projects received great reviews. 

Her work was the absolute best. I loved how both of us clicked and just got the writing projects completed. Her services are timely and professional so consider yourself lucky to have her on your writing team.

For more writing advice and to get all your writing questions answered in the future, buy my 'easy-to-read' writing book "How To Write A Book: The Complete Guide To Writing and Selling Your Own Paperback and E-book." The book is available as an e-book, paperback and audiobook.

Need Help Growing Foods in My Apartment

Sep. 13, 2018

Dear Cathy:

You are on my page for a reason. The one thing I know for sure is that I love plants and flowers. I have been trying for years to try to grow plants and flowers. I even talk to them and my thumb is black as they come. I live in an apartment on the 6th floor. The apartment gets plenty of sun all through my home. How can I plant and become successful in a concrete jungle. I need help. Feeling sorry for myself.

Dear Ramona:

Sistar don't feel sorry for yourself, instead know that you are about to acquire a new life learning skill, and that should excite you. I am here to help...as a "Gardening Coach." I have a chapter in my book on how to successfully grow foods on patios, balconies, rooftops, porches, in kitchens and other rooms with grow lights in pots and containers. 

First off all just buy the unglazed clay pots with a hole in it with a pan (or saucer) to catch the drippings. These pots are very popular at homedepot.com or lowes.com and other gardening centers. 

Don't worry about the size to start because once the plants reach a certain level, you will have to repot to a larger pot, so buy a small pot to start. However, once some of these foods start growing, you will be amazed at how quick they grow so you can start with a medium pot, but everything depends on what you are growing. 

Make sure you go on google.com and youtube.com, which are the two largest websites on the internet once you figure out what you will be growing so you can get ideas there. 

After the unglazed clay pot, then buy everything ORGANIC...seeds, potting soil/potting mix and fertilizer. The potting soil/mix will come in a big bag so look for the word organic on front or in the ingredients so you need to become a label reader. If you buy transplants, be sure to wash off the roots before planting, because they were originally planted in toxic soil. 

Everything must be organic, so you might have to order everything on Amazon.com or at a natural gardening store in your city. Always buy and USE ORGANIC SEEDS versus transplants (or seedings) because they carry DISEASES so again try to look for a natural gardening store in your city that carry reputable ORGANIC SEEDS. Go on google.com and put in the words "Organic Gardening Store" and the name of your city.

Fill the pot with potting soil all the way to the top. Leave 2 to 3 inches from the top and plant the seeds only 1 inch down. Fertilize the plant every two weeks with organic fertilizer. Just read the instructions. Most people use some type of organic fish emulsion for potted plants. 

If placed where it will receive a lot of sun, then there is a good chance you need to water more...maybe 4 times a week. You can tell if the plant need more water. If the leaves are perky, the plant is getting enough water. If they are droopy, they need more water and if they turn yellow and is falling off, you are overwatering your potted plants.

Remember, growing foods is TRIAL and ERROR so you really can't mess anything up. Next spring I will offer a low-cost class and hold new gardener's hands, especially women, for one or two months, however, by then you can be a PRO growing all types of foods, especially in your region, in your own home. 

Ask the people at the gardening stores or nurseries in your city, WHICH FOODS GROW GOOD in your region, but only grow foods you enjoy eating for their nutritional content, especially green foods, which have the highest nutritional value. 

Learn more by reading Chapter 6 of my book, which discusses growing foods in pots and containers. The book is available as an e-book and paperback book and is entitled "Green Thumb at 60: How I Started My Gardening Journey With Raised Beds and Pots and Containers." Good luck!

How Long Should It Take Before I Notice that My Trees and Roses Are Firm?

June 21, 2018

Dear Cathy:

I would like to know how long before I notice that my planting is solid and firm. I am planting trees and roses around my house and my parent's home?

Dear Anonymous:

While I am not an expert on trees and roses, since most of the foods I am planting in my backyard gardens are for eating, after 2 to 3 weeks is when most of my plants started to take shape. 

I also advise you to attend local gardening and flower classes in your area, especially since most trees and flowers are different in each region. Did you know that trees in Texas, where I currently live -- don't grow as big as the trees in my home state - Georgia?

You can ask about both at gardening centers (Lowes.com, HomeDepot.com, Walmart.com) but most, especially Walmart have bad customer service.

You can also find natural gardening centers by going to google.com and put in your city name and the words "Natural Gardeners". Many cities have gardening clubs for plants, herbs and flowers. You can also find flower classes in continued education classes at night.

You probably can get your answer also on YouTube.com, but again these growers, farmers and gardeners will be from different regions so you need to find out what's happening in your region. 

Just go on www.YouTube.com and put in the search button "Planting Trees" and "Planting Roses" and there will be a ton of information to show you how to do it. Watch at least 10 videos apiece on each topic. This should get you more comfortable with any planting ideas for the future.

Cathy Harris, Founder, VirtualOrganicGardenClubs.com and CathyHarrisGardenClub.com.