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Arlington

Hello Folks,
    After two years of research, writing and editing, my book about the 2006 competitive giant pumpkin growing season is appearing in a bookstore near you. Backyard Giants goes on sale this week, Tuesday, Sept. 4.
I’ve tackled a lot of different subjects in the 25 years I’ve been writing for newspapers, but it was the fascinating world of giant pumpkins and the people who grow them that lured me to write a book. Your hobby already had the great works by Don Langevin to guide you through the growing of these monsters. But I hoped to tell the story of a single season, zooming in for an up-close picture of the growers and all the dedication, heartbreak, and good humor that goes into a typical year in the pumpkin patch.
With the book finally making its debut, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make it happen. This wasn’t a book about giant pumpkins. It was a book about growers – about all of you. While reporting Backyard Giants, I had the privilege of getting to know an amazing group of the most open-hearted, interesting, and inspiring people. I needn’t name them – you can read about them in the book! – but they are all familiar to you already. (Just two names: Ron and Dick Wallace, with their typical hospitality and generosity, were my lifeline). And, of course, bigpumpkins.com was my constant companion throughout the year!
My only regret is that I did not have space to write about everyone who so generously gave their time to me while I was working on this project.
Last year was a wild roller-coaster ride on the way to an inspiring end. I admire all of you who stick it out year after year against such huge odds of success. I look forward to watching another brilliant year play out in September and October, as I expect I’ll be watching every year from here on out.
Grow ‘em Big!
Susan Warren, backyardgiants.com

9/3/2007 9:46:21 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Susan,
A big THANK YOU for doing the research, learning all about what the heavy hitters do, and writing a book that will give this hobby more recognition. You have all of my respect for being able to hang with this insanity for a whole season! I can't wait to read the book!

9/3/2007 9:58:51 PM

Leamington, Ont.

I just ordered one from Amazon.ca, can't wait to read it!

9/3/2007 11:51:10 PM

Rhode Island

fellow growers new and old

i cant begin to tell you how much research susan did while forming the background for this book. she flew all over the place meeting and interviewing growers,spent many days away from her family and also had to take a leave from her job reporting for the wall stree journal.

i can tell you that ron and i will never forget her efforts and that goes for the rest of our sngpg directorship as well.she became a true friend to all of us.

thank you susan for capturing the moment or should i say many moments in this crazy world of giant vegtable growing.
see you at the frerichs farm weigh off.

dick "pap" wallace

9/4/2007 5:27:30 AM

Massillon, Ohio

thanks for all your hard work !!! i ordered mine over a month ago and have been anxiously waiting at the mailbox :) what an awesome thing you've done!!

9/4/2007 12:15:35 PM

Bristol,RI,USA.

Pap said it best " we will never forget you " it was great getting to know you ,also inspiring to se how hard you worked to bring this story to fuition. i have already called the bristol book store to make certin they have it on the shelfs !!!! see ya at the weigh off

michael " calcubit" Oliver

9/4/2007 1:38:50 PM

[email protected]

Can't wait to read it Susan. Did you grow this year?

9/4/2007 4:30:32 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I can see a second book on the horizon, Susan, as this hobby gains popularity exponentially every year.

You hit the nail on the head. This hobby is about the people involved in it. Once you start, you're addicted.

For me, it's been a way to while my time eight years after a divorce and involve and teach my daughters about perseverance and dedication. That's a tough thing to do in this age of instant gratification, video games, and junk food.

The day will come when they see their daddy achieve his goal in the winner's circle after several years of trying. They will understand then that the best things in life are worth working for.

9/4/2007 9:18:17 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Amen

9/4/2007 9:55:18 PM

Washington

Susan, we are anxiously waiting for our copy. Thanks,
Jack and Sherry

9/4/2007 9:57:55 PM

Nikiski, Alaska 99635

Congratulations Susan on going the distance and getting Backyard Giants published! Your a Heavy Hitter in your literary field. Look forward to reading the book! Take care. J.D. Megchelsen

9/5/2007 2:00:19 AM

Coventry R.I.

Congratualations Susan,,,was glad to have meet you last year, getting these monsters ready for the weigh-off, hope to see you again,, did you grow this year.

Frank , last years rookie

9/5/2007 6:47:33 AM

Arlington

Thank you for all your good wishes! Sadly, I was not able to grow another pumpkin this year -- we moved this summer, and let me tell you it was quite a chore returning my backyard to a suburban-lawn so that we could sell the house. Had to smooth out the pumpkin patch, spread the dirt all around the yard, and plant grass. After all the work we did improving the soil in our garden, I felt like I was burying pure gold! So I haven't had a chance to do any gardening yet in our new house -- still unpacking boxes -- but I have my eye on a nice sunny spot in the backyard....It will be a completely different challenge. We've moved from hard-pack black clay to a very sandy soil.
--Susan

9/5/2007 10:59:11 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Great name, too. My sister had that name until she married. (Susan Warren)

9/5/2007 12:25:48 PM

Boston, MA

Great job Susan, the book is amazing.

9/5/2007 10:09:32 PM