PREPARING "FOX TERRIER" FOR PUBLICATON

 

by Diana R Chads

 

 

I have always enjoyed writing letters, holiday diaries, short stories and animal stories for children.  I went on courses to improve these skills and approached various magazine publishers initially and larger publishers when I wrote a complete book.

 

I owned a Lakeland Terrier before my teenage years and after his accident I owned Fox Terriers thereafter.  I did not get fully involved in showing Fox Terriers until after taking early retirement when I had time to learn more about the breed and how to show trim from the experts.   After achieving some success in the show ring I had a strong urge to write a book about the breed as no new book had been printed for about 25 years and both the previous authors had died, there was therefore no reference book to refer to on the market and many new owners of puppies, or people with whelping bitches, needed some book to refer to.   This  project gave me some fulfilment as I was no longer employed and I felt a need to do something positive with my life before it was too late.

 

Before I could begin I purchased a StarWriter 95 and a camera, the latter proved to be a disaster.  The task of writing a book turned out to be very different and far more time-consuming than what I had first envisaged.   My initial research was carried out by visiting experts in the breed, borrowing or purchasing books, visits to the Kennel Club (who have an excellent library) and the local library, and numerous telephone calls.   I assembled the most important aspects into one concise book, it not being possible to record everything because of a production limitation.   I wrote a few chapters on the character, ownership, breeding, grooming and general care of the dog.   The History, Worldwide View, details of major Champions, special information related to the Smooth variety were all things to consider at a later date as this would require letters to individuals in this country and abroad.   Through the dog press columns I invited readers to send photographs of their dogs, and I telephoned and wrote to individuals for other photographs/articles.   I received a good deal of help from experts in the Smooth coat.   I am most grateful for the articles, photographs, drawings, stories and advice which I received from within the UK and abroad.   I am also very grateful for the research that members and friends have done to make corrections and complete the records.

 

In the process of reading through the text it was curious how I found myself suddenly questioning the grammar which normally seems to come quite naturally, and it was surprising how easily mistakes would slip through unnoticed time and time again.

 

I put the text on eight discs to avoid losing any material, starting in early 1994 and finishing on 21 February 1996.   I started approaching publishers in September 1994 and was delighted to receive a visit from the MD of TFH who accepted the text in January 1995.   At this point I had no idea that I would have to re-write everything I had written.  The reason for the complete revision was because publishers receive critical letters very quickly for seemingly strange reasons, and if the reader thinks it is cruel to put dogs in dog boxes and to trim by pulling the hair I had to clarify the reasons for so doing and explain that it is not cruel.   Everything I wrote had to be done from the viewpoint of someone who had never been to a dog show and this may have resulted in some aspects being omitted.   I tried to give basic essential information without any bias to any particular country, breeder or dog.   It became clear that the publisher has the last say in editorial matters and therefore every word had to be considered from their viewpoint resulting in some things having to be omitted and others worded differently.   During the next year I printed out many copies of the text as alterations took place.   I did not always have a choice of photograph and although I spent much time trying to draw illustrations their own artist proved excellent and made alterations as requested.   Besides this revision I requested articles from various experts at home and abroad to complete the remaining chapters.

 

By 30 January 1996 I received a copy of the front cover, July 1996 they inserted the 1995 champions, 16 December 1996 I received my first copy of the book, the bulk to arrive from America shortly.   In May 1996 I received my first advance payment and in August 1997 my first royalties.   I received many phone calls and letters of appreciation and some overseas people sent me copies of their own books which made me feel the work was worth the effort.

 

Fox Terrier (ISBN 1-85279-020-2) by Diana Chads is published by Nylabone Limited, TFH Publications, Nest Business Park, Martin Road, Havant, Hants. PO9 5TL.  Telephone:  (023) 9248 1133   Fax:  (023) 9248 1212.   It can be ordered from all leading bookshops.

 

After this I wrote a 300 year family history and just out is "In Search of Gold"  (ISBN 1-85821-803-9) published by Pentland Press.   This is the story of amazing adventures in South America looking for minerals.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Diana R Chads was born in 1934 and was brought up with her twin sister by their father William.  After attending Flexlands School in Chobham, Surrey, Diana and her sister went to Guildford High School prior to being split up and going to different boarding schools, Diana's being in Haslemere, Surrey.  Diana completed her education in Switzerland following the closure of her school and studied piano almost full time.   She worked with the Forestry Commission before joining British Airways which gave her the opportunity to travel all over the world.  She has also worked in the Probation Service and on leaving she gave piano, clarinet and music theory lessons and wrote some children's stories.  She has bred champion wire hair fox terriers and has written a book on the breed.