I was originally the agent for Deborah Ford, the founder of GRITS (Girls Raised in the South), a company that made clothing and other Southern-themed products, including a successful self-published book of GRITS sayings. But when her hired writer failed to deliver, I stepped in for an uncredited assist. We had to write 150 pages in four days to make the first deadline, but Deborah and I had been discussing her ideas for months, so I knew what needed to be done. The next three months, as Deborah and I worked together to complete the book, were much less stressful.
The GRITS Guide to Life is a collection of the advice, sayings, trivia and down-home stories Deborah had been collecting for years. The fact that it sold so well–all the way to the bestseller lists–taught me how valuable it is to partner with a smart expert who knows her subject and is dedicated to promotion. In many ways, it has been the model for the rest of my career. Thanks Deborah!
Funny, wise, charming and smart…Grits deserves a place on your shelf between Gone with the Wind and the Memphis Junior League cookbook.
The Grits Guide to Life is a chance for all Girls Raised in the South to revel in their wonderfulness–and a fine attempt at explaining us to everyone else.