Kathleen Conroy

This story was published in the April 2, 2006 issue of USA Weekend Magazine.

What That Garden Really Costs You

One perfectionist adds it all up.

by Kathleen Conroy

William Alexander, 53, had been a passionate backyard gardener for more than 25 years when he decided, on a whim, to do a cost-benefit analysis of his gardening exploits. The shocking revelation that a single lush Brandywine tomato cost him $64 to grow led to his humorous memoir, The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden (Algonquin Books, $22.95). We spoke with Alexander, who lives and gardens in New York’s Hudson Valley. more

About Me

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An experienced print journalist, I left a major West Coast daily to fulfill a long-held dream to freelance. I've never looked back.

I love this work because I get to use my well-honed reporting and writing skills to explore a broad range of subjects. While I write a lot on books and authors, workplace issues, entrepreneurship and volunteerism, I also cover art, food, popular science, business, family dynamics, psychology, lifestyle and health.

I contribute to a variety of media – consumer magazines, Web sites, newspapers, newsletters, and corporate, non-profit and trade publications, I have written regularly for USA Weekend Magazine and Pages, and my credits have also included Family Circle, Woman's Day, Saveur, American Profile, MyBusiness, SmallOffice/HomeOffice, Editor & Publisher, The Rotarian, Western Horseman and many others.

One of my favorite articles, "Distributing Heavenly Hats," originally published in American Profile Magazine in December, 2006, appeared in the anthology, Hometown Heroes: Real Stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things All Across America, published by HarperCollins in spring, 2007.

I'm currently working on a book proposal with the working title, Mothering Mom: Advice from Daughters Caring for Their Aging Mothers.

Past book projects include What You Should Know About Authentic Indian Jewelry, (Gro-Pub Press). Copies of this buyer's guide to Navajo, Hopi and Zuni jewelry are available on Amazon.com.

I've also been a contributing writer to three workplace-oriented books published by the Dartnell Corp.: Indispensable You: 7 Simple Things You Must Do to Keep Your Job Today and Tomorrow; Quality Depends on You; and Phone Me, Fax Me, Beep Me: Teleconnecting Your Way to Success.

At right, you've find links that lead to several examples of recent work. To discuss what I can do for your print or Web publication – whether you need a feature, FOB or profile – please drop me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kathleen Conroy - Writer

About Me