When I was sending my book out for advance comments to use on the jacket, I approached some famous folks in my field whose work I respect — Michael Pollan, Ruth Reichl, and Liz Gilbert. Each, very nicely, very politely, turned me down.

And you know what? If I were them, I would have too.

You have to fight for and protect every creative minute of time, and it takes time to read someone’s book, and then write something thoughtful. I totally understood.

So I asked some more people I respect, people I know, people less famous. And, I got the most wonderful, poignant quotes. Their words, which mean so much to me, now grace the back of my book.

You can’t always get what you want. But you might just get what you need.