Another Jewelry Book in the Works
April 8, 2007 by Tammy Powley
Filed under Jewelry Design Careers
I started a new jewelry book proposal last week. That means, actually, I’ve got two proposals sort of in the works. The first one I emailed my editor at Rockport about a few weeks ago, hmmm…maybe even a month now, and while she didn’t say, “no.” She needs to think about it. Okay, so what do I do? Should I just hang out and wait?
Nope. Instead, I decided to start on another book idea I’ve had for about five or more years. I originally pitched it to this same editor many years ago, but I was told it was too narrow a topic. But, I still (after all these years) think it’s a good book idea, so I’m going on and even contacted another editor at another publishing house this past week.
This is a first for me. Other than writing books for Rockport, I’ve only worked for Wiley & Sons, who contacted me. But, I am beginning to realize it’s probably time for me to go out there and knock on doors, or in this case, knock on email addresses. It’s kind of scary because it means possible rejection (or even probable) and that sucks, but it’s past time for me to do this. I actually had a friend of mine suggest self-publishing, but I don’t want to do that unless I have no other options. There are so many craft book publishers out there, hopefully, it will never come to that!
On this same topic, I’ve just added a new jewelry and beading blog poll (scroll to the right and down). Do you ever buy self-published craft books?
Good luck with your proposal. Also, check out lulu.com…you can self-publish there and maybe get more eyes for your work and get picked up by a publisher?
Thanks, Lori. Yes, though for me that will be a worst cast scenario. I just want to write and design. I’m not very into marketing, which is one reason why I turned to writing about jewelry vs. selling my jewelry in the first place. But, yes lulu and few similar places are available these days.
Yes, I would buy a self-pub, but only if that were the ONLY way to get that particular information. I really hate having to buy through any venue but Amazon, simply to keep my credit card number in limited hands. But now, Amazon allows self-pubs to be sold there too
I wish you all the best for your proposal! In one of the forums at Kalmbach, they are asking for book ideas. I also don’t like to part with my work which is why I turned to books and magazines. Oh, another to try is Lark Books.
Thanks, Cynthia. I’m actually starting with one other publisher and plan to move on to more if they pass me by. I’ve just been so lucky that this is really the first time I’ve approached a publisher without some sort of previous book work with them.