My wife makes wheel-thrown goblets and vases and we would like to get her work published into a book. However, we don’t know how to get something like that started. We’ve seen fiber books about knitters and even a book by a wood-turner on how to turn the perfect bowl. How do artists get something published? Is it better to be a how-to book or more of a coffee-table gallery book with high-quality images? And, once the book is made, are we expected to market and sell it or will the publishing company help us out with that? We want to get something started in the next few months so the book can supplement our regular income for 2009. We would appreciate any help you can give us.
Getting a book published requires patience and an eye on the long view, it isn’t easy or simple and the severe financial downturn is making it harder and more complicated. A good place to start this project is in the crafts section of a large bookstore or at an Internet site that sells books. You want to make a list of the publishers who are publishing crafts related books. Then Google the publishing houses that you have identified. Go to their websites; check out the topics covered by the books they publish. You also want to be sure they don’t have a book like you would propose; they aren’t going to put out another on the same topic. When you find a publisher that seems to fit your needs look for the author submission guide lines, read them carefully, and follow the directions. As you go through this process you will get clearer about your proposal for the book you want to pitch and write. Publishing etiquette requires authors to present their proposals to one publishing house at a time so rank your choices and work your way down the list. You are going to have to adjust your timing on this a bit. There is typically at least a year between the time you sign a contract and the release of the book. I signed the contract for my book in March of ‘04 and the book was released in January of ‘06. Good luck, I always encourage the exchange of ideas among craftspeople and a book is an ideal way to do this.