Have you ever thought about writing a quilt book? Have an idea? Do you do something that intrigues or amazes other quilters? You never ever know if your idea is bookworthy or not until you submit a proposal to a publishing company. There are several mainly quilt type book publishers and I have never heard anything bad about any of them, nor have I worked with a publisher other than American Quilter’s Society. They’ve been fantastic. I’ve been lucky to have Linda Baxter Lasco as my editor for both books and she’s not only a wonderful editor but she’s a sweet and helpful lady and she’s a knitter and she took me to a knitting shop while in Paducah once! Can’t beat that, huh? Andi Reynolds is the executive editor and she’s been a dream to work with. While problems with AQS are rare, one time when I did have a little problem, both Linda and Andi took charge and it was solved more quickly and thoroughly than I’d ever expected. As you might imagine, I have nothing but good things to say about AQS.
Today I see a little blurb on their blog reminding quilters to submit book proposals. Do it! Get off the computer right now and start writing if you want to submit a proposal. If you’re afraid of being turned down, don’t tell anyone you’re doing it . . then you don’t have to tell anyone if your proposal isn’t accepted. And, I’ve heard of several authors who had proposals turned down by one publisher, only to have them accepted by another and go on to write books that are great sellers.
If I can help you or if you have questions, I’ll be glad to help but I’ll tell you — when I’ve submitted both my proposals, it was a painless process and it didn’t take me weeks and weeks to get it together. I think some stress too much over the proposal process . . or maybe I don’t stress enough! 🙂
Really though . . having a new book is about as exciting as it gets for me. I’d love to see every quilter out there who wants to write a book do so.
Lynley says
ooooh, Judy you do believe in challenging us!!! This is one of my big goals and, of course, a big fear that hangs along with it. Gulp – but thank you for putting it up, I have no excuses now.
Deb from OK says
There is absolutly no way I could ever author a book. It would scare me sensless. But talking about authors and books. my Pa Pa just wrote a book, Stories of an Old Country Preacher. It was just published this last week. I am so proud of him. He is going blind but he can still Write.
Cynthia H., El Cerrito, CA says
When AQS says that the book proposal should be “accompanied by one or two representative projects,” do they really mean the actual projects??? Or do they mean a photo study of one or two projects?
I’ll dig through their website, but that particular phrase in the blog entry struck me as scary.
Leslie in Maine says
Cynthia already asked one of my questions. The other is, how complete does the proposal have to be. I have had an idea/concept in my head for a while, but don’t know how far it needs to go before it is complete enough for a proposal.
Judy L says
What’s scary about sending a couple of completed representative projects? Publishers need to have a good idea of the projects or content we’re wanting to share, our writing skills, and our quilting skills. I could be a great writer but my sewing or finishing skills coul be really bad and the quilts wouldn’t photograph well.
I don’t find it scary at all to send a couple of completed tops.
Andi Reynolds says
Judy L. is correct; we ask to see one or two completed quilts, table runners, wall hangings — whatever is representative of what would be in your book — to better evaluate your idea. Color studies and computer-generated quilts never do justice to the real quilt.
You get a far more accurate response from AQS when we can see what the reader will ultimately end up with by using your book. While we may not accept your proposal with projects, we cannot accept it without them.
Also, we often love an idea but not the fabrics, or vice versa. If we have your work in our hands while we’re reviewing your proposal, it gives us a way to ask if you’re willing to change this or that. Some of our best books have developed this way.
The book proposal guidelines are posted at http://www.americanquilter.com under the “Authors” tab. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have as you develop your proposal. Our process is as transparent as I can make it via phone and email, so please, don’t agonize. Contact me and ask! Andi@aqsquilt.com or 270-898-7903.
Carolyn Thomas says
Wow, Judy. Look what you did!! You got the executive editor to comment/reply on your blog, which turned her from a big, huge, scary person, into one of us…. a quilter. Now there is no excuse for anyone who has an idea to not submit it. Too bad I have no ideas and no desire to write a book. But I sure love to read and own them. LOL. Hey everybody…. write more books for me to buy!!