::CraftyChica™ - Kathy Cano-Murillo::

Hello Kathy, I really like what you do and want to do the same thing. I have an idea for a craft book and would like to chat with a book editor about my idea to possibly get it published. Could you please send me the name and contact information for craft book editors that you have worked with? What goes into getting a book published? I would really appreciate your input.
Yours truly,
Julie B.

Hey Crafty Chica! Keep up the great work, you are very multi-talented! I am trying to get into the same kind of business, I'm currently putting together a web site kind of like yours but different and I want to get into doing crafts on TV and writing books. You inspire me! Do you have any advice for me to get started? Also I would like to know know if I can get the name of your agent or any other contact you might have that will help me in my venture. This would at least point me in the right direction. Is this OK to ask, I hope so!
R.C.

Hey there chicas...
I actually get letters like this ALL the time. I'm very happy there are so many aspiring crafters out there and wish everyone the best!

My advice is to do it on your own. Start branding yourself and find a niche that makes you stand out. There is no short cut - it is not as easy as getting the name and number of a person. I've been doing my art for 15 years and CraftyChica.com for four, it has taken me a long time to get to this point. With all due respect R.C., it is really not OK to ask for names of agents/editors, etc of any authors...As well intentioned as it is, it comes across as a bit tacky and brash. Ouch! In all my time of doing this I have *never* asked another author for their resources or contacts. As an indie designer, the industry is very competitive and resources are our little secret stashes of diamonds - they are special and sacred because they are so few and far between. This stuff is hard to come by so it's not given out freely. All my resources (and those of others that I know) have come from long hard hours of research, letter writing, proposal writing, making media kits, networking, being at the right place at the right time, etc. Nothing of what I have came without emotional and financial investment. By forging your own way it will make you more respected and you will feel great knowing you earned it.

I truly believe if you are talented and unique all these people will seek YOU out. Have faith in yourself and your work and you will see.

So, no. I never give out names of my contacts. Most of the people who ask me, I don't know anything about their work. Agents and editors are already bombarded and I don't want to send people over that may not be what they are looking for. Sometimes there are occasions when an editor will be looking for a particular kind of author and then I'll offer a name or two of trusted and established people. I do have very close friends who are in the same business that I trade info with, only because *we help each other* with favors. Kind of like you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours kind of thing. But I'm more than happy to offer suggestions!

Here are some tips to get going:
Book ideas: First and foremost - Write a book proposal. This should include an intro saying why this book is so special and what it is all about. Who does it appeal to, what is the market potential? What other books are out on the topic and how are they doing in sales? Put together a table of contents and outline the entire book, chapter by chapter, project by project. Includea bio page and a query letter that introduces the book. Then do your homework - go to publisher web sites and look at their submission guidelines and follow them to a T. no book editor will even consider you unless you do these things. Unless the editor is your best friend or you are an A-list celebrity, they will laugh and probably hang up on anyone who calls them and pitches an idea. If you want to go thru an agent, it is the same deal! They want to see proposals (for non-fiction - fiction, they want the entire manuscript)! If you are stuck, buy a how-to book at the bookstore, there are lots of good ones.

Web site: These days, if you are serious about this, you have to at least have a bio page up on the web so people can see what you are all about. Work on building a following. Start a newsletter, etc.

Finding an agent/editor: I would check out writing magazines Editor and Publisher - they always have ads for agents and publishinghouses telling what they are looking for. Follow the guidelines and submission directions. There is a lot of good stuff in there!

If you fail, keep on trying. I am currently working on my fourth book, but I've submitted many more proposals that got rejected. Stay focused and keep trying. If you work hard enough it will come through for you! Hope this helps and I hope I didn't offend anyone!

Peace, respect and glitter,
CC

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http://www.CraftyChica.com

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Editors and agents

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