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So You Want to Publish a Craft Book
by Mary Strope
Writing a book is a very long process that requires a certain skill set, a lot of patience, and time. Once it’s finished, getting it published and distributed boils down to three basic choices: self-publishing, working with the big publishers via a literary agent, and working with the smaller publishing houses.
Self-Publishing
In 1998, Gloria Page was looking for a way to branch out from her thriving handmade card business. She was making 10,000 cards a year and selling them in the Southwest and through the Smithsonian museum store. “I’ve always wanted to write a book before I turned 50,” says Page, “In ’98 I was pushing my deadline.” The death of a dear friend who was the same age as Page, gave her the final push.
Page wanted to be free to write what she wanted and not be limited to a how-to book. She bought The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter and followed the guidelines. Page had already developed much of her material through classes she taught on the creative process. She just needed to write it all down. In January 2000, she bought a journal and started writing the book by hand. Once her husband taught her how to use a computer, she typed her manuscript. In total, it took a year and a half to write. Meanwhile, she downsized her card business to allow more writing time.
The finished book, titled Holy Moly Mackeroly: Reflections on the Business of Art and the Art of Life, finally arrived—all 84 boxes, or 2,000 copies. “It was a mountain of books,” says Page. It cost over $7,000 to print the book and she had spent all her resources for the printing and shipping. She had no money left for marketing. Her first step was to give an autographed copy to each family member.
Then she sent a book to every magazine and newspaper that might give a positive review.
Newspaper articles were written about her and the book. She got fantastic reviews from the stamping magazines. Next, someone started a Yahoo group based on her book. The momentum was there.
“There was a ripple effect,” says Page. “If you toss a pebble of an idea out there, sometimes it can turn into a wave.”
Read more in this issue of Crafts Business.
