How it comes to be

Since I mentioned last week that I am writng a new book, I thought it might be interesting if I took all of you along with me as I do so.  While I can't really share the actual content of the book, I thought you might want to know about how the whole "write a book" process unfolds. 

I'm often asked how I came to write books for Quarry, how I approached them with my ideas, etc.  Truth be told, I didn't approach them- they approached me.  Now, a year or two before that happened, I did indeed have an idea for a book.  I had been emailing with Sharilyn Miller, who was then the editor for Somerset Studio, and she put me in contact with someone at another publisher.  At that time, that particular publisher had a very firm set of guidelines- their craft/art/hobby titles were made up of an introduction and then 25 how-to projects. This was not the book I had in mind, so I thanked them and let go of the idea. 

At this point I had been a contributor to a few books,  had some magazine articles published and had been the artist portfolio feature in Somerset Studio.  I taught each year at Artfest, but because I was still working fulltime and had two weeks of vacation annually, that was my only teaching engagement each year. 

I was teachIng at Artfest in 2006, and had run into Holly Harrison.  Holly had authored books to which I had contributed.  She and her editor, Mary Ann Hall, were attending and having a great time.  Mary Ann had been by my classroom over lunch, and then on vendor night, she approached me about doing a book.  Now, one thing I can tell you for sure about teaching at large venues is that people say all sorts of things about various and sundry opportunities.

  So, based on a number of experiences which I won't dish about, I assumed Mary Ann was being kind.  Then, once we were all home again from our Artfest adventure, she emailed me.  "Oh," I thought, "she meant it!" We had a couple of meetings over the phone to discuss what she had in mind for me and what it looked like to write a book for Quarry. 

Mary Ann had a firm concept for the book- it was based on the classes I taught that year at Artfest and became Mixed Media Nature Journals. Mary Ann wanted me to write a book drawing from the work  in my class samples, and from work in the pile of personal journals that I had out (for folks to look at) on my teaching table in the classroom.  She had perused my work and looked through my class handouts one day during lunch.   During those initial phone calls, since I was totally new to the process, we discussed what the book process entailed, and what was needed to put together a book proposal.  Each subsequent book was based on conversations I had with my editor about ideas I had, books they were looking to have and then a proposal I put forward for consideration.

I'm going to take you all through the process with me this time.  So, more soon!

Comments

[Jolande]

Very interesting to read this LK and nice of you to take us with you to the progress of your new book.
Last week I received True Vision and now I have "the LK serie" complete :-)
So nice to know that there will be a #5.

[cami smith]

I love absolutely everyone of your books LK... and I am so honored to be included in one of them. I wish I could afford an opportunity to take another live workshop with you. Since we moved from Seattle to Orlando it has been hard to get back to Artfest.
I know I could gather a group of artists to do a workshop here in Orlando.
Let me know if you have plans to bring the family for a Disney experience. You are welcome to stay at our home, swim in our pool.( although I prefer the Pacific Northwest coast for my experiences - Animal Kingdom and Discovery Cove can be pretty fun).
Cami

[Kathryn]

Thank you for sharing this information, I'm definitely interested to see how a book comes about and the process involved in it's creation.

[Christine Kalina]

How exciting! Another LK book for my pile! Wonderful that you are "taking us all with you" on the journey.

[Annette]

What an interesting project to share with us all. This is a real treat, especially for those of us who have never written a book. I'm intrigued to see what comes next. Thank you for sharing your insight.