I am in a book for the first time! And my goodness, am I in good company……….. Els van Baarle, Diana Harrison, Alicia Merrett, Katie Pasquini-Masopust, Joan Schulze and Charlotte Yde, to name a few. 120 artists in all and I am included!
It’s a bit weird though, because in December 2006, I was contacted by Drusilla Cole, who asked if I was interested in being included in a book called "Contemporary Textiles". Off-cause I was, so I submitted pictures of five quilts, with notes and a contributor's agreement, and had a thank you mail. Never to hear another thing………….
Fast forward to yesterday: I was leaving a comment on Julie's blog and noticed someone called Helen Suzanne - so I decided to have a look at her blog too (as you do) and guess what, she had just learnt (from another blog) that she was in this book called "Textiles Now"; hadn’d been informed that it was out, nor been given a complementary copy. I saw the name of the author, and some bells began ringing in my head. Then I looked at the link to Amazon, luckily it is one of those books where you can look inside and the index confirmed that my name was included! So I ordered my copy right away ;O)
As this is my first being included in a book I don’t know if this is normal practice. I’m one of the only ones that is only listed with name and e-mail, so I am disappointed that I did not get a chance to add my blog address (I only started blogging in March) as well.
My copy arrived this morning (from Amazon), as we didn’t get a complementary copy, my bet is that there is a lot artists in this book that don’t know that it has finally been published.
Off-cause I have only myself to blame for not keeping in contact, but frankly, along the way I forgot……..
Bush Fire 32 X 43 cm (12.5" X 17") 2002
Two years ago I was so, so eager to get published that I sent pictures of five of my then best quilts, among them one that I did in a class with Kate Cox in 2002. A very good class, but although the quilt was made with my own fabrics, the result was a mini “Kate Cox” quilt. And that was the quilt Drucilla Cole chose for the book. Lesson learned. In my defense, Kate mailed me for a picture of it because she thought was very good.
So here I am, published for the first time, very proud and (mostly) happy, almost ashamed by my mixed feelings. But shouldn't all the artist in the book, who submitted free pictures of their work, at least have been notified when it was published? Any thoughts?
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21 comments:
Congratulations on being published but it doesn't sound like the best of experiences!
Congratulations on being included in this book Mai-Britt. Your Bush Fire quilt is beautiful. It sounds as though Drucilla Cole hasn't looked after her contributing artists very well but all the same it is a great achievement to be featured among all these other great artists. Well done. I wonder how the other srtists feel about it?
Thank you both very much, I am so pleased........ and a bit disappointed.
I have been in touch with one other artist, who hadn't heard either, and now I have spread the word in two Yahoo groups I belong to.
A lovely quiltlette Mia-britt. I'm glad I will see it for myself in the book (I've decided to get a copy my self too). I guess everyone will be feeling a bit miffed at not being told for one thing. I did contact Drucilla early this year as like you I'd not heard anything. Eventually I got a short reply simply saying that yes it was being published shortly, noting more. I presume the only people to know were the artists who preordered a copy at the time of submitting work. I think put a feeling of discomfort on artists who have been generous with their work and time preparing the information. Bad Bad Book People.
I have been annoyed with myself for not getting back at her - but if all you got out doing just that recently; with just a "next to nothing" answer.......
I didn't know that we had an option to pre-order the book at the time of submitting!
"Miffed" is exactly right!
I just learned from Mai-Britt that I am in the book too and like the rest of you haven't heard a word about since I submitted the images. That is not quite uncommon, but what is unusual is not to give contributors a complimentary copy. I have been published in many books over the years and I think it is the first time I haven't been offered a complimentary copy. Quite often the books have just arrived without any previous notice when I had forgotten all about it, but if the publishers have decided not to follow the usual routine they could at least let us know. I don't recall having had the offer to pre-order the book even. Very strange behaviour from the publishers side.
Thank you so much Charlotte, for leaving such a well qualified comment. It means a lot to hear how it should have been done from an experienced quilter like yourself.
Congratulations! Sometimes publishers don't do all they should, I've had good and bad experiences, so don't feel bad about mixed feelings. It's great you've been published.
Thanks Pam, good to hear advice from another very experienced quilter.
Hi, I got my copy yesterday and had to call back to say that your piece in it looks fantastic and certainly a deservid choice for the book.
Thank you so much, I had a good look at your piece as well, looking fantastic too, but I would love to see the whole piece, could you please post it on your blog? Very interesting technique too.
Congratulations!!!!!
And of course this is really bad from the bookcompany, of cours all the contributes should have a free copy!! And a messange abut that they works are published !!!!!!
But you should be happy! To be picked by all these wonderful and talented artists! By the way; I know Helen Susan, through the blogworld and we have done some swaps so I have pieces from her wonderul art here at my home!
Förrästen förstår du svenska ???
Tahnks for the kind words on my blog!
Thank you so much, Gunnel - I am very happy and over the moon, being published for the first time.
Blogging is a wonderful way of getting in contact with other quilters.
Og jo, jeg forstår godt svensk, jeg skriver bare kun på engelsk i min blog, de fleste quiltere jeg kender er engelsk sproget. Inden jeg startede min blog overvejede jeg at skrive på to sprog som du, med de fleste jeg kender i danmark forstår også engelsk.
Congratulations on being published. I have had several things published and they all sent several letters confirming publishing dates, etc. Three even paid for the use of the quilts in the books, and only two didn't send a complimentary copy, but one offered the book at a discount. They are all different but I think it was rude to use pictures and not even let you know they were being published.
Thank you Wanda, good to hear from people who has been published. Glad to hear how it could have been done.
i was wondering what had happened to that project...having sent in images myself some while ago and then forgotten all about it.
but thanks to the link on your page i was able to see the index and found my name there also.
this has certainly been an unusual publishing experience, especially when compared to my [usual] publisher Murdoch Books. the latter are very good to their authors, providing 10 complimentary copies, launches and even sending me a Christmas card each year!
however it is noce to be published and doubtless this will reach a different audience to my other work.
I am so glad to hear from you - it took me a while to find your beautiful work, because although the book has an index, it doesn't have any page references ;O)
I am delighted to be in the company of so many talented textile artists.
A friend recommended your blog and I'm so glad she did. I love your work. I've been published in 2 books and 1 magazine and have received complimentary copies and a thank you note from the authors. In both cases it took 2 full years from concept to completion. It's a lot of work!
Thank you so much for your comment Judy and sorry to take so long to answer.
I shall have a good long look at your blog in near future. It looks great.
Just had a very agressive advertisment on this old post - have deleted it!
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