Eeeee! I'm so excited!

[knitter4democracy]

I might *might* be writing a knitting book this summer. Things are sounding good for my proposal at a couple of publishing houses. We'll see, since they haven't accepted it yet, but everyone is very positive so far.

I'm so excited! I should've written it ages ago when I first had the idea. *sigh* Oh well, at least I can write it this summer. Better late than never.

Think good knitting and writing thoughts!

[Sweet Freedom]

1. Congratulations (maybe, hopefully)!

How fun! I work on the other end (publication), but I just work on a medical journal. It would be so much more fun to work on something artistic.

Keep us posted.

(Thinking good knitting and writing thoughts for you!)

[knitter4democracy]

5. Thanks!

Is there anything I should know, like how publishing people like things? *sigh* It's all so much right now.

[Sweet Freedom]

7. Basically,

your publisher should be able to provide you with guidelines of how they want things submitted. For example, the journal I work on asks that the text be electronically submitted in Word, in a specific order (footline, then author name, title, body copy, references, tables, figure legends, etc.) If you have artwork, they will tell you how that should be submitted as well. If you don't understand the artwork guidelines, hire a professional. The worst part of my job is rejecting the same picture over and over because authors don't know how to properly scan an image.

Are they going to edit it for you? If so, be open-minded about their suggestions and never take it personally. (But do bring to their attention if they've changed your meaning.)

The more you follow their guidelines, the more likely you are to complete this project in a timely fashion. :hi:

[Morgana LaFey]

8. And curiously, I've seen some publishers say NO

electronic submissions. I find that so odd. Probably not many, and probably very old-fashioned (wouldnt you think)??

[Sweet Freedom]

14. Just recently have a seen a switch to electronic

and I expect that trend will continue, expecially since manuscript submission software seems to be gaining popularity. I've certainly seen it for medical journals. In fact, the journal I mentioned in a previous post used to be submitted electronically, but in a native format and on CD. Now everything is FTP'd as a PDF. Poof! Shaves two days off of final production.

[knitter4democracy]

11. Well, in this field, the editor is Goddess.

I submit a proposal, she accepts, and then I start writing. She tweaks, I re-write, she cuts, I accept, and it's really a team effort. The editors in this field tend to be really good, so I'll be in good hands, I'm sure. :)

[Sweet Freedom]

13. Good for you.

I can't tell you how many people I see getting their feathers ruffled because an editor fixed their grammar.

Then again, I work with doctors. :)

[knitter4democracy]

16. My hubby, an internist, lets me correct his grammar all the time.

Then again, he's tame. I hear ya on some docs, though. *shudder* I'd hate working with them. Which journal do you work on? We probably get it. I'd like to point to it and say, "Hey, I know someone who works there!: :D

[Sweet Freedom]

19. I pm'd you the name /nt

[knitter4democracy]

26. Thanks!

Well, since Hubby's not in that field, we don't get it. I'm amazed--I thought we got most of them by the looks of our mailbox. :)

[eridani]

2. Please keep us posted n/t

[DemBones DemBones]

3. Great! GO FOR IT!!!

:thumbsup:

[Raksha]

4. Wonderful news!

I will definitely be sending positive thoughts in your direction.

[knitter4democracy]

6. I'm going to need them.

Thank you. I'm still so excited it's silly. :D

[Morgana LaFey]

9. Contratulations and good luck!

I can't wait to find out your premise.

[knitter4democracy]

18. I'd post it, but publishers don't like it.

Something about copyright and all. When I get the okay, I'll post it for sure. :) I don't think it's bad to say it's more of a technique book instead of pattern book.

[Morgana LaFey]

20. LOL -- yeah, that still leaves it pretty wde open

I wasn't asking for any detail at this point, tho I don't think the concern is copyright at all -- not yet, anyway. YOU own all rights (until you sell some or all of those rights to a publisher), so unless DU claimed copyright on anything we post here, and I don't think it does, there's no chance of violating any copyrights. They're yours.

And what you'd post here certainly isn't booklength or anywhere near close, so even if you posted the heart and soul, the key premise, it still shouldn't affect your potential sale.

If you don't have an agent, you might want to read up on copyrights -- so you know what that "bundle of rights" is and incudes since you're going to be negotiating them if one or both of those publishers come through. Google ought to be quite valuable in this regard. And if you DO have an agent, you probably ought to get her to identify which rights knitting book publishers normally buy.

Again, best of luck!

[knitter4democracy]

27. I've heard of writers getting hurt by it, though.

They talked about the book on their blogs and on message boards, and when the publishers found out, they recinded everything and stopped production (or whatever it's called). Maybe it was more that it was on the blog?

I don't have an agent, so I'll be taking their contract to my lawyer to take a look over and to translate for me. :) Obviously, being an unknown, I can't negotiate for much, but I do want it to be fair.

[Morgana LaFey]

29. Yes, that makes sense --

they want the concept and treatment and whatever else to be "new" -- certainly not old, outworn info and ideas. There's a place, of course, for laying out SOME info, depending on the book itself -- excerpts in some instances, maybe a free pattern in the case of a knitting book. I have a Melissa Leapman book that I'm pretty sure had one of its patterns appear elsewhere, for example. But that's a decision best made by or at least in conjunction with the marketing department.

Best of luck with all this! It's very wise to keep ALL the details close to your chest at the moment (it's just not a copyright issue, which I still hope you'll read up on a bit).

I know you'll do great.

[knitter4democracy]

30. Oh, I will. I want to make sure that copyright stays mine.

I know someone who just had a book come out through this publisher, so I'm going to e-mail her tomorrow to see if she has any advice.

Most patterns in any book have been published elsewhere already (well, that's the usual--things are a bit different these days with more indie designers), but the other stuff shouldn't have been.

I do worry someone else will beat my book to the punch if I talk about it too much. Is that too paranoid of me?

[Morgana LaFey]

31. Not at all paranoid of you

Not IMO, anyway. Of course, if no one has any more info than that it's about a technique, I think that lessens the chance of theft or copycat CONSIDERABLY, but you're still smart to keep your own counsel.

[WolverineDG]

10. Hooray!

I've got my stix crossed for ya!!

dg

[knitter4democracy]

12. Great news!

The first publisher turned it down, which bummed me a bit today, but then I got a call from an editor from a great publishing house, and after I made the pitch for my book idea, she loved it and wants a proposal asap!!!!

I'm just posting a bit tonight and then working up what she wants for the e-mail (that she'll use with the committee that makes the real decision). After that, it's my paper for my grad-level class I'm in so I can free up some writing time. Yay!!!

[Raksha]

15. Wow, more great news!

Do you have any idea when you'll get a response to your proposal?

[knitter4democracy]

17. *sigh* No.

Some places take a month. It depends on how their company is set up, but most publishing houses have a monthly meeting of the committee (marketing, layout, design, editing, etc.), so it'll have to wait until they all get together to go over it.

I e-mailed everything last night (couldn't sleep), and I'm soooooo nervous!

[Morgana LaFey]

21. Proposal or query?

Hey, that is great news!

I probably should stay out of this, but there's a difference, and a fairly significant one. So unless you're attaching a big ole Word document to your email, a proposal won't fit in an email.

Obviously, I'm confused, but maybe you're not, and that's all that counts.

[knitter4democracy]

24. That's what they called it, a proposal.

They asked for an outline, a short pitch for the book and synopsis, and some background on me. My backup publisher has a bigger packet for proposals, but it's mostly the same thing.

Anyway, it's all e-mailed and ready for the committee.

[Morgana LaFey]

28. Fabulous.

You go, girl!

[flamingyouth]

22. Wow! Very cool!

Holding good thoughts for you! :woohoo:

[peacefreak]

23. Best of luck!

My needles would be crossed for you if I were a knitter. I'm a stitcher, so I'll cross some xxxxx's for you. I AM a bookseller also, so let us know when it's coming out & I will stock it for you!

[knitter4democracy]

25. Oooh! More sales!

*sigh* I'm sooooo jumping the gun here. :blush:

[eleny]

32. Congratulations!

Good luck with every aspect of this! I can hardly wait to see it.

[KatyaR]

33. Hey, congratulations, that's terrific!

You know we'll be here cheering you on!

[knitter4democracy]

34. No news today. *sigh*

I know that's a bit crazy of me, but a confirmation e-mail would've been nice.

Still, it's in process, and I'll hear within a month or so. I wrote the intro over the weekend and started the first chapter. *sigh* Sooooo much writing!

[Raksha]

35. I want an autographed copy!!! n/t

[knitter4democracy]

36. If it all happens, I promise I'll send you one.

:)

[kestrel91316]

37. What are YOU doing here????

:evilgrin:

[knitter4democracy]

38. Who, me? *blink, blink*

Ummmm . . . Nuthin'. :D

[photogirl12]

39. Congrats!!

Let us know when it is going to be coming out!

[knitter4democracy]

40. Mini update:

I got an e-mail back from the editor that she wants to go further in the process! She's sending me a list of questions early this next week so she can get a better idea about the book. Yay!!

[photogirl12]

41. Yay!!!

:bounce: :woohoo:

[shanti]

42. that's awesome!

kudos to you, knitter! :hi:

[Nite Owl]

43. How could I have missed your

thread!

I'm so happy for you. Hope all works out well with grad school and your book! Keep us posted, you know you have lots of sales here on DU!

:) :toast: :bounce: :loveya:

[knitter4democracy]

44. Quick update:

I finally got the questions the editor wants me to answer, so I did, and now I'm waiting her response. I figure that, if she really doesn't like where I want to go with the book, I have a couple of other publishers to try. :)

[Nite Owl]

45. Good luck

Hope there is some good news real soon!:)

[AllegroRondo]

46. Will you be offering signed copies for DU members?

I'd love to buy one!

[knitter4democracy]

47. If it ever happens, sure!

I'm sure the publisher would like publicity. :)

[knitter4democracy]

48. I'll know by Wednesday!!

The committee is meeting Tuesday afternoon, and the editor is taking everything I've given her to the meeting to argue for my book. I'm so nervous!!

[Mrs Robeson]

49. Oh, Man..

That is awesome k4d! I'll be sending good vibes:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[eleny]

50. We're rooting for you!!!

[eridani]

51. It's Wednesday already

News? I'm hoping for the best.

[photogirl12]

52. Ok, It is Wednesday

All of us are on the edge of our seats...:eyes:

[knitter4democracy]

53. I finally heard. It's yes and not yes. *sigh*

The editor said that the committee liked the idea and all, but they're not sure about how to sell it. So, she wants me to send in even more and do even more explaining (which I'm not even sure how to do at this point--most of it is as freakin' clear as I can get) and write a whole new outline entirely for some reason.

Grrr. She sounded like they're still interested, and she offered to sign a confidentiality agreement to make sure that they don't steal my ideas and write their own book (if I send in all she wants, it wouldn't be hard to write a book off of that). I told her that I'll be contacting other publishers, and she said she understood but still was interested in my book.

Frankly, I'm frustrated. In e-mails (which she's really bad about returning), she doesn't sound like she wants my book all that much. On the phone, however, she goes on and on about what a great idea it is but how hard it will be to sell to everyone else and that she needs just a bit more and just a bit more and just a bit more to convince them. At this point, it feels like she wants me to write the entire book in the next two weeks, though she really doesn't want quite that much. *sigh*

This whole process is really frustrating.

[photogirl12]

54. ...

:hug: :pals:

[Katherine Brengle]

55. good vibes your way --

I for one would buy your book - knitting + supporting a fellow DUer, no-brainer.

[knitter4democracy]

56. You're very sweet. Thank you.

I needed that today.

What a crappy week. We buried a great friend (dead of a heart attack at 35 with two babies at home--hard, hard funeral), and I found out that I have more and more to write and maybe get this book published.

[photogirl12]

57. Hadn't heard from you in a while...

thought you could use a :hug: and a "you can do it!!"

[knitter4democracy]

58. I need those.

Thanks. I have a big paper due the same day as my book stuff. I don't know how I'm going to get it all done.

[photogirl12]

59. Go k4d!!! You can do it!!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

Hey, this is as close as I can get to a group of cheerleader smilies for ya'!

[knitter4democracy]

60. Thanks!

I'm going to work on it a bit tonight. :)