First off, thank you so much to all the love, support and encouragement for my last post. I am really so thankful to all of the sweet comments, emails, texts and phone calls I have received since my last post. I wanted to write everyone back, but I was just overwhelmed with the many comments I received, so I hope you all know how grateful I am to you and will forgive me if you didn't receive a personal response back.
I feel like I have learned a few things, I am human and I was depressed for a few days - I haven't even posted for a week and that isn't like me. I am sure that Clint and my sister Jessie were ready to beat me because of the many outbursts of tears. I also realized that I was treated very unprofessionally. I should have never been given the go ahead and strung along for so long of the publishing process, just to have my idea dumped at the last minute. So, now I know before I go through this process again that I will expect communication and honesty. That being said, I won't say who the publishing company is because I am sure that plenty of authors have had a positive experience with them and my bad experience doesn't warrant me to slander their name.
I have looked at all the different options on how to move forward. Self publishing seems a little out of reach for me now, just because of all the extra effort I would need to go through to hire someone to photograph my projects, do the illustrations and also the layout. I am sure if I really wanted to do that I could, but I am not in this to make the most amount of money I can. I just want to get my ideas and projects out there and I think going through a publisher would be the best option for me. While, I am a little nervous about going through a publisher - especially the submitting process again - my experience with the last publisher can't make me gun shy. So, it is back to the drawing board.
I received my projects back from the publisher last night and I opened them up and just starred at them and realized that the publisher is crazy. I don't want to sound too proud - I hope you don't think that about me, but these projects are beautiful! It makes it easier to think about submitting my idea again because all the work is done. Who knows, maybe something good will come of this and a better publishing company will take on the project. All in all, I feel better and I plan to move forward. Life sends us experiences to build our character and hopefully make us stronger. Thanks again for all the love and support. It really means more to me than you can ever know.
59 comments:
Judi, your work IS phenomenal! And you have every right to be very proud of your work. I'm glad to hear that you will re-submit your work to another publisher. I know I would buy the book!
We missed you this last week Judi!! So glad you are back on your blog. Looking forward to seeing more beautiful work from your very talented hands and excited to hear the book is still a possibility.
Glad to hear you have bounced back from this temporary setback. A heartbreaking experience to have to go through but you made it. Your work is beautiful. The publisher is a fool to have stopped the project. Not only did they miss out on your work, but also on working with a young woman with character and integrity. I still have the spot on my bookshelf reserved for your book!
Ditto on everything Pat just said! And I don't think crying was out of line.....disappointment hits us hard sometimes....and they had pumped you up so high, of course it was a let down. You have a great attitude towards the whole fiasco now, and moving on to another (better) publisher is an excellent new path to take! This was just a nasty pothole in this otherwise wonderful journey!
So glad to hear that things are getting better!! Your work is stunning and I know a publisher will pick up your book :) And when it prints we will all be inspired by it!!!
I can't believe that anything is too good. I can only hope one day I can afford to have a quilt quilted by you. I adore long arm quilters and the work they do and you are my absolute favorite, I love when you post pictures of your work.
You will get your book published! Just remember if Howard Schultz gave up after being turned down by banks 242 times, there would be no Starbucks. If JK Rowling stopped after being turned down by multiple publishers for years there would be no Harry Potter.
They missed out! Your work is awesome and I look forward to seeing your book in print so that I may purchase. Keep telling yourself that the Harry Potter author was turned down by 100's of publishing houses and I bet those ones are a bit upset now! You can do it, don't give up.
God will not let you let go of your dreams. Keep going, I can't wait to see the book!!!
good for you Judi - its just a window closing, a door will open elsewhere, and will be a whole new world! I can't wait to see your projects as your work is so incredible. It will happen!
Judi - first I want to say that I did not get a chance to comment on your last post, but I felt your acute disappointment and felt so badly for the way you were treated. I am so happy to see that you are not giving up on your dream to share your projects. I just know that you will find a publisher who will see in your work something special and want to help you make your dream come true!
Atta girl!!!! I think I speak for all of your followers in saying that we can't wait to feast our eyes on the projects that will will be in your book. I'm so looking forward to it and hope the process moves along quickly!!!
I am so glad you are going to submit your work to another publisher. Your work is very inspriring. I am doing my first machine quilting and used some of your wonderful examples to inspire my design in the setting triangles. I would love to won a book of yours to have those examples easily at hand!!
Atta Girl!!!
It is a good thing to be able to look at you work and realize that it has worth and a value to you and to so many others.
(I always think: what would you tell your kids and how would you encourage them). I believe that the gifts and talents we have been given are for sharing and your heart is for that!
I too am looking forward to your book. Prayerfully it will be an amazing experience the next time. We dont ever want the bumps in the road to keep us from moving forward, what ever that looks like. I know it is hard though.
It seems to me you are well on your way to bigger and better things!
I am glad that you will submit to another publisher, and I hope they see the merit in your work. I would love to have a book of your designs.
I'm sorry I missed your original post last week, and am so disheartened for you.
You work is fantastic, and why shouldn't it be represented as you created it - you are a professional long arm quilter and it would be false to provide something of a lesser quality which just isn't 'you'.
The book (who ever publishes it) is for your patterns - patterns that you've quilted the way you, yourself best reflect you, but we all know that each of us has our own ideas, and preferences in what fabrics we use and also what quilting stitches we use - it's called personal taste. OK there are some quilters (beginner quilters) who like to follow a quilt pattern religiously, right down to the fabrics etc, but we all adapt and change the quilting to suit our capabilities and if sending out to a long arm quilter like yourself how much we can afford.
I hope you find another publisher and are treated more professionally.
You go girl!! Your book will get out there. Just think about all you have learned so far! The next time around will be easier I am sure!
Judy, I have no idea who your publisher was but what about the group that publishes the books for Karen McTavish,On-Ward Bound Books.
Anyway, hope you find a good publisher since your work in wonderful!!
Judy in MO
I've gotten a couple quilting books lately that had some great reviews, but after looking through them I felt totally uninspired. The projects were not really my style, and were trying too hard to be modern. All the best to you as you continue to pursue this - we need some more quilt books that will inspire us and show the beauty in quilting!
I LOVE your work! and I'm so glad you are trying again. I know that someone will see the light soon and please put me down for a couple of copies as soon as your book is available!!
I was on vacation and computer-less when you posted about this. I don't know who that publisher is, but there are others who will be interested, for sure. Do you research and send out proposals, you don't need to mention a rejection, and go for it.
Best of luck.
Good for you!
When one door closes another opens. We can't what for your book & to have our own piece of Green Fairy Quilt inspiration. So glad you are back on. We missed you.
Go forward and find another publisher. I know...I walked in your shoes. Many moons ago I was approached about publishing a book. It was HARD work. lots of hours invested...hours I could have been spending summer with the kids. But I thought it was all worth it. Then the dreaded EMAIL...not even a phone call saying they had reconsidered and would not be publishing my work. I was devastated...mostly because I thought I had chosen BOOK over family. ALways a BAD CHOICE.
Then MONTHS later I was asked where my projects were. HUH??? Then I was told that they were going to publish it after all. It was a life lesson. I no longer felt the pain and disappointment ( or the $$$) were worth it.
I hope your project goes forward too...but always know that our "worth" is in keeping family first. The validation of having a quilt book does not compare.
I am sorry your book isn't being published now. I have only been sewing and following your blog for a short while and I can only say - Its their loss. Your work is beautiful!
I'm so glad you are "back in busines" - I have realy missed reading your blog. And it is so nice to read, that you are still going strong! I will be waiting to hear news about your book projekt - you are such a great source of inspiration for me. And no doubt about it - your projekts are more than great, i'm sure! Lost of bloghugs Maria from Denmark
This was just a little bump in the road. You'll be fine and you'll have a great book to share with the world.
Your projects and quilting are phenomenal. Keep plugging away, something will happen. (You more than deserve it!) Remember, when a door closes, a window opens. Keep smiling.
Good for you! Something wonderful will come from all your hard work! You are incredible and we KNOW it! Love ya Claudia
Judi,
Whichever publisher you were dealing with lost in a big way by not taking on your project, especially with the lame excuse of your work being too good. CT Publishers just released Angela Walters' book, "Free Motion Quilting with Angela Walters". Her quilting is as beautiful, amazing and inspiring as yours! I share this to encourage you with the knowledge that there are publishers out there who do appreciate the high quality quilting that you do. I'm a beginner quilter (being doing my quilting on my domestic machine for the last year) and you are an amazing source of inspiration and an example of what my work can look like if I patiently practice. I would purchase your book in a heartbeat!!! I pray that you find a new, high quality, professional publisher who will see & appreciate the treasure & resource that you are to all quilters!!!
Even if your work is "too good" I think a book of your quilting would be a terrific "coffee table" book. Although I know I will never be able to come close to creating what you do, it gives me tremendous pleasure to look at your art and far from being discouraged, I am inspired. I hope you are able to find a publisher that is deserving of you and your book.
Blessings,
Claire
I'm such a fan (and happy customer too), and I'm so glad to hear you'll resubmit somewhere else! In science we have to submit our research papers to journals for peer review - it's hard to get a rejection, and often the reasons just don't make sense. To string you along was not professional for sure. Your work is fantastic, so I'm sure you'll have success with another publisher. Go for it!
They are crazy, if they cannot recognize your beautiful work. When ever I see one of your pictures on Pinterest, I can recognize it is your work, a machine quilters work is like their finger print unique to the individual. Some times we just need to cry, now put your big girl pants back on and find the right publisher who will recognize your genius. We are all behind you!!
Missed you not posting and have been praying for you. I hope your book is published soon as we need books with project that are done with excellence. You should be very proud of your work, it is truly awesome and I love seeing your quilting. I for one will be looking forward to seeing your book published whenever that may be. All of your hard work will be picked up by someone who will appreciate the spirit of excellence that you have. Glad to have you back.
Your work is exquisite and needs to be seen by a larger audience -- a book is inevitable! I believe you will find a publisher, and those of us who love your work and admire your skills will be able to hold our own copies of your book in our hands. Avanti!
Oh, I am so glad to here you are going ahead!
After I wrote last time I had this thought
Would anyone have told Karen mcTavish her quilting was too good to publish?
I'm sure the right publisher will come into your life
Best wishes
Linda
I think you are amazing!! That's what I adore about you, you are able to move forward with faith and with a knowledge that the Lord will keep blessing you! You are and have always been totally inspiring to me. I just found out that I am driving Shan to your little vacation this weekend. I'm SO excited to hang out with my favorite family from St. George! See you soon!! Bring your running shoes and let's run together!! :)
I hope your book will be published very soon, I'm willing to buy it!
Sigue luchando por tus sueños.
Besos
Elena
You are an amazing quilter and I will just wait for your book to come out because I know one will! I admire you for the way you have handled yourself given the way you were treated. You sure didn't deserve that at all. Best wishes and I know that a better opportunity for a book is waiting for you.
You go girl!!!
Maybe you should re-submit and show that publisher all of these lovely comments...and hundreds more, if everyone knew about this. You do such beautiful work. Don't give up!
ATTA GIRL! that's the attitude to have. Your work is absolutely amazing.
A good cry does wonders...
Peggy Holt self-published her book 'Create Your Own Dream Feathers'. Then AQS picked it up, and published it in hardback!
Contact AQS with your quilt photographs asap. Tell them about your blog and following.
The style of quilting you do is a very 'modern' style and much in vogue. You've your own style, Judi, and one that AQS would certainly like to entertain for publishing.
Good luck!
Well done! Nobody can destroy our dreams and your dream is possible because you're a fantastic quilter and you have a big talent. Head up, knife in the mouth and go ahead trough your battle for the success. You will win! Barbara from Italy
Glad to have you back. You and your work are inspiring.
Judi your publisher is crazy! I would buy a book by you in a heartbeat. If the photos were done already, ask the publisher if you can buy them with a view to self publishing. You may also find a young photographer at an art college who would do it free or for a small fee just to add to their portfolio. Don't give up as this sort of thing happens all the time in the book world.
Don't give up. Your work is terrific and you just haven't found the right publisher.
We're all behind you and will be eagerly waiting to hear how we can purchase your book!
Your work is phenomenal; I do agree with your assessment of the publisher being crazy... actually, they're NUTS to turn you down! Keep up the incredible work, there is nothing but good things on your horizon; I'm sure! You inspire all of us; thank you for that.
i think dissapointment in any form is very heartbreaking no matter how it comes just know that we your loyal readers will be awaiting your published book and it will be great!!!
I love you for u!
I want to buy your book! Don't give up. The right publisher is our there, just waiting for y'all to meet up and realize how right you are for each other. (Sounds like a marriage, doesn't it?!) Anyway - stay encouraged, stay strong, and quilt on!
God bless you!
You have done all the hard work, now just go for it again!!!! And again if you need to.
Your work is amaaaazing!
The road to 'getting there' is not necessarily a straight line -
Longarmers go 'the long way around' leaving a beautiful quilted path. YOU are one very talented lady
There is a site http://www.smashwords.com/about/how_to_publish_on_smashwords
Supposedly you can publish there and get 85% of the sales. I don't know if it works well, but it might be an easy way to get your book going. I believe it's online only. But if you could make that work, I know you'd have a lot of sales.
Hi Judi - I just saw this post and the one ahead of it (we moved across the country, so I've been out of the blog loop for several weeks).
I was heartbroken, myself when I saw your news! And that publisher IS crazy - too good? What the heck - that's what we've all been eagerly waiting to buy! I've been really looking forward to your book, and I know many others have been as well. I'm sure another publisher somewhere will pick it up. And as you say - at least this time all your quilt work has been squared away. :D
Your quilting is amazing. Love the Butterfly Mania quilt pattern. Happy quilting!!
My sister has her Master's degree in internet marketing and has published magazines, etc. She can help people self-publish (e.g., handle the photography, page layout, etc.). She is good at it. If you decide you might want to go that route, you could talk to her about your ideas. it might be a happy medium for you. Let me know if you'd like her contact information. :-)
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