self publishing.
March 20, 2010
We had our “last” winter snowstorm yesterday, and today is sunny and snow covered and magical!
I just finished this collage of the Taj Mahal for our chai book that we are self-publishing. I’m trying to catch up with Patrick, who is ahead on the writing, but it’s challenging with life right now. I’m trying to hold some sort of focus and keep up endurance on this project amidst everything else. Just gotta keep chugging along and thinking I can. Envisioning nothing but that. It’s wild how time becomes more sacred once you have a baby. And books! In general, they are labors of love, and add to that self-publishing (and allllll the time, no advance, $ investment, focus, love, and grit that accompany this path), and we’re talkin’ serious, love-a-la-labour.
Since we are still in the midst of this long journey+collaboration, I thought I’d share some things we are doing AND ask for ideas that might help … with ANY part of this process…organization, collaboration, mixin’ it up creatively, seeing the big picture — figuring out how to take a step back from an individual piece of writing or design (or the whole project) and seeing where things are working and where they aren’t…and trusting where to take it(!), knowing what to edit out (what would be interesting to others and what wouldn’t, being your own art director/editor/publisher, finding the right editor, budgeting, workin’ while being a momma…and wise words/insight from others who have self-published or worked on big, collaborative projects.
This is definitely a process that some day, we want to share all about, and hopefully inspire others to embark on. It is awesome for sure, but long and difficult also– just like a pilgrimage. Makes our title even more appropriate. I know there are MANY unwritten books out there that can’t find homes with a publisher for whatever reason, and, are ‘perfect’ for self-publishing. We chose this route for several reasons. Not only did our book not fit into the molds of several publishers we approached, we think our book is unique and realized that we wanted the creative freedom of self-publishing. Plus, we are excited and energetic about the whole journey of getting our book out to you — people we think would “get it”.
For those who don’t know, Patrick and I are collaborating on this travel-photography-art-recipe book, inspired by chai culture in India and Nepal, and our backpacking adventures, while researching it…thus, the title: Chai Pilgrimage. Process-wise, we are doing the following as we go:
- brainstorm sessions over fresh masala chai (for both writing and design); morning time is best.
- timed writings, list-making, idea-journals. plus, we wrote in journals while traveling that are a good resource.
- idisk sharing of writing and jpgs back and forth :: i’d love to dive into Adobe Bridge…anyone use it? would it be worth learning and using for this project? i keep thinking it would help us with the back and forth of each spread, chapter, comments, etc.
- a master layout of the entire book in adobe InDesign — jpgs of ‘finished’ spreads are inserted and pages yet to be designed are titled for now. this has really helped us a lot, especially in balancing design + subject matter, and seeing whole chapters come together. it’s also a HUGE help in editing down our immense material!
- we have a website going with a blog (that has slowed down for now since we are focusing more on finishing the book) to gain interest, feedback, contacts, and an ever-growing email list to announce our book when it is out. we also have plans for a ‘real’ website once our book is closer to printing.
- found a print broker who can print with a credible printer in India (!!!!)
- found a few possible editors (ideally it will be someone who has traveled/lived in India and ‘gets’ our book), and plan to test them out before hiring the right one
- looking more at page weight and book covers and binding to get an idea of what we want
- consulting with designers over type/fonts/size
- we found this great advice a few years ago, too
That is all I can think of right now. I think setting small deadlines and sticking to them would really help… And finding ways to be braver, take more chances in designing; and trust myself. But I know there is more insight/advice we would really benefit from! I just don’t know what it is to ask for. So, thanks in advance. I appreciate it! I know we can do it, and it will be awesome. Just gotta build some momentum again.
10 Responses to “self publishing.”
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Chai Pilgrimage!
March 20th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Hi Jenny,
I am regularly visiting your sites. My daughter loves your travelin’s eye! Love your colors, your energy!!!! Thank you, תודה, Merci!
I am an french autodidact illustrator living in Israel. With My husband, Zohar, we also prepare a self published children books… as this is a very inspiring post.
Thanks again for the beauty you create.
Isabelle
March 21st, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Hi jenny my shift key doesn’t work i know someone who has some of the book experience you are looking for, has been to india for a stretch, comes to the temple when she can and lives in crestone. lst i spoke with her she was looking for projects. i could give you her email address so that you could contact her with the info from above if you are interested it is crazy to type without proper punctuation can’t tell what i am saying quite
my email is danfree24 at gmail.com can’t make that proper symbol.
love to you and patrick and tulsi, danielle freeman
March 21st, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Wow it all sounds so exciting and busy! I have no idea about these things so i have no advice to give but im one hundred percent sure that this book is going to be soooo beautiful…because your art is so positive and happy and well..its a book about chai! and thats so original and cool!
good luck with it all!
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:12 am
Being an artist with two toddlers, I am completely in AWE of your ambition and plans. I wish I had something more helpful to add, but I truly believe your book will be a success based on the illustrations alone! Your work is wonderful.
March 26th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I have found you through Illustration Friday.
You are my Friday’s inspiration…
I am working on Illustrating a book with a friend who is the author…but as you mentioned, Life with little ones in tow can really eat so much of your time…must be focused!
Lovely to meet you.
HUGS
I am adding you to my list of Artists and Illustratots!
Char.x.
March 27th, 2010 at 6:09 am
I’ve been booted from this blog a few times, so my message is getting shorter and shorter. Points are–don’t give up keep going no matter what. You’re talent and niche is obvious. At times you’ll have to admit that you need to go slower, but just keep insisting that you need to do this. If you give it up, you won’t be offering the best parts of you to your child(ren). Yes to bridge it’s the best little virtual assistant you can learn to utilize. Finally, if you haven’t already discovered this group, I think that they can offer a multitude of help and support. The mission of the Loft is to foster a writing community, the artistic development of individual writers, and an audience for literature.
http://www.loft.org. Hope it helps.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
hi Marci! oh man! nearly 2 weeks have passed and i’m just now catching up on my own blog comments. thank you SO so much for ALL that you wrote and offered in support. it is very helpful and encouraging. it means so much. and thank you for retyping several times…so sorry that happened. i am plugging away and slowly making progress! and am learning bridge and look forward to checking out loft.org — it looks like a great community. thank you!!! i may reread your comment along the way when i need the oomph to keep going! hee. btw, are you a writer or artist?
April 8th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
hi Char, a long overdue thank you for your comment about self-publishing…it actually really helps to know other artist-mamas are out there, both loving life as mamas and struggling some, too, to keep with their art. it is always changing, too, huh? focus. yes!! best of luck to you, too, on your book. let me know about it please!
April 8th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
hi Cathy! a long overdue thank you for your sweet comment on my blog about self publishing. ambition and plans are one thing, achieving them is another. it is challenging! this first year as a mama is the most amazing in my life, AND it is hard to keep up with my art. but i’m inching my way along! ebb and flow. i loved visiting your blog and enjoyed your work. so much energy! thanks for sharing! and you have TWO. woah… now, i’m in AWE. hee. hope you are well!
April 18th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Awwww… thank you for your kind response to my post back in April. I’m just getting back to reading my favorite blogs after a bit of a vacation. I wish you great happiness in your new studio!!