February 08, 2010

Artistic Mother - Intro Part 2, how the book came to be



I thought I would share with you a little about how I got my break into the world of being an author and one big lesson that I learned!

In 2005 I made it my goal to meet every theme challenge in Stampington & Co.'s Somerset Studio magazines. I would find out the challenge and the deadline and go about making something for it, mail it off and then look for the next challenge! At first some of my pieces were published in the Reader's Expression section of Somerset Studio. Eventually I was invited to do the With One Stamp section, With One color section and the Last Page article. Soon enough I got the chance to be one of Stampington's Artists On Call.

So after about 2 years of this I had regular assignments and publication opportunities. One of those was an article in Somerset Memories in 2007. It was that article about on doing art & raising kids that caught the eye of the Acquisitions Editor at North Light Books.

One afternoon Tonia Davenport read my article while on her lunch break. She emailed me and asked if I had ever thought about doing a book!

I said yes of course! In reality I had thought a book would be something I would pursue when my kids were grown, but here was my chance! That weekend I bounced around some ideas with my friend Erin and then wrote up my proposal on a date with my husband at Starbucks.

I sent it off and waited. A few weeks later I got the go ahead. They liked my idea!

So I planned, I wrote and created the projects. After I went to the North Light offices in Cincinnati for the project photoshoot the editing process begun. My original manuscript was a messy tome that my editor, Liz Casler had to reign in, bless her heart.

Once the designer got it I was pretty much out of the loop. Marissa Bowers did a beautiful job. I was tickled when she wrote on Facebook:



How is that for kudos? The best feeling.

The one thing I have learned is that you need to be doing the work so that when the opportunity comes along you are ready to take it. I was working diligently at my mixed media work night after night in my spare hours. I never missed a challenge. I kept doing it regardless of whether my pieces were published or not (yes, I have sent Stampington way more stuff that they have published!). I formed my own vision of what I wanted to do with art, all the while keeping my regular home life ticking along. I kept at it, so when I got that fateful email I didn't have to scramble. I didn't even really know that I was ready, but the work I had done made me ready!

'So keep at it!' I remind myself, you never know when the next opportunity will arise.

18 comments:

  1. Shona, this article is so inspiring; "YOU" are so inspiring. Wow! You just never know what possibilities and opportunities await. This has shown me the value of doing at a least a little something each day.

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  2. this whole article hit spot center for me. wow. thank you so much. when everyone's awake & our loud printer won't get them up...i might print this posting...it is the exact affirmation i need. straight from your heavenheart. & congratulations on your book/that's HUGE!! xox

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  3. Shona, congratulations on the book. I absolutely LOVE your mixed media work!! Thank you so much for sharing what you have learned and of course you are right, you never know what opportunities are just around the corner, inspirational words...
    Jenny x

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  4. I'm so excited! I got an email from amazon yesterday that your book has shipped. Yea!!!!!!!! I am definitly bringing it for you to sign the next time we come!

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  5. Great story! Thanks for sharing that. I'm new to your blog, found it through OWOH.

    I love North Light Books! They are wonderful! Congrats on your success.

    Best,
    Kelli

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  6. thank you all so much. I only want to share this stuff with you so you know that if an ordinary Mama like me can do this, so can you (with a little bit of goal planning and work ;)

    Christi, oh my goodness! so perhaps the launch date is not March 8! I had no idea that it could go before that date they have listed. I have not even received my box of freebies yet! You are so sweet to have ordered it, I wish I could give everyone a copy.

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  7. So exciting! Something funny...I was trying to figure out a way to talk you into letting me get one of your freebie books. Here's why. I'll be seeing you at the conference in a few weeks and it's before the release date of your book and I wanted you to sign my copy. But after I saw Christi's comment, I went and ordered it off Amazon, and sure enough, I'll have a copy on Friday!!!!!

    I love seeing the book in Annie's hands. It shows how substantial it is. In browsing through the 'look inside' pages on Amazon, I was hit with serious nostalgia. I have such great memories in your home, and it took me back there.

    So, so, so excited for you sweet friend...seems like a dream! Can't wait to see you. HUGS!!!!

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  8. Shona, that is just so awesome! SO cool! You are amazing!!

    Now, maybe if I went to Starbucks with Mark he could help me write a proposal!! Bill hasn't been quite so much help. :)

    Congrats!!!

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  9. I got it today Shona. It is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I haven't even read anything but the intro yet because I just want to flip thru it and just LOOK at it. It is just a gorgeous book. Of course, it makes me miss you guys too.

    But man it is a beautiful beautiful piece of art! Thank you for this labor of love!

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  10. There it is -- what a beautiful cover! Can't wait to have a copy in my hands -- big congratulations to you Shona!!
    xoxo

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  11. Huge congratulations. What an inspirational lady you are. As a creative mumma myself, I think I'd best get my order in. Hmm, wonder if Amazon UK have them in yet... I drove past the warehouse yesterday. How wonderful to imagine your books all sitting there waiting to find new homes!

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  12. Congratulations on the publishing of your new book.

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  13. wonderful! And congrats again! I love the portrait of your young reader reading your book! You should be so proud of yourself (I know I would be!).

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  14. Shona...you really inspired me! Many people have suggested I write a book over the years...partly after reading newsy newsletters about the kids antics.

    Now that I think I know what I want in my homemaking blog...I'm working on it every day. I've always wanted so much to help new homemakers--since almost the first day after I got married. Who knows...maybe someday!

    Your book is beautiful and your art is stunning. I'm afraid I can't aspire to that-Ha! It's ethereal, entrancing and inspiring.

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  15. two words spring to mind when reading this..proud (the look on your daughters face) and focus (good on you for persevering)

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  16. Congrats, how amazing; it is great you can so much with so many!
    Thank you for being inspiring!

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  17. This post is really inspirational. I'm so happy for you. I just got a copy of your book and already I love it. You've done a marvelous job. The projects are beautiful. The writing is motivational. I love how you've been able to put into words all those artistic longings that I've felt. You've given me justification for all my creations and for that I'm so grateful. Thank you.

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  18. This is a great story Shona!! Wow! Thanks for the inspiration. It is amazing really.

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