Comments on: Help me figure out what my book will look and feel like

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 23:21:53 +0000

Dear Amber (or is it Amber Hope): We are thinking along the same lines. This is exactly what the group came up with. Now, I just need that fabulous book cover designer to make it happen.

By: Amber Hope

Amber Hope — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:10:26 +0000

My favourite cover style? Taschen (publisher) books, ICONS series, hands down. Check them out if you haven’t already. They are to die for and highly collectible. Wow. What an incredible brand they would make if you’re planning a series. I know i’d be looking into them if i planned on publishing. You have to handle them to see the difference. Dull (non-shiny) cover with shiny title. Wrapped around the edges makes a more solid, durable soft cover. I don’t know if this style of cover is transferable to a larger format, but their books are top end quality at a really fabulously cheap price (so surely it can’t be that expensive to make this style of cover). But what do i know? Other than i LOVE them!

By: Shayla

Shayla — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:29:48 +0000

I love the title, Alyson. One of the big things that prompts me to buy a book about business advice for artists is a sense of trust. If I was able to find them easily on the internet for one, they must know something about marketing and be able to teach it. Trust goes even further now for me to include a “relationship.” If they blog, I get to know them and will buy the book because I prefer to buy from a “friend.” Even if it is a virtual friend.

By: Layne Brady

Layne Brady — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:32:46 +0000

Hi Alyson, It appears you are going to get opinions as diverse as the artists you represent. Having been in the graphic design field for over 15 years I have definate preferences in this area. I agree with a lot of the other comments. Just a couple of quick ideas though. Having met you in person at one of your workshops, I think that your personality alone will prevent your book from being “frivolous” or “Hobbyist” in look and feel. Your a classy person and your book will naturally follow. But I also think that you are more left brained than a lot of the artists you represent and probably gleen more information from large bodies of text than we do. So I would like to see you continue the compartmentalized format that you use in your news letters, with sub headers, succinct paragraphs and unlike one of the other opinions, I like how you summerize and list action steps. that is the area I will constatntly return to as I am making my own goals. If cost is not prohibitive I would like to see colored examples of other promotional pieces and other art work. I can’t speak for everyone, but I am definately more inspired visually than verbally. I think most of your clients would be happy to submit images for a single tag line. I look forward to getting your book! good luck, Layne

By: Mary Richmond

Mary Richmond — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:27:09 +0000

Hi Alyson–After reading all the comments I looked at the books I like and use all the time. They are simple, straightforward and packed with useful information and dogeared from constant use. Yes, a beautiful book is lovely but a well used and well loved book full of really good information is the best. Years ago I read all the Paul and Sarah Edwards books which were designed very simply but very effectively. I still use their “Getting Business to Come to You” and it’s one of the most easily accessible books I’ve ever seen, both in content and in layout. The book isn’t beautiful or full of pictures but it’s beautiful in that it is readable, approachable and does exactly what it says it will….The Success Princi[les is another example of simple, good design…good luck, have fun! Can’t wait!

By: Reveille Kennedy

Reveille Kennedy — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:09:51 +0000

Hi Alyson, So many choices. I like the idea of a good index and soft shiny cover that is eye catching. I like the idea of side columns inside with photos or art and a title or a poem. I was reading a different blog where you mentioned a poem inside the cover. When I read ladybug, I thought that was perfect. It is small, not always noticed, but due to it’s bright color, you are able to see it if you look. What if you had a slick red cover with raised dark brown and black typing. Add a simple diffused raised image of lady bug dots ( large) behind the typing. Now and then a tiny ladybug could appear on some of the pages inside as a reminder of where we long to be. I am certain the ladybug would rather be in her studio (the flower) than anywhere else. There are so many professionals that know about books and covers, and have great ideas. Mine may be too unprofessional, but it is my idea! Thanks for “listening”. Reveille http://www.reveillekennedy.com

By: Barbara J Carter

Barbara J Carter — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:50:47 +0000

First of all: Content is king! Have a lot of new material that isn’t already available elsewhere. (I assume you’ve read all the other art marketing books out there.) Keep boilerplate filler to a minimum. I do like the “plan 1, 2, 3″ idea mentioned above. Artists are a very heterogeneous bunch. There is no ONE RIGHT WAY for everyone. Give us lots of options, and spell out which seem to work best in which conditions. I really like the sample letters and forms in Paul Dorrell’s “Living the Artist’s Life”. It’s easier for me to learn from a simple example than a lengthy description. Bright white paper (but not too glossy). Dull recycled newsprint feels cheap and turns yellow with age. An accent printing color (see Cay Lang’s “Taking the Leap”) can look snazzy, but I don’t think it adds enough value to be worthwhile. Similarly, pretty color pictures of art make nice eye candy but probably wouldn’t convey enough useful information to make the cost worthwhile. I vote no cartoons. Everyone seems to use pithy quotations from famous artists, but I’m not convinced they add value. Maybe you can come up with a completely unique visual gimmick to help distinguish your book from all the others. Absolutely perfect editing. I can’t tell you how disappointing it is to read a book with typos. Ample margins for note-taking, but not so much blank space that the book seems padded. I like to have a couple blank pages at the end for notes too. Please avoid too much summarizing and repetition. Personally, I find chapter-end summaries patronizing and over-simplistic (and a waste of space). I can draw my own conclusions, thanks! I would go with softcover for affordability. I think medium size (about 6″ wide, 9″ tall) is best (like the books by Paul Dorrell, Daniel Grant, Lee Silber, and Cay Lang). Too large (8.5 x 11″) is unwieldy. Mass-market paperback size looks cheap and therefore not serious.

By: Diane Clancy

Diane Clancy — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:05:08 +0000

Hi Alyson, This has been great feedback you have gotten! I would only add that there is a certain series of black cover art business books that I would avoid looking like. There is a lot of info … but so repetitive from book to book and then I feel like I never really get great substance. I agree that Julia’s books are great – but for a different purpose – I agree have smaller than hers and somewhat denser. And I agree – avoid the cartoons. And I would keep the copyable forms to a minimum. Heavy cover paper – but not super-heavy. I would go for the mid-range in most everything. Bigger type than tiny, but get a lot of info in there. Just remembering a lot of us are getting older, but still with enough per page that we feel we are getting a lot for our money. It is a working book rather than a gift – but a high quatlity working book. And a brightish cover – not the gloomy dark ones that look rigid. That is my 2 cents worth. Good luck! ~ Diane Clancy http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:03:01 +0000

Sari: Gimmicks are good. I received a couple of ideas in the mail today. I’m open for other suggestions! Roxanne: You’ve given me ideas for five more books! Thanks for your suggestions. Ethel: I’m with you on the white space. But I can’t make it spiral bound. I’ve been warned that spiral binding just doesn’t look serious and makes it hard to get into bookstores. A future workbook, however, might have a spiral binding with a hard binding wrapped around it.

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:58:10 +0000

Maria: Thanks. I actually hadn’t considered the Index until reading my latest book, “The Well-Fed Publisher” by Peter Bowerman. You’re both right . . . I get really frustrated when there is no index. And I know librarians rely on them. As for Typepad, I’m quite happy with it, but I might choose WordPress if I were starting all over again. It’s free and can be integrated into your site. I’m wondering why you have to switch formats?