[owlhause]

Has anyone out there had experience writing and getting a 'how to' carving book published.
I have several ideas but clueless where to begin....I'm fishing for pointers, suggestions, ???
Thanks....Greg M.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

That is a really involved question for an answer on here! I have worked as a graphic artist, have worked in print shops doing about everything there including layout, pasteup, camera work etc...and what you are asking involves a lot of areas....how much computers can do I don't know, apparently a lot...I suggest you contact a good print shop and start milking them for ideas, procedures etc.

[owlhause]

I guess I'm looking more from the angle of initialy approaching a publisher with an idea....or how not to approach one.....if anyone has had any experience in that area.
I like to learn from others mistakes as well as my own
GM.

I have heard recently that self-publishing is getting easier. You might try a search for companies that would help with that. The down side is marketing and the expense of printing become your venture. Might be worth some research to see.
Good luck-
Barry

Haven't had any experience with carving books, but suspect it's much like other books/long papers. Publisher usually want a general outline. For a normal book it would be someting like
Chapt. 1
such and so
Chapt. 2
thus and suich
Exactly how to translate that into a carving how to book not sure but guess it would be just a suggetsed title and then the explaination; kind of like it was a single chapter. What I would do is writ e to the publisher and ask for an authors/writers guide. They usually have them preprinted and ready to mail out.

[owlhause]

Thanks...I did find a website for Schiffer Publishing...they actualy had a link to submit a book proposal.
You're right, a basic outline is what they look for first, I'll ask if they have an authors guide of some kind...thats a good idea.

[Donna_T]

If I were going to take a serious attempt at writing a 'how to' carving book, I'd first contact a carver who has already had one (or more) books published. While competition is competition, wood carvers are so helpful and I'll bet there are several who would spend a few minutes to tell you of pitfalls, good, bad, and ugly of the process.

The one who comes to mind is Harold Enlow from Dogpatch Arkansas. He is very approachable and has had several books over MANY years. There are newer ones---Wanda Marsh in Texas (flowers), Cheryl Dow (the woodburner), Carol Jean Boyd (found wood), Gary Batte (caricatures), etc. I've heard some of them talking about how little they earn from books so there are surely some downsides to the undertaking.

Let us know how you do. Nothing ventured....nothing gained.

Donna T

Let's write a 'How to Find Your Imagination' book for carvers! There's a whole plethora of books already on the market about how to carve something someone else's way....imagine a book about developing your own imagination and style!

Imagining a little imagination,

Teri

[don]

Teri
That would start Chapter one- Beating your head against the wall while Holding a piece of wood in one hand and a knife in the other. Don

Teri - I second the idea. I'd buy it in a minute and pay a considerable sum. I think part of the problem is our tendency to use basswood for everything. It is a dream to whittle, but the most boring wood (well maybe not as bad as tupelo or balsa) around. I like to pick up pieces of who knows what, strip the bark off, and let it sit in the garage until I can figure out what is in the wood. Call it sylized, free form or whatever, but it's fun. Although, it can take a long, long time to figure out what's in there. It's good to have a few/lot of them sitting around waiting to inspire you. I think what I'm trying to say is let the wood bend you to it's will instead of you bending the wood to yours. Does that make any sense?

While I'm waiting, I whittle whatever comes to mind out of basswood, I admit it.