The following text is reprinted from an article Randy wrote for the International ART GLASS GUILD magazine "COMMON GROUND GLASS". It is reprinted here for your enjoyment and information. Please remember this work is Copyright © 1999 by Wardell Publications Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this text may be copied or reprinted for any reason without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

by Randy Wardell

It has been said that everyone "has a book in them" and judging from the number of times I am asked the question "HOW CAN I GET MY DESIGNS PUBLISHED?" it must be true. In this article I will try to explain the process of getting published from the introduction letter to the proposal submission to the selection and composition of material. But before I get into all that, I should introduce myself and give you a little background. I have been working (and earning a living) in the stained glass industry for more than 30 years.

I opened my own full service stained glass studio in 1977 offering everything from Suncatchers to cathedral windows plus we offered glass craft instruction and related tools & material supply. My studio was in a small city with a population of 38,000 so the axiom "anything [in glass] for a buck" wasn't too far off.

My students were always asking for the full-sized patterns of various lampshade designs I had in my showroom and it didn't take much research on my part to reveal there was a need for reliable, full-size pattern, stained glass pattern books. So in 1983 I formed my publishing company -Wardell Publications and released my first lampshade pattern book. Since then I have personally written 11 more books and to date Wardell Publications has published more than 40 titles featuring the work of over 20 different art glass designers.SO WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

My advice to you is the same advice that your high school literature teacher probably gave you, "WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW". In the case of stained glass books you should concentrate on the work that is your signature stuff. Do you specialize in custom lampshades, entryway, liturgical designs; jewelry boxes; art glass tattoos; etc.? The point is go with your very best work, that is what editors and ultimately the end purchaser wants to see.

Holding back some designs as "too good to give away" will probably land your book proposal in the "thanks but no thanks" file. You must be willing to share the exciting innovative designs that made your success in the first place. Often potential authors are somewhat apprehensive about this and ask, "Why would I want to publish my signature designs, inviting someone to rip me off?" I respond to that question by explaining that, as a progressive and growing glass artist, the design you finished, fabricated & installed, even last week, is already old. It's last weeks news. As an innovative designer you have moved on to new derivations, exciting abstractions from past work, unexpected creations as yet unborn. In other words, by the time the book is published and someone has used your design you will already be many miles past them. Besides, if all you have to offer is the same tired old designs that are already out there, then what's the point of publishing your work? You are a leader with a vision to the future, share your experience with others and inspire them on to greatness!

If after this pep talk you are still worried about losing your identity as an artist then, quite simply, you do not yet have the mindset to be published, in time you may be ready. But if you've decided that you are ready and your excited, you know you've got some great earth moving designs the likes of which the world has never seen, then get ready because here comes the first step.The Author query letter

Most publishing companies have editors or project coordinators that recommend which books to support based on the authors book proposal But you have to get their attention first and you do this with a well-written, 1 to 2 page query letter that "pitches" your book. It's up to you to make the editor curious enough about your book idea to pursue it further. A Query letter includes: A description of the books subject and theme. Include support material like photographs, drawings, text, etc.

Why you are qualified to write this book, include a brief and relevant biography.
What is different about your book?
Is it a fresh subject or unique approach?
What current books, now available, most closely resemble your book in subject or style?

List the titles, who published them, etc. You can afford to be general here, list any book that you like the style of and think your book may fit into this same category. Any and all background you may have will help to show the editor that you have done your research.

Describe the intended target market. Who do you think will want to purchase and use this book and why? Suggest your target ages, skills level, lifestyle, sex (if relevant) etc.

Any other special information you feel is important to understanding the thrust of your book. Get excited with your writing, excitement is contagious and your assignment is to convince the editor that they can't afford to pass up this opportunity. You've got a great idea and they need it!

If your query letter is successful the project editor will return a letter requesting a more detailed book proposal. If your query letter is unsuccessful don't be to disheartened, remember that some of the best selling books of all time were rejected initially, take another look at your query letter, tweak it a bit and mail it out again.

The book proposal

You've received a letter requesting more details about your book, that's an exciting development, but now you will have to put together a book proposal. An editor needs your detailed proposal to understand your idea thoroughly. They may have some questions or suggestions for changes in the format or concept. If possible try to fit them in with your own vision. Publishing a book is a team effort and the editor will want to see a willingness to be flexible. Their market research may have identified a particular market niche that they are trying to fill and your book may be just the thing they are looking for.

Include the following in your proposal:
- Title/subtitle suggestions, length of book, number of graphics/patterns.
- An overview describing the essence of your book in a paragraph or two. What makes it unique? How will it attract potential buyers.
- A table of contents with a working outline. Write a paragraph describing each chapter or section, include as much detail as necessary to get across the idea.
- Sample chapters (if available) or chapter outlines.
- Sample graphics/patterns (include pattern and/or finished product dimensions).
- Color photographs of some finished works relating to the book subject.

A well organized book proposal is essential, regardless of the publisher you wish to contact. Be persuasive, prove you are an authority on your subject, sell them your talents and skills. Remember, the editor will decide the fate of your book based on this manuscript so get them as excited about your idea as you are. Convince them that it is in their best interest to call you back.The publishing process

Now let's take a look at the publishing process after your proposal has been accepted. (I must add a caveat here to say that the following description is an account of my experience with the publishing process and will differ from other publishing houses. However, the general routine will be the same.)

As with most business relationships you and the publisher will enter into a contract. This agreement is as much protection for you as it is for them. I will not bore you with a detailed account but some of the clauses you can expect to find are:

Delivery of Manuscript, Drawings, Documents, Photographs and/or Sample Products: - The listing of items that you will be responsible for will be described in detail and the deadline for delivery dates will be specified.

Copyright and Grant to Publish: -You will assign the copyright in the work to the publisher for the duration of the agreement and grant them the right to publish and distribute the work.
Author Warranties: -The Author warrants to the publisher that the work and designs are original, and do not infringe upon any existing copyright.

Royalties, Payments and Accounting: -The terms and conditions of the royalty will be clearly defined. Royalties are calculated in many different ways, from a one time lump-sum payment for services rendered to an ongoing installment (usually quarterly) based on a per-unit payment or a percentage of the actual book sales. I'm sure you would like me to give some bona fide dollar amounts here but each situation is so different that it would be an unfair representation to be specific. The royalty payment negotiated between the Author and the Publisher is based on numerous variables like, Author responsibilities, subject matter, number of patterns, amount of text & information, etc. You can expect to be rewarded fairly for your work (but don't expect an "advance" royalty -that only happens for Danielle Steel).

Discontinuance of Publication, Reversion of Copyright and Bankruptcy: -These contingency items will protect you in case something unforeseen happens to the book or the Publisher.
There are other matters covered in the agreement but those are the highlights. Of course these contracts usually run 3 or 4 pages and contain some legalese so it is always advisable to seek legal counsel before signing. The contracts main purpose is to let everyone know their responsibilities, don't let it intimidate you.It can feel like watching grass grow.

In my experience most Authors find the publishing process a slow and tedious task (not unlike the stained glass process in many ways) and you will experience a lot of what I call "hurry up and wait". You will be asked to complete an assigned section or have some or all patterns ready by a specified date. Once submitted it could be months before you see any hard evidence that your book is under way. Then, suddenly one day you will get a call from the editor looking for the next section or some additional items that were needed yesterday (the "hurry-up"). You get the requested items to them as soon as you can and then more "wait". Usually there is a proposed release date and you must be patient and have faith that the book will be ready in good time. If I were pressed to give an average time period from acceptance of the book proposal to seeing it on a store book shelf, I would have to say 12 to 18 months. It could be as little as 6 months to as much as 2 or even 3 years, depending on the urgency and scope of the work and the schedule of the publisher.Show me the money!

A final word then about expectations. I always ask a potential Author what they expect to get out of having their work published. I will get answers from "I want to get rich" (who doesn't) to "I need to share my creative works with the world". Mostly they are somewhere in-between these two extremes and that is where you should be. You will get paid a fair market value for your published work, but remember that the designs you're submitting generally come from past work, any revenue received from these designs is "found money". You will not be asked to "invest" your own money into the project (except in a co-publishing arrangement). You will however be a "Published Author/Designer" and it is impossible to put a dollar value on this benefit. The respect that you will get from colleagues will be rewarding and the prestige and credibility factor will not go unnoticed by your customers. (And don't forget "You'll need five copies for your Mother" [ref.: Dr. Hook song lyrics "Cover of the Rolling Stone"]. Ask any published Author about their experience and you will usually get the same response - "I'd like to tell you all about it but I'm really busy right now working on my next book."I hope I have given you some insight into making a book proposal and the publishing process. If you are one of those who "has a book in you" I encourage you to get started on that query letter and I'll see you in the Library of Congress.

Randy Wardell - President / Wardell Publications Inc.