I have a pattern in the newest issue of Sew-It Today magazine. This pattern is three little easy-to-sew felt animals: a bear, a bunny, and a kitty. This issue hits newsstands next week and I’m super excited that my project is on the cover!
I like Sew-It Today because it gets down to business as a sewing magazine. Each issue is jam-packed with patterns and for the cover price of $3.99 you really get a lot for your money. It’s a simpler magazine than the last one I contributed to, Mollie Makes, but both are nice.
Here’s a shot of the inside spread of my project. They did a nice job with this photo! I’ve been thinking about this pattern for a long time. It’s origin is this Siamese cat I made in March of 2010. It’s funny how an idea can percolate for so many years and then suddenly emerge at just the right time.
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When craft bloggers post magazine features it can seem as though the whole thing happened out of the blue, like that person was plucked out of a sea of craft bloggers to be featured in this lovely publication. In fact, it is rarely chance or specialness that makes anything happen, certainly not paid freelance design work.
Here’s how my most recent magazine features came about.
When I was writing my new book, Stuffed Animals, my editor asked if I would create an extra project that could be given away for free to help publicize the book. I declined this request. I feel strongly that giving away a free project does not sell books. He wasn’t all that happy, but I held fast.
Taking that unusual stance I knew I’d have to work hard to sell Stuffed Animals when it was released in May. Over the winter I developed a marketing plan to publicize the book and part of that plan was to have the book featured in sewing magazines. People who spend money on a pretty magazine are pretty likely to spend money on a pretty book.
I got in touch with the editor of Mollie Makes. In my pitch email I explained what my book was about and I also offered to create an exclusive project for the magazine. The editor immediately agreed to feature the book in issue #28, but she also offered to pay me to create a project for issue #29. UK sewing magazines pay more than double what most US sewing magazines pay. If I had simply given her a free project from my book I would have lost out on this chance to get paid.
I was excited to design a project for Mollie Makes, but before I signed the contract I asked if the copyright for the pattern would revert back to me after the issue hit newsstands. Originally it wouldn’t, but they send me a different contract so that it would. Now I can release that pattern on my own. That pattern got a $250 upfront cash infusion and has infinite earning potential going forward. If I hadn’t asked, I would have signed a less-than-favorable contract for me.
A spread in the spring issue of Sew-It Today included my Animal Neck Pillows.
The editor of Sew-It Today emailed me many months ago asking permission to publish a photo of my Animal Neck Pillows for a travel spread they were putting together in the spring issue. She’d found me on Etsy.
She included her phone number in the signature line of her email so I picked up the phone and called her a minute after her email arrived. She was a bit surprised to hear from me, but we had a great chat. I told her about my book and offered to create an exclusive pattern for the magazine. When we hung up I emailed her a picture of the Siamese cat and offered to create three critters in that style. She loved it!
Before I signed the contract I asked if the copyright would revert back to me. The answer was yes, and I would also receive my finished samples back in the mail. Sew-It Today pays less than Mollie Makes, but the pattern got a $150 cash infusion up front and now has unlimited earning potential, plus I can sell the samples.
Both experiences emphasized a few important truths about freelance work for pattern designers:
You need to chase opportunity. As Seth Godin would say, pick yourself.
Don’t be afraid to ask if the copyright can revert back to you. Here’s where contributing to a magazine is far better than contributing to a book. The pay is the same, but once you’ve given your pattern to a book publisher, they own it forever. This means you get $150 + a free book for the 3-4 weeks of work it took to make that pattern. Not a great deal given how well you can do publishing a pattern yourself.
Ask if you’ll get the samples back. Magazines will almost always ship them back to you for free right after the issue goes to press. I’ve had book publishers keep my samples forever saying they need them to dispaly at trade shows. I’d much prefer to have the sample back so that I have the option of selling it. Again, magazine work proves to be better than book work.
If you write a craft book, don’t let the editor or publisher push you around. I believe strongly that free projects don’t sell books so I didn’t create one. Instead, I created two projects and sold them to magazines on my own while also promoting my book. In this day and age craft publishing houses don’t have the budget to market and promote your book. If you’re going to be doing all the work yourself (and you are) you might as well get paid for it. And you know what? My book went into a second printing two months after it’s release, even without a free project.
Freelance work isn’t right for every business, but it can be nice exposure and I think it’s fun to get an assignment and have a deadline to meet. It’s certainly a thrill to walk into the store and see your project on the cover of a magazine. I hope my experiences help you approach freeland work in a smart and considered way.
Casey says
This is a great post, Abby. I love your idea of using magazine-submission patterns as publicity for your book, too–I may have to borrow that one. I especially like your point about needing to chase opportunity. I think sometimes people expect that they will be approached if their work is “good enough,” but more often the process begins with the author submitting ideas to the magazines (book editors, etc.)
TeacupLion says
Thank you very much for this insight! I’d love to be published in the future, and I appreciate your advice. I can see myself getting excited and losing potential from not being careful enough.
By the way, I went into Barnes and Noble this weekend and was thrilled to see your book there! 🙂
Melissa H says
Great timing. I am writing a pattern book with two friends and magazine projects were already part of our marketing strategy but I really appreciate your insights on pay and having rights revert to you. We are actually intending to self publish just so we can own our patterns rights and sell them one off online as well as in the book with more content. Not sure how that will go but worth a shot!
Susan says
I liked that cat the first time I saw it – good design and very simple for a quick baby gift. I also love to see basic patterns adapted several ways, as in the way you made three animals. I’ve been watching for the pattern to appear and went right to the site and bought the pattern.
Yay for the cover!
Stephanie Sario says
Abby,
Thank you for all your advice and insight on writing and publishing your work. I have been mulling over the idea of writing my own craft book for years. After reading your posts about this topic and then taking careful evaluation of myself and my business I’ve decided that it isn’t the right move for me right now (coming to this conclusion is a great thing!). Thanks to this post though, I do think that I will submit my work to magazines, and now I have an idea of what to ask for and stand firm on if anyone takes me up on my pitch! Your blog is an invaluable resource to my small business!
Steph Sario
Stephanie Sario says
Abby,
Thank you for your insight on publishing your own work. I mulled over the idea of writing my own craft book for years. After reading your posts about the topic and doing some serious self & business evaluation, I decided that it’s not the right move for me right now (it felt so good to make the decisions and be sure about it!). Now, after reading this post and a few others, I’m considering submitting my work to magazines. Thanks for your tips on what to ask for and stand firm on if a magazine does decide to publish my work. Your blog is an invaluable resource to me and my small business!
Love, love your sweet critters too. It’s no wonder they made the cover…makes me want to go out and get myself a copy!
susan says
i might not always comment but i read every one of your blog posts. i appreciate all your hard work and the precious info you give us. you are such an inspiration for small business entrepreneurs. thank you.
Joan Gorman says
Another great post Abby! Reaching out is a great advice and very smart thinking on the rights issue too, too many designers give things away.
I emailed a UK family magazine with an idea for a new feature and ended up being a regular contributor for them for four years. It was in the early days of craft blogs so it helped to have a presence online that the editor could reference.
It’s worth mentioning that the better job you do of writing and presenting a project for a magazine, the more likely they are to approach you for future commissions. Also, do your homework about the writing style the magazine your pitching to likes and if it’s a step-by-step project figure out on average how many steps the magazine normally features per project and write accordingly – this all saves editors lots of work.
Kate says
Congratulations on the pattern and the cover. I’ve never had a pattern copyright not revert to me after it was in a magazine, so I was honestly surprised that some magazines work this way.
Mignon says
Hi Abby, even though I’m not at the point of publishing anything, it’s was still very interesting to read how it all works & gives me a goal to work towards. Great tips & info too on how to work with a publisher. I would have expected I needed to do whatever they wanted, nice to know I can make some choices. 🙂
Allison Dey says
This is so helpful. I was just trying to get up the nerve to approach a national 20s something hipster magazine to offer a craft project. Now I feel more hopeful about at least putting it out there and maybe reaching out to a craft magazine also.
Michelle says
This is why I really love your blog. At every stage in your growth and development you have shared your experience and this has led to some very useful tips and advice for those of us that are beginners.
Deanna says
As a follower of your blog I am always interested in your helpful techniques. Your Stuffed Animals book was one of my best purchases – what wonderful eye candy!! I would like to read the other articles in the “Designer Blog Hop” but am unable to find a link or listing of the other seven. (Probably in plain sight right?) Can you help with this? Thank you!
Caren says
Deanna – list is on Abbys last blog post, here:
http://whileshenaps.com/2013/08/lets-talk-process-a-blog-hop.html
Deanna says
Caren,
Thank you for trying to help: must be something with my internet provider. Abby’s article ends with “if you’d like to read the other designer’s …..etc. Here they are and thank you”. Then I have nothing else except “you might also like” with no list or link. Maybe I will stumble upon them somehow. (We have lousy internet service).
Abby Glassenberg says
You’d be surprised how much pitching the designers you admire are actually doing behind the scenes. It’s very unusal that opportunity just knocks. And sometimes when it does, the deal being offered isn’t nearly as good as one you’d get if you evaluated all of the possibilities and sought out the very best ones.
Abby Glassenberg says
I always get so excited when I see people’s books in the store. I feel like turning to random strangers and saying,
“I know the person who wrote this book!”
I love your designs and I think you should certainly seek out publishing opportunities. And don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth!
Abby Glassenberg says
I’m really excited about the potential of self-publishing. I do wonder if at some point it will make more financial sense to self-publish patterns or ebooks rather than sell that property to publishing houses. I’m fascinated by these shifts in how content is delivered and sold.
Abby Glassenberg says
Susan, it’s so awesome that you remember this cat from way back! That’s amazing to me. Thank you for reading for so long. And I really like taking one design and doing it multiple ways. I think it adds a lot of value, and a lot of fun, to a pattern.
Abby Glassenberg says
Writing a craft book is certainly a tremendous amount of work and it isn’t the right career move for many people. Seeking out magazine work can be hit or miss, but when you get it I think it’s worth doing. Good luck to you!
Abby Glassenberg says
That means a lot to me. Thank you so much for saying so.
Abby Glassenberg says
These are very good tips, Joan. With any client the more you can cater what you’re pitching to their particular format, the better. You’re much more likely to be successful if you’re making it easy for them to choose you.
Abby Glassenberg says
I think you just need to ask. When I asked, they were very happy to oblige. But I’m sure many people just don’t ask!
Abby Glassenberg says
They’re a business and you’re a business. It’s not personal, you know? It’s just business negotiations. And sometimes it means things fall through. Most of the time, though, it’s okay to be a business person who negotiates on her own behalf. I just got a freelance design job late last week and in my second email I asked, “What is your budget for this project?” I needed to know so I asked.
Abby Glassenberg says
You should! I have a post about writing a pitch email (look at my Better Business tab up top). A great pitch email can get you far!
Abby Glassenberg says
Thank you for taking the time to write that, Michelle. It really means a lot to me to know you’re reading!
Abby Glassenberg says
Thank you so much for your kind words about my book, Deanna. I’m sorry the widget isn’t working for you. The other designers are: Wendi Gratz, Diane from Craftypod, Ellen Baker, Sometimes Crafter, Mollie Johansen from Wild Olive, and Betz White. I hope that helps!
Deanna says
Thank you for giving me the names of the other designers on the blog list. I just logged onto a different computer and it’s actually showing your list! Yipee! I’m anxious for even more beginner info. I’m going to be looking for a copy of Sew-It Today also as your little friends are adorable.
Mignon says
Your right, I think because this has been a hobby for me for so long I forget that it can also be a business 🙂
melissa q. says
Go you! And, as always, amazing and insightful advice!
Kim says
these are so freaking adorable with their little belly buttons!!!
I love that they have their own personalities but it’s the same pattern 🙂
this is a great post thanks for always posting on informative topics
thebigmango says
Thanks for this article and for being so open about how you seek new opportunities and how much money you were paid. I always make time to read your blog because you share so much knowledge.
A question about your magazine submissions – do you have to follow a style guide in terms of your writing and your photographs?
Michelle Mach (@BeadsAndBooks) says
Great post! Your advice is spot-on. I have my first book coming out this fall and already have a related new project scheduled to come out near the same time in Bead-It Today.
Cheryl@ Sew Can Do says
Interesting post & good insight, but from my own experiences with several UK & US magazines, it’s not quite that easy to get your project chosen and keep your copyright. In both experiences you also had the leverage of a new book coming out. That gave them some bonus fresh content & the coup of having you doing something special for them to go with it. Editors tend to be much more amenable to something like that than for a usual open call submission from someone they don’t know at all. There are also plenty of wishy-washy editors changing minds mid-project, ages spent chasing down contracts and not getting paid on time after your work does get selected. The freelancer is usually jumping through a lot more hoops in the process., which is why I only do a couple a year. Sure, it doesn’t hurt to ask to keep the copyright, but it’s not always such a simple experience.
maria m. says
This was very helpful…thank you
Annie says
Thanks for this article. I know it’s an old post but this makes me wonder. I received some mails from an editor of Mollie Makes where they explain that I can be featured if I pay a fee and give some of my patterns to them. I was trying to find an article where someone could share their experience working with a craft magazine and I found your super helpful article.
I don’t really understand why they would ask me to pay instead of them paying for my patterns. I’ve check their info and it is all legitimate, so it’s not a scam email.
Do you know if they now ask for money instead?
Thanks again!
Abby says
Hi Annie, I haven’t heard of that. I’ve contributed patterns to Mollie Makes and they paid me. If you’d like I’d be happy to help you one-on-one. You can email me at abbyglassenberg at comcast dot net and I can take a look. Thank you!
Annie says
Hi Abby, thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I just sent you an emails with more details. Thank you!!