This board is so great about helping each other out. So, I thought I would start a thread of publishing advice for books or patterns. I know I have read some of the members talk about their books coming out.

I guess I will start with questions, then others can pop in with more questions, or with answers. We can use this as a tute for us all!

1-How unique do you think the technique or the layout needs to be to make a successful book/pattern? Do you buy books/patterns that are similar, but slightly different than others you already own?

2-What format do you like best? Do you like instant downloads (PDF etc) or do you like professional printing with hardcover/paperback cover? Do you get patterns/books that are just photocopies off the Xerox - is that acceptable. or are you disapointed?

3-If the book/pattern is PDF, do you keep it electronic, or do you prefer to print off the pages you need? Do you print the entire book?

4-Do you feel uncomfortable buying a pattern/book from small "companies" (for example, I only have a few books in mind, and if not professionally published, it/they would just be off my blog/web site)?

5-If you bought a book for a new technique - would you want to create your own patterns, or have some included in the book to try out?

6-How many pages of technique advice do you think is the bare minimum for a book, so that you would feel you got your moneys worth?

7-Do you like lots of photos to help explain the technique? Or is it mainly words which help you understand?

8-If you have published books/patterns yourself, how did you do it? Off your web page, then sell with PayPal and download or email PDF? Or did you ask for paper checks to be mailed then sent paper copies?

9-If you published with a profesisonal printer, what frustrations did you have? What advice would you give?

Well, that is all I can think of.

This really interests me as I have a technique that I would like to publish also.

1-How unique do you think the technique or the layout needs to be to make a successful book/pattern? Do you buy books/patterns that are similar, but slightly different than others you already own?

It has to have something unique in it for me to spend the money.

2-What format do you like best? Do you like instant downloads (PDF etc) or do you like professional printing with hardcover/paperback cover? Do you get patterns/books that are just photocopies off the Xerox - is that acceptable. or are you disapointed?

I prefer books or single patterns. If there are not color photographs (not b/w and not color copies but pretty pix), I won't buy. I need help picking colors and can't visualize from black and white.

3-If the book/pattern is PDF, do you keep it electronic, or do you prefer to print off the pages you need? Do you print the entire book?

I would print the entire thing.

4-Do you feel uncomfortable buying a pattern/book from small "companies" (for example, I only have a few books in mind, and if not professionally published, it/they would just be off my blog/web site)?

I would buy from small or big companies. Just have to feel secure about payment method. Also not great about finding things on the internet so you need "to find me"

5-If you bought a book for a new technique - would you want to create your own patterns, or have some included in the book to try out?

I want color photos and exact patterns to try. I can't create my own thing.

6-How many pages of technique advice do you think is the bare minimum for a book, so that you would feel you got your moneys worth?

I don't care how long the directions are. They just have to be very clear. I learn visually so photos/diagrams with complex steps are a must.

7-Do you like lots of photos to help explain the technique? Or is it mainly words which help you understand?

see last response. LOL

8-If you have published books/patterns yourself, how did you do it? Off your web page, then sell with PayPal and download or email PDF? Or did you ask for paper checks to be mailed then sent paper copies?

Never published. I don't use paypal myself.

9-If you published with a profesisonal printer, what frustrations did you have? What advice would you give?

Just one last note... When I look to buy a book, the cover is what initially grabs my attention so the title must be very clear and really good photos on the front. I flip through and look at photos and make a decision from there. I don't buy cookbooks or quilt books if there aren't color photos and lots of examples.

Very interesting topic. I like to design and was wondering the same thing.

I would be disappointed if I purchased a book and received it in photocopied paper, as I would be expecting it to be professionally bound as a book. I would suggest having both very detailed text and lots of very detailed pictures, as it is the easiest way to satisfy all of your customers.

I sure hope lots of board members answer these questions, there are those of us who would love to know the answers. Seems like it might be a secret no one wants to share though.

As a published author I would recommend checking out the websites of known quilt related publishers. There is a lot that goes into the production of a book (copyright infringements, techinal writing, photographs, layout, actual printing, marketing) that needs to be considered. It's a really big committment and one that needs to be thought about carefully. I've been very pleased with the decision I made to go with a nationally known publisher who did the research first to be sure it was an original idea that I had and then did all the production work and gave me lots of support throughout.

Jan

Great topic. I will enjoy following this one.

I prefer pdf files. If I am not going to use the pattern right away I can store it on my computer until I am ready. Otherwise, if I am ready to get started I will print out the necessary pages. I like options! :-D

Here's some answers from a die-hard book and pattern buyer. I like COLOR! Colored pictures, colored directions, colored illustrations. Anything less (ie black and white ore hand drawn illustrations) strikes me as lower quality, and unless I had no other books or patterns, I would probably pass it by. And I don't like to download books. I like the feel of glossy paper and (did I say this?) colored pictures for inspiration! Once in a while I'll download A pattern, but not much. But I DO buy books, books, books and patterns, patterns, patterns! Just something to think about.

Depending on price, I prefer downloads. You get them immediately and don't have to pay postage, but I also expect them to be cheaper because the author doesn't have printing cost or the expense of packaging and trips to post office. I would want the download to be professional looking in style. I bought a cookbook download once and was greatly disappointed by the way it printed. (My 9 year old grandson can type better than it was) It looked like it was typed on word pad.

I like color photos and lots of them, I'm a visual learner.

I would want some patterns using the techniques discussed

If purchased as a printed book, I wouldn't want it to be a photocopy off the Xerox.

I would copy a pattern as I used it.

I would like information on creating my own patterns.