Crystal - Kalmbach Publishing Co.

Submission Guidelines
About Kalmbach Books
The Books department of Kalmbach Publishing Co. publishes how-to books on
PERFECTLY PAIRED
a variety of beading and jewelry-making topics. You’ll find our products at bead
shops, craft stores, and bookstores across the U.S. and beyond. Many online
specialty retailers distribute our books, and we also sell directly to consumers
through our Kalmbach Bookstore Web site.
PERFECTLY Designing Jewelry with
PAIRED Polymer and Metal Clays
Publications from Kalmbach are well regarded for high quality in both written
instructions and step-by-step photography. If you are wondering whether
Kalmbach is the right publisher for your book, please visit our Web site at
www.Kalmbach.com/Books for more information. You can download a PDF
KIMLE
version of our catalog from our site to see if your idea fits well with our
published titles.
PATRICIA KIMLE
Crystal Brilliance
some glamorous
Crystal
Brilliance
How do I start?
It’s a good idea to find out if we’re interested in your subject before you go
through the work of writing a proposal. We recommend sending a query letter
addressing the following points:
Making designer jewelry with crystal beads
Create Your Style in Tucson
event, and Perlen Akademie
Anna Elizabeth Draeger
• What is your book project about, and why will potential readers be interested?
• Who is the intended audience, and what is its skill level?
• How many projects or chapters do you envision?
• Can you give us some idea about competing book titles?
• Do you have a special way of organizing and presenting the information?
• Are you able to provide the step-by-step photography and/or illustrations?
• Please tell us a little bit about your expertise in the subject and your ability
to write and package the information in a book.
We also need to know if you are submitting your book idea to other publishers.
We are generally able to give you an indication of our interest in your book
project within a couple of weeks.
Although we recommend that you first send a query letter, if you have a
proposal ready for consideration, here’s what it should include:
1. A cover letter summarizing your book idea. Describe the purpose and
content of the book, identify the prospective audience, and explain what a
reader will learn from the book. Specifically, please address these questions:
• Can you clearly identify the market for your book? Is it directed toward a
beginning, intermediate, or advanced audience?
• Are other books on this subject available? How will your book be different?
• Do you plan to include information on the tools, materials, and techniques
needed to complete the projects?
• Will your book introduce new techniques or use new materials?
• How many step-by-step projects do you expect to include?
(continued on reverse)
Artful Polymer Clay
niques,
Polymer Clay
Techniques for stylish jewelry and décor
• Is the manuscript ready for review now? If not, when will it be complete?
• Does your book require illustrations or charts? What kind and about how
many? Will you provide rough sketches or finished art for these?
• What advantages do you as an artist/author offer, and in what ways do you
hope to promote the book? Do you have a Web site? An active blog? Are
More Seed Bead
Gail Ritchey
Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques
and promotion? Do you teach classes in your techniques?
2. A detailed outline of the content of your proposed book. Your outline
should include a chapter-by-chapter overview of the entire book. Make the
outline as specific as possible. Divide each chapter into subtopics or projects,
and provide a brief description of each topic or project.
3. At least two completed projects with step-by-step directions. The
jewelry projects you provide as samples should be complete and polished,
just as you’d like to see them presented in the book. Include an introduction
Beth Stone
to the project, a list of required materials and tools, and detailed instructions
for making the project from start to finish. A third completed project
(accompanying instructions optional) is helpful but not required.
for beaders
Creative
wirework
projects
for all levels
4. Sample step-by-step photography, if applicable. Your proposal should
address whether you’re able to provide digital photos of the step-by-step
process for making the projects. If you do, please include a few examples
of these photos on a CD along with your proposal. We’ll provide detailed
photography instruction if your proposal is accepted. Our studio is also available
for process photography if appropriate.
Our review process
Irina Miech
Cube Bead Stitching
Go square!
Bead
Stitching
CUB E
Contemporary
jewelry designs
you can make
Once we’ve received your outline and sample projects, the topic, content, and
quality of your proposal will be evaluated. If your book appears to fit with our
editorial strategy, the next step is an evaluation of its marketing potential.
The review process may take as long as three to four months. If your book is
approved, we’ll offer you a contract. After you have reviewed the contract and
returned a signed copy to us, your book will be formally placed on our list of
forthcoming titles along with an estimated delivery date for the completed book.
Jensen
A final word
No matter what happens with your proposal, we appreciate the opportunity
ART BEAD JEWELRY • Seasons in Glass
us Glass
Stitching
you available to travel to trade shows and other events for book signings
Art Bead
Virginia Jensen
Jewelry
Seasons in
Glass
Karen Leonardo
to review your work and ideas. Thank you for considering us as your
prospective publisher.
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle | Waukesha, WI 53186 (parcel delivery)
PO Box 1612 | Waukesha WI 53187-1612 (postal delivery)
Phone: 262-796-8776, ext. 580
www.Kalmbach.com/Books | booksubmissions@kalmbach.com