The Creative Connection

Your Experts Are:
Deborah Balmuth – Editorial Director, Storey
Kate Woodrow –  Editor, Chronicle
Nicole McConville– Content Team Leader, Lark Crafts
Melanie Falick- Editorial Director, STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books

Your Roundtable Participants Include:
Kaari Meng – French-Inspired Jewelry: Creating with Vintage Beads, Buttons & Baubles and Treasured Notions (Lark)
Tiffany Threadgould – ReMake It! (Sterling)

Presenting Your Pitch:

1. All materials must be created in an electronic format and submitted to Brandy Shay –  brandy@thecreativeconnectionevent.com – by September 5th. This presentation will then be forwarded to each of the Experts and Roundtable Participants to review and have with them during your presentation.
2. You may bring to the Pitch a printed copy of your materials for each Expert and Roundtable Participant to strengthen your presentation.

Pitch Contents:

1. An Introduction to “you” that will include a brief and concise biography. As a guideline for your Introduction, you may use Form #1 below.
2. Provide a brief and concise overview of your book idea. As a guideline, you may use Form #2 below.

 

REMEMBER: You only have 3 minutes, which equals approximately 400 words. Keep your pitch concise and focused.

Form #1 for Introduction:

Using one page for your written introduction, please include the following information in the order listed:

1. Date
2. Full name
3. Contact information
4. Biography – 150-175 words

Guidelines for Writing Your Biography

Your biography establishes your credibility as a craft book author. In addition to your craft expertise, please mention any previous publishing experience—including books, magazines, blogs, or websites. If your work has not yet been published, what is your professional expertise, education, life experience, or other compelling qualification that makes you the best person to write this book? And, please let us know if you have a social media presence; for example, are you on Twitter and/or Facebook? If so, how many people follow you on Twitter, and how many fans or friends do you have on Facebook?

Your written biography should be no longer than two paragraphs, or 150-175 words.

In the pitch, your introduction should be no longer than 50-75 words. That equals two to three sentences. Whittle down what’s most important for the pitch and practice reciting it.

Form #2 for Craft Book Overview:

Using one single-spaced page for your written Craft Book Overview, include the following information:

1. Brief and concise outline of your book, including title, synopsis, chapters, and a table of contents. Also include specifications such as: trim size, illustration or photography requirements, and word count. (150-175 words)
2. Brief and concise explanation of how your book is different from or similar to craft books currently on the market, who your target audience is, and why your book meets an underserved or unmet niche in the marketplace. Include in your written information the ISBN numbers for three comparative book titles. (150-175 words)

In the pitch, your overview will be 300-350 words. Practice delivering the overview aloud, along with your introduction, to keep within the three-minute time limit. Shorten if necessary.

 

Winners: