Happy Small Press Month

Ok, what? Small press month was started in 1996 to bring attention to small press houses that publish more non-traditional writers than the major publishing houses. To be published by a major house, you usually have to have an agent to have your submission even read, and after someone decides to take a chance on your manuscript, a group at the publishing house then has to decide they like it too. It's a long drawn-out process and if you're famous, chances are you'll get published. If you're not a celebrity or proven author, you probably won't get very far in the process. There are slush-pile success stories, but you stand a far better chance to be published by a small press. 

So today I'm going to highlight a few that have caught my eye for one reason or another...and if you're thinking of writing a manuscript, or have one you'd like to submit, take a look at these stellar publishers. You won't get a $25,000 advance, but you might actually get published and then you'll have your foot in the door and your words on a page!

1. My favorite small press is Elva Resa (meaning 11th journey in Swedish), the company that published my short story and made my dream of being a published author a reality. They mainly publish books for and about military families and do a lot to support military families. They have a monthly e-newsletter called Books Make a Difference (that I have had the privilege of writing for) and their books have won several awards. There's no submission call right this minute, but here's the page for future efforts. Take a look at what they publish and see if what you have is appropriate.

2. Another favorite small press is the Columbus Creative Cooperative, because I live in Ohio and a former drama geek bud of mine was published in this book. They do only publish Ohio writers, but here's the link to that info if you're a Buckeye like me.

3. Albert Whitman & Company publishes the ever-popular kid's book series, The Boxcar Children, among others. They are a small press, though, and I've met one of the editors and she was fab. As she explained, a small press pays more attention to its writers and its projects because they have a smaller ratio of authors to editors. They still accept manuscripts without an agent and here are their guidelines.

4. Abdo Press began as a small company and now has a niche publishing books for schools mostly. They have fiction and nonfiction options, as well as graphic novels. They accept manuscripts without agents as well.

5. Lark Crafts is a small press that publishes crafty type books. One of my faves is this lettering book. Their submission guidelines are here, so if you have a crafty book in you, give them a shot!

I couldn't leave without a little craft for this post about small press...tiny books! Check out Annes Papercreations blog and video for the how-to.

That's all I have for today...but chances are, if you look hard enough, you'll find some good books and great authors at small press publishers. And when you buy books from small publishers, lots of people win. 

I just finished two young adult horror novels (not small press), including Frozen Charlotte, which features a bunch of little frozen Charlotte dolls that come alive! Eeek! What are you reading right now?

Happy Wednesday!
Chark

Books 'N Cards

I love historical fiction...and I love Young Adult fiction (even though I'm way past Young Adult age, ha!) and this cover definitely makes me want to read this book. 

Here's the synopsis. After growing up on a farm in Virginia, Walthingham Hall in England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph. Her new life, filled with the splendor of upper-class England in the 1820s, is shattered when her brother mysteriously drowns. Katherine is expected to observe the mourning customs and get on with her life, but she can't accept that her brother's death was an accident. 

And there's more—strange visitors, a bitter poacher and wild animals...okay, now I definitely want to read it!

Here's a card loosely based on the cover. The scroll work of the fence and the title reminded me of an intricate die from Spellbinders that I have.

My blues are brighter than the gray blues here, and I used silver toned paper instead of gold...but with the title, gold should've been the watchword! Maybe I'll try it again. If I do, I'll post that version too! Too bad I don't have any tree stamps like the trunks on the book. Hmmm...now I have to go see if I have anything similar. This is the Altenew Peony stamp that I've been using over and over lately :)

Hope you have some reading or crafting time in your weekend, I'm off to an art journal class this morning!

Happy Friday!
Chark

I Heart You

I've been obsessively die cutting hearts from the Hero Arts So Sorry Stamp & Cut set...after I finished obsessively making watercolor pages. It was a whole day of painting, die cutting and then cardmaking. And it was fun. Here's another card I made.

I used a HA stencil and watercolors to print some backgrounds in blue. And then I did some watercoloring on my card base with blues and greens. After I cut out the heart, I backed with the stenciled piece. I also embossed the card base and stamped it.

It was pretty fun and I'm fascinated how the watercolor turns out depending on how much water you use and what paper you use. 

So, even though it's been awhile, here's my Book Cover of the Week. 

This is a cover that makes me want to read The Flux, even though it's the second book of the 'Mancer series. Guess I'll have to start with the first book called Flex.

What are you reading now? Did you pick it because of the cover? Just wondering! 

And don't forget, if you have some Hero Arts dies, you can enter the a2z Scrapbooking Supplies June challenge for a chance to win $25 to the store!

Happy Wednesday Friday! (Tried to schedule this for Wednesday, but someone messed up...so here it is today!)

Chark

A Woman Of Letters

I just got some books out from the library on creative lettering and have been doodling while watching tv. This is the book that inspired me first.

I highly recommend it for the instruction and the examples. Here's my take on an example they gave. You start with pencil, add the straight lines, then add the flourishes that make it fun.

This is a new quote to me and I super love it. Here's my next attempt at following the instruction.

I added the confetti and swirls to fill in and make it fun. I've heard this quote before, but didn't realize it was from Dr. Seuss. Here are some more quotes from his books if you're like me and think children's books can be wise. One of my very faves (that will probably make it into my lettering collection) is “Read. Travel. Read. Ask. Read. Learn. Read. Connect. Read.”

So, do you like lettering? Here's a valuable lesson I learned if you feel like picking up a pen...they can smear, so watch your hand placement! I messed up quite a few just forgetting this fun little fact. Live and Learn, as they say :)

Happy Wednesday,
Chark

Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?

I thought I'd highlight a gift mini album that I received from a pal, Adele. when we used to hang out on the Creating Keepsakes site. She knew I loved The Wizard of Oz, so she spent who knows how much time making this gorgeous album. The papers are Graphic 45 and you can still find them here and there on Etsy. 

Here's the cover, with ribbon, a key and flowers.

This is one page inside where I put a photo I took at the Wizard of Oz museum in Kansas!

I put some of my favorite lines on the tag and this page.

And this is the back cover. THANK YOU, ADELE! It's seriously one of the best presents ever because it was for no reason and she just made it out of the kindness of her heart. I put some pics of my sisters and me in the album too, because they are the reason I love the movie and story so much.

Here's a link to some free Oz digi art from My Chaos Stems From My Inability to Sit Still if you're itching to make something Oz ish.

Happy Weekend!

Chark