Whenever my work is published, whether a quilt project or a written article, I’m beyond thrilled when I see the proof in a quilting magazine. That thrill never diminishes. There is feedback, validation that your work will interest someone else. It’s great!
Recently, Quilter’s World published an article of mine entitled Young Ideas, Old Traditions on page 80 of the Autumn 2016 issue.
Initially, this article was written in 2014 at the behest of the editor of The Quilter magazine. I researched the piece interviewing young quilters – Telene Jeffrey of South Africa, Erin Brophy of New York, Britney Chrisinger of California, Katrina Lloyd of Texas, Gina Tell of Iowa, Jeena Lugo of Utah, and Jennifer Lipman from Arizona. Unfortunately, The Quilter magazine went under and my piece went unpublished.
Undaunted, I began the search for a new publisher sometime in late 2015. I queried Quilter’s World with my idea in early 2016 and they accepted it! Two years in the making didn’t dampen my joy of being published; in fact, I think it made it a little sweeter. The ladies I worked with and interviewed for the article were astounding! First, they are all young quilters, carrying on a very old tradition. Second of all, they were wonderful to deal with; funny and interesting and delightful. It was my distinct pleasure to “meet” each and every one of them. I’m actually hoping I get a chance to work with some of them again in the near future.
But sadly, quilt magazines are disappearing. Earlier this month, we learned that Quilter’s Newsletter would no longer publish after the Oct/Nov 2016 issue. They have been publishing for almost fifty long years!
Working in the past with Quilter’s Newsletter on many of their special issues was truly wonderful for me. I will always cherish the help, assistance and direction of editors Mary Kate Karr-Petras and Carolyn Beam, not to mention Lori Baker. All the best to each of you ladies and thank you so much for all that you did for me.
I had a quilt project scheduled to be published with Quilter’s Newsletter that will now not appear on their pages. A similar experience happened to me when Quilter’s Home met its demise. (GenQ magazine rose from the ashes of Quilter’s Home).
The point is, publishing in the quilting world is changing. The trick is to being ultra patient and evolve with the times. I basically have the attitude of “never give up” and it has served me well.
Cindy Brick wrote a piece on her blog about the new world of quilt publishing and it’s definitely worth a read.
Kim
Next Wednesday: Quilts in Invermere
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