I must say, I kinda feel like this post should be titled "old news", but it is new to you.
So, here it is: I wrote a book!
Yes, past tense. As in, I'm pretty much done. I did the bulk of the work last spring/summer (hence, the "old news"). I do feel like I've been a bit of a tease about my news, and that might have been annoying. But, I'll admit it, I kinda liked being in that club where you have secret projects you can't talk about. And, really, I wasn't allowed to say anything. Because, if I was, you know I would have been blogging tons of complaints and moaning about how much work it was etc.
And, it was a TON of work. But I think it's one of those things (like childbirth) where the memory of how hard it was fades and the excitement takes over. And, I can hardly tell you how proud I am. I dying to see it acutally done.
The title is:
Modern Mix
16 Sewing Projects that Combine Designer Prints & Solid Fabrics
7 Quilts + Pillows, Bags, & More
It will be published this fall by Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing. I'm so honored to be in the company of their other awesome authors. And, can I just tell you? They are a dream to work with. Everyone is so professional and knowledgeable and just really helped me to make it the best I could.
So, yes, it is a project-based sewing book. Each projects uses both some solid fabrics and some prints. They're all modern and fun and there is something for every skill level. My first love has always been quilting, so there are 7 quilts, but since I never can focus on just one thing, there are also bags, pillows, an apron, a tablecloth, and more. I wish I could show you more than just these sneak peek photos, but for now they're all I've got. I think the cover is almost final and I promise to show you as soon as I can.
If you're interested, I'd be happy to share more about the process of writing a book and how this whole thing happened. Soon... like after I get back from quilt market.
JT
P.S. Holy cow! You can already pre-order it on amazon. That's my name there, folks. For real.
Congratulations Jessica!!! Breathe a sigh of relief and treat yourself to something nice (to hold you over until all those royalty checks start rolling in!!). Such hard work!
Posted by: Jona | May 01, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Ah! Congratulations!! I can't wait to see more of your book!
Posted by: Amy - Amy's Creative Side | May 02, 2011 at 01:44 AM
Fantastic!!!! I'll just go ahead and pre-order my copy :-D
Posted by: Rachael | May 02, 2011 at 11:02 AM
how totally wonderful! what an awesome accomplishment for you!
Posted by: HannahJ | May 02, 2011 at 11:56 AM
That is so wonderful!! What an accomplishment, it will be the coolest thing ever to have that in your hands and turn those pages!!
Posted by: Tabitha O. | May 02, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Congrats, Jessica!
Posted by: Vicki | May 02, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Congratulations! That is big news, how exciting!!!
Posted by: Melissa | May 02, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Congrats, Kidlet.. I'm so very proud of you. Hmmm, is it an omen that the available date is my birthday? :)
Love and miss you! I may just have to take that road trip this summer!
Posted by: Lynda | May 02, 2011 at 10:19 PM
How exciting! Congratulations! :)
Posted by: Sharon @ A Prairie Sunrise | May 02, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Wow! So very exciting! Great description of how much work was put into it and how you're feeling now. Yes, would love to hear some of your process and decision making! Congrats to you!
Posted by: angel | May 02, 2011 at 11:25 PM
That's fantastic. Congratulations!
Posted by: Cheryl Arkison | May 03, 2011 at 01:14 PM
that's so wonderful!! Congratulations!
Posted by: Angela | May 04, 2011 at 02:56 PM
where can we buy the fabric?
Posted by: karen thauer | May 04, 2011 at 06:00 PM
wooo! Go Jess! xo
Posted by: melissa@yummygoods | May 04, 2011 at 08:28 PM
That is so awesome!!! Congrats on your book! Im sure your relieved that its mostly finished!
Posted by: What She Quilted | May 05, 2011 at 08:46 AM
Congratulations! That's amazing news!
Posted by: Hollie | May 05, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Wow! Congratulations! Very exciting!
Posted by: Lori Porten | May 09, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Great news, Jessica!!! Now you can get to work on that Kids Birthday Party book I have been wanting you to write!!!
-Amy
Crafting by Candlelight
Posted by: Amy | May 11, 2011 at 01:54 PM
So nice meeting you at Market Jessica and all of us at C&T & Stash Books are super excited about your book!
Posted by: Megan Scott | May 19, 2011 at 05:54 PM
Congratulations! I'd love for you to share more on that - especially how you went about getting a proposal to Stash. I've got an idea for a book that I'm really excited about, but I'm not sure how to get started making the projects since presumably I'll need step-by-step photos, too (and I'm not a professional photographer)! But...what a dream! Thanks!
Posted by: Elle | May 26, 2011 at 03:05 PM
Elle-
I do hope to share more about the process online, but in the mean time, to give you an idea, you do not need to have the projects done to submit a proposal. Every author does their own format, but you can show drawing etc. But its a good idea to have some done or at least a portfolio of your work to share with them. If you get a book deal, they will do all the photography so dont worry about that. But if you are doing step-by-step how-tos youll need to make extra pieces that show each step so they can take them.
If you go to the Stash website they have guidlines for submitting a proposal: http://www.stashbooksblog.com/write-a-book/
Good luck!
jess
Jessica Levitt
my blog: www.juicy-bits.typepad.com
my book, Modern Mix: http://amzn.to/jfT2XP
Posted by: Jessica Levitt | May 26, 2011 at 03:23 PM
Thanks for sharing this one. I like too much. I will try for this with my daughter on next weekend.
Posted by: מתנות אישיות | October 11, 2011 at 04:35 PM
Can't wait to grab one copy of that book of yours. I am planning to give that to my youngest as a Christmas gift these holidays.
Posted by: Electrician Sydney | December 09, 2011 at 04:51 AM