How to Get Published

Hey Creative Friend,

I’m so excited to let you know that yours truly has a special feature in the 2021, winter issue of Art Quilting Studio magazine. The magazine is currently on newsstands right now and you can pick up a copy wherever magazines are sold.

In this blog, we’re going to answer the questions why you want to get published and how to get that done. However, before we do that, I know you want to hear more about my special feature. So, let’s start there first.

Art Quilting Studio is one of the magazines published by Stampington and Company. This company publishes more than 10 magazines on topics ranging from art journaling, natural handmade products, and creative spaces in which women work. Whatever your passion, it’s likely that they’ll have a magazine for you.

The specific magazine in which I’m featured – Art Quilting Studio – focuses exclusively on quilting and mixed media techniques. They did a 6-page spread of my work and I must tell you that it looks awesome.  The colors are so vivid, it’s unbelievable. They did a great job with those photos.

Not only did I get to share my artwork in the magazine, I also got the opportunity to talk about a topic of my own choosing that I cared about – Reimagining Female Beauty Standards. Finally, I used the opportunity to share tips with people who’ll like to learn my style of thread painting.

Why is it important to get your work published, you may ask.

Here’s why:

1. It’s exciting to see your work in print – plain and simple
2. You get to share your work with a wider audience – more eyeballs on your work. When you share your art it becomes bigger than you. It impacts the lives of other people
3. You get feedback from people, which can help you improve your work and make it even better
4. It’s a confidence booster. It helps you keep going when the going gets tough, as it would.
5. A publication establishes your authority in your chosen craft and also looks good on your resume
6. It highlights your dedication to your craft
7. It opens doors to more opportunities for you

How to Get Published

1. Direct Contact:

There are several ways to get published. One of which is to get contacted directly by the publisher, which is what happened to me. I got an email from the editor of this magazine expressing their interest in doing a special feature on my work.

I’ve also received similar requests for features through my Instagram account.

All of this is to say, you can get a direct contact for publication if you’re already putting your work out there to be seen. (I’ve previously written about the importance of sharing your work)

2. Follow Submission Guidelines 

Many publications actually have guidelines for submissions. All you’ve got to do is visit their website and read through their guidelines. 

Then, examine each of the categories they have available and determine which you’ll be interested in being featured. 

Next,  take some time and look through copies of previous submissions. What are the common threads in the most recent submissions? Write down some notes.  Based on your notes, create an outline for your own submission. 

Now, you’re ready to write your story.  When you’re done, follow the submission guidelines, image size and resolution recommendations and then send in your submission.

3. Make Your Pitch

There’s no need to adopt the wait-to-be-discovered or wait-to-be-given-submission- guidelines-to-follow approach. Don’t wait to be chosen. Choose yourself. You can be proactive and make a pitch all by yourself. In fact, publications are always on the look out for a good story.  

Providing their  subscribers with content that they like is what their jobs are all about. Just the same way creating art is what you focus your time on, hunting for good stories, finding them, and bringing them to their audience, is what they pride themselves on doing.

Given this background, if you want to get your work published, your job is to pitch publishers a good story. If there’s a match between what they’re on the hunt for and the story you pitch them, then BOOM!!!. You’ll land yourself a publication.

This means you have to do your research. You don’t just throw things at a publisher/editor in hopes that something will stick. They don’t have time. The same concept applies when you’re trying to get press for your art show or other event. You took the first step by choosing yourself. Now, make it easy for them to choose you. 

My Art Quilting Studio Feature

Go grab a copy of the 2021 issue of Art Quilting Studio.  Out of the 6 pages showing my work, 2 of these pages have full sized images of my artworks. Can you believe that? TWO!!!  I know you’ll enjoy this issue of the magazine. So far, the feedback has been awesome!

That’s it for now, my Creative Friend.

Chat soon.
Love,