F+W Media, the major craft publisher, has filed for bankruptcy. In the filing, CEO Gregory Osberg cites the decade long decline in the market for print magazines as a contributing factor. Since 2015, for example, the company’s subscribers have decreased from approximately 33.4 million to 21.5 million and the company’s advertising revenue has decreased from $20.7 million to $13.7 million. But that’s not the whole story.
The creative market in the European Union is nearly as big as the United States’, but with some very curious differences.
In 2016 Rumana Lasker looked at 52 sewing magazines published in the UK that year and realized that every single one featured a white woman on the cover.
“One of the things that struck me the most…is the feeling of being undervalued- as a consumer, as a person,” says Lasker a British sewer who was a quarter-finalist on the Great British Sewing Bee. “Because it is no exaggeration to say that by failing to represent us, they are telling people of color that we don’t matter.”
There have been a few recent staffing changes at craft companies so we thought we’d round them up here.
F+W is shutting down Modern Patchwork, Cloth Paper Scissors, Quilty, and Knit.Wear magazines. The issues currently in production will be the last. A letter will be going out informing contributors later this week and Tiffany Warble, Director of Content, says the company is working on a plan for existing subscribers. A round of layoffs accompanied the closures.
Nomadic Knits magazine highlights a different region of the world in each issue, focusing on what makes that place so special when it comes to fiber.
Online retailing giant Amazon and book recommendation site Goodreads, both offer authors resources to promote their books directly to readers.
C&T Publishing, a premier publisher of quilting and craft books, has reduced the number of books their publishing in a year and is shuttering their digital pattern marketplace, PatternSpot.com.
The ability to express your vision is essential. However, there are some common pitfalls that can trip up newbie designers that you can avoid.
Asking for what you want or need is hard. In your personal life, that’s called advocating for yourself, whether it’s for more help around the house or saying no to toxic relationships. In your business life, it’s called negotiating. It’s funny that saying no to a friend that is rude or overbearing makes perfect sense, but asking for better terms from a business partner strikes fear in the hearts of even the savviest entrepreneur.
With niche content, the self-publishing arm of the magazine publishing industry focuses on providing subject matter that suits a small but loyal following. Content is no longer limited to a traditional publishing environment. Here’s what you need to know to consider producing your own niche magazine!
When making decisions about the best outlets for your creative work, it’s wise to consider many options. One of those is working with traditional publishers of craft magazines and books.
F+W has grown from a family-owned magazine publisher to an international force in the craft market. Here’s a history of the company, and how they did it.
The board of the American Quilter’s Society made a decision last week to close the company’s book publishing division. In a letter to authors from AQS co-founder and president Meredith Schroeder stated, “It is with a great deal of regret that I am notifying you that the American Quilter’s Society will no longer be publishing new books…I am sorry to see it come to this, but I know you are aware of all the changes in technology in the publishing industry.”
Writing and self-publishing your own craft book might seem daunting at first, but it’s a lot easier than you think. Here’s a list to get you started!
How to read craft book contracts and what you should consider when negotiating, by expert Kate McKean, a literary agent with 12 years of experience.
No matter how much craft books rely on great projects and gorgeous images, the success of any book also relies on good writing.
Here’s the big list of Craft Magazine Submission Information! This can be a great way to share your creative work and grow your audience.
How can you conquer instructional writing and built trust with your customers? Here are a few professional tips to get you started down the path of success!
Publishing houses are constantly evolving. They’re looking at trends and always in search of the next great idea. Here’s what each house has published.