Being an Author with AQS

Thankfully, there is more than one correct way to make a quilt and to write the how-to instructions. This has given rise to several major quilt book publishers, and AQS is proud to be among the leaders.

If you're considering authoring a quilt book, this is what you can expect from AQS:

• Clear, succinct proposal and manuscript guidelines
• A fast consideration of your proposal
• Transparency in the publication process
• Generous contract terms
• A close working relationship with editorial staff and individual attention
• Retention of your author's voice; no cookie-cutter books here
  
• Regular contact and communication, from concept through post-publication
  
• Offers to teach at AQS shows once you're published
• The opportunity to tape online classes that provide college credit for students
• Expansive marketing and advertising efforts and assistance, wholesale and retail
  
• Friendly support and advice every step of the way

We offer a lecture at every AQS show that details what it is like to be published by us. If you're considering writing a how-to quilt book, treat yourself to the facts and join us in Knoxville, July 22-25, for "Writing a Quilt Book: The Reality Show," or Des Moines, October 28-31, for "Putting Pen to Paper: Publishing with AQS." Our proposal guidelines are posted under the "Authors" tab at www.americanquilter.com. And you may always contact us at 270-898-7903 or andi@aqsquilt.com. There are a lot of talented, creative quilters out there! We look forward to hearing from you!

It's Baa-aack!

Anita Shackelford's very popular book on feather quilting patterns, Infinite Feathers, is back. AQS has reprinted her book due to popular demand. That, and the fact that it's still one of the best how-to-feather-quilt books around. Whether you quilt by hand or machine (of any kind), treat yourself to a wonderful resource by calling 1-800-626-5420. Ask for item # 6072. Also available on CD -- item # 6521.

Inchie Quilts Are in the House!

What started as a "just between friends" trading card-like pasttime has been turned into a hot new quilting trend. Leading the way is AQS author Nadine Ruggles with her book, Inchie Quilts.

Inchie quilts really are just that - tiny, one-inch square quilts. They are adorable, addictive, and oh-so-fun to embellish! You can make inchies the star of the quilt or use them as accents. They are equally at home on traditional, contemporary and art quilts.

And because Nadine explains how to attach the inchies in a semi-permanent way, you can move them around! She even gives you an Inchies Chess quilt pattern!

You will have hours of fun creating inchies and hours more thinking of creative ways to use them. Enjoy!

Call 1-800-626-5420 to order. Ask for item # 8021.

Quilt Market Update

Just back from the Spring 2009 Quilt Market trade show only two days and my feet have finally recovered! Wearing sensible shoes is a must to stand on cement with a layer of carpet and walk several miles. So much to see and so little time. Everyday we met many charming retail shops and our major distributors. Our schoolhouses were a huge success with the shops eager to plan classes from all the ideas that the authors provided.

Walking around the show I saw so many exciting new fabrics — jewel tones, bright fun florals, and the cutest animal focus prints everywhere. I loved two of the new notions from Simplicity that will make sewing easier for quilters. My favorite was the electric rotary cutter that cuts strips that can be used for piecing, bias tape and binding. The bias tape maker was so cool, it makes 12’ in 60 seconds! It folds and presses different sizes in one step. Simplicity also has a new Jelly Roll ruler from Kimberly Einmo. Shhhh! She happens to be working on a new book using the ruler for next year. A new quilting glove that was at market for the first time from GrabARoos is great for free-motion quilting. They have PVC dots on the finger tips and when they wear out you turn them over and there are dots there for more sewing! And they come in purple, a favorite color of mine.

The city of Pittsburgh was so welcoming, with friendly people everywhere we went. They were not only excited about the quilters in town — shuttling them around in Trolleys — but they also were the host for five baseball games and the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs. We went by the hockey arena after setting up the booth to see the many fans watching the game on big screens outside and celebrating their victory. Every evening we could see the baseball stadium across the river from the hotel room, and I think I could smell the hot dogs and peanuts, or maybe it was wishful thinking.




Thanks to all the shops that stopped by our booth to share with us what quilting projects they were working on and which AQS books they have in their stores.

Spring Market 2009

Spring Market 2009 is history. It was the usual colorful, lively, interesting mix of companies, businesses and individuals in the quilt industry. While attendance seemed down, most vendors said they had a good show, which is welcome news for anyone interested in quilting. AQS is certainly pleased with the number of book ideas that came our way. The citizens of Pittsburgh were super friendly, and we could see the Pirates play from the hotel!

We were delighted to have three authors teach during Schoolhouse: Karen Gibbs, whose Bits of Bargello was so hot off the press, she saw it for the first time when her session began!; Terry White, who demonstrated three of the techniques from All Beaded Up by Machine; and Alice Wilhoit, whose Crazy Patchwork projects had the audience oohing and aahing like - well, like crazy! You can learn more about these three new titles on our website's "Buy Books" page and order them by calling 800-626-5420.

What a Show!

There aren't enough "wows!" to describe the 25th Anniversary Celebration in Paducah last week. From the incredible Best of Show quilt by Mariya Waters of Melbourne, Australia to the excellent entertainment by Ricky Tims, Eleanor Burns, Nancy Zieman and Helen Squire and the hundreds of vendors offering amazing fabrics and helpful tools, it was a fabulous week. Another special event was the Book Fair; 17 authors were on hand to sign their books, and a fun time was had by all.

An AQS show is always a good time to discuss potential book projects, so plan now to bring your ideas and proposals to Knoxville, July 22 - 25 or Des Moines, October 28-31. Of course you can send a completed proposal and one or two representative completed quilts to AQS any time: Attention, Andi Reynolds, Executive Book Editor, 5801 Kentucky Dam Road, Paducah, KY 42003. We look forward to reviewing your fresh, creative approach to quilting today!

Collectible Books

The annual AQS Catalogue of Show Quilts is here! Whether you attend the 2009 25th anniversary show in Paducah or not, this highly collectible book showcases all of this year's entires in a beautifully formatted presentation. The quilts are shown by contest category with the entry number, quilt title, quilt size, maker's name and maker's location. True keepsakes, these books document the trend in today's quilting world. AQS item #7931.

Another gem of a book is Collection of The National Quilt Museum. Dedicated to the founders of the American Quilter's Society, Bill and Meredith Schroeder, it summarizes the history of the quilt collection that is the nucleus of the museum. Each quilt is shown with a statement from the artist or a summation of their work, to give the reader insight into how these beautiful works of art came to be. Although some of the museum's collection quilts are always on display and rotated, this book is the definitive catalogue and a real photo essay on how quilting has evolved since the early 1980s. A limited print run makes this a book to buy quickly and keep for posterity. AQS item #7933.