Dispatch no. 48 - Updates Podcast

I've no idea if it's helpful but I loved your 'so you've seen a vintage pattern/fashion plate image from Pinterest/a catalogue and you just have to recreate it' videos ....... looking for the style lines and then creating your own pattern. And re thepublishing experience - it's given you the video playlist idea and the start of materials for that so in itself that may end up being good or even better value in the long run.

I just love that both my hobbies and my husband's hobbies live together in you! He also wants to be a fiction writer (his day job is as an acupuncturist), and I want to make my own clothes (my day job is a bookkeeper for a non-profit). I just love it!

What came out of it is education. In some respects it is better that you had this learning experience in a "safe" place. I get it, it took resources to do it. But you still have those purchased resources for next time, you were able to learn things about contracting and doing "traditional" business activities. It was still a marker of success or the company would not have approached you. You have also learned that there are those who would come to you to take advantage of you and your success. I do not mean take advantage in a bad way, but just as "hey here is a good thing with good following, let's leverage that." But it is still taking advantage of something, and if they could leverage you with a minimum of effort, then good for them. You have learned about the little voice in your head that is generally correct but is usually shouted down by "needs" (mortgage, electricity, food). So next time when the shouts of needs are echoing through your head, you will know what that little voice sounds like and be able to balance needs and core in a more educated way. Hang in there.

It sounds weird but I'm proud of you for sticking to your guns (in the least patronizing way possible!). It would have been easy to write the book they wanted just to have a book with your name on it (that maybe you wouldn't be as proud of). I am thinking great thoughts for you for a new house!

I'd love a pattern drafting manual, but video-edition. Just yesterday I was doing variations of youtube searches of "Closet Historian _insert term_" as I was trying to figure out the sleeve style and neck style I wanted to try with my blouse pattern. A dedicated video playlist of some variants would have been so useful. You could even reused past project examples for "what does this pattern look like in x fabric" would be really useful. Congrats on sharing your writing! I'll be passing on reading it because I know it probably isn't a great match for the story types I enjoy. I am one of those who prefers picking up happy and non-violent content with my free reading time. But to each their own genre and I wish you success on this and future writing projects! Also--feel no pressure to force your story into a publishing-adherent state. I have a 135k+ manuscript I have tried and failed to query with for the last year and have accepted it might just not be a good debut novel. Maybe someday, but not just yet. Keep writing more stories and if one happens to turn out shorter, or align better with a market at that given time, maybe that's the one you focus on querying with. And once your foot is in the door, maybe your older and higher word count projects will find a home.

Imagine if Simone Biles said "I have so many gold medals that I don't need to listen to a coach!" Well, maybe. Now Imagine if the idiot thirteen year old at the local gymnastics studio said she doesn't need to take correction from a coach. You might ask "On what expertise do you base that? What does it gain you to be uncoachable?" My point is, even experts need coaches (or editors). To quote Stephen King, "Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler's heart, kill your darlings." If new fiction authors have a 100k word limit - and you KNOW that - then kill your darlings and get published.

I'm really looking forward to reading the chapters, judging by the way you speak and write! I had some bad experiences with the "sake-rice" type of revising - when I felt I was nearing perfection it became bland. I rather mix Brandon Sandersons aproach with Elliot Brooks' scene by scene goal hitting strategy. Although I have published and completely fully revisioned none so far...Which means I'm still testing which strategies work best for me. I'm now 3/4 done with my 4th which will be much shorter and the first to be published, I think. I'm doing Urban Fantasy based on regional myths set here in Aachen, Germany, leaning towards cozy with victorian horror elements. I also did some proofreading and beta reading for some selfpublishing author friends in the past. I'd be happy to be a beta reader if you'll have me.

Judging from what I learned from selfpub friends and my own work as a former freelance journalist/PR/magazine publisher, this sounds like in december they suddenly had a hole to fill for their next programme and someone who liked your stuff remembered having asked you whether you'd potentially be interested. But from what I've heard when preraring a manuscript from scratch they'd give you somewhere closer to half a year, depending on size of manuscript and amount of revisions expected... Back when I was freelance and selfemployed publisher for a local magazine I sometimes found myself in situations like yours. Like a company asking for extra good prices for their ads... A friend helped me by saing: "If you give in, others will hear of it and you'll be in this conversation many times more" So I sat down and made myself a chart of how far would I go in such negotiations. Being sure where I stand and how far I would want to go was a big help and I never got lost again. Yes, I did miss some deals (and had been in dire need of money). But realizing I could choose which client I wanted to work with - oh, such a breakthrough! Made me much mure selfassured and a lot happier. Why do I write all this? To me you sinded really stressed about deadline and dealing with that company. I hope you don't let this experience keep you from ever trying again. not just because I would love to have that book, although, yes, absolutely. But I would wish for you to have a good think about how far you would be willing to go, without stress from the beginning. Maybe do a manuscript in your own time and approach publishers after? Or choose a different medium like online school/workshops... Seeing how much I sewed last year, thanks to your channel, I would love for you to cash in!

I really appreciate that you didn't go against your gut. I think you would be really mad at yourself for a long time. If it would be so much money that you could buy a house without a mortgage, okay, I would understand completely, but as you said, it wasn't that much, so you know the best if it would be worth it. And about Orphan's Revenge, if we like that book and you somehow can't find publisher quickly, can we just harass every publisher so they contact you? Asking for a friend 😂

I'm looking forward to dark winter wear in Springtime! You are very generous with your community, and I can only imagine the handful of treats you give trick-or-treaters on Halloween. "Oh yeah, go to that spooky house at the end of the road, she gives out good stuff and is so nice!" You know, Hemingway referred to real writing as "a lifelong, lonely safari" where the prey sought "is a truth worth telling, faith worth living by, something worth spilling his (her) guts about." You work incredibly hard, and have great charisma and talent. I look forward to reading your writing and following your future creations!☺️

I’m sorry this didn’t work out but so proud of you for sticking to your principles and doing what’s best for you. 💚

Congratulations on being brave enough to stick to your principles and listening to your instincts. Proud of you ❤️

It’s a shame they weren’t on board with your vision but that timeline was ridiculous, especially considering they approached you and then didn’t follow up for months. I don’t know how approachable other youtubers are but if you find yourself in this situation again maybe see if Abby Cox or Bernadette Banner would be up for talking about their publishing experiences with you (probably other people as well) They definitely seemed to be working over a much longer period though. I look forward to book segments and future house content

I'm halfway through the podcast - I'm glad to be part of this support system that allows you to stick to your goals and values. It also sounds like this tornado of an experience gave you greater clarity on what you want to do. I'm looking forward to the techniques video series - the Why Darts? video you already have on your YouTube channel is the most comprehensive and accessible introduction I've seen on the platform. As someone who also has "girl who wants to move" as a part of her personality, I'm thrilled that you are going to reach your goal of home ownership this year. All the best with it! 🥰

I am sorry the book did not happen, but staying true to yourself is more important. Two thumbs up for that! I am happy to support a person with integrity. Sounds like the publisher's management did not have their act together; you dodged a bullet. When the time comes, I would love to have a pattern drafting book from you. I love your idea for an instructional video series! Looking forward to reading The Orphan's Revenge!

I can't tell you how exciting I am to read those chapters! Looking forward to reading it. I will have to make some time for it but it will happen. Also, while I really appreciate your more educational videos, I really love your fashion designer brain and creations. I might be on a budget and not copy it or anything because I am timid and it's maybe s little too wild for me to wear out and about (working up to it though) I think they're very inspiring to see. Edit: a month late but I finally got a question, I have a lot of trouble buying fabric online, I always hated what I ended up getting despite the stats looking good on the site. What do you look for to make sure your fabrics are what you need/look for?

Early to mid May is perfect for winter for me, I’m keen! You are very admirable. You said you got nothing good out of this experience, but I’m sure the silver linings will be evident in good time.

Way to go sticking to your guns! I think it's incredibly admirable that you've got your vision for both nonfiction and fiction books and aren't willing to compromise on them. I think that's how the best stuff gets made. I cannot wait to read these sample chapters!!!!

sorry the book didn't move forward, but thank you for sharing the process and being such a great example of sticking true to who you are and your teaching methods. I adore your style and creativity, and after watching your videos I always feel like I could make something that works for me, which is an amazing gift. I am so excited about getting to read some of your writing! Thank you for that in advance, and I will be hoping you get to devote more time to publishing once the move is settled.

It would be wonderful to have a pattern drafting book with something like a QR code linking to videos. I am a visual learner and have difficulty reading instructions to make something so a combination book and links to videos would be amazing. Im happy to be a part of your support system.

Very interesting what the publishers expectations were and the mismanagement of it all. Good for you standing up for yourself!! Thank you for answering my question about self organisation. It is very exciting to read some of your work. xxxxxxxxxx

Sounds like your contact was on the ball but their management was fragmented and disorganized. Unfortunately it's all too common a problem, and Im glad you were so clear headed and could see that their timelines had become unrealistic. But we got a prettier drafting table out of it, so win for us! I agree, videos are more effective than books for teaching, but collecting "all the things" for a hobby is part of the fun too. 😁 I'd buy some TCH branded clothing tags ("I dress for the life I want", etc.) to add to my own makes before a project-based sewing book. And I'm super excited to read some of your book chapters, thank you so much!! 💗

Proud to be part of the support system that allows you to keep your creative focus!

Thanks for your openness and gifts of insight I always look forward to your posts, but this one was a doozy! Take care and I’ll look forward the next one.

For what it’s worth, you are exactly what I was looking for and your book proposal is the book I’d buy. Keep the faith; appreciate your integrity!

I'm glad that you're out of book limbo, if nothing else. Sorry it didn't work out. I look forward to the potential video series at the new house. I am so excited to get to read some of the Orphan's Revenge! I thoroughly enjoyed the prequel chapters you read out for us a couple of years ago.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out. On the other hand, if you do find yourself in the NY area and looking to try jiu-jitsu, you've got a fellow queer gal to train with here!

Sorry that didn’t work out-I’m glad it feels like the right choice in the end, but it still sucks to get excited about a project and have it not turn out. I still think it’s a great idea to have an approachable pattern drafting book, and there really isn’t much out there that is “alternative” style. I have a fitting book I really like with QR code links to video..Who knows, maybe this will lead you towards an idea in the future for a cool non-fiction book, or maybe just a step in knowing more about what you don’t want (which incidentally always helps with finding out more about what you DO want♥️)

I am so excited to read your book!!!! I can't wait, I've been looking for some new reading material 😍

Gotta say, potential book deal was not where my head was but dang, coulda been cool. Hopefully they do re-approach once you’re settled in your darkly gothic space.

Damn. Well, maybe some day you'll split the difference and release like, an e-zine that's half drafting instructions and half links to relevant YouTube videos you've already made.

On the other hand, you do have a good start on a book proposal for the one you'd want to write. And the book doesn't need to be finished for non-fiction -- no one expects a complete manuscript because, as you found out, it is expensive. It might have nothing to do with the size of your audience; it probably has more to do with the editor's interests than yours. And you are allowed to talk about this, as long as you continue to be polite about it.