A Knitting Book Author's Thoughts

My latest book, Kristin Knits, didn't come out until mid-November of 2007. It missed the critical time for knitting book sales and caught only the tail-end of fall and Christmas sales. I was disappointed with the timing but that was out of my hands. I just had to accept it and be happy. And I was happy with the book and the placement it got in the big chain bookstores last winter. The sales were good too. Thank you Storey Publishing for taking a chance on me.


I just realized that this is Kristin Knits first official fall season. I'm hoping that it keeps selling this fall. I was speaking with a friend of mine in the yarn business the other day and we were discussing how hard it is for a book to get noticed these days. You go to a big book store and there's a huge bookcase full of knitting books. How does anyone ever pick one out, tell me. Luckily, Kristin Knits has a colorful spine label. Honestly, look at these cookbooks on my shelf - How do I ever find a favorite recipe? By the spine label of course!


It really is a rather difficult time for knitting book authors - there are so many choices and knitters only have so much money. But on the other hand, it has been rather easy to get a publisher to take a chance on a book and accept a proposal. When a book comes out, getting publicity is pretty important. The knitting magazines can only feature a few books in their book review section (and one magazine has dropped their book reviews altogether). Honestly, it is scary if I think about it. This blog helps if I can get people here. Teaching around and at Stitches does too but I can only go so many places. (By the way - there is still room in my Thursday afternoon Opening Day class at Stitches East. Click here for more info.)

I suppose with the economy in a downswing, there won't be as many knitting books published -- I think that will be a healthier marketplace for authors like me. What are your thoughts on this?