People think that as an author of a book (
Quilts in the Attic: Uncovering the Hidden Stories of the Quilts We Love), I actually know what is going on with my book. I don't. I've heard other authors tell me the same thing so I know it isn't just me. I'll admit that I don't purchase many magazines anymore but I always flip through them to see what is happening. I was quite surprised to discover an ad for my book (photo) in the summer issue of
Art Quilting Studio magazine (page 139 on the page with "Art Management Policy"). By the way, I did purchase the magazine. Here are my questions and please know you cannot hurt my feelings so be honest; the more brutal the better.
1. If you purchased the magazine, did you notice the ad?
2. Does the ad make you want to purchase the book?
3. Do you know anything about the following women- Mary Lee Bendolph, Marie Webster, and Ruby Short McKim?
4. What do you think of the overall design of the ad?
Thanks! I promise to share my thoughts too but I don't want to taint your thoughts with mine. Bring it on!
Sorry, didn't purchase the magazine and didn't see the ad. However, the cover and the title make me want to purchse it. I'm familiar with Marie Webster and Ruby Short McKim but not with Mary Lee Bendolph. Now I want to learn more about her. Based on the ad at the side of your blog, I like it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy.
DeleteI didn't buy the magazine or see the ad and I don't know the work of the quilt artists you mentioned. I generally don't buy books of this type. It does, however, look interesting enough that I would seek it out at the library for a read. That said I think the ad is a little dark and would benefit from being brightened up a bit.
ReplyDeleteI didn't buy the magazine either, but agree with Lisa and Sandy that it looks interesting. I may very well purchase the book, I'm interested in quilt history.
ReplyDeleteI didn't purchase. I know the women listed. I would use an orange where the green was. And I'm not sure what was happening with the lighter-toned background at the bottom.
ReplyDeleteIt is nicely composed, a little understated...but that is in keeping with the cover of the book.
I think I saw the ad while flipping through the mag at my local newsstand. I didn't buy the mag--but I think the ad is very striking and effective. I've done ads for my various businesses, and I like them to be uncluttered yet interesting and give me the info I need. Yours does that well.
ReplyDeleteNo--I haven't ever heard of those women, but then, I'm a relative newbie to the quilting world.
Good luck!
It was a large uncluttered ad. The colors were reminiscent of an attic. I liked it, it made me want to look further into the book.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I think the ad is good in that it looks exactly like the book, and it is very clean and eye-catching. The complaint I would have is that the cover of the book is so super traditional that it doesn't hint at the fabulous stories and unusual quilts inside the book. But, I imagine your publisher knows who they are marketing to, and perhaps the person who loves really traditonal looking work buys a lot of books. Hope you sell a gazillion!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that I did not see the magazine, nor am I familiar with the people you named.
ReplyDelete