Snippets Issue 32 : The Fandom Issue

Mark Montano

Mark's guide to writing your own craft book

Mark Montano

Giveaway


Want to win a copy of Mark's new ebook, How To Write & Publish A Best Selling Craft Book? We've got three copies up for grabs, and to be in with a chance of winning, leave a comment below with what tutorial you'd most like to see Mark tackle in his next book!


Hey, Cut Out & Keep and Snippets gang! You guys might know me, Mark Montano, from my Big Ass series of books

The Big Ass Book of Crafts is the number one selling craft book of all time and I'm super proud of it. I also wrote The Big Ass Book of Home Décor, Big Ass Crafts 2 and The Big Ass Book of Bling plus about six other books. When I see your projects on Cut Out & Keep I know that so many of you could be published authors and take your creative career to the next level. Many of you have even written to me for advice about writing your own craft book so I thought it was about time for me to spill the beans on how I do it so that you can do it too.

That's why I wrote How To Write And Publish A Best Selling Craft Book. In it, I share ALL of my secrets to writing and publishing a best-selling craft book. This is a no holds barred book where I detail my step-by-step creative process, starting from the way I formulate a book idea to how I present it to potential publishers. My advice is honest, effective and invaluable to any DIYer or crafter looking to publish a book and make it a best seller. I think that secretly – and maybe not so secretly – we all want real recognition for our talents, and writing a book is a great way to do this and to boost our legitimacy in the creative industry. Another benefit is that published authors have something that looks amazing on their resume.

I wrote my first craft book quite by accident. I had been writing a monthly column for Cosmo Girl! magazine called “Cool Room” and decided to turn my article into a book. I already had the projects and thought, why not? I called it “Super Suite, The Ultimate Bedroom Makeover Guide for Girls”. It was a hit and after that I published one book per year for eleven years. I'm not even sure how I did it, considering I worked other jobs in between writing books, but I made time for it and it's paid out. I love that I get to be creative 100% of the time for a living now. I turned my writing career into a full time creative director position working for companies like DecoArt and E-6000 glue. I truly think that this was made possible by the reputation I created for myself publishing DIY books.

This book has step-by-step instructions on how to create your book, from the concept to publication, and in it I answer all of those questions you have about how to write your own craft book. You'll learn how to define your style and speciality, what to include in your book and how to create a mock book. Next, I'll show you how to write your sample book proposal and find an agent. After that you'll learn how to photograph and write instructions for your projects.

But that's just the beginning of making a book a best seller! The hard work comes after your book is published, so I also share with you how to create a buzz with social media and get your book sold. Wow, I think I'm starting to sound like a commercial and I don't mean to! But truly, everything you need to know to create your best selling book from concept to publication. The only thing I don't do is write for you!

I know that undertaking a task like this can seem overwhelming, but I find it a lot like climbing a mountain. You take a few steps every day and one day you're at the top. And just so you know, I'm always around to help you out if you have any questions! Just drop me a note at MarkMontanoNYC@aol.com.

About The Author

Mark Montano started his career in New York City as a fashion designer, and eventually moved to television to become part of the design team for TLC's While You Were Out, and the host of TLC's 10 Years Younger, as well as cohost of the Style Network's My Celebrity Home, We TV's She's Moving In, and FOX's My Home 2.0. Currently he is producing and hosting his own show for Public Television titled Make Your Mark!

He was a contributing editor to Heart's Publication's CosmoGIRL! magazine for ten years – during which his “Cool Room” column became a reader favourite – and has also dished our décor advice as a contributing editor for the New York Post and Knight Ridder. Mark is the author of many books, including:

  • The Big Ass Book of Crafts
  • Super Suite: The Ultimate Bedroom Makeover Guide for Girls
  • Dollar Store décor
  • Pulp Fiction: Perfect Paper Projects
  • Vision Box Idea Book
  • Window Treatments & Slipcovers for Dummies
  • The Big Ass Book of Home Décor
  • The Big Ass Book of Crafts 2
  • The Big Ass Book of Bling


You can buy a copy of Mark's new book, How To Write & Publish A Best Selling Craft Book on his website.

Comments

I was given a rather large box of old jewelry pieces, a lot of them missing parts. I'd love to see some inspiration from you on ways I could use them because some of them are too pretty to throw away.
I love books about altering clothing! The cheapest of clothing can look amazing if it just fits your body.

I'm also a big fan of wool based crafts!

Or, I love the idea of food being a craft form as well. There are some beautiful food ideas on this site that I've used to make parties extra special or even complete a costume!
Hi, I can't tell you how much time I've spent hoping to do what you're doing. Spend all my time creatively. That would be great! I think I would like to see a book with technology included. Maybe how to incorporate a small bit of electronics and upcycling old tech.
Thanks for sharing!
More upcycling and reusing and giving things a new life instead of buying new stuff all the time. The earth can't handle if we continue to spend resources like we do now. And we all have tons of stuff laying around our homes. Help us create something new from our old stuff and inspire more people to buy less and create more.
I'd love to see something for making your own craft organizer, little personal touches that you can do to make it not only functional for your favorite crafts but also uniquely you.
maybe planner crafts


About Snippets

Snippets is the free online magazine from Cut Out + Keep featuring the best in indie & DIY.

Exploring the worlds of music, fashion, art & craft, our writers cover the things they love and we're always on the hunt for new contributors.

If you'd like to take part or just have an idea for a cool story we should cover, get in touch!