This is a follow-up to last week’s post: On Writing Books. I mentioned that years ago, I had a contract to write a book about paper lamp shades. The project was terminated after I had completed my entire outline and turned in a few chapters. Needless to say, this was a huge disappointment, but by this time I had two books under my belt with Storey Publishing. So I decided to propose that Storey pick up the tab for a book about paper and light. Ta da! Paper Illuminated was published in 2001.

Now just so you don’t think that all of my book ideas turn to gold, there was a fourth book that I pitched to Storey. The idea was a book geared towards children, featuring paper projects from cultures around the world (think piñatas from Mexico, lanterns from Japan, paper cuts from Poland, etc.). I still think this would make a good book!
Fast forward a few years… I took a good long break from writing books, but started writing a column called Unique Techniques for Hand Papermaking Magazine. I continue to write this column twice a year, featuring artists who are practicing obscure or interesting papermaking techniques.

A few years ago, an editor at Rockport Publishing contacted me about writing a how-to book on making sustainable papers. I decided to pass on that project for several reasons. A year or so later, I submitted work to 1,000 Artists’ Books. After a favorable response to my submission, I asked the photo editor to put me in touch with her editor. I wanted to assemble a 1,000 Pieces of Paper book. And lo and behold, the editor was that same editor from Rockport (which meant I had a foot in the door).
I explained my idea (think paper cuts, pop-ups, folded paper, origami, handmade paper, tesselations, I knew that I could come up with 1,000 images). She didn’t go for it, but she did have another idea… Playing With Paper!

So, after a 10-year hiatus, I was writing a book again. It came out in January 2013, and I’m pleased to announce that I’m currently working on my fifth book, Playing With Pop-Ups, which has a publication date of April 2014.
I’m curious to know what you think makes a good how-to book. Please leave a comment below.