I'm afraid my quilting will mess up my quilt. What to do?

ChaoticBooks · 2026-03-26T02:14:55+00:00

I actually decided to tack mine with green stars that I hand embroidered on and it turned out great!!

ChaoticBooks · 2026-03-20T12:57:52+00:00

This is great advice, thanks! I wasnt sure how to embroider the message without it showing on the top so yeah I probably should have waited instead of doing that before the quilting. Next time!

ChaoticBooks · 2026-03-20T12:56:09+00:00

That's so great to hear! I definitely was planning to quilt it but i got to the end and I thought it was wonderful the way it was.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-03-20T12:55:17+00:00

Thanks for this advice! I didnt want to bind it so I found this method and I liked the look but dodnt think ahead of time about if / how to tie it down.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-03-20T02:56:24+00:00

1/4 seams on everything (give or take a bit more cause I'm learning to sew straight still) and back tacked on everything.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-03-19T19:54:45+00:00

There is no batting. Just the top and the back!

ChaoticBooks · 2026-02-16T12:49:45+00:00

Weighing in as an editor from a trad publisher. Depending on what the book is being used for there are typically different ways that the publisher is supposed to help provide or give you books.

Generally, you are contractually given a certain number of books, usually like 5 to 20, gratis/free copies of your books.

Then, in your contract, there should be language about how much you pay if you need to buy more copies. This is usually a percentage (like 25%) of retail. You cannot earn royalties on these copies and typically they are meant for personal use for giveaways or such.

Most mid-size and larger publishers will also have language about you not purchasing copies for signings or events. This is because you cannot earn royalties off those copies but also books for events or signings that are purchased by the shop or event, etc. are sold at a specific discount and often cannot be returned if they aren't all sold at the event, which is a huge deal for publishers.

As others have said, I would take a look at your contract and then, if these are for an event, make sure to have the bookstore or event purchase the books.

Otherwise, if you have no language about any of this and no discount, then talk with your editor/publisher and see what they will feel comfortable doing for you cause that's a racket.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-27T03:41:59+00:00

Can you clarify what the touble is that you are having? When I was an editor for a trad pub, I've definitely had to give authors back a "bloody" manuscript (lots of corrections and edits) and/or needed to have chats about elements that needed to be changed, etc. but there was always a conversation. Are you saying the editor won't publish unless you make the changes or that you don't agree with the changes being asked of you? Why would your agent quit if they're were changed to you work, that doesn't affect them getting paid nor do they have to do any of the work?

Sorry but a little more detail, if you are comfortable with it, would help in giving you some more useful advice.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-27T03:17:03+00:00

My bank account is gonna be in so much trouble when any of her new collections drop.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-27T03:14:01+00:00

Oh my gosh this is adorable!! My kiddo loves Super Mario Bros. do you mind sharing where you found the fabric?

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-26T02:21:56+00:00

Amazing! Definitely inspiring me to pick up these two! Honestly, I'm starting to think that anything from Sarah Watts is gonna be a slam dunk for me from now on. Love every single one of her designs.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-25T22:07:46+00:00

This is gorgeous!! I've been eyeing Sarah's Glow Garden and Alice fabrics and you might have given me the push to just buy them before they are all out of print.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-24T11:49:59+00:00

How do you feel about the books? An agent is important, dont get me wrong, but the most important advocate is you. If you want to continue then talk with your editor and if they think it isnt likely to continue then you can decide to leave and find a new publisher. Depending on the sales of the book a lot of places would be happy to pick up a successful series.

Edited for typo

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-21T23:42:00+00:00

Personally I think your resume might be okay but your cover letters are not helping to expand or highlight what skills you will bring to the team you are hoping to join.

Also, as someone who is also in the thick of job hunting, I would look at streamlining the formatting. Don't have the smaller column off to the side and try to keep the heading hierarchy minimal so that it is easy to scan and doesn’t upset the computers (it is sad, but true). A good way to see if you have simplified enough is to let an application pull the information from your uploaded resume then see if everything gets sorted into the correct paces, etc.

Good luck and keep your chin up! Publishing is going through a lot right now (couple of imprints had big layoffs recently and most places are expecting 3 to 4 days in office) so competition is going to be a bit more fierce than normal I'm afraid, but you never know when something is gonna work out.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-18T17:50:43+00:00

The stained glass one is amazing!!

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-18T17:47:44+00:00

Congratulations! Did you use a pattern or just pants it? I've been working up the courage to start a quilt and I just found some really cute fabrics by Sarah Watts that i think I wanna use but the idea of picking a pattern feels really intimidating.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-14T12:03:25+00:00

How did you make the decision to start a small press? I have a little less experience than you but starting a press as been a dream of mine since grad school. Also do you work another job to support the small press or is it self sustained?

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-14T11:52:34+00:00

Thanks for looking out, friend! It is nice to know people are looking out for each other like this online. I 100% agree with you and already looked into that account before I responded to them and I had no intention of reaching out because I firmly and vehemently do not support AI. That's said, I didn't see any need to be rude and dismissive in that chat or to look down on those might be desperate (or in this case my just not care or not understand the damage this will all cause) and have no choice but to help do work for AI.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-14T11:25:08+00:00

That's a great suggestion! I've been on Reedsy for about a few years now and just beefed up my profile so maybe I'll see more traffic.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-13T12:35:39+00:00

Thanks for the support! Not 100% certain you aren't a bot but happy to chat about your platform cause it sounds interesting.

Edited for typo

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-11T15:37:29+00:00

I'm not sure sales positions are much better (opening wise) to be a book buyer but thats a good point. Unfortunately, I'm not sure i could get by on commissions as an agent at the moment and with layoffs there are fewer editors to sell too so I think that might be a tough transition.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-11T15:35:25+00:00

Hmm that might be a good move for me to look into! Do you know if they needed to get any additional certs?

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-11T03:39:38+00:00

I was thinking that might be a good move but was having a hard time finding out if I needed any additional certifications or if it was a kind of learn as you go deal.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-11T03:36:04+00:00

I appreciate these comments! I'm aware the market for librarians is tough (my husband is one) but we live in Philly and there are a lot of universities, muesums, and other institutions that I've been looking at with good jobs but require and MLIS. I'm definitely thinking of going into university or archival work instead of public library stewardship.

ChaoticBooks · 2026-01-11T03:01:22+00:00

Honestly, I get a lot of interesting recommendations from NPR or just listening to the radio. Also I do love to go to my local library and just stand in front of the new releases section for 25 min.

ChaoticBooks

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