An interview with writer and editor Tammy Powely on freelance writing
Writer and editor Tammy Powely--amongst many things--blogs about being fat and 40, has worked as a technical writer for the aerospace industry and just to round things out, designs jewelry. Powely combined her writing and jewelry skills with the release of her 2003 book Making Designer Gemstone and Pearl Jewelry (Quarry Books). Powely has since released three additional books on the subject of linking together gems and opens up her expertise to the public as the host of about.com’s jewelry making site.
Powely has a Master’s degree in English, taught English at a Junior college and is working her way toward a PHD in Text and Technology. She began making jewelry in the late 80’s early 90’s as presents for her friends. “I went to a rock show and realized I could make jewelry like that, so I bought and made presents for Christmas,” says Powely at which point her dabbling started to take a turn, “People at my work started asking if they could buy them and I was in business.”
Tammy took time out from pinching “p” loops with pliers to answer a few questions.
How did you begin freelancing?
I got laid off and so I applied for a job at about.com. That way I could still do something with my jewelry. I already had
my side business selling my jewelry. All the writers for the site were
freelance writers. After that I started sending things out on my own to jewelry
making magazines. I already knew a
lot about these magazines so I knew they accept submissions. I went to their
websites for submission guidelines.
How did you get your first book published?
One editor that I met at a bead expo knew me from about.com.
She got an email from somebody at Rockport (that’s a publishing house) asking
if she knew anyone that could write a book about jewelry. She recommended me.
They (the publisher) had the concept, but I still had to write a proposal. The
first time I wrote a proposal they told me how to do it. I followed their
suggestions. Later as part of my
PHD program I took a proposal writing class and that was a huge help. For the other books I knew how to write
a great proposal.
Do you still write freelance?
I have a 20-hour per week job where I work as a reference
librarian and then I do 20 or more hours of freelance work.
Do you do any kind of research before starting your
books?
Most of the first book was based on existing knowledge, but
it was something that I have been working on for years. I do some research, but
I know the industry, I read the magazines. Companies send me free magazines and
products to review, because of about.com
How do your books differ from other jewelry books?
I have done this for all the books, and I usually recommend
that people do this. Go to a bookstore or at least to Amazon.com. Pick up a
dozen or so books similar to what you are writing and make a list of their
names and what they cover. When I write a proposal I list 10 books and say, ‘right
now these are the books that are currently on the market’. I might say, ‘this
one book is full of inspiration, however it is not geared towards the beginner’.
I find something that my book is going to do. So they will see these books are
on the market, but they are missing something that Tammy’s book is going to
cover. You don’t want your book
completely different, if it’s too different it won’t be publishable. You want
to fill a niche that isn’t there. Another example, most of the books for seed
beads, were for inspiration. You would have to be really skilled to pull off
the pieces in these books. I realized there was a real need for a book for
beginners. In my proposal I said ‘the books on the market were leaving out the
beginner’.
Did you use the same publisher for all of your books?
You have to give your previous publisher first dibs if the
book is on a similar topic. The first book sold really well so Rockport
contacted me again asking for another book. In general, you have to send them
(proposals) out one at a time.
 I don’t have an agent. I signed up with one a few years ago,
and I was disappointed in her. Nothing happened. I think it depends on what
area you are writing in. In my jewelry world, I don’t see the need to pay 15%
to do what they do. If I were writing for a bigger audience I could see how it
would be helpful. 
I don’t have an agent. I signed up with one a few years ago,
and I was disappointed in her. Nothing happened. I think it depends on what
area you are writing in. In my jewelry world, I don’t see the need to pay 15%
to do what they do. If I were writing for a bigger audience I could see how it
would be helpful.
Do you do any of the marketing?
Not really. They send out a questionnaire asking you if you
know editors or if you want to do book signings, but I am not required to do
anything. The editors go to book shows. My editor went to a big craft show and
she hob-nobs with people from big stores like Michael’s and gets them to take
the books they are trying to sell.
How did the publishing process work for your books?
They did all the design work. Part of the proposal is
putting the book together in terms of format. So I did that. Later on I would
work with the editor and she would suggest “why don’t you add a section on
wire,” so I would do that. They
have a photographer and a designer. They show me possible covers and get my two
cents, but my two cents aren’t always worth anything. Still they are great to
work with. They haven’t done anything I haven’t agreed with.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It takes about 6 months for the writing part. For an entire
book to be written, and put together it takes about a year.
Describe your writing process.
I like to work in large blocks of time. On the days I don’t work at the library
I ease into my day and then I work for a couple hours, take a break and then
work and then take a break. I rewrite as I write. It’s hard to say how many
drafts I do since I edit as I go along, but at least a couple. I think people
have to find their own groove. It’s funny I used to tell my students not to edit
until they were done. You have got to get the words out. If you are struggling,
get it out, rip it off like a Band-Aid.
Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to write a
non-fiction book?
A strong proposal is really important. I lucked out the
first time. But the second time, even though I knew them, the proposal mattered.
I would read up on how to write a really strong proposal. If you don’t have
that you won’t have a book.
Write well. Check your grammar for godsakes. Because I am in
a field where people are designers first and writers second, my editors have
commented on how they don’t have to do a lot of copyediting, and that makes the
process so much easier and faster for them. You will never get a foot in the
door if you can’t write clearly and correctly. Grammar is critical.
To learn more about Tammy Powely and her work go to:
http://tammypowley.com Bio/Portfolio
http://jewelrymaking.about.com - For
Jewelry Makers
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/- For
Beaders & Jewelry Makers
http://www.jewelry-weblog.com/- For
Jewelry Lovers
|
