It probably seems like Jordynn and I haven't been knitting much lately, but that isn't true at all. We have all /kinds/ of new designs that are finished and even in wardrobe circulation. We just can't decide whether to submit the patterns to magazines (online or print, we don't care) or publish them ourselves on this blog. We've proven we are capable of publishing in magazines [here and here] but to be honest, it's nice to have some control over the pattern, to be able to make revisions as knitters give us feedback, or add modifications if we feel like it (see Dalloway for an example of what I mean). Plus, self-publishing means the pattern is available right away--most magazines have a pretty serious lag-time, sometimes more than a year.
So, what do our dear readers think? Publish our own .pdfs or send patterns off to magazines? Do you think designers need the legitimacy that magazines can give? Is it worth the lag time? Help us decide!
5 comments:
Publishing in a magazine could possibly be more 'prestigious' than self-publishing; however, self-publishing will allow more knitters to see your marvelous designs, obtain your well-written patterns, and create something of beauty and art for themselves. My vote would be to submit one or two per year to the magazines, and release most of your work through your self-publishing avenues. I like the fact that the designers are easily available for technical assistance, and are ready for user-feedback. Although I buy the big magazines, I rarely feel as though I could have access to the designers that I have through Ravelry or your website.
I agree with Cedarstrings.
I agree with Cedarstrings too. Publishing in the big mags (print or online) can give you "credibility" and visibility, but in the end I think that fewer and fewer people care where a pattern is published, as long as they can get their hands on it. Personally, I buy the big magazines, but I probably tend to knit more projects from one-off, self-published patterns.
Probably a little more input than you really wanted ... Ravelry groups might be a promotional tool for your self-published and magazine published patterns, and again would offer the quick access to the designers. Personally, I look forward to your collections, would be happy to pay twice the price for them, but I also am happy to buy individual patterns.
Wow--great feedback! New plans are in the works....
Post a Comment