The Art Biz ep. 37: Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre

Do you think you might have a book in you?

Why not do it?!

Writing a book could increase your credibility, contribute to your legacy, and impact many lives.

A lot of people think that writing a book is the hard part of getting your book published. Not to take anything away from the difficult work that goes into the writing, but it is only a small portion of the entire book publishing process.

I learned about the process when the first edition of my book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio, was published in 2008 and was reminded of the long book-publishing journey when the 4th edition was released earlier this year. There are so many moving parts and, like many businesses today, book publishing is a fast-moving industry.

Those moving parts come, of course, with an expense line in your budget, which means it’s very helpful to know what you’re getting into before you start down the book production path.

You really want to know 1) that you will be able to pay for the cost to publish and 2) at what point you’ll begin to make a profit. In order to accomplish that second thing (the profit thing), you also need a marketing plan specifically for your book.

I confess I didn't talk to enough people.

My guest for this episode of the Art Biz Podcast is artist Carol McIntyre, the author of I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want. In the book, Carol teaches a step-by-step color mixing method for frustrated painters of all media who want to stop making mud and start mixing the colors they want with ease.

Listen now to hear Carol's process and advice so you can avoid the sticker shock of publishing your own book.

Music by Wildermiss

Highlights

You will hear Carol and I talk about the following.

• Where the idea for the book came from and how she got encouragement to make it happen.
• How the book fits into Carol’s vision for her art business.
• The difference between print-on-demand books and self-publishing larger quantities.
• The must-have book specs that led Carol to work with a Chinese printing company.
• An account of all of the people Carol hired to help her in the publishing process, and the role of each person.
• What it costs to publish a book.
• What Carol’s profit is per book depending on whether she sells at a local bookstore, from her website, or on Amazon. Spoiler: Support an artist and buy direct from her!
• What Carol wishes she had known in advance.
• When and how Carol began pre-selling the book and the brilliant thing she did to keep early buyers happy when the book was delayed.
• The additional marketing she is doing to promote the book.
• Why it’s critical to have people around who support you during the long process.
• Carol’s very honest disclosure of experiencing burnout and how she got back on track.

Mentioned

• Colorado Independent Publishers Association
• My podcast with Helen Hiebert, Carol’s accountability partner, about multiple income streams
• Carol’s color-mixing course on BluPrint (formerly Craftsy)
• Carol’s book, I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want

About My Guest

Carol A. McIntyre’s first run-in with the “color police” happened when she was in kindergarten. Her teacher asked the class to choose two favorite colors that went well together. Carol spoke up. “Red and orange,” she said, whereupon the teacher declared, “No, these two colors don’t go together!” She grew up and proved her teacher wrong.

Early in her painting career, she was surprised by the lack of easy-to-understand color theory classes. This motivated her to develop a simpler way to mix color which, in turn, would empower artists.

Carol has helped over 3,500 painters see and mix color differently. She is an award-winning artist who is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and holds associate memberships with the Oil Painters of America and the American Women Artists.

Follow Carol on Instagram.

Music by Wildermiss

This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.

All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.

In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.

Join us now and get your business in shape.