Expert-Pitch to Become a Craft Book Author
Kate Woodrow is an editor at Chronicle Books, an independent publisher in San Francisco. She joined Chronicle’s editorial team in 2005 and has since acquired and developed more than 150 books and gifts. Focusing on lifestyle, art, and stationery products with distinctive design and high production value, Kate’s worked with Lotta Jansdotter, Anna Sui, Kaari Meng, Jenny Hart, Sabrina Ward Harrison, Cath Kidston, Meg Mateo Ilasco, Joy D. Cho, and Julia Rothman, among other authors and artists. When not making books at Chronicle, Kate’s a freelance editor for Anthology magazine, a quarterly lifestyle magazine that’s distributed globally. She lives with her husband in Berkeley, CA, and you can find her on Twitter @katewoodrow.
About Chronicle Books: Chronicle Books publishes distinctive books and gifts. From award-winning children’s titles, best-selling cookbooks, and eclectic pop culture to acclaimed works of art and design, stationery, and journals, we craft publishing that’s instantly recognizable for its spirit and creativity. Enjoy our publishing and become part of our community at www.chroniclebooks.com.
Kathy Miller is the co-founder/president and creative director of Michael Miller Fabrics. Before starting Michael Miller Fabrics in 1999 along with business partner Michael Steiner, she spent 23 years honing her textile design skills in the biz as an artist, assistant stylist and eventually stylist, designing for everything from kids wear, womens wear, lingerie and the home sewing world; traveling the globe and learning the intricacies of mill work and sourcing. Each job, each project was a valuable lesson and a path she’s never doubted. In her dream job today, she directs Michael Miller’s diversely talented in-house artists and freelancers as well as a fabulous group of licensed designers.
Kelly is an artist, author, and possibilitarian. She is the author of Taking Flight: Inspiration + Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings, a best selling book that encompasses all aspects of what it means to live the creative life. She is also the author of Flying Lessons: Tips + Tricks to Help Your Creative Biz Soar – a series of popular e-books where she shares everything she knows about how she transitioned out of her day job and into a creative life as a full time, self taught, successful mixed media artist. Her work has been featured in a variety of mixed media books and publications, including Cloth Paper Scissors, Somerset Life, Somerset Studios (her artwork was on the 03/2010 cover!), Where Women Create, Memory Makers, and more. Much of her artwork is licensed and can be seen in stores nationwide on a variety of products, including decorative wall art, sculptures, home decor items, and so much more. In essence, she is an artist and all around lover of life and people who seeks to express a sense of vitality and connectedness in her paintings and writings. Having spent most of her life in the company of women, her pieces grow out of the kindred support she has felt from many of them throughout her life. She is unendingly grateful for the spirits of these women who walk with her, in flesh or in paint, on her incredible journey into art, love and life. Kelly currently lives in Portland, OR with her outdoorsy husband John, their new baby boy named True, and their airplane-eared dog Bella. You can read her popular blog and learn more about her at 
Leslie Shewring is a Canadian from Vancouver Island currently living in Los Angeles, California. She relocated to the U.S. to earn a degree in Architecture and Interior Design. Immediately after finishing school, Leslie had the opportunity to team up with a manufacturing and distributing company. Collaborating together, Leslie developed, designed, and handled packaging direction for many products sold in major retailers throughout North America. Although she loved her job, the deadlines, cross-country travel, and long trips to Asia did not fit with her ideal of family life. When Leslie had her first child four years ago, she stepped away. She still consults from time to time, but most of her days are spent with her two little kids, or in her home studio where she paints, collages, styles, and photographs. Leslie shares her creative projects on her blog A Creative Mint and she also authors a popular monthly column on the blog Decor8 called “Color Me Pretty.” Recently, Leslie has teamed up with Holly Becker to teach “Blogging Your Way,” a popular e-course that has been running twice a year. You may also find Leslie’s colorful work in Stampington’s Somerset Life, where she is a columnist.
Lilla Rogers steers the ship at Lilla Rogers Studio, an international art agency representing 38 artists in textile, apparel, gift, housewares, editorial, children’s books, advertising, etc. Clients include Crate & Barrel, Blue Q, Poketo, IKEA, Target, Warner Bros., New York Times, Levi’s, Godiva, Barneys New York, and hundreds of others.
Lisa Kivirist is co-author, with her husband, John Ivanko, of the award-winning book ECOpreneuring and Rural Renaissance and the new cookbook, Farmstead Chef (Fall, 2011 release) as well as Kiss Off Corporate America: A Young Professional’s Guide to Independence. She writes frequently on food, farming and women in agriculture issues for a range of publications including Hobby Farm Home, Hobby Farms, the Organic Broadcaster and Edible Madison, often accompanied by John’s photography. Lisa is the lead writer for Renewing the Countryside: Wisconsin, featuring success stories of rural revitalization and writes a column on federal policy issues for the Women, Food & Agriculture Network (WFAN). Lisa’s writing passions extend into educational outreach: she speaks nationally on the issues she writes about such as women in agriculture, sustainable living and food issues at venues ranging from the Mother Earth News Festivals to university campuses. Her home writing base is Inn Serendipity Farm and Bed and Breakfast outside Monroe, Wisconsin, which she runs with her family, completely powered by renewable energy. Visit her at 
Lisa McCue is one of today’s most sought-after illustrators. In the past 30 years, Lisa has illustrated more than 175 books for children, and has written and illustrated the bestselling Quiet Bunny books. In addition to Quiet Bunny, McCue has created many of today’s most recognizable children’s book characters, such as the world of Corduroy, Cork & Fuzz, and Fuzzytails. She has received numerous awards for her work, including many awards for Best Book of the Year, CCBC Choice Books, and the Junior Library Guild Premium Selection. Many of Lisa’s books have also been selected by the Society of Illustrators for the Original Art Show, featuring the best art in children’s books.
Margie Romney-Aslett is a Daughter, a Sister, a Friend, a Mother, a Scrapbooker, a Teacher and Designer. If you asked her she would say, “I’m just a girl” Margie started Scrapbooking after the birth of her first child Megan, 24 years ago and has seen and been part of industry changes over the years as a product designer. Margie has taught all over the United States and world. Margie loves getting out and meeting other women who have the same passion for Paper-Crafting in common. If you have ever taken one of Margie’s classes you know she is full of energy, laughs and fun! Margie is a girlie girl, loves the color pink, a great pedi and putting together a beautiful outfit from head to toe! Margie has 4 beautiful children, Megan 24 Brooke 21, Max 19, and Griffin 18! Having 2 adult daughters and 2 teenagers keeps her hip to all the latest trends, full of energy and hard working!
Retrace Margo Tantau’s career path, and you’ll find yourself all over the map. Margo blends a passion for art, design and the people who create it, with an understanding of specialty retailing, & the challenges of being an independent artist. Margo’s love of possibility enabled her to turn the success of 10 years of her unique retail store, Tantau, into a sought-after wholesale business. This favorite venture, Relish, represented unique small artists nationally and internationally, and specialized in product that would differentiate any retailer who chose to place an order. Her success with Relish led to National Magazine work, and 4 years as Creative Director of Seasonal Decor Company, Midwest of Cannon Falls. She then joined Hallmark, where she served as creative Director of Retail Product Development prior to her present role, leading the Direct Imports team. Margo shares her rambling Kansas City bungalow with her partner Johnny, their 2 year old son Cooper, two loveable mutts, a well used art studio, and endless collections of pottery, art, antiques, and found treasures. Margo has been described as “Fairy Good-Mother to Artists everywhere”…and she loves to live in to that personality. It is this passion that guides her creative spirit.
Marilyn Scott-Waters loves making things out of paper. Between 2,000 and 7,000 visitors frequent Marilyn’s popular website each day, 
