“a pitch on a silver platter”

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*photo by  Liz Daly

Have you ever wanted to write an art book? Well then you’re going to want to listen to this episode of Art for Your Ear! I’m talking to San Francisco based book editor and literary agent, Kate Woodrow. She was my editor on Creative Block, and she’s working on my new book now {and has talked me off a few creative ledges along the way!}. She’s got four important ingredients that should go into every pitch, so grab a pen because you’re going to want to take notes. Listen right up there, or subscribe on iTunes. As you’re listening, take a look at the things we talked about in the order that we talked about them. First up, a few of my favorite books that Kate worked on during her decade at Chronicle Books:

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Um, yes, I put my book on that list! And of course Art, Inc and Blog, Inc … and there’s Mom, Inc and Creative Inc on that list too! Here is the link to the blog post she wrote after speaking at Alt Summit 2012 {where we met}, titled “From Blog to Book: How to Turn Your Ideas into Reality”. Next I totally put her on the spot and asked her to list a few of her favorite illustrators. It was hard for her to only name a few, but here is who she mentioned/the projects she worked on them with:

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So many fantastic projects! Then of course there were her answers to the speed round… two of her favorite novels that she’s read this year: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and Purity by Jonathan Franzen. And clearly I had to include a link to this answer: The first slow song she ever danced to… In Your Eyes. Sigh. The light, the heat.

So… if you have an idea that you want to pitch, Kate is ready to hear it! You can find her at her new company {so excited for her and this whole new chapter… pardon the pun}, Present Perfect Dept., and she’s on Instagram and Twitter too. Oh, and if you’d like to sign up for the webinar she’s doing with Modern Thrive on September 21, 22, 23 you can find more information right here. Thanks so much to Kate for sharing all of these behind the scene secrets, and thanks to you for listening. There will be a new episode up next week!






comments (10)

  1. Cindi Brumpton /// 09.12.2015 /// 8:20am

    I really enjoyed this podcast. Interesting and informative!

  2. Caitlynn Abdow /// 09.12.2015 /// 11:30am

    Thank you so much for doing this podcast! It’s always lovely but Kate’s was especially wonderful. I’m squirreling away all the tips you two talked about. <3

  3. Sridhar Ramasami /// 09.12.2015 /// 2:55pm

    Hi Danielle,
    I am an Indian born, US artist located in Beijing. There is a bookstore here that specializes in art related books. Your book would be perfect there. Additionally, they do ‘Meet the writer’ shows. Not sure, if you travel to China as part of your work, but if you are interested I can pass on your info to them and perhaps they can promote your book. I left my email address with this comment. Regards.

  4. Kayla Barker /// 09.16.2015 /// 7:47am

    This was really great! Thanks for sharing!

  5. Rania Watts /// 09.16.2015 /// 8:04am

    BRILLIANT!

  6. Rheni Tauchid /// 09.17.2015 /// 7:06am

    Fabulous piece! I’ve authored a couple of books, and mostly do other art things these days but I constantly have new ideas bouncing around the creative clutter in my head. It’s refreshing and inspirational to get some new tips, hear the two of you banter about the process, and as well hearing your praise and support of other people in the industry. As writing, and most art making, can be such a solitary process, it’s nice to listen in to what feels like a community. Thank you.

  7. Kirista Trask /// 09.22.2015 /// 10:37am

    I absolutely loved this podcast. I really enjoyed how charming and open Kate was. I really enjoy your podcast but really enjoyed this particular edition.

  8. kim /// 01.15.2017 /// 8:00pm

    Listened this morning on the way to work – loved it! and like you said “a book’ is on a lot of peoples to do list. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge 🙂

  9. Renee Gauvin /// 05.16.2018 /// 6:46am

    I loved your interview with Kate Woodrow. Great information and it was fun hearing about your friendship with her. 🙂 I have two pitches for Kate. Is the contact info still current (May 2018)?
    Warm regards,
    Renee

  10. Christine Aaron /// 04.01.2021 /// 1:04pm

    Wonderful, wonderful. I loved when she spoke about life shifts and said…” when you are in the dream job and recognize the dream has changed…”