Craft Focus - Dec/Jan (Issue 76)

51 PROFILE How does the publishing process work? JB: We work in a variety of different ways. GMC receives a lot of proposals from prospective authors and we’re always keen to hear from new and exciting crafters interested in writing a book. We work very closely with our customers and tailor our lists accordingly by commissioning in line with their desired subject areas. We also come up with our own ideas and seek out authors to write on specific projects. Finally, we work closely with our magazine colleagues who recommend talented contributors. How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking titles carried by GMC Distribution? MR: The easiest thing is to come and see us at Stitches, where we display more than 1,000 books for you to browse through. We would also recommend a visit to your shop by one of our sales team, so we can assess how best to help you. We often supply spinners or stands to retailers and can adapt suggestions depending on available space. We want to work in partnership with you to help you sell more. With such a broad range of titles in GMC’s portfolio, the company must be in a great position to spot new and emerging craft trends – what do you expect to be popular in 2020? MR: We are seeing a lot of crafters extend their expertise into other mediums, whether that’s embroidery or sewing, or having a go at macramé, punch needle, felting or weaving. This trend of mobbing between crafts only looks set to grow. We are also seeing increased interest in smaller projects that can be completed in a short period of time and we expect this to continue into 2020. Art is very strong at the moment, particularly lettering and calligraphy, while colouring seems to be enjoying a resurgence. There is also renewed interest in papercrafting, particularly of the more ornate and delicate variety. I’m sure there will be new trends that we don’t yet know about, but rest assured we’ll have books on these subjects as soon as humanly possible! How do you think the craft industry has changed during GMC’s 40 years? JB: The industry has changed beyond recognition since we published our first book. The types and diversity of crafts that people are likely to try has increased dramatically in recent years, with social media playing a key role in influencing people. Identifying these trends and producing the top-quality books that our customers have come to expect from us quickly is a brilliant challenge and one we thrive on! What’s coming up next for GMC Publications? JB: We’re always striving to build on the quality of our lists and provide our customers with an ever-increasing range of fantastic books. We’ve got some exciting titles in the pipeline including some with a hint of mindfulness. We’re also looking to expand our children’s list with several ecological and educational craft titles. +44 (0)1273 488 005 gmcdistribution.com gmcbooks.com