Catalog writing and design

I spent many freelance years writing, editing, and designing catalogs for book publishers. Directors gave me server access for obtaining rough copy and artwork, and provided me with staff contact information for routing layouts. Three months later, I delivered final InDesign files to the production department. Work on catalogs required either writing original copy or reworking existing copy to appeal to completely different markets.

ABRAMS UK

I worked closely with the London office to create unified 124- or 186-page catalogs that included all of the new frontlist titles from each of Abrams’ eight imprints. This autumn version also featured a complete backlist of section of over 1,000 books.

Smithsonian Books

I completely redesigned the Smithsonian’s catalog to align with their move away from scholarly publishing and towards more trade and general interest books. I also wrote all of the copy for their catalogs.

HACHETTE BOOKS CANADA

Each season I would be given a spreadsheet of book titles and access to the Hachette database in order to write/edit and design a 144-page catalog. Once everyone signed off I would work with printers through all stages of production and delivery.

ABRAMS SPECIAL MARKETS

Editorial work on these 80-page catalogs included shortening and reworking existing copy to appeal to a much wider audience.

HACHETTE BOOK GROUP SPECIAL MARKETS

The Hachette Canada leaders were so pleased with my work on their catalogs (see above) that they recommended me to their Special Markets group, who were looking for a new catalog design. I created this 144-page design and worked with printers through production and delivery.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SPECIAL MARKETS

As with many catalogs, designing this 80-page book required including as many titles as possible—with all of the necessary artwork, copy, specifications, and related titles—without overloading each spread.