Uncache your creativity for AIDS orphans AND become a published author

Now, in between knitting squares and other items, you can knit your thoughts into a special knit-a-square book for the world, and become a published author.
Following the fantastic response to our survey in June/July, we are now able to push forward with the project.

As a brief reminder, we asked all knit-a-square members what you thought the idea of sharing with the world your thoughts and feelings on why you knit/crochet And we asked for your opinion on sharing your knitting/crochet stories, and your reasons for knitting for charity and knit-a-square.

You told us in no uncertain voice that you thought it was an excellent idea and that you thought it a valuable fundraiser for knit-a-square. Now it’s time for action.

Your can either use the questions below as a guide for your thoughts, or you can write your own creative piece to share with others why it is important for you to crochet or knit for charity and, in particular, for the AIDS orphans of southern Africa. This is not about being a best selling author, it is about sharing your feelings of why you do what you do to help.

In your own words, please use these questions as a guide to tell us:
1. When and how you started knitting/crocheting? (Describe who taught you and what impression they left on you)

2. What was your best and/or most moving knitting/crocheting experience? (Doesn’t need to be a single incident but can be a continuing experience)

3. What was your funniest knitting/crocheting experience?

4. What physical or mental benefits does knitting/crocheting bring you?

5. How do you feel about knitting/crocheting for charity in particular?

6. How do you feel about knitting/crocheting for knit-a-square?

7. Do you ever get ‘knitter’s block’ (that is, an inability to start or continue knitting/crocheting? What do you do to get going again?

8. If you could have one wish fulfilled for or through your knitting/crocheting, what would it be?


Writing and submission guidelines
Remember, this is YOUR book. We want to hear YOUR voice and to share it with the wide, wonderful and generous world of knitting and crochet.There is no restriction to the length of your answers. And you can respond to any or all of the 10 questions.

The size and length of the book will depend upon the quality and extent of your replies*. We simply ask that you write in plain English in a text-based format and forward your material either as an email attachment, or in the body of your email.

All submissions should be submitted to ebook@knit-a-square.com

Biographical details and images
We welcome biographical details and images of yourself. However, unlike the creative 10 question section above, we ask you to restrict your biographical details to a maximum of 150 words.

We would also love to publish images of authors whose work has been selected for publication. Personal images are not compulsory and no preference will be given to authors who supply them.

Images should be supplied as a digital high resolution JPG wherever possible. Where images are supplied, preference will be given to those of a higher quality. So the higher the resolution and the more creative your photography, the better your chances of publication.

Other content
The survey told us you loved the idea of a book about knitting and crochet experiences. It also revealed other content you would like to see, particularly patterns.

As well as offering our own patterns in this book, you might like to submit your favourites with your written contribution. We plan to offer additional content such as the best of the best of Square Circle ezine, the best of the knit-a-square blogs and high resolution photos of the children and their blankets.

Timing
We hope to have edited, designed and published the book, for sale on the website by 13 November 2009. This should allow you plenty of time to enjoy it and consider giving it as a gift to family and friends for Christmas.

To achieve this target, your submission needs to reach us by 5pm your time September 30 2009.

Depending on response, we will also give thought to publishing it in hard copy.
*Knit-a-square reserves the right to publish, edit or exclude material as it sees fit. The selection or exclusion of material is at the discretion of the editor and no correspondence will be entered into.

By submitting written and visual material, you acknowledge knit-a-square’s right to use this material for legitimate promotional and fundraising purposes.