January Blueprints Calls are Done!

Wow. Again this was SOOO difficult. Everyone is making this so hard on us! This month we'd like to recognize some exceptional layouts that we were not able to include. Consider these our "Honorable Mention" layouts:

We loved these layouts for Blueprint 6:
Lori Watson "Love"
Audrey Pettit "Serpentine Slides"
Rachael Giallongo "Springtime in New Hampshire"
Stacey Hackett "Cheap Thrills"
Justine Hasty "Paws Up!"
Shannon Blinn "At The Zoo"

We loved these layouts for Blueprint 7:
Jana Eubank "Traditions"
Theresa Tyree "First Snowman"
Shannon Blinn "Jenny"
Amy Shupe "COSI"
Julie Ann Shahin "5 Years Old"
Charity Hassel "Beautiful Girl"

Thank you all for your hard work, and for sharing it with us. We're consistently overwhelmed by the entries and the amazing talent you all have.

Don't forget to get your Blueprints 8 & 9 to us by February 15th! And 6 more Blueprints are up at our site! Be sure to check them out!

Calling All Digital Designers! DT CALL

**PLEASE READ. CALL HAS CHANGED!**

BlueMedia, manufacturer of scrapbooking idea books, is launching a new website and community for digital and digital-fusion scrapbookers! We are searching for digital designers with professional attitudes and creative perspectives. We are seeking the ultimate designers who are not only creative and talented, but professional and positive. We would like to start with a small team of designers for a trial period of 6 months, at which time the design team contracts will be reviewed. We are interested in all scrapping and design styles. Flexibility is key at this stage.

What we expect from our designers:

- 6 month exclusive commitment *Applies to designs only, NOT designer* See our Forums for clarification
- 2 UPLOADS per month AND (additional work may be requested in first month to help launch site)
- ADDITIONAL ITEMS AS DESIGNER IS ABLE
- Participate in our online community
- Post projects to our gallery using the kits/accessories you've designed
- A positive, professional attitude. A "best face forward" when communicating within the scrapping industry.
- Occasional assignments and requests for projects for BlueMedia idea books (additional compensation)


What you can expect from us:

- FIRST MONTH: $25 per month, no site fees, AND all digital products added to site free for first month UNTIL LAUNCH OF LIVE SITE (at which time SITE WILL CONVERT TO COMMISSION BASED PLAN BELOW)
- COMMISSION STRUCTURE (in effect after launch of site):

In our original call we stated a $25 per month stipend, plus free products. At this time, with the site not yet live, not generating any traffic or income, we can't feasibly offer more. And since there will be no sales until the site is launched, commission is not possible. We know it's a sacrifice on your part, and appreciate your willingness to help launch the site. The following commission structure will be offered to our Designers as soon as the site goes live.

Commission
Designers are paid in sales commission based on sales of their work at the site. Commission plan is 70/30 (Designer keeps 70% of sales totals) and will be paid out monthly.

Requirements
Designs must be exclusive to DigiDiner. If Designer owns their own online store, designs may be sold in both places.

Site Maintenance
Maintenance of the site, gallery, shopping cart, and display of Designers products will be solely the responsiblity of BlueMedia. A nominal fee of $15 per month will be charged for site maintenance. Should the sum of those fees be larger than the commission owed the Designer, no payment will be issued to Designer for that month, and balance of rental fees will be forwarded to next month’s bill. If Designer’s sales do not cover monthly fees for two consecutive months, Designer will be billed, and contract may be cancelled at Owner’s discretion.


To apply email bluemediasubs@gmail.com by 11:59pm PST February 9, 2007 with the following:

Submit in one email:
- Your name, address, phone, and email
- A link to any online galleries, resume, blog, etc. where we can see additional work
- A short paragraph about yourself and why you'd like to work with BlueMedia
- 3 layouts using your best original digital designs (we are more interested in your digital work than the layout design, so choose layouts that reflect your best digital products)
- Submit 1 full kit* of your choice (preferrably a link to your download, or a zipped file to save space)
- Please disclose if you are currently on any other digital design teams where you produce digital products for their use, or produce items for sale for any site or company.

If you have any questions, please contact info@layoutblueprints.com or bluemediasubs@gmail.com or visit our message board to see the FAQ section and ask questions www.bluemediapublications.com

*Kits will NOT become property of BlueMedia when submitted. All rights remain with the artist until contract terms are agreed apon.

Thank you,

Nancy - Marketing Coordinator
BlueMedia Publications
www.bluemediapublications.com

Visit our NEW MESSAGE BOARD!
http://xsorbit32.com/users5/bluemediaforums/index.php

Advertising Opportunities

Would you like to advertise with us in our next successful publication? Idea books are a great way to keep your product or service in front of people. People will read their magazine a few times before shelving it permanently. But an idea book like the ones we publish, will be used over and over again for years to come. Scrapbookers will refer to it many times over, and see your ad every time.

Contact us at advertising@layoutblueprints.com for more information.

We Have a Message Board!

We have started a new message board for discussion of idea books, calls, contests, blueprints, FAQs, you name it! All of the informatin you want about us and our upcomging books in ONE PLACE! Here is the link:

BlueMedia Forum

FAQs About Being Published in our Books

As usual when we make a call to artists to submit for publication, we are bombarded with the same questions over and over. So, in the hopes of eliminating some of the emails, here is a list of the top Frequently Asked Questions.

1. Will you send my layout back?
Of course we will. We have no reason, or need, to keep a layout once it has been photographed.

2. Can I send one contract for multiple layouts?
No. As is stated in the request, ONE contract PER layout. It might be easier for you, but there are times when a layout needs to be cut, and it cannot be on the same contract as a layout that will be kept. This is rare, but it does occur, so please adhere to the rules.

3. Do I have to mail my layout to you?
No you do not. That is why we give the scanning option. However, be warned that if you cannot send a satisfactory scan, and do not mail your layout, you run the risk of not being published because you could not meet the requirements. Be positive you can meet the requirements, and be prompt in getting your scan to us so that we have time to review it.

4. If you requested a layout from me that is no longer available, should I send another in it's place?
No. Please inform us right away that the layout is not available. We have several other choices from the pool of layouts that were submitted for this call. It would not be fair to those that submitted to choose a layout that had not been.

5. How do I package my layout to send to you?
We highly recommend getting the free Flat-Rate boxes from the USPS and sending them FLAT through the mail. Please read our article on just that issue HERE:
A Publisher's Perspective Week 4

We will add more as they come in

NEW STYLE BOOK: Calls are Done

Calls for our next idea book, "Scrapbook Styles: Defined", are finished.

Those of you who got the call, please read the below Publisher's Perspective article for information on how to send your final layout submissions for publication. The other articles in the same series will also be beneficial.

A Publisher's Perspective Week 4

Also, there are still calls out! Check Amy's Blog for the current Blueprint call for our next Blueprints book.

Layout Blueprints 2 in the Works

If you haven't heard about our first book, Layout Blueprints - Creative Concepts for Scrapbook Page Construction, check it out here: www.layoutblueprints.com

Layout Blueprints has been a HUGE hit since it's debut in July 2006. The sketch-based book has gained high rankings with Scrapbook Answers magazine, among others, for it's clean, easy-to-navigate layout, great blueprint designs, spiral binding, and easy to duplicate samples.

You'll want to get a copy of the first book, before the second one hits shelves! Yes, we said "second". We are already working on Layout Blueprints 2! Keep an eye out for updates, and calls, in the very near future.

*hint hint* ;)