An Iplekids Alphabet

3/13/2022

I have my first book! Well, second book if I count the one my sister put together with the photo story I did with her gnome characters.

My sister Marianne is a professional graphic designer and layout artist, and offered to create some books for me. She thought my Alphabet Challenge series from ten years ago would make a great book, so that's the one she did first.

The photo series was done as a challenge by an Iplekids Yahoo group I belonged to at the time, with members challenged to take a photo of each consecutive letter of the alphabet for 26 weeks. I only had three BIDs at the time - Elin, Nami, and Byuri - but I enjoyed the challenge so much that it started my obsession with doll photography. So, this series of photos was what started it all.

I've toyed with the idea of eventually making books with my photos, but I'd never have been able to come up with the wonderful designs and layouts that Marianne did.

Here's a few of the pages.....

Unfortunately I can't offer it to my fans at this time because it's way too expensive. The regular price of the 65 page 11x8.5" Classic Landscape Glossy hardcover Photo Book came to $147. Canadian ($115.US) not including the shipping.

Now I'd like to put together a book with my favourite Fairy photos, and this time I would like to try keep the page number down so it becomes more affordable. But since the books are primarily for myself at this point, it will be what it becomes.

Dotti G

3/13/2022 09:17:40 am

Martha, I remember when we did this challenge on the Iplekids Yahoo group. I only had three IH BIDs at that time too.
I did not realize that was the beginning of your obsession with doll photography. What a long way you have come! You are definitely the queen of doll photography in my eyes.
I am glad your sister helped you make a book. It is a treasure for sure.

Dotti G

3/13/2022 09:25:42 am

When I said you have come a long way I didn't mean to imply that the alphabet photos weren't great. In fact I thought you already had LOTS of experience taking doll photos at that time because they were amazing!
I meant that you have created so many more photos and stories since then. And you have a lot more IH dolls now. :-)

Martha

3/13/2022 09:37:37 am

Thank you Dotti. I knew what you meant.

I had been taking photos of my dolls for two years already at that point, but that Alphabet Challenge was the first time I had to come up with specific scenarios to illustrate the various letters. Many of the props used in the photos were made specifically for those photos - like that octopus.

Yes, because of that first series, my interest in doll photography just for the sake of photography, and not for promoting outfits for sale, just took off. The following year, needing something new to inspire me, I started the Year of Special Days series, and my collection of dolls really took off. Today, ten years later, I have 19 BIDs, 10 KIDs, 10 JIDs - fifty Iplehouse dolls all together, and lots of others. My newest obsession is the Fashion sized dolls. It's like I've come full circle, back to the costuming I love, in the size doll I used to make with Marianne.

Jill Jackson

3/13/2022 12:30:29 pm

I would love to a book with your Dragon as a main character. I would absolutely buy that. Thank you so much for all the time, energy, and talent you put in.

Martha

3/13/2022 01:30:58 pm

It's on the list.

Nancy

3/13/2022 02:03:47 pm

I would also positively buy a book with your dragon and photo stories.

Nancy

3/13/2022 02:02:40 pm

How wonderful!

Resinrapture

3/13/2022 03:35:09 pm

Have you ever tried contacting a publisher? I always thought your pictures would make such lovely books for kids (and of course adult collectors). This is so cute!

Serendipitous Jo

3/13/2022 03:50:32 pm

That looks like a delightful book. What a wonderful start to your passion too.
I am sure a series of books about your characters would be very popular.

kenaiqueen

3/13/2022 06:21:29 pm

Wonderful! I too have always thought that your stories would make such wonderful books for kids.

Just a thought. My sis and I have done 3 kids books and the last one we did on Amazon. It sold well and made our state's Battle of the Books that year. Ours are such niche books, I haven't looked for a publisher, but I think you could find an agent who could help you on your publication path with the wonderful wide appeal your stories have. I'd want them for my home library. (Willing to share my amazon experience if you want to email me.)

Dorothy

3/14/2022 12:11:37 am

Oh my goodness, the book is amazing. Now we all want one for sure!

I echo Kenaiqueen, you can publish via Amazon. I just took a class on how to do that. There are some tutorials about it. I think they are on YouTube.

I am sure that if you put the word about through your fan base, someone would have a suggestion of an agent and/or publisher.

You would be a dream author/artist for a publisher. You already have a platform and you already have a track record of photo placements and awards.

Donna

3/14/2022 05:55:41 am

The book is wonderful! You and Marianne are both such talented women.
You know how I feel about how great your stories and photos would be in a series of books! I'd be standing in line to buy every single one.

Brigitte

3/14/2022 09:34:49 am

Congratulations! Your second book is as wonderful as the first. Photobooks really are expensive, but the quality of the prints is worth it.

I'll stand in line too to buy a book with your beautiful photos. :-)

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An Iplekids Alphabet

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