BookEnds Talks to Allyson Bright Meyer

Allyson Bright Meyer
Book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Scrapbook Projects Illustrated
Publisher: Alpha Books
Pub date: October 2006
Agent: Jacky Sach


Allyson Bright Meyer is a nationally recognized scrapbook artist who has published layouts in magazines, including Memory Makers and Scrapbook Trends. Allyson teaches workshops regularly at a local scrapbooking store, and her work was recently featured on PBS television. She holds a BA in English from the University of Iowa.

Author Web site: www.allysonbrightmeyer.com

BookEnds: Describe your book in 50 words or less.
Allyson: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Scrapbook Projects Illustrated is an all-inclusive scrapbooking guide. The book features step-by-step instructions and ideas perfect for the beginning or experienced scrapbooker. Hundreds of color photographs of pages and albums will inspire readers of any level to create scrapbooks and keepsakes to last a lifetime.

BookEnds: If readers only take away one thing from your book, what would you like it to be?
Allyson: That anyone can create beautiful scrapbooks for their favorite photographs. Many people believe that in order to create a scrapbook they have to be an experienced crafter with a lot of available free time. That’s simply not true! The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Scrapbook Projects will help readers create beautiful albums in a short amount of time. Scrapbooking is a hobby that all people can enjoy, regardless of age, gender, or artistic ability.

BookEnds: What did you enjoy the most about writing this book?
Allyson: When I decided to write this book, I knew immediately that I wanted to enlist the talent of other scrapbook artists in order to have a variety of scrapbook styles represented in the book. Over 5,000 scrapbook pages were submitted for me to review. While the selection process was difficult, I loved looking at all of the beautiful art submitted and reading each individual’s story. Some pages made me laugh, and others made me cry. I was reminded of what I love most about scrapbooking—its ability to bring people together to record their own history for future generations and really connect with others during the process.

BookEnds: What was your road to published author like?
Allyson: After earning my BA in English at the University of Iowa, I had always wanted to pursue writing. Since I love scrapbooking, combining my two passions seemed like the perfect fit. I began writing short articles for Scrapjazz.com, one of the scrapbooking industry’s premier Internet destinations. Shortly after that, I was presented with the opportunity to write The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Scrapbook Projects, and I jumped on it. I have loved the opportunity to teach people the fun of experimenting with new techniques and theme ideas, all while creating fantastic scrapbooks they can enjoy for years to come.

BookEnds: What was most surprising to you about writing a book?
Allyson: I really loved the editing process, and I was really surprised by this. I guess I had a preconceived notion that working with an editor would be a difficult and frustrating process, but it was really the opposite. The development editor for my book knew exactly how to help me make my book even better, which was a real treat.

BookEnds: What’s your next book? When and where should we look for it?
Allyson: My second book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Altered Art Illustrated, will be released on April 3, 2007. It’s great for scrapbookers and anyone else looking to get crafty. It guides the reader through the process of taking ordinary, throwaway objects (such as old books and tins) and altering them to give the object new life and artistic meaning. Plus, most of the projects are just plain fun.