The Book of Me/The Me Book

OK, true colors time here.  Real me.

Autumn Leaves has released its most recent idea book, titled, "The Me Book", "a successful look at ways to create layouts all about you". Contributors include Cathy Blackstone, Jen Lessinger, Leslie Lightfoot, Lisa Russo, Veronica Ponce, Renee Camacho, Jennifer McGuire, Carrie Colbert Batt, Tina Barriscale, Desiree McClellan, Elsie Flannigan, and Margie Scherschligt.  Said contributors have also started the Me blog, "to encourage and continue the 'ME' movement". Carrie Colbert Batt linked to the blog in her blog recently.

[It took some digging, but I finally found the first official post to the blog here: kids-check.]

I'm very torn about this book and about the buzz it will no doubt generate.  Autumn Leaves carries great promotional power, and is just generally 'sexy' (in an advertising sense), so no doubt the book will do well.  Not to mention the talent represented by the design team.  Sure-fire best-seller, no question in my mind. 

Based on past AL books, and past examples from those artists, I already know the content will be very insightful and inspiring. 

The part I'm torn about...I already wrote The Book of Me - in 2002.  Over four years ago.  With this new book coming out, with the rather similar title of "The Me Book", it's really hard not to feel like a has-been.

Just the other day I was in a scrapbooking store with my 8-year-old daughter, who loves to tell everyone I'm a "famous scrapbooker". Unfortunately, the store staff was not suitably impressed, and my daughter asked, "Mom, how come you're not famous anymore?"  Got me, kid.

It's a hard lesson I've learned about "fame" in the scrapbooking industry.  It's fickle, and doesn't last.  I remember the "celebrities of yesteryear", and don't see their names in the magazines hardly at all anymore.  It's kind of sad that there could be a "Where are They Now?" article done, when we're only talking 5-7 years ago, not 20.  But I guess my Book of Me came out 4 years ago, so I'm perhaps even well on my way to joining those ranks.

I guess I'm hurt because AL didn't ask me to participate (even a foreword would have been nice), nor do I imagine they mention my "pioneering" work as "The Mother of the Me Movement".  [Just to be upfront, and as a disclaimer, no, I haven't seen the book yet.]

I did start this movement.  I did pioneer the emphasis on including oneself in our scrapbooks.  My book was the first "me-centered" book out there.  I was also one of the first to include lists of journaling prompts alongside layout examples (do you notice more prompts in the magazines now?)  I offered Weekly Challenges on BoM topics for over two years.  I personally introduced hundreds of women to the idea that not only is it OK to scrap yourself, your loved ones might even one day be grateful for it.  I can point to all this and say, "I did that.  I accomplished that" -- even if the majority of scrapbookers still don't know who I am.  I am grateful for all I have been able to do, all that I have been able to inspire in others, and all that the experience has brought into my life.  I can be a "Big Girl", and see the bigger picture -- that even if my time as a "famous scrapbooker" is coming to a close, I have made a mark and fulfilled a Purpose.

That same "Big Girl" part of me is also able to step back and see that the AL book is also a good thing, because it will introduce these ideas to thousands more women who NEED to hear that message.  And the designers no doubt got a lot out of the experience, and worked hard to bring this book into being.

But there's a little selfish part of me that wants to whine, "But I already WROTE that book!  Has everybody already forgotten??"

Sigh.  Fortunately, most days, the "Big Girl" part is louder and stronger.  And I know, truly, that everything happens for a reason, and I am where I am supposed to be.

technorati tags: book+of+me, the+me+book, scrapbooking

Comments

[Diana Scott]

Hey Angie, I haven't crossed paths with you in a long time, but you are not forgotten! You've changed the way people scrap - most of us now have a Book of Me, no matter what else they call it. Of course people jump on the bandwagon of a good idea, but they should have acknowledged you! I still have all three of your books on my desk, still loving that you quoted me in the beginning of the Growing up Me one! Anyway I think you still have a presence and a purpose in the industry!

[Lorraine Yuriar aka TheKytiKat]

I already have your Book of Me, or I'd probably buy it! *S* I read your RSS feeds everyday... I'm sorry to hear AL dissed you like that...

[KathleenLoughran]

I just bought your book recently. I can not recall where I learned of it ( I want to say Ali Edwards Blog) but you are not for gotten. In fact When I signed up for an upcoming online journaling class you name as the instructor was all I needed to plop down the credit card number. You are not a has been - consider yourself a founder!

[Barb Beeghly]

I love your Book of Me! I just bought it a few months ago and I'm sure that I will continue to refer to it for years to come. I've only been scrapbooking for a year or so. I do think that the Autumn Leaves Me Book contributers should acknowledge your ground-breaking ideas--maybe they have--I have not seen the new AL book yet. I'm also sure that their book will be different from yours and both books will be good references for scrapbookers. I enjoy your blogs and hope I will be able to take a class with you one of these days. Keep up the great work! Thanks for all you do.

[Tasra Dawson]

I agree with Kathleen that it's all about perspective. You're not a "has-been," you're a founder, a front-runner, an innovator. You brought the idea to light. I know you've heard this before but copying or variations on the original are the best form of flattery. You obviously had a good thing going and they want to take it a step further. Now that you're established, you can focus your energy on the next big movement or find another aspect of the movement that you want to pioneer. It's a great big scrapbook world out there and your voice is important. Don't let the competition silence you, let it inspire you. And for what it's worth, you're mentioned in my book! :-)

[Leslie McFarlane]

Your honesty always impresses me. I'm still your #1 fan/lackey/stalker wanna be.
I'm grateful for all you've done and continue to do. You are the best!
Love ya!

[Laurie Patterson]

Hey Angie, Your SKYPE buddy here,

You are the founder of the me/she movement. I used your books and website a lot when I taught "Book of Me" classes at my LSS. All my students owned YOUR book. I have both BOM and BOU. (I don't have any children or I'd probably have that one too.) I have purchased the AL book, and it does not seem to have given you any recognition at all, and now I'm even sorry I purchased it!! I was telling my husband and his comment, "that's just wrong." You should have had some recognition, if they were going to take your idea, AND they should have been more creative with their title rather than just switch YOUR words around. I have many (not all) of the DW series and although I like the artists' work I find their editing needs work. Many mistakes. But I don't remember that there were errors in your books.

Don't think of yourself as a has been. But I do think many of the "famous" scrappers are in some kind of exclusive click. It's upsetting to those of us "famous" scrapper wanna-bes.

Just remember you did it first and many, many of us know that.

[Pam Tremble]

Angie -
You are a trail-blazer, a innovator, a woman who knows the direction of her life and is taking it with a strong and determined stride. No matter what the others call it, the standard term in the industry is "BoM" - which we have you to thank for - and we'll always know that it was YOU who started this movement. Just think.. in a few years you'll be followed into the world of scrapbook marketing and everyone - again - will want to be just like you.

Chin up! We all love you still!
Pam

[queue_t]

Hi Angie,

I read this post last night- I didn't post a reply right away( sometimes I have to sleep on things) I own BOM and BOU, I so enjoy following your website one scrappy site and your blog(s) I also have listened to a few of your pod-casts.... you really should have been given acknowledgement at least as an inovator and founder of a great trend, that allowed all those gals at AL and the DW-series to express themselves and find out that scrapping thier own memories and including themselves was a great scrapping thing to do.

I don't think of you as a has been - I want you to continue to lead us in scrapping US ! Thank you for prompting us and leading us and telling all of us it was o.k. to scrap our own stories.

Include me in your fans and want-a-be's Tamara

[Angie Pedersen]

Aw, man, guys. I'm completely tearing up here. I feel like Sally Fields. I'm grateful you've taken the time to comment. It means so much to me -- that you feel this way, AND that you took the time to comment. I feel bad for being such a whiner, but you all have helped me over that hump a bit. Thank you. Truly - thank you.

[Carrie]

I just want to let you know that due to the fact that you DID write your book years ago, I feel that I have no need to buy this new one. I got so much out of yours (and the Book of Us, and Growing Up Me) that I can save my money. When I heard of this book, the VERY FIRST thing I thought was "wasn't that book already released!? I have it!"
I can't imagine how you must feel, but I wanted to let you know that you have had a major impact on the way SO many scrapbookers journal and now include themselves in albums, you were a very important pioneer.
I also have a book called "The Book of Myself" which is a "fill in the blanks autobiography" that asks questions, not a photo scrapbook. I believe it was released years before your book, though.
Think of the bright side, with the new "revival" perhaps you will have tons more sales of your book as well.
Sorry to ramble. Good night.

[Katie]

When I saw the title of the Autumn Leaves book I was a little surprised myself - all I could think of was Angie already did this! It does seem to be the way of the business though. I quit sending in article queries because the mags would always turn me down saying that they weren't interested in the topic and then sure enough 8 months later there would be an article very similar to the one I proposed written by one of their "chosen" ones. I may sound bitter over that one (ok, maybe I am just a tad - LOL!) but I've come to realize that it is just part of the business.

No one knows that better than you. I always admire your pioneering efforts and your sharp eye on the business of scrapbooking. You have a finger on the pulse of the scrapbooking world and you are an inspiration to me!

Katie

[Mollie Bryan]

Angie,
I have only been scrapbooking a few years and have just found the on-line community. I don't REALLY know your books, though I want to! But I love your blog. And I can relate to the way you're feeling. I am a professional writer--have been for 20 years. Publishing anything leaves you vulnerable to a variety of "stuff." Bad reviews. People stealing ideas. But then again, it could depend on how you look at it. If you started the ME scrapbooking movement, which is a rich and growing field, you can expect more of the Me scrapbooking books to follow you just for that reason. It's an area rich with possiblities. You opened that up for everyone. Bravo! It won't be the same as yours--because you put a part of yourself into your book and nobody can take that away, no matter how often the title gets used. You know?
Just to add a note to some of the ofther postings about articles and getting published. As I mentioned, I've been writing for a long time and I have yet to publish anything in a scrapbook magazine. It's a difficult market to break into.

[Rene]

I bought all your books when they first came out. I too, was a bit taken aback when I read the title of the new AL book as I thought it was very close to your title.
I do have the AL book and while it is very fresh in the type of layouts they showcase (the scrap world has changed immensely in the past four years), and the layouts are beautiful, I feel your original book covered any questions or suggestions about doing "me" layouts. I feel they don't cover any new ground in that respect. I will continue to enjoy both books, but my "heart" belongs with yours.

[jeff]

You know, you're right. We should have mentioned your book in a forward, as being a pioneering book in the field. I just didn't think of it. We will add it in when we reprint the book, and it will stay in for all future printings.
As far as the title, we have a series called "The _____ Book." We did "The Book Book, The Me Book," we're just finishing "The Look Book" and have several others in planning. Even though the "The Me Book" title is similar to "The Book Of Me," we really had to use the word "Me," because that is truly the word that identifies the genre, and the rest of the title is formatted to the series, as you can see. So it really was never our intention to find a title and copy it.
I hope you'll accept my apology for not noting your book in our book. We'll correct it. And judging from your many readers and fans, it appears that you're as relevant as ever...so I wouldn't worry about that! Take care, J.

[Jacqueline Tucker]

After reading your blog I knew I had to reply - but after reading the comments written they have said what I planned. So ditto, x 15.
You are the founder of the concept a "Book of Me" whatever follows, by whatever name, is based on your idea. And what a concept - thank-you.
Kind regards
Jacqueline

[Sarah]

Yep. You were my first thought when I heard about AL's new endevor. Honestly, I was really hoping they were teaming up with you for an updated release. Now *that* would be a book I would want to see. :)

You are the founder of an incredible movement, Angie. You carry with you a realness and a sincerity that has yet to be copied or duplicated in other books. You are the original.

[Angie Pedersen]

Jeff,
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment here. I appreciate it, and give you a lot of credit for addressing my concerns head-on. That says a lot about you as a business owner. I'm impressed. Your explanation of your book clarifies some things, and gives me another perspective. I appreciate your feedback.

Everybody else, thanks SO MUCH for your support! It means so much to me!

[nancy Jones]

OH angie you are SOOO not a has been. YOU introduced me to THE BOOK OF ME and are the reson I still do one. I THINK YOU SHOULD COME OUT WITH AN UPDATED version of "the book of me too" or two. I love your book and still refer to it often for ideas and topics.
YOU ROCK SISTA and Ill whoop anyone that begs to differ!

[lisa sanford]

Angie, you are the ME movement. Every time I see a book, article, contest or page about "Me" I know that's because of your dream a few years ago when you wrote the book of me. Folks have just taken your concept and presented it with the latest trendy product. Take the Me book as a huge compliment and know that it was your efforts that prompted it's evolution.

I pressed Creative Memories to think more culturally and today they focus on multiple cultures in their magazine and I know it's because of my efforts to enlighten them.

Be proud...you have made a huge mark on the industry even if you don't think you have done so financially. Sometimes you don't always get paid for in dollars for your "mothering" efforts.

You done good girl!

[Natalie]

I own The Book of Me and Growing up Me and I can't tell you how much I got out of those books...the prompts are over the top fantastic!!!

[PaperGoddess]

Oh Angie,
Please don't think you're on your way to has-been status. I still think of you when I look at any "Me"-style layout. Yours was an original idea, but like everything else in this industry, it doesn't stay yours for long. Your book has had enough success that you needn't worry that Autumn Leaves will take credit. Trust me, we all remember & love you!
P.S. What's up with the podcasts? My iPod is LONELY!
Korie
http://www.wewillalwayshaveparis.com