Lark Books, a division of Sterling Publishing specializing in what it describes as “you-can-do” guides on artistic and crafts-centric fields from basketry to woodworking, relaunched its website this morning, aiming for what president and publisher Carol Taylor calls “a destination for do-it-yourselfers looking for information, inspiration, source materials, and a lively exchange of ideas.” I took a sneak peek last night, and I have to admit the presentation looks pretty spiffy. In addition to a blog-like flow of craft-themed items—mostly, but not entirely, pegged to current releases—on the homepage, there’s a database (likely to be expanded over time) where readers can find out where to buy materials for craft projects inspired by the books, and another section where they can find guidelines for submitting their own proposals. (They really do find contributors that way; Maine-based artisan and web developer Jonathan H.C. James recently wrote about how being featured in a Lark volume after an editor spotted an online gallery of his crocheted hats and invited him to submit his work.)
Newsletters are promised in the near future; in the meantime, Making a Living in Crafts author Donald Clark is answering questions online, and links to the official websites for several other authors are provided.