The major task at my studio this week has been to make packages of bound, pre-publication review copies of Thaliad, forthcoming in November from Phoenicia, for the big review lists: Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal. These outfits are very selective and only review a small percentage of the books they receive. Then there's the effort and expense of pulling all the required elements together into a presentation package -- ISBN and technical info, author's bio, previous credits, blurbs and comments on previous books, illustrations and cover art -- and essentially "making" the book itself three to four months prior to publication.
After a couple of years running a tiny publishing house, I understand very well why bigger publishers have staffs, and interns, and larger budgets, and also why so many of them go out of business.
And I see why it continues to appeal to me. There's such pleasure in collaboration, made tangible when I see my own work coming together with Marly Youmans' words, and Clive Hick-Jenkins' collages. But there's more to it. As I was remembering yesterday while I printed and cut and bound these copies, I've been "making books" ever since I was a little girl. I found an early one when we were moving from Vermont: it was about 2 1/2 x 2/12 inches square, with a text written in pencil and illustrations in colored pencil; I must have made it when I was about seven or eight. There's something about the whole process, from conception to holding the finished object, that is deeply satisfying to me; it's part of what led me to write and do art, and certainly what led to my interest and, later, professional career in calligraphy, typography and graphic design, and the book arts.
It all felt like a particularly appropriate process for this book, too, because so much of Thaliad is about re-learning the old ways, the handcrafts and basic skills and wisdom, after an apocalypse. Clive picked up on this in his choice of a folk-art motif, drawn from early-American quilts, for the illustration style.
Some things about us, deep inside, simply don't change very much over the years, but technology certainly has. I would have given my best swirly glass marbles, half a century ago, for the ability to do what I was able to do this week in terms of computer files and ease of printing multiple copies right in my own studio. But the most satisfying part was still the handwork: feeling the pages under my fingers, hearing the swish of the papercutter blade, watching the cut sheets pile up to become a book-block, and finally, binding them into a book that could be paged-through and easily read. It's an elemental process, one that connects me with medieval scribes and woodblock printers and even further back, and still feels somehow miraculous and very human, emerging as it does out of our desire to create, to communicate, to share.
How interesting to see and read about your part in this exciting collaboration, Beth! I've been following Clive's posts about the development of his art work for the book. They look like woodcuts, like those in some older books such as in eastern Europe, yet inspired by American folk art quilts. The book looks like a work of art, congratulations to all!
Posted by: Marja-Leena | June 28, 2012 at 02:14 PM
Who else would love to see the tiny book you made as a child?
Posted by: andrea | June 28, 2012 at 03:04 PM
I would, I would!
You're doing a fabulous job, Beth. Marly and Clive are surely thrilled with the care and skill and respect you give to their work - an example of perfect collaboration.
Posted by: Natalie | June 28, 2012 at 03:33 PM
So lovely.
Posted by: hattie | June 28, 2012 at 05:42 PM
very nice and hey keep making books
Posted by: john | June 28, 2012 at 07:55 PM
Thanks...Andrea and Natalie, I can't remember where I put that little thing! If I find it I'll post some pictures, but as I remember it was cute but not impressive. John: it seems to be inevitable!
Posted by: Beth | June 28, 2012 at 08:23 PM
Yes, I want to see the tiny book!
And thank you for all your work and care, Beth...
Posted by: marly youmans | June 28, 2012 at 09:51 PM
Oh... It's 120 pages long! I'm startled.
Posted by: marly youmans | June 28, 2012 at 11:39 PM
And shall thank you in person soon!
Posted by: marly youmans | June 29, 2012 at 07:59 AM
Marly, you are more than welcome! As you know, I love the poem very much and want it to have a life out there in the world.
Posted by: Beth | June 29, 2012 at 08:29 AM
Yes! i want to see the tiny book, too.
Posted by: zephyr | June 29, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Oh, Beth, what a beautiful post this is. I love these glimpses of the process, and of the work-in-progress -- and I can't wait to own Thaliad! I am so glad you are out there doing the work that you do. It is an incalculable gift.
Posted by: Rachel Barenblat | June 29, 2012 at 11:29 AM
What's up, constantly i used to check web site posts here in the early hours in the daylight, because i enjoy to find out more and more.
Posted by: click | June 29, 2012 at 03:50 PM
We three have made a great team. Look out world!
(-;
Posted by: Clive Hicks-Jenkins | July 03, 2012 at 04:25 AM
it's looking beautiful... what a lovely job, it seems a perfect life to put things like this together, thank you for what you do!
Posted by: zoe | July 03, 2012 at 08:21 AM
Its looking absolutely beautiful Beth. Clive is right you three are making a great team. Will it also be available for us to buy in the UK as well?
Posted by: Jacqui Hicks | July 03, 2012 at 08:34 AM
You're quite right, Clive!
Thank you so much, Zoe! And thanks for coming over here to take a look. I feel like I "know" you from Clive's blog and from your beautiful maquettes, but I hope one day maybe we'll all meet in person. Yes, I do love doing this kind of work but find I must juggle things in order to find time for my own artwork and writing. I have been a graphic designer for more than 30 years and am glad to have time now to devote to my own work and to projects like Phoenicia, which is mostly a labor of love!
Hi Jacqui, thanks for commenting and coming over, and for the kind words. Yes, the paperback version of the book will be available at Amazon.uk, and the hardcover available directly through the publisher at reasonable shipping cost. The writing is absolutely stunning as well.
Posted by: Beth | July 03, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Hi Beth, I really enjoyed this post, your love for what you do really shines through and I can see how all the hard work and graft is worth it. The book iis looking so beautiful, I can't wait till it comes out. All the best for the review lists
Posted by: Phil Cooper | July 03, 2012 at 01:11 PM
Phil, thank you so much for visiting, and for your good wishes! We hope to launch Thaliad as well as we can! (Wish I could have been at that maquette-workshop, it looked like a great event!)
Posted by: Beth | July 03, 2012 at 01:19 PM
How interesting, this glimpse into the process. And what a beautiful post. There is something about it that makes me swoon!
"somehow miraculous and very human" - yes. :)
Posted by: Rose Hunter | July 06, 2012 at 08:57 AM
Love how she looks a little startled to be part woman, part tree, complete with bird on her cheek--
Posted by: Mary Bullington | July 10, 2012 at 09:37 AM