words in edgewise

Morgan Murray has kindly asked me to participate in his reading series Words in Edgewise on December 8. Anyone handy to Eastern Edge Gallery that eve should consider popping by. Here's the link to Words in Edgewise.

Unpressed Publishers

Standing firm in their values about what makes a book a Gaspereau Book, Andrew Steeves and Gary Dunfield have managed a compromise that allows a second volume of The Sentimentalists to hit the stands fast. The deal, which sees DOUGLAS & McINTYRE acquire rights for a trade back version, will allow many to run out to their local Chapters on November 19, while some of us wait for the Gaspereau edition to be printed. Full details at Gaspereau's Blog.

. . and here's how they do it

Lots of media banter about the way Gaspereau Press nutures and creates their books. There are those in the in the "industry" who have a hard time understanding their commitment to a particular craft, to guiding principles that see publishing as more than simply factory work. Slow-food or fast-food, which do readers, authors and book-lovers really want?

Here's how the do it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bHYorOBlcQ

Gaspereau's Giller

A young poet/novelist and an uncompromising publisher of the Country's best designed and made books took the Giller last night. While the industry scratches it's collective corporate head, raise a toast to the craft of language and economy of beautiful books.

the Ur-Copy

Back from the Wayzgoose in Kentville with the first copy of Firmament. Hope to launch soon as the Giller-frenzy and a very busy press can accomodate. Some images of the jacket and cover.

Andrew's Stand: When is a book a Gaspereau book?

Check-out Gaspereau's Andrew Steeves talking craft to the Globe, in light of Giller-talk: here.

en route home

About to fly home from Halifax Airport after the Gaspereau Wayzgoose in Kentville. Here's a link showing the G-men and women putting the book together just before my arrival.

Cover bands

Andrew Steeves began printing the book jacket yesterday. Tried a gold ink for the star ornaments before settling down to a silver that works well against the green field of the paper.

The press at G is smokin' . . .

Andrew Steeves' arms might wear out from trying to get some copies of Firmament made before this week's Wayzgoose, organizing said Wayzgoose, and working on Giller-related demands. He has an update here.

to Press . . .

Salty Ink has a nice teaser for the book at this link.

off to Film

We are off to film, printing presses next.

Booked my flight for NS and Gaspereau in 9 days. A kind-of- birth, but more a time to meet this small group (a handful?, family?) who make real and great books, who orbit a Giller-nod, but do not compromise how they work as they press on.

Goose, Giller and Craftsmanship

Great entry today from Andrew Steeves, relating to Gaspereau's fall printing in light of the 'Giller-bump'. A must read for those who like their books as books (i.e. well crafted objects). Check it out: Good for the Goose and Giller.