Part I
If I think back to the spark of inspiration or the overarching vision of the press at its infancy, it was (and still is) about the desire to produce a book in such a way, so as to stand alongside some of the finest throughout the history of it all. I only travel the path, head bowed in reverence to the giants who came before, and humbly take my crack at it. Whether that goal is being achieved or not may be up for debate, but at the heart of it, is the desire. The essence of something that is not of modern times, but rather quite ancient.
I consider myself an amateur. But I am one armed with the desire to produce a book. If I were to ask myself, what do I appreciate more. Paper or signature. Printing process or signature. Craft or signature. Tactility or signature. Scent or signature. History or signature. Art or signature. Binding design and execution or signature. Legacy or signature and so on...my answer would always be with the former; in every case.
What I do is about the book. The book is the book is the book. The signature is not the book. This extends not only to the unique elements of production and materials, but also to the written word. It is driven by that. The story. The author. The worlds that exist only in our minds, the escape, the reach of it. The impact on popular culture, or the literary landscape. The great minds, the thinkers and dreamers, and yes in the words of Mr. Jobs, the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels. On the physical plane, that is who I serve. These people, and their words.
And how do I do that? By making the best book I know how, and thereby honoring them in this way. And I tell you, signature has little to do with any of that. Nor does it have much at all to do with cost of production. What does is the materials, the paper, the printing, the binding, and so on. When I make a book, I am saying to the author, living or not; you are a genius. You moved me and so many others. And for that, I offer this.
Part II
Because of my lifelong love for this genre, this popular and fan culture, most of the books I make, and will continue to make fall within that space. And it is a space not entirely accustomed to the type of book I feel compelled to create. This is not uncharted territory, but I do feel that it is not often travelled.
Many of the questions that come up are entirely valid. I honor them and respect them. The discussions that ensue are a good thing. A great thing. And then there are the opinions deficient in facts which would otherwise give them heft. We are presented with a chasm. We have become accustomed to equate price with signature for so long. We have become used to a certain price point, a level of quality. A look. A feel. I respect that. But with me producing what I am, at times it may require a paradigm shift.
For some, it is jarring--an opportunity to criticize; and for others it is an entirely welcome and joyous event. And still for others, it is simply not their cup of tea and that is absolutely fine. You are not less than or more than for your pull toward or away from. You simply are, and should be anchored in that. As am I. Who I seek are lovers of the type of book I produce. Or those who perhaps did not put too much thought into it, but now do.
I do not seek unending praise, but that which has come my way has been genuine and heartfelt, and for this I am most grateful. I am grateful to everyone who have supported the press, both as a customer or simply by cheering me on. I did not expect most of this, nor the level of enthusiasm for the books we make. It inspires me. It drives me to continue on. And if I mess up, don't be afraid to tell me. Constructively. Respectfully. Ask rather than judge. Comment with the armor of fact instead of the inefficiency of assumption. Or just speak your mind! I get a kick out of that too.
Is there longevity in this? In some ways, that's irrelevant. The relevancy lies in the creating. And if there are people who rise to it, then it is meant to be that way. I seek to live an authentic life. We so often, and for so long, do not. And there is authenticity on this path and in the product of these immense efforts. And that is all I can ask for.
Part III
So as not to entirely diminish the signature as an integral part of the book, having been a collector and a fan, I understand the value and importance of it to many of us. It may not drive me, but I do not ignore it. Am I after a McCarthy signature? You bet I am!
If through all of this, I do something to make you smile. To take you away from the pain points, to excite and animate. To inspire. To change your state from this to that, to give you pause. To pump the blood. To lift you off the ground. To make you feel alive. To champion the idea of following your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. Then I have done my job, and that alone is worth dedicating my life to.
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Originally Posted by zelig
