Howdy, dear reader! This is A Book Designer’s Notebook, a newsletter in which I write occasional dispatches about what I’m writing, reading, and working on.
What I’ve been up to
To celebrate my 30th birthday, I took a solo trip to New York City. I don’t usually do anything big for my birthday, but 30 felt like one to make an exception for. I couldn’t think of a better gift to myself than travel and time alone.
Moving Images
After landing at LaGuardia, taking a short bus ride, and wandering around Astoria for a while, I went to the Museum of the Moving Image. On display is a history of the camera including several film and TV cameras, props and production design from several films, special exhibits, and more. A special treat was the Jim Henson exhibition. I didn’t get the chance to see my local version when it was at the Henry Ford Museum, so I was thrilled to be immersed in the world of Muppets, Dark Crystal, and the other Henson Company creations. Seeing Big Bird and a Skeksis was incredible, but my favorite part—and this is no surprise if you know me at all—was the ephemera. The sketches for characters and story boards, the writers guild membership cards, the Manila folder labeled “MUPPET SHOW IDEAS.” I had a healthy respect for Henson and Co. already, but this exhibit grew that respect tenfold.
I didn’t go to any, but the museum also offers film screenings!
Brazil
I like movies. While in New York, I knew I wanted to see at least one film screening. Thanks to the Blank Check podcast subreddit, I found this curated website listing analog screenings in New York. After checking in to my hostel Saturday afternoon, I made my way over to the Film Forum to catch a screening of the 1985 film Brazil. I knew nothing about this movie going in to it, except that it was directed by Terry Gilliam—and I had only known that for a few days. What an incredible way to see a movie—especially this one. I think I might do this every time I come to New York.
Interview with a Book Designer
On Sunday, I got lunch with the wonderful and talented Jordan Wannemacher at Kos Kaffe in Brooklyn.1 We gabbed like the book design biddies we are, and she was gracious enough to answer some of my questions about her career as a book designer that, if I can make it through the two hour recording of our conversation, will make its way to you in this newsletter. I finished my time in Brooklyn with a jaunt to The Ripped Bodice book store to pick up some gifts, then Greenlight Bookstore, Jordan’s favorite, and a little bench read in Prospect Park.
Feet Falling off at the Met
On Monday, I walked a bit in Central Park, looping part of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and ended up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I spent something like five hours and still feel like I didn’t see or appreciate enough. On this trip, I averaged nearly 10 miles of walking per day, and a fair few of those were logged inside the Met.
Pictures of People Taking Pictures of People
On the steps of the Met, I decided to start taking pictures of other people who were also taking pictures. On Tuesday, I took my camera to Times Square to do the same. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long while. So much so, that I plan to write a whole newsletter about it. Stay tuned!
Library of Treasures
For me, no trip to New York City is complete without a visit to the New York Public Library. There’s maybe less to do and see than some of the other museums and attractions in the city, but it is no less worthwhile. And, I should mention, it’s free.
First, in my opinion, the NYPL is something of an underrated photography museum. The last two times I went, the third floor had exhibits featuring some incredible work. Last year, I saw the Subway diptychs of Alan Macweeney. This time, there was an exhibit featuring images of the Arctic.
The main attraction of the library is the Polonsky Treasures exhibit. This room is stuffed with art and literary—well, treasures—including a Gutenberg Bible, a handwritten copy of Washington’s farewell address, the real Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal, a presentation copy of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein given to the library by the author herself, and too many other things to list here. If you’re in New York, and you like books, you need to go here.
What I’m Writing
The Not the End of Your Life Book Club
Earlier this month, I wrote a personal essay about the book club I started with my mom during her cancer treatment. Read it here.
Interview with a Book Designer: Jordan Wannemacher
While in New York, I interviewed fellow book designer Jordan Wannemacher. We spoke at length about her favorite projects, the amount of money she’s made on book covers, her entrepreneurial side projects, what she wishes people knew about book design, and MORE! Stay tuned for that in an upcoming newsletter.
The Tell-Tale Signs of a Self-Published Book
For being called “A Book Designer’s Notebook,” so far I haven’t talked all that much about book design! In a forthcoming newsletter, I plan to cover some of the dos and don’ts of book design to help your self-published projects get the attention they deserve.
A Book Designer’s (Literal) Notebook
An inside look at how I use my physical notebook, one of the most important objects in my life.
What I’m Reading
While in New York, I wanted to read some “New York” books. On the flight there, I read some of Open City by Teju Cole, a cerebral novel which follows a protagonist as he wanders aimlessly through the city, pondering.
At Greenlight Bookstore, I picked up Talk Stories by Jamaica Kincaid, a collection of her “Talk of the Town” pieces she wrote while at The New Yorker. Light and quick, these are perfect for a little reading break at a park.
Not New York-related, but also picked up at Greenlight, I am reading Too Much Happiness by the late Alice Munro. There was a display table celebrating the author’s books. I really enjoyed Dear Life, and just generally adore short stories. Munro’s are what some have called “novelistic,” and they do not shy away from the melancholy and complexity of life.
Via Austin Kleon’s newsletter: The evolution of Hokusai’s Great Wave. Learn a bit more about one of history’s most iconic pieces of art.
Substack & Acquisition, from Anne Trubek’s newsletter Notes from a Small Press. Belt Publishing has acquired a novel that was previously self-published in serial format on Substack. How cool!
What I’m Working On
Freelance: Right now I’m working on a forthcoming book from Wayne State University Press called Discourse in Black by Keith Gilyard. It’s a compendium of three of his earlier books. I was hired for Discourse off of the merits of a cover I just finished for Gilyard’s new memoir called The Promise of Language. It’s a little early to share any images yet, but I am very excited about these books, these covers, and having Wayne State as a client.
At the Library: I created a new logo identity for the new A2 Community Bookfest! The library is now a major partner for this book festival, formerly known as The Kerrytown Book Festival. With this logo, my goal was to create a flexible identity that acknowledges what came before, and embraces what the future holds for the festival and town.
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I had a basil lemonade and a “Green BLT” that were both fantastic. Jordan had a green frittata.