I finally got my chapbook together the way I wanted. There were a number of things I had to put in place :
– choose the poems, review/edit, put them in some kind of order
– decide if I wanted to include any images (yes)
– create the images using my photos and then altering them in various programs on my iPad
– create a chapbook template with InDesign
– choose the text, page sizes, layout etc. >also choose interior and cover papers from my paper stash
– print test pages to see how the text and images look
– adjust, print again etc. etc. etc.
– begin “the” printing : 7 sheets of paper printed both sides and folded to create a 28 page chapbook
– printing stopped when I ran out of yellow toner (a consequence of the decision to print colour images!)
– order new color toners (cyan, magenta and yellow)
– ad-lib with inkjet printer> it prints darker than the laser printer!
– problem solve: print text with laser, images with ink jet which means running some papers through twice
– fold pages, trim, fold cover, fit in pages, punch holes, sew
– 11 of potentially 60 copies created and delivered on Sunday
– continue with printing when toner order arrives
There was happiness, there was stress, there was a whole pile of emotions from doubt to pride.
In another post I said something about liking to make “things”. The chapbook is one of them. I’m overusing the phrase “I love doing this” but it is true. I love all of it – the writing, the editing, the problem solving, the act of physical creation by turning my thoughts and words into a poetry chapbook that can be held and viewed.
I quoted Rumi at the beginning of the chapbook: “There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground”
Today, this is mine.
What a lot of work, and it looks so worth it! A beautiful chapbook! I’m so glad you will have books in the Coast Collective store. Are you distributing them anywhere else too?
Thanks Angela. For the moment I’ve posted purchase information here: https://www.dlclay.com/words.html
There still a lot of work to put it in place elsewhere! Getting to it soon. 🙂