Why This Route?

At last, I was compelled.

Previous attempts at writing a book appeared forced, but this time the words seemed to spew forth effortlessly. Rewriting and proofing occurred, but the thoughts were cemented which made the process less daunting.

What began as a glorified pamphlet morphed into a major production complete with a splendid dusk jacket and hardback book loaded with color. I received advice and aid from professionals in the field of publications and I realized I needed to go full-throttle. 

Full-throttle for me meant being in complete control-learning three different software programs for the layout; hunting decades-old slides; thinking up topics; writing, re-writing, and choosing concise words rather than meandering down boring paths; choosing the correct image sizes; learning typeface patterns and the intricacies that exist such as widows, orphans, & inch marks; and listening to experts who knew what they were talking about when it was obvious that I was clueless. The Acknowledgment section in the book is heartfelt. This book would have remained that initial glorified pamphlet without the help of others.

But, why go this route?

I was compelled to create the book in full. What I was not compelled to do was shop it around to publisher after publisher. I asked others if they knew of a boutique publisher, but that was as far as I willing to go. From a friend of a friend I heard about a top quality company in California who specialized in printing books on art & photography. Going it alone seemed ideal, but that meant paying for it and promoting it. This was not going to be an inexpensive book to produce and that's why I ordered a limited number of copies. 

I've tried to promote the book in a fun way on social media shunning a high-powered sales pitch.

Potential readers trying to purchase the book are having to go through this website or stores such as R. H. Ballard's in Washington, VA and Laurie Holladay's in Gordonsville, VA. Messaging me is another option.

I will be signing books at my studio throughout the RAAC Fall Art Tour 2021.