Book By Its Cover

3.18.09
Here & Noun
Hyperbole Police Writing Collective

I don’t usually like to post about collections of writing of this sort but this one was too pretty not to share. The thick cardboard cover is silkscreened with some beautifully drawn roosters. They call this Canadian publication Here & Noun a “magazine” and this is the second issue. It’s mostly fiction stories- none of which I’ve read just yet (who has the time these days? ). Between the stories is artwork by all different artists. There is also one longer comic in the middle. A cd also comes in the back with 13 songs from all different bands. I’m listening to it right now as I type- so far it’s good. All the songs sound very homemade. I especially like #3 which is Field and Stream. You find out more about this publication here and even learn about submitting your own writing and illustrations.

Also seeing a link to this crazy site on their blog, I wanted to open up the discussion on magazines. How many of you are so sad to see everything folding and how many of you are welcoming the paperless future? You would think I’d be on the super sad side since I am an obsessive book collector but glossy magazines are a different species to me (today’s “magazine” I consider a totally different genre). A small part of me is actually excited that I am living through a period of drastic change in media. Can you imagine what it will say about our time in fourth grade history textbooks digital textbooks in the future? 2000-2020 The Digital Revolution: The End of Paper. I think it will be ok for books and fancy limited publications. They will just become that much more precious. Thoughts?
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3 Comments
03/18/09  1:43pm
sarah wrote

I do really agree with your idea that we are in an new exciting time for hand made or limited books and publications. don’t let us down by this new digital world, till there are people who wants to express themself in an untraditional way there will be redears and spectators. internet will never give the same sensation that the touch and the smell of paper.
relly love your blog, keep going on, it’s a pleasure to read you everyday.
Sarah


03/18/09  8:26pm
genevieve wrote

Hello Julia,

I have to agree with both you and Sarah, that the book, magazine and journal as made objects will certainly thrive and survive. Mass publication will go through upheaval, but I think that at the same time new ways will be found to make print publication work, for the simple reason that codex technology is still very effective – screens are not doing as well as one might think (see here for an interesting example that I think still holds.)


03/19/09  6:50am
anna wrote

i definitely think it could be a great time ahead for small and fine publishers. no longer being the industry standard of publishing could mean a whole lot of newfound freedom for the book. it could mean a whole lot more people getting in and making their own books.

i found this blog entry on the subject interesting- see it here.

i still find it hard to imagine any digital reading interface being as good as book, but maybe i’m just too old and set in my ways. but you don’t get rsi from a book.



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© Julia Rothman 2007