For the Love of BOOKS
Love is the key ingredient in the mixture
A writer friend once asked me how we made my poetry book so beautiful. I was flattered—such a question is a high complement from a fellow appreciator of books! Time did not afford me to tell of font choices, trim size, paper weight, and interstitials, so I laughingly told him that the secret ingredient was love.
It’s a simplistic answer, but it wasn’t a lie.
I don’t just love reading, I love all the sensory experiences associated with reading: the feel of textured paper, the smell of a newly printed title, the sound of a turning page, the visual aesthetics of a well-designed book. (I’ve never licked a book, but I have wondered what exact flavors Ezekiel and John tasted when they ate their scrolls...)
My love of a book’s aesthetics is what sent me looking for a digital font that mimics the weight of a print typeface, and that’s how I found Mrs Eaves designed by Zuzana Licko.
My love of beautiful word art led me to ask artist Lynette Overstreet to create the cover. Her hand-drawn quotes consistently delight me, especially when they’re incorporated into vintage art!
My love of carrying poetry with me to read during moments of waiting led me to select a trim size small enough to fit in a pocket or purse. It also led me to a cream colored paper that’s easy on the eyes in all kinds of light.
My love of textures led me to vintage design elements like these for the interstitial art.
As an aside, are you familiar with these book-loving words? Logophile - a lover of words Bibliophile - a lover of books Bibliosmia - the smell of books Bibliosmiaphile - one who loves the smell of books Bibliophage - an ardent reader Book-bosomed - carrying a book at all times Bibliotaph - one who hoards books Vellichor - the strange wistfulness of used bookstores Librocubicularist - one who reads books in bed Jólabókaflóð - "Christmas book flood" - an Icelandic tradition of exchanging books and then reading them together in a cozy place while sipping something warm
As co-publisher of my own poetry book, I had a strong say in the design choices we made. But this kind of loving attention didn’t go just into my own work—it’s a part of every book we make at Bandersnatch.
When we get ready to publish a new title, we take into account the genre, the themes of the book, and the nature of the author as we make design decisions:
Does this font give off dystopian vibes?
Will this paper stock survive being dropped into a boy’s backpack?
Is the palette for this cover art the right color for this story?
These aren’t hypothetical questions, but real deliberations we’ve had as a team. We care about the details, and it seems we’re not the only ones.
Our readers have told us how much they’re enjoying our books—not just the stories, but the physical books that contain them. So this week I thought I’d let you in on our little secret: it’s all for the love of BOOKS.
November 19: Above, Not Up release—Preorder now!
November 29-December 2: Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale! Details coming soon
December 14: Order by this date to be sure to get your books in time for Christmas!
December 3–23: Holiday sales
December 25–31: Delayed fulfillment (we’ll be celebrating Christmas with our families, so won’t be quite as quick about shipping out orders).
It’s November, which means it’s time for the poem-a-day challenge! Follow Rachel S. Donahue on Instagram or Substack to see what she’s writing for each prompt—then pick up a pen and join in!
Just what is a mathematical fantasy, you ask? Let us introduce you: this is a story where a being from the fourth dimension enters the third, opening our eyes not just to the wonders of dimensions beyond, but to the beauty already here, in our own, seemingly mundane world. Do you have a teen looking for a read that will wake them up to the marvels they live right in the midst of? This is the book you want.
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“Professional standards, the standards of ambition and selfishness, are always sliding downward toward expense, ostentation, and mediocrity. They tend always to narrow the ground of judgment. But amateur standards, the standards of love, are always straining upward toward the humble and the best.”
Wendell Berry, “The Responsibility of the Poet”
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Thank you for letting me know that I am a bibliotaph. I didn’t know the word for it before, though I do have two book worm shirts, one featuring Lowly Worm and the other a book hoarding dragon… Most of the terms fit me very well as I love to read my used book store hoard of books in bed. Thank you for crafting the whole experience for us as readers.
I was just thinking the other day how much I appreciate the heft and feel and look of all Bandersnatch Books. I’m so thankful for your stress on the importance of that. Also, “bibliophage” is a lovely word. Thanks for that list!