Handmade Books

On Monday afternoons this term - I still think in terms - I've joined a group of really talented women making one-off books. This is in direct contrast to my present day job: digital publishing. What could be more of a contrast? I've set up a business to bring writers and readers into direct touch but that touch exists only in the virtual world. The ecommerce aspect of the website has taken ages to grasp that ebooks don't exist in physical form. It wanted to charge an American customer £25 for delivery. In fact, downloads cost just £3! That blip was easily corrected. There was also trouble in France when we first went live. All well now but I can tell you that Monday afternoons are bliss. Working with the right side of the brain is a holiday. (Not sure at all whether this old chestnut is actually scientifically proven). Today a fellow Monday afternoon-er has put the group onto a blogger called Margaret Cooter. Wonderful descriptions of what she's doing to make beautiful books, with images of the process too. Like it!

Talking about ...

I'm fascinated by the idea that Thoth, the god of writing, has the job of weighing the heart of the deceased. I like to interpret this on these lines: writing should have a good heart-head balance. The Book of the Dead was a series of spells on papyrus and linen to help the deceased pass through the dangerous afterlife to reach eternity.
Will digital books last?