(Subtitle: 46 Years of Building & Gardening)
You know, it’s Thanksgiving morning, both boys are off for the holiday with spouses’ families, and Lesley and I are working on our separate crafts. What a difference with no phones, no email, no business necessities, no one else around. Witness the fact that I’ve hardly blogged at all lately. Gonna have to get one day a week here with no distractions. A right-brain day!
The unbound pages came in from the printers a few days ago. What a thrill! The book’s getting bound (in Hong Kong) this week, shipped and will be available in early March, 2020. When we get it together, we’re going to take pre-orders.
I’m still getting used to the book. After covering hundreds of builders over the years, this is the first on my own (and Lesley’s) work.
Stay tuned.
Music de éste día: The Gilded Palace of Sin by The Flying Burrito Brothers, 1969
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUeFJ7QIRbE
Here’s how I make books:
(I’ve written pretty much the same a bunch of times, so skip if it sounds familiar.)
As always, I gather printed-out photos in 9″ by 12″ file folders. When I get maybe 20-30 folders, I start doing layout.
The photos are printed 6-up on a sheet of recycled paper, along with file numbers beneath. If I haven’t done it before, I’ll write copy to go with pix, then start doing layout.
I’ll put down the headline, and adjust size of photos on our 10-year-old Brother MFC 9130CW color copy machine. If I want to upgrade the layout, I’ll do prints on our Epson Stylus Pro 4900 (boy, do I recommend this printer for photographers!) I print out 2, 3, and 4 columns versions of text, and choose which fits best.
My preferred state of consciousness for making good aesthetic analogue decisions involves coffee, mota, rock ‘n’ roll, and no distractions (the latter so very hard to achieve these days!)
I tape pix and text down, one double-page spread at a time with removable Scotch tape. I use the procedure Bob Easton used when we did Shelter in 1973: Each two-page spread is a story in itself.
I write the file number on each photo and then place all photo files and text in DropBox for Rick to pick up. Rick gets the (analog) layouts from me and does the digital files. We then go through lots of changes, improvements, color changing, proofreading, agony over the cover, but finally Rick FTPs it (sends it over the internet) to our printers in Hong Kong. We send Epson prints of the entire book so the press men can make adjustments if necessary while on press.
I used to do press checks on any color jobs, but due to coordination between Rick and Trevor Shih and Sophie Zhai of Midas Printing in Hong Kong, I haven’t had to do press checks. We’ve got the colors coordinated.
Look forward to reading it!
Mike
I can’t wait to read it, I suspect it will be another masterpiece.
Ken
I’m counting the days, Lloyd! Can’t wait!
Looking forward, can’t wait and similar expressions of great appreciation for everything the great Lloyd Kahn publishes…
We’ll done – it already looks fantastic!
Perfect timing. I’ll be getting a copy and look forward to it.
Pretty excited to have it in my hands!
Can’t wait.
Your books are possibly the most entertaining publications around. I will reorder as soon as it’s offerred. Hell, if you can let us know how many more books you plan over your remaining career i will preorder them too.
We look forward to your new book. My wife has followed you for years. We started, after retiring, with a yurt, then a series of tiny houses, with recycled materials. A sustainable retirement for us. Thanks for your knowledge and entertainment.
Another book for me to buy several of, one for me and several more for gifts for friends that like to build.
This looks like a real beauty! I can’t wait to hold it min my hands and leaf through it.
Looks fantastic! When will it be available??
Beautiful photos of the pages shown! Last I was there, the ambience was enhanced by the smells of Leslie’s home baked cookies (as was the palate). I look forward to reading the finished book of your ever-so-special home. Kudos.
Yes!! Congratulations and Thanks Lloyd. I am greatly looking forward to the inspiration for mind, body and soul. Keep on truckin’ my man!
Good to be back in contact, Lloyd. I’ve bailed out of Facebook — they can make their money peddling someone else’s personal data. Come back to your Small Homes book often for inspiration.
I have always admired and appreciated the wonderful home place you and Lesley have created. I look forward to seeing it honored and recorded in a beautiful book. You two are a great team.
Llyod; I’ll always remember how I taught you to go point to point longboarding (Loaded Boards) so you could survive steep downhills in order to write / publish more books, enjoy road kill and most of all — talk story with your family and extended ones. Looking forward to my copy! peace and Aloha brother, Joshua (Dr. J.)
We’re excited about this book, Lloyd and look forward to reading it!
Hurray Lloyd and Lesley, this will be awesome inspiration.
Cant wait to get our own copy!
It looks very promising Lloyd, very excited about reading it. The book will have excellent company on my bookshelf next to all the other books you have published!
I’m are looking forward to reading your new book about your very own home, what a treat it will be to peek in a few of your corners. Given your appreciation of so many gorgeous homes I have always been curious about your own abode and of course your no doubt lovely partner Lesley. Yippee, now I just need to cool my jets up here on Hornby until March, no problem.
Looking forward to your latest creation! Have enjoyed the other books you’ve published immensely. Builders of the Pacific Coast has been living on my nightstand of late. Thanks for the inspiration!
Judging this book by its cover,I can’t wait
Thank you so much for your wonderful work. Can’t wait to read this new book. Appreciate your values and your work. God bless and best wishes for the new year.