on Making Books
Edited by Dale Going
Em Press &
San Francisco
Center for the Book
1997
19 p., 8.5 x 8.5
Colophon
Monotype Centaur digital type set in Pagemaker on a Macintosh, laser printed on Strathmore paper and sewn into petal-infused handmade paper covers with a Japanese stab stitch binding.
The foldings of a book…have an almost religious significance…Of what avail is that extraordinary addition of foldings (like wings in repose, ready to fly forth again) which constitutes its rhythm and the chief reason for the secret contained in its pages? Of what avail the priceless silence living there, and evocative symbols following in its wake, to delight the mind which literature has totally delivered?
Yes, were it not for the folding of the paper and the depths thereby established, that darkness scattered bout in the form of black characters could not rise and issue forth in gleams of mystery from the page to which we are about to turn.
– Stéphane Mallarmé, “The Book: A Spiritual Instrument”
One of 17 quotations by poets and printers on the art of making books. Edited, designed and printed by Dale Going of Em Press and constructed by participants in the workshop, “Chapbooks for Poets” at the San Francisco Center for the Book.
CHAPBOOKS FOR POETS with Dale Going
San Francisco Center for the Book
1 Day Workshop, 1997-99
Here is the information you'll need to make your own one-of-a-kind or edition chapbooks for poetry or short fiction. We will discuss the cross-influences of writing and bookmaking, design, aesthetics, techniques, materials and tools, look at examples, and construct three basic book structures. Source lists will be provided. Bring two copies of work you'd like to produce for discussion of your specific project.
Student Work
Lisa Rappaport
Robin Caton