The Unwinding is in the stage now that is known as 'final designs'. Alison has been working so hard. The text has been copy edited. Pdfs of the document have been winging their way through the virtual labyrinth of the web. Revisions have been made. It's almost there for sign off and print and the publication date is 17th September BUT those who have pledged for it not only get listed in the index of supporter's names, but also get delivery of their book in June/July ( it is usual for supporters to get their books two months before they hit the shops, and this will also be the special edition).
10.30 last night I was chatting to Lizzie who has been project managing the book, about cover, title, cloth, header bands, ribbon. Meanwhile among the edits Alison had worked on a wonderful setting of the blessing at the end of the book.
I do love what she has done with this, and want to make cards of this and the badger at the front of the book.
Along with The Unwinding, Unbound are re-issuing The Song of the Golden Hare and the jacket for this has undergone a redesign also.
Really looking forward to having this back in print again, and I do love what they have done with the type.
So, if you know anyone who wishes to come on board with us tell them to get a shimmy on as the doors close on 16th February for inclusion in the list of supporters. If you are an independent bookshop and wish to have the book for sale in special edition two months before it hits the shelves of the chainstores and Amazon then there's a way for you to pledge by emailing Unbound.
I've also been working hard this week to finish the interior artwork for The Lost Spells, written by Robert Macfarlane ( The Lost Words exhibition opens at The Sill in Northumbria this evening) Almost there with that and each page is harder than the last.
I bought a beautiful stone from Jo Sweeting who has a wonderful project underway called The Foundle Project.
I've been out walking, watching the flocks of starlings and lapwing at the airfield. It is almost time to immerse myself again in the shape of birds. The gorse is flowering. The air is unreasonably warm, then cold. Sunsets have been amazing. I took a stone for a walk, left it in a tree.
And also this week I rediscovered one of my favourite covers, by Pauline Baynes, for Watership Down. As covers go it is just perfect.
Almost there now.
And what, then, comes next, I wonder.