When you work on a book it evolves over time. This book began in paintings made over years. Tweets around this time of year grew into a lullaby thread. I hadn't wanted to do an 'advent calendar', not being a fan of Christmas ( though I am thinking of doing a reverse one- that moves away from Christmas day to a place of safety where false jollity fades and light returns to the world).
Along the way an idea formed. I meet many people who tell me they have taken up their pencils again, paint, pen, begun to write, paint, stitch as a result of something I have said, or done. This one is for them, whatever age. So, let me try to tell you what The Silent Unwinding is....first, read this photograph....
It took some explaining to Unbound, but I am so glad they have allowed this to happen. At it's most basic this is what happens. All of The Unwinding first edition is printed. Then the black plate that carries the text is removed ( this is what happens fro co-editions and then the next language is inserted, designed) and a new batch of the books are printed. This time where there was text, now there is space. So imagine this, click on the image to make it bigger:
Now, in your mind's eye, imagine the words gone.
See the space.
This now is yours. Like a colouring in book, but for writers...... you can fill this space with your own version of the story that the image, that sings to your soul, or continue the moths, the birds, fill the space with vines and twine them around who ever. It's like a luxurious notebook, though one that someone has already drawn in.
Notebooks are always hard to break into. I have different ones for different things and am learning not to be precious, to write in the drawing books and draw in the writing books, not ever to worry when stories peter out, wander off, just write. So, this is my hope. And if you pledge for The Silent Unwinding then my hope is that there will be a # that we can share, to build a community of scrapbookers, diarists, writers, doodlers who will share on social media.
On 7th December Number Seven will release their idea for the book launch into a wider world. Sign up to their newsletter now if you want advance knowledge of this... we are hoping it will be good and there will be time to play with copies of The Silent Unwinding.
Light is fading from the day. I'm working on another book at the moment, but waiting to see what else Alison has made to happen with my words and images. Timings are tight both for the deadline of the book I am working on and fo rthe Unwinding as we wish to publish in May. I need to see the sunset on the beach. Today I walked at the airfield where there are small flocks of birds. The fire is burning downstairs in the stove and the cats are gathering in the warm in a cwtch.
I hope you like the idea of The Silent Unwinding. I hope I have explained it well enough. It will be the same size as The Unwinding, which is small, portable. Maybe it will have a ribbon. I'm not sure yet.
You can increase your pledge level to add this, or simply buy copies of The Silent Unwinding. If you've questions about the mechanics of ordering you need to talk to Unbound's support staff. There's also info here. And if you have questions about the book, in either of its forms then leave me a message. I will try to check back and see what's happening. Fingers crossed that you like this idea. Sorry it couldn't be ready for Christmas. But then a book is for life, not just for Christmas.
Oh and we call it The Silent Unwinding because our hope is that the stories and layout without the words will play through your dreams like a silent movie.