Carolyn Porter | Carolyn Porter: Blog
Learn more about the book "Marcel's Letters" and the font P22 Marcel Script, which is based on the handwriting of conscripted WWII laborer Marcel Heuzé
Carolyn Porter, Marcel Heuzé, Marcel's Letters, Graphic Design, Font Design, P22 Marcel Script
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May 9, 2019

Handwriting Writing Prompt

Undated envelope with beautiful handwriting expressing disappointment (subject of disappointment unknown)

I found this delightful, mystery-filled handwriting sample on eBay for just a few dollars. I love the loopy handwriting, the flourished initial letters, and the extra-long cross bars on the t’s. Most of all, I love the sternness of the note. I’m dying to know what was so unworthy! The note was written on the front of the envelope; unfortunately the envelope doesn’t include any other clues.

It struck me as a fantastic writing prompt. What do you think was such a failure and that was so “untrustworthy” that it required courage to send? Do tell!

April 1, 2019

April 1, 1944: Furlough is coming near

Handwritten WWII postcard, written in French, with hand-drawn fish basket and Lily of the Valley

Lafond–La Rochelle
April 1, 1944

Dear Mom,

Yesterday there was beautiful sunshine and today, for April Fish, we have grey weather and fine rain. Tomorrow night Gaston will take the train, and after tomorrow noon he will go see you for sure. It seems to me you come back at noon or 12:30.READ MORE

March 9, 2019

“What’s the name of your new dog?”

I’ve met with enough book clubs to anticipate the questions readers have about Marcel’s Letters: A Font and the Search for One Man’s Fate. One question that has come up time and time again is, “what’s the name of your new dog?”

A woman at a book club in Stillwater has been the only one to ask the harder question: “why didn’t you tell us his name?” The book included so much detail, she explained, the absence of his name seemed unusual. She didn’t believe it was an oversight. When I learned the woman was a judge, her question made more sense. She may often ponder motives behind people’s actions.

So, I thought it was time to tell you why I didn’t include Watson’s name in the book.READ MORE

January 28, 2019

Marcel’s Letters is now being distributed by Simon & Schuster

I will confess I don’t know the in’s and out’s of book sales/distribution. But I learned that as of January 1, the distribution of Skyhorse Publishing’s catalog, including Marcel’s Letters, changed from Perseus to Simon & Schuster and inventory was transferred to Simon & Schuster’s warehouse.

It isn’t clear how this change was communicated to booksellers, and I’ve heard rumblings there is a perception the book is unavailable. If you are a bookseller and are experiencing issues finding the book, please let me know!

December 31, 2018

A year-end note of gratitude

Between attending twenty book clubs, giving two dozen public and private presentations on the font and French forced labor, reuniting with my Kindergarten teacher (she’s wearing a black turtleneck in the photo collage below), being on live television and radio, driving more than 2,500 miles to meet readers, participating in a book festival and an author fashion show (who me?!), hearing from a reader who knew Marcel, having the book come out in softcover, and returning to Paris to spend a day with Marcel’s family, 2018 has been a whirlwind of a year.READ MORE