Messy and earnest
Whew. I had lots of unexpected feelings as I cleaned out my office storeroom today. I was not prepared for the rush of emotions I’d feel at seeing early drafts of Marcel’s Letters.
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What I learned by watching the same movie every night for three weeks
Elizabeth Reaser as Inge and Tim Guinee as Olaf in Ali Selim’s SWEET LAND. Photo: David Tumblety
Let me begin with the why: why in the world would I watch the same movie every night for three weeks? READ MORE
Q & A with Mamta Chaudhry, author of Haunting Paris
When an author writes a book proposal, they often invent profiles of prospective readers; the purpose is to help a publisher envision what type of reader might buy that book. When I first heard about Mamta Chaudhry’s forthcoming novel, HAUNTING PARIS, it felt as if my picture should have been used in her book proposal. The book checks off just about every topic I could ask for: Paris? Check. An old, handwritten letter? Check. WWII? Check! A compelling history-mystery? CHECK!
May 9, 2019
In
Handwriting, Writing
Handwriting Writing Prompt
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!
December 2, 2018
In
History, Publishing, Writing
“Is ‘Marcel’s Letters’ a good book for my teen?”
I heard this question from three different parents at an event last week. My answer is generally an unequivocal “no.”READ MORE
Marcel’s Letters is awarded a gold medal by the Military Writers Society of America
Members of The Military Writers Society of America gathered in Charleston, South Carolina November 8–11, 2018 for their annual conference and awards banquet.READ MORE
Page 135: Meet my “always-sunny” client
Early in the editing process of Marcel’s Letters I was given a rule by my developmental editor: people only got a name if they “walked on stage” more than once.READ MORE
October 11, 2018
In
Books, Gratitude, Publishing, Writing
Thank you Fox Cities Book Festival!
On Monday, October 8 I had the honor of giving two presentation during the Fox Cities Book Festival. READ MORE
October 10, 2018
In
Handwriting, Love, Writing
Poem: Letters Written in Longhand
I had the honor of meeting Kay N. Sanders a couple of days ago at the Fox Cities Book Festival. She mentioned this poem, and I’m delighted she has allowed me to post it here. I hope you are touched by Kay’s reflection on her mother’s handwriting.
April 13, 2018
In
Books, Publishing, Writing
Marcel’s Letters is awarded a Gold IPPY
This week I learned Marcel’s Letters was awarded a gold medal in the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards (the book tied with Armand Merizon: His Life and Art 1920-2010, by Muriel Zandstra).
April 4, 2018
In
France, Typography, Writing
In Praise of Colophons
In Praise of Colophons
Just when I think I’m finished reading my book,
I turn the last page and find that the lettering
of this softened paperback was first cut
by a monk in 1739, just off the Northern coast
of France. How delightful, this production
by the sea——no talking, only the small splashes
of wave against rock, a plover’s squawk,
the metal plink of each letter into the carriage.
March 27, 2018
In
Writing
Fuck, Yeah!
I recently received several lovely emails from readers of Marcel’s Letters. Their thoughtful messages noted how they couldn’t put the book down or how they, too, “fell deeply in love with Marcel, his family, and the font.” Emails like that make my heart swell until it feels like it could burst.
After I shared these messages with my husband, Aaron, we joked it was only a matter of time before I would receive a letter or email that contained an opposite sentiment. READ MORE
Military Writers Society of America Book Review
This is Ms. Porter’s story as well as Marcel’s. She tells it honestly and with deep emotion. She manages to balance the several strands of her adventures—the history lessons, the details of creating a font, the inner workings of her marriage, and the clues that point to the eventual outcomes. The reader will rejoice with her when things go well and cry with her when she faces discouragement. It’s a great story.
– Carolyn Schriber, Military Writers Society of America
PolitiChicks Book Review
This book captured me from the beginning. I loved Carolyn’s forthright writing style; it was as though she were sitting in my living room talking to me. When Carolyn was thinking about Marcel and his loved ones, I was thinking about Marcel and his loved ones. When she was anxious, I was anxious; when she celebrated, I celebrated. This was a beautiful book, and I highly recommend it. In fact, I’m gifting it for Christmas.
– Abigail Adams, PolitiChicks
WeMentor, Inc. Podcast
A couple of months ago I met Nancy Meyer, founder of WeMentor, a company that offers programs and services for entrepreneurial leadership development. Once she read the book and discovered I was a freelance designer, Nancy invited me to be part of her podcast interview series, “WeMentor Mondays with Nancy.” This weekly podcast series, which now includes more than 100 episodes, is a collection of conversations with entrepreneurs regarding journeys of self-mastery, leadership and life success. READ MORE
Midwest Book Review
An absolutely engaging and inherently fascinating read from first page to last, Marcel's Letters: A Font and the Search for One Man's Fate is an extraordinary story—one that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book it finished and set back upon the shelf. ... Unreservedly recommended, especially for community and academic library collections...
– Julie Summers, Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
May 21, 2017
In
Books, Publishing, Writing
You would think signing the damn thing would be easy
I received a shipment of eight books from the publisher. All but one of those books will be mailed to members of the Heuzé family in France.
Since everything about publishing is new to me, I had to research how to sign a book. READ MORE
The Making of Marcel’s Letters
Recently I was interviewed by book development editor Jill Swenson. It was a delightful interview with questions about music and typography and legal issues. You can check it out here.
January 23, 2017
In
Business, Craft, Publishing, Typography, Writing
So, which is more difficult: Designing a font or writing a book?
The question was posed as a curiosity, and I speculate the person who asked expected that after hemming and hawing for a polite amount of time, I’d provide some kind of easy, definitive answer.READ MORE
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