Ah, it is always a bit of a relief when you send a book to print, although you then spend days (weeks) worrying that you have missed something or that something will go wrong, and that you won’t find out until the books/pamphlets arrive and you are surrounded by cardboard boxes and a mouth full of ashes.
So it was grand yesterday to actually send the first TEN of the remaining Sticklebacks off to the printer, but equally a bit worrying until they turn-up at the right address, in the right format, and with the right words in the right covers.
That in particular worries me, sending so many jobs to print at the same time is almost begging for trouble, so why do it? Surely it is better to do one at a time?
In truth, I would rather do it that way, but one of the ways I have cut print costs at Hedgehog in recent times is to piggyback print jobs of the same size, as the printers give discounts.
So as long as I ask them to print publications of the same size, page count and everything else, and have the same number of each printed – they give me a discount on the overall cost.
For instance, printing ten at once is the same cost as printing seven individual jobs, so it is worth the extra effort, admin and worry when it works. But not a little stressfilled until you know that it has.
Money of course is always a problem for all wee presses, and even with my piggybacking-shenanigans, the Sticklebacks I am printing today cost 3-4 times as much as the first ones I released into the world a few years ago. It is the same for all of the pamphlets and books too, print prices were already rising pre-Brexit, but since it – wow.
And don’t get me started on the lack of choice of papers these days *sniff* :)
But this is a happy day not a whingefest and hopefully the poets will have their Sticklebacks in a week or two and you will be able to buy copies from them and read their frankly brilliant words.
There is definitely gold in those wee fishes and all the the angst will disappear and be forgotten here too as the pride takes over that maybe I did something good for once.
Anyway, today I have been mostly listening to the Housemartins debut album and as usual getting all Emo when I hear Flag Day.
Toodle pip
Not something good that’s 10 good things. Time for a cup of tea and a biscuit!
Too true :)
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Thank you, Mark, for everything you do. I’m excited that my next collection will be appearing sometime soon, along with lots of little Sticklebacks and other exciting publications.
We hoglets really appreciate all that time and effort you put into it, Mark. Thank you.
Excited that my little stickleback will be with me soon. :)
Ah, it is really nice to be doing these things at last Tricia – and so much more to come. I can’t wait to see them too, mind. There is a beauty in the Sticklebacks, so simple but everybody does something completely different with not a lot of room. I’ve really loved them.
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