More than 100 years ago, three thinkers imagined what a utopian future might look like in the year 2000. Now, their novels are available as a collectible set.
Congrats. Though I must say I was hoping the new thing would be your original writing.
Also I feel like the word “collectibles” has been tainted by the crypto grifters and we must pick a different word now, sadly. But maybe that’s just me?? I mean, clearly you don’t see it that way.
That’s true! The crypto word baggage will dissipate for sure over time.
Was thinking about your novel writing vs fiction writing schedule. Do you find it’s hard to get back into the fiction? I also write in both genres, but if I go more than a few days without touching the novel, it really slows me down as then I have to review more what I’ve already written. Does this happen to you?
Yes, to some extent. But my nonfiction work is very much worldbuilding for my novel so that helps. I also have a belief that some of the knots I’m struggling with in my novel’s plot/philosophy are going to unravel once I get to Asia and I’m promising to gift myself a couple weeks where I only write fiction while I’m there! A couple good chunks will help for sure!
Oh amazing! We'll miss you because we're trying to avoid winter haha. We're heading to Singapore mid Oct, then traveling around Southeast Asia until December, then New Zealand and the islands for Jan-Feb, China in March-April, and Japan April to May!
Wow!! What an incredible schedule! Love that you’re taking us along with you too! I’m sure hitting Japan in cherry blossom season is great.
I’ve been before in December and Jan, and love that it’s a low tourist time, and festive with Christmas lights, plus I wanted to take my parents to see the snow monkeys before they’re too old to manage such a trip.
What an interesting idea. I hadn't heard of these books, but I was intrigued by the three different views you had described. I popped into Gutenberg to check them out - interesting, all three. The site is a great resource, I use it for the 'classics' I read from in my podcast. Looking forward to seeing your collection come out.
However, at almost $300, way beyond my budget. Sorry.
Delusions of the (unmet)Socialist Utopia die so slowly in some of the sadly indoctrinated. Failure to force flatten the natural heirarchy of ability and merit happens over and over worldwide. For those corrupted by power and money at the end of the, ahem, rainbow.
I do not think the socialist path is the one we should move forward with, we’ve learned a lot since these three novels were written! But I think it’s worth studying all models as we determine which ones might work best in the future.
I'm always interested in new tech, and new production and distribution channels. Thank you for introducing the Metalabel construct to me. I do wish they would hire an editor (or convince an editor to contribute) for their FAQ though. Doesn't matter if you are incompetent or look incompetent, both look the same to the public.
The book design is minimalist and beautiful. I can't help wondering though why so much time was spent on the fonts/drop cap if the book were going to commit the cardinal typesetting sin of a ragged right margin. Why would you do this in a book?
Ragged right margins are def a cardinal sin in books. Makes the reading more difficult for most readers. That's not my opinion. Ask any professional typesetter. Ask any qualified editor.
It's fair to call the sin an artistic choice. You'll get no argument from me. Still a cardinal sin though. 🌹😇
Oh dear so so beautiful. Love all three of them but my fave is "Looking Backward". Blew my mind! Alas book budget for September is already SPENT. I can't do it! MY WIFE WILL FILE FOR DIVORCE ... and then she would sue me to get these beauties hihihi ;)
The price is steep but VERY fair. Self-employed artist here says "can't do atm" but more power to you for making beautiful objects that hold real meaning! As a Marxist I completely approve!
I so relate to this inner struggle every month! There are so many beautiful books out there that I would love to add to my library but can't or I would go broke! I wish I could make these less expensive but these ones are very expensive to print. I appreciate the appreciation though, thank you so much! These ones were fun to design!
Love the design! News from Nowhere does sound a bit like the utopia some thinkers are envisioning for a future with AI... but all three sound very thought-provoking. Herland could be a videogame, judging just from the pink castles & peaceful forest imagery...
Sadly, the offering is out of my price range as well but I appreciate your idea of beautiful high-quality editions. It really makes you feel that utopia is modern & fun to think about!
It's interesting to note that in of those books, Utopia was only achieved at the loss of humanity.
The last book would never happen. A world without men would die a hard death because modern women don't want to do the dirty jobs of infrastructure management and repair.
The first book could be about modern-day New York.
I'm not sure what you mean about that first point, and I'm not sure I even want to get into your second point but.... there are plenty of women who work in infrastructure management and repair. I interviewed several of them for my blue-collar piece if you're interested: https://www.elysian.press/p/blue-collar-jobs-are-the-best
What an incredible gathering and object! Sadly quite far out of my price range at this point in life but still wanted to thank you for bringing these to us. The creative direction and design are marvelous.
I hope to see these in my personal library one day.
Yes, I very much wish I could sell them for less, unfortunately quality printing for small projects is still very expensive. I have some less premium projects in the works though that won't be quite so expensive to print!
Please don't justify the price point, it's totally worth it! It IS a collectible. I was not complaining, I just wished them and I could live in the same reality that is all ;) I am looking foward to read more from you, your discoveries and the upcoming projects.
I feel like my whole career is the tension between "I want to make all of my art free!" and "I want to be paid as an artist!" It really is a struggle, but I so appreciate the vote of confidence nonetheless. And I do hope to offer at least an ebook version for much, much less!
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my comment. I went to Edition One's website and saw the very many high-quality options they offer for book production; which are very expensive. I only puchase hardcover books to keep on my shelves; however, a hardcover edition of your set would have increased your costs significantly at Edition One. I understand you wanting to appeal to as many people as possible; thus your choices. Graphic design and layout/formatting are part of the costs to publish any book. I use Ingram Content Group who produce high quality hardcover books, as well as softcover, although without the gold stamping. Your printing costs through Ingram would have cost less than $100.00 per set, and got you international distribution in addition to being able to order books from them to be sold through your own website. I do not work for Ingram; I'm just pleased with the quality of the book they produced for me. I do hope your set finds its audience.
Wow! I didn't know that people from the past will look so far. Something like Julius Vern?
Very good that you are publishing this.
Congrats. Though I must say I was hoping the new thing would be your original writing.
Also I feel like the word “collectibles” has been tainted by the crypto grifters and we must pick a different word now, sadly. But maybe that’s just me?? I mean, clearly you don’t see it that way.
Anyone else?
Original writing is coming. But it's slow! 😆 I don't know about crypto grifters but it's still very much a term used in the book world too!
That’s true! The crypto word baggage will dissipate for sure over time.
Was thinking about your novel writing vs fiction writing schedule. Do you find it’s hard to get back into the fiction? I also write in both genres, but if I go more than a few days without touching the novel, it really slows me down as then I have to review more what I’ve already written. Does this happen to you?
Yes, to some extent. But my nonfiction work is very much worldbuilding for my novel so that helps. I also have a belief that some of the knots I’m struggling with in my novel’s plot/philosophy are going to unravel once I get to Asia and I’m promising to gift myself a couple weeks where I only write fiction while I’m there! A couple good chunks will help for sure!
That sounds awesome! Where are you traveling in Asia and for how long? I might go to Japan for Christmas.
Oh amazing! We'll miss you because we're trying to avoid winter haha. We're heading to Singapore mid Oct, then traveling around Southeast Asia until December, then New Zealand and the islands for Jan-Feb, China in March-April, and Japan April to May!
Wow!! What an incredible schedule! Love that you’re taking us along with you too! I’m sure hitting Japan in cherry blossom season is great.
I’ve been before in December and Jan, and love that it’s a low tourist time, and festive with Christmas lights, plus I wanted to take my parents to see the snow monkeys before they’re too old to manage such a trip.
Which country are you most excited for?
What an interesting idea. I hadn't heard of these books, but I was intrigued by the three different views you had described. I popped into Gutenberg to check them out - interesting, all three. The site is a great resource, I use it for the 'classics' I read from in my podcast. Looking forward to seeing your collection come out.
However, at almost $300, way beyond my budget. Sorry.
Delusions of the (unmet)Socialist Utopia die so slowly in some of the sadly indoctrinated. Failure to force flatten the natural heirarchy of ability and merit happens over and over worldwide. For those corrupted by power and money at the end of the, ahem, rainbow.
I do not think the socialist path is the one we should move forward with, we’ve learned a lot since these three novels were written! But I think it’s worth studying all models as we determine which ones might work best in the future.
Very Cool!
I'm always interested in new tech, and new production and distribution channels. Thank you for introducing the Metalabel construct to me. I do wish they would hire an editor (or convince an editor to contribute) for their FAQ though. Doesn't matter if you are incompetent or look incompetent, both look the same to the public.
The book design is minimalist and beautiful. I can't help wondering though why so much time was spent on the fonts/drop cap if the book were going to commit the cardinal typesetting sin of a ragged right margin. Why would you do this in a book?
I just thought it looked nicer with this particular font. It’s not a cardinal sin, just an artistic choice. ☺️
Ragged right margins are def a cardinal sin in books. Makes the reading more difficult for most readers. That's not my opinion. Ask any professional typesetter. Ask any qualified editor.
It's fair to call the sin an artistic choice. You'll get no argument from me. Still a cardinal sin though. 🌹😇
Oh dear so so beautiful. Love all three of them but my fave is "Looking Backward". Blew my mind! Alas book budget for September is already SPENT. I can't do it! MY WIFE WILL FILE FOR DIVORCE ... and then she would sue me to get these beauties hihihi ;)
ah damnit i might as well reserve them ... and YES, as a man I agree with Charlotte Perkins = the world probably better with a lot less of us!
The price is steep but VERY fair. Self-employed artist here says "can't do atm" but more power to you for making beautiful objects that hold real meaning! As a Marxist I completely approve!
I so relate to this inner struggle every month! There are so many beautiful books out there that I would love to add to my library but can't or I would go broke! I wish I could make these less expensive but these ones are very expensive to print. I appreciate the appreciation though, thank you so much! These ones were fun to design!
Like I say totally fair price. Damn just missed my BDay where my dad gave me a pricey Marlen Haushofer complete edition = NEXT TIME I AM IN!!!
This is stunning! Congratulations, it’s a thoughtful and beautiful design.
Thank you!!!!!
Agreed
Love the design! News from Nowhere does sound a bit like the utopia some thinkers are envisioning for a future with AI... but all three sound very thought-provoking. Herland could be a videogame, judging just from the pink castles & peaceful forest imagery...
Sadly, the offering is out of my price range as well but I appreciate your idea of beautiful high-quality editions. It really makes you feel that utopia is modern & fun to think about!
Oh yes totally. And I could see Herland as a videogame! That would be so cool!!!!!!
Thanks so much for the kind words Vanessa, these were fun ones to design!
I can imagine!
To be honest, it just reminds me of this one game... called I Was A Teenage Exocolonist. Beautiful watercolour-style art.
Oh interesting, I’ll have to take a peek
It's interesting to note that in of those books, Utopia was only achieved at the loss of humanity.
The last book would never happen. A world without men would die a hard death because modern women don't want to do the dirty jobs of infrastructure management and repair.
The first book could be about modern-day New York.
I'm not sure what you mean about that first point, and I'm not sure I even want to get into your second point but.... there are plenty of women who work in infrastructure management and repair. I interviewed several of them for my blue-collar piece if you're interested: https://www.elysian.press/p/blue-collar-jobs-are-the-best
What an incredible gathering and object! Sadly quite far out of my price range at this point in life but still wanted to thank you for bringing these to us. The creative direction and design are marvelous.
I hope to see these in my personal library one day.
Yes, I very much wish I could sell them for less, unfortunately quality printing for small projects is still very expensive. I have some less premium projects in the works though that won't be quite so expensive to print!
Please don't justify the price point, it's totally worth it! It IS a collectible. I was not complaining, I just wished them and I could live in the same reality that is all ;) I am looking foward to read more from you, your discoveries and the upcoming projects.
I feel like my whole career is the tension between "I want to make all of my art free!" and "I want to be paid as an artist!" It really is a struggle, but I so appreciate the vote of confidence nonetheless. And I do hope to offer at least an ebook version for much, much less!
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my comment. I went to Edition One's website and saw the very many high-quality options they offer for book production; which are very expensive. I only puchase hardcover books to keep on my shelves; however, a hardcover edition of your set would have increased your costs significantly at Edition One. I understand you wanting to appeal to as many people as possible; thus your choices. Graphic design and layout/formatting are part of the costs to publish any book. I use Ingram Content Group who produce high quality hardcover books, as well as softcover, although without the gold stamping. Your printing costs through Ingram would have cost less than $100.00 per set, and got you international distribution in addition to being able to order books from them to be sold through your own website. I do not work for Ingram; I'm just pleased with the quality of the book they produced for me. I do hope your set finds its audience.