The term chapbook derives from the old English term, chapman, for merchant or peddler, plus book – thus, “seller of books”. In its original form, chapbook refers to a small book of ballads, poems, stories, or tracts. Extending into modern times, the chapbook is a perfect means to publish small, handcrafted, collectible artist’s books of poetry, prose, or art. I find that the chapbook is also an excellent means to present my photography.
My chapbooks contain from 4 to 12 pages of text and images, depending on the project. The pages are hand-sewn into a die-cut and de-bossed cover of heavy-weight archival paper. The chapbook pages are printed to the highest archival standards. Chapbooks are released as a collectible open edition and I will sign the Title page and sequentially number the edition on the Colophon page.
Like folios, chapbooks offer a memorable and tactile viewing experience where the viewer can directly handle a finely crafted work of art and delight in the textures, look, and feel of the printed page.
Vignettes
A Chapbook and ePublication Series
vi·gnette | \ vin-ˈyet , vēn-\
I will initially be producing my chapbooks, together with an ePublication (downloadable PDF file), as a dual-release series, entitled: Vignettes. I feel the interpretation of vignette as a short descriptive literary sketch, or a brief incident or scene, aptly applies to the short thematic content of the chapbook.
Publishing the chapbook series in two media types addresses different audiences – those who enjoy viewing a PDF digital download on computer or tablet device; and those who enjoy the tactile experience of handling and viewing a printed and bound fine art publication.
The ePublication is also a great compliment to the printed chapbook in that the PDF is not limited by physical pages and thus can include many bonus images.
