After 3 years, I am excited to announce that I have finally given birth to my first bouncing baby book (not such a baby at over 300 pages) on Carving the Acanthus Leaf. It was an agonizingly long gestation period, but don’t they say you forget about the pain, once the child is born? Odd, but true. The long nights, the focus, the red eyes, the trying to figure out how to describe something in words that is nearly impossible to explain, the edits, the edits of the edits, and then the edits of the edited edits… and then the final edits. Oh… and probably a few more edits after that – I can now sit back and watch as my baby gasps for air and is introduced to the world.
I remember when I first started this book writing process, I asked Roy Underhill if he could share some wisdom and advice on book writing. He explained that “Writing is 10%, and editing is 90%”. I had a difficult time understanding that at the time, but now it all makes sense. That will be the same advice I give to aspiring book writers.
The book is at the printers now and is due out mid to late November. It is now available for pre-order through Lost Art Press. Here is a direct link to the book sales page: Carving the Acanthus Leaf. As a bonus to preordering, you will receive a pdf file of the entire book that you can view immediately.
You can read a recent blog post with all the details by Christopher Schwarz of Lost Art Press. He and his team of editors and designers have been great to work with – and so patient.
Please note: video lessons that go along with the chapters in my book will be available on my website (http://www.marymaycarving.com) once the book is printed in November. These will not be part of my online carving school, but will be available for separate purchase. I’m still working on finishing these up.
And now I will rest… by getting back into my workshop and carve more acanthus leaves!
Thanks for your patience, everyone! It’s an exciting day! It will be even more exciting when I have the printed book in my hand.
Yeah! Ordered immediately. Thanks for making the PDF available.
You’re welcome! Enjoy the read!
Congratulations! I’m looking forward to getting my copy. How do I get a signed copy or have my copy signed by the you, the author?
Hi Tom,
Thank you! You can either mail it to me along with the cost of shipping it back to you, or you can mail me a self-addressed, stamped envelope and I can send a signed sticker (not quite as nice, but it works).
Looking forward in sharing your excitement in this new book. My best wishes in selling bundles of books.
Thank you!
I immediately downloaded the book. It looks glorious and has all the wonderment of carving and woodworking. I look forward to feeling the hardcover version in my hands. Thank you for sharing your insight and experience with all of us. Nice job!. You deserve to celebrate and must do so.
Larry
Thanks! Enjoy!
Great to hear the book will be available soon. Do you have any idea of when the separate set of videos related to the book will be available?
They will be available for separate purchase once the printed book is out – mid or late November. Still have a lot of editing to do. I work well under pressure 🙂