Glas: book

[Tobers]

Following hot on the heels of my first book, Skye At Night (TP project thread here) I am nearing completion of my second book called “Glas”. Glas is Scottish Gaelic for "grey".

Skye At Night has been far more successful than I imagined, selling over 1000 copies since launch less than a year ago and raising over £5000 for Skye Mountain Rescue.

Glas is a very different kettle of fish. It is also about the Isle of Skye, and is the culmination of seventeen years of photography on the island. It is a high-end large format photobook with over 200 pages of black and white photography in twelve themes, and a companion “Photography Index” containing information about all of the images in the book. It is much more “arty” than Skye At Night and visually describes the beauty, grandeur, and quirkiness of the Isle of Skye.

At the start of each chapter is an introduction from myself, and Gaelic poetry with English interpretations from renowned Gaelic poetry Rody Gorman. To help bring the photographs to light, the poetry expresses how Skye feels in words. Combined with the photographs it works very nicely indeed (even if I say so myself).

It is going to print shortly in very small numbers, and I thought I’d share the news with you all, my TP friends since years ago.

Annoyingly, my printer has just gone into administration so I now need to find another printer which really sucks. It’s just one of the many challenges of creating a book of any sort. I also need to sort out packaging, slip case manufacture, print sales and many other things before it goes on sale.

Some pics to follow in the next post…

 

[Tobers]

 

[Tobers]

Pre-orders for Glas are now open on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lens57/glas

This is a big learning process for me. I am using Kickstarter for the first time to benefit from the platform's global reach and the way it handles all the money for all-or-nothing campaigns like this one. It also lets me ensure I print the right number of copies. As a high end, large and luxurious book, with a short print run and every copy signed and numbered, it is priced accordingly yet still very competitive (ie cheaper) than similar epic publications.

For backers, they can be reassured that they won't pay anything unless the target (£5000) is reached, and they get the reassurance of the Kickstarter process and platform.

I'd love your feedback on the campaign itself on Kickstarter, including the video I made for it, and you'll be my best friend if you back the project and pre-order a First Edition.

 

[Tobers]

Kickstarter pre-order target hit already with 8 days still to go.

 

[Tobers]

Quick Friday update. I’m now at 111% funded which is great. I have given my printer, Page Bros in Norwich, the go ahead to start printing. I’ve been working on finalising the cover design, and next up will be creating the presentation slip case that the books will go into. I also need to get some postal packaging created as well, and I have a company ready to do that.

I am only creating 75 copies of Glas. I have no interest in mass sales. I want each owner to have something special and precious, and a great way to do that is to have only a few copies available. Out of those 75 copies, I will be keeping 10 for friends, family and journalists. 35 are spoken for on Kickstarter already, leaving 30 to sell independently. I don’t think I will have a problem even at £170.

This is a great project so far. Having the final product in my hand will be so satisfying. Having other people appreciate it will be even more satisfying.

 

[atrendall]

Looks fantastic, Tobers and can't wait to see my copy when it's printed. Really surprised all the first edition hasn't been snapped up yet.

 

[Tobers]

Thanks Adrian. I suspect some are waiting to see the finished article. I imagine they will all be gone by Christmas.

 

[Tobers]

And it's real. Here's the final production version of Glas, copy #1. Only 75 copies will ever exist, all signed, numbered and stamped. Well over half are already sold, and there are only 27 copies left which makes me very happy.

I just need to get the slipcases made, which is happening now. Then all the pre-orders for my Kickstarter backers and other early purchasers will be sent out, likely at the end of November just in time for Christmas.

Info, backstory and ordering at www.lens57.com/glas if you are intrigued.

 

[Tobers]

Glas had its first public outing today. No fancy schmancy book launch for me. Just a local Christmas craft fair here in Skye. Keeping it real.

With only 22 books left from the strictly limited print run of 75 (pre-orders and Kickstarter backers have snapped up the others), I was delighted to do the “reveal” and make sales at a very un-craft-fair-like price of £170.

Complete with handmade slipcases, Glas looks absolutely gorgeous. And I even have branded tote bags to put them in as well.

I also have a whole set of greeting cards and mounted prints which sold really well too. Happy days!

 

[Tobers]

Things are going very nicely. Only 8 copies of Glas are left, with orders coming from all around the world. Bloody brilliant.

I am particularly chuffed with the reviews & feedback I am receiving. I’ll collate everything I’ve received and post it up - I’m waiting for another review to be published in a few days.