SPRING BEAR a novella — literary fiction, pod design
Robin Brooks at The Beauty of Books worked with Betsy Connor Bowen on her novella, SPRING BEAR. Betsy came to The Beauty of Books for pod design before utilizing print on demand printer Lightning Source International. By using pod design along with pod printing, Betsy was able to get the quality of book design that she wanted while keeping her printing costs to a minimum. She wanted her book to look and feel like literary fiction, which the book absolutely is. Betsy's writing is breathtaking.
In Evvie Mallow, author Betsy Connor Bowen has created a contemporary classic. Born and raised in the Maine woods, her family disintegrating around her, Evvie is caught in a conflict between irreconcilable forces – the instinct to protect her unborn child and the freedom to choose a life for herself. With dignity and grace, she keeps a Yankee silence about her own acts of courage and self-sacrifice. Told in a style that befits its heroine, SPRING BEAR unfolds with the eloquence of the seasons. This slender book will take its place among the timeless tales that enrich our imaginations.
SPRING BEAR a novella, a literary fiction pod design, is 5" wide and 7" tall.
Betsy says of working with The Beauty of Books:
I am a writer and a first-time publisher of my own work. I am writing to say that I could not have found a better ally than Robin Brooks in putting my work out there with its best foot forward. What she brings to her calling are not only her artistic skills as a designer and technical knowledge of book production, but (most importantly for me) the ability as a human being to relate to someone who has something to say but isn't sure how to say it. That skill is priceless. It came across on many occasions during our work, but here are a few:
1. She figured out how my book ought to look so that the look can become a part of its true meaning. She even intuited the ideas I was influenced by when I was writing it and let those come through in the design! She is truly amazing that way, somebody I'll never forget.
2. She knew when to suggest something I was not seeing. She delicately let me know she preferred a subtler cover, although she somehow managed never to let me feel it wasn't my book and I wasn't in charge.
3. Ditto on other aspects of the process, like making sure I had a good copy editor go over it. I know I will be happy with the end result and not have to kick myself for not taking the time to make it perfect.
4. She is a delight to work with. I learn from her and she even learns from me! In this world of publishing now it pays to be flexible and keep on the lookout for a better way. She is that kind of person. She knows how to learn from experience and will bring to your project that rare and unusual combination of solid know-how and openness to new ideas.
5. She has vision. Her heart is in the right place and that helps you believe in your message and not shortchange your ideals.
I have learned to be a more professional writer from Robin. I now understand how to make a book, not just a manuscript, and the book is the true goal of my writing. I have new and better plans for my next book. It isn't easy competing with the many books constantly being written to get your own heard, but at least it isn't necessary to do it alone. I am so glad I found Robin!
— Betsy Connor Bowen, author of SPRING BEAR, a novella
