Publishing your own book.
What a joy it is to guide you, the author, in publishing your own book. Robin Brooks of The Beauty of Books holds this precious responsibility and pleasure, of being able to work with authors and personal historians in this absolutely glorious work. It is the work of listening to the voice of a writer, of tuning in to the words written, of accessing intuitively the design that will most honor that voice and its message.
Not only is it about the voice, though. It is also about the person who speaks. The personality that unfolds as time proceeds over the length and breadth of the author/publisher relationship. The idiosyncracies, the give and take between you – the one sharing yourself with others – and the other – your guide in this work, this publishing of your own book. The relationship is so rewarding and not lightly entered into.
The first testimonial is by Betsy Connor Bowen, the author of SPRING BEAR a novella. Betsy says:
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
Mary Littlefield was the personal historian for Joseph E. Corcoran's book Wasn't That a Time! A Corcoran Family Memoir: 1925-1950. This is a family history that crosses many generations, focusing on the Great Depression and the second World War.
Mary says of her work with Robin:
I have worked closely with many book designers over the years, but it was not until I found Robin Brooks of The Beauty of Books that I felt a true sense of trust. First of all, I know I can trust Robin's design skills absolutely. She is an extraordinary designer. But I also know I can trust Robin to be my partner throughout the process. She respects and encourages my ideas, accommodates my client's needs, and goes above and beyond the call of duty in terms of meeting schedule — all while calmly insisting on the best quality throughout. I finally have found a designer with whom I can create the wonderful books I could only dream of previously. It means the world to me and to my clients.
— Mary Littlefield, Storylines, APH member
Sometimes the thought of publishing your own book comes upon you when you lease expect it. Rachel Cohn-Rottenberg wrote A Sense of Place: A Story of the Williams Family Farm after spending countless joy-filled hours with Francis Williams. Initially, Rachel had gone to help an elderly man who was lonely and in need of extra care. She ended up learning lessons about living, some of which she came to incorporate into her own life. The experience moved her so much, she was drawn to share these lessons in a book.
Rachel says about working with Robin:
Robin is a talented artist. She entered into the spirit of my book and helped me to create an aesthetically beautiful piece of work. Throughout the project, she was conscientious about every detail and communicated her ideas in a friendly and professional way. It was a pleasure to work with her.
— Rachel Cohn-Rottenberg
The Beauty of Books designed the cover and interior for Love Incarnate: "I have come to tell a story of love." It was channeled and written by Robin's twin sister, Leslie Brooks. Publishing your own book can be overwhelming at times, like anything that you do for the first time. But the process for both sisters was so beautiful with this book. The book itself is profoundly illuminating.
Leslie writes of the process:
The moment came when I began to feel that my book was real and ready to publish. Even though I looked into it, I couldn’t stand the idea of going with a canned self-publishing company. I KNEW there was only one person whom I could completely trust to design my book exactly how I saw it in my mind's eye. That person just happened to be my twin sister, Robin.
I am a newly published author and very ignorant about the process. Robin was very patient, professional, and helpful in working with me.
She knew exactly what size the book should be, what format and fonts to use. I loved her first design. It was perfect!
My book is so beautiful that every time I pick it up, I stroke the cover. When I open it, the design is so silently beautiful and nonintrusive, the message is revealed. I can't thank her enough.
— Leslie Brooks
The capability for Robin to work with you in publishing your own book did not come overnight. Robin Brooks has spent 32 years as a graphic designer, designing everything from websites to books. She is known for her integrity, and her trademark is her clear and simple design style. One of Robin’s favorite projects before making the shift into books was Katywil, an ecovillage in western Massachusetts. Integrity and concern for human life and for the environment were large players in the planning and creation of this ecovillage. Somehow, this project helped to move Robin along her path.
Bill Cole, founder of Katywil, said of working with Robin:
Great design almost never happens like this, but it did with me. I had met Robin and knew she was a graphic designer. One of my goals for my Colrain ecovillage, Katywil, was to use as much local talent as possible. So I called her.
We spoke briefly about my project and I emailed her a font I like — Papyrus — and a couple of photos of Stone Mountain, which overlooks Katywil.
She emailed me back a Zen-like, lush taupe brushstroke of the mountain's horizon. At first try, she had nailed it: the image, the font, the color, and, perhaps most important, the "white space" were all perfect.
I've never before had a business card that people actually stare at when I give it to them. They say of this one, "This is beautiful," or "This is awesome." And how many times have people told me, "Bill, your website is simply lovely." They're right. My website glows.
It doesn't happen this way in the real world. It does with Robin.
— Bill Cole
I thank Betsy, Mary, Rachel, Leslie, and Bill for their words.
I thank all those who have come before and all those yet to come for the great privilege of working together.
— Robin Brooks, The Beauty of Books,
your guide in publishing your own book
