Two quick PSAs before I run away:

(1) Honorable Menschen’s debut CD, By the River (featuring myself!) is now available for PREORDER! Release date is slated for 12/13/2008, with a free concert at Temple Beth Shalom of Cambridge. Order in advance for best discount, and pick it up at the concert, or have it shipped in time for Chanukah.

(1a) (We’re also having auditions Nov. 2 and Nov. 5, for those who are interested. Click the link for more info.)

(2) Hey all you Boston-area people interested in publishing… it’s time once again for Bookbuilders of Boston‘s free intro-to-publishing Fall Workshops!

In order to bring a new focus back to our educational mission, Bookbuilders of Boston will offer six free Fall Workshops. We will chart the course of the modern book through the editorial, design, production, and manufacturing processes, and provide insight into who we are, what we do, and why it matters.

Although aimed at entry level staff and students, there’s enough here to attract seasoned pros as well. We have assembled our finest panels ever to offer a better understanding of how books are made.

On six consecutive Thursday evenings at 6:00, from October 9th through November 13th, come to Pearson’s 9th floor at 501 Boylston Street, Boston. Doors open at 5:30, and light refreshments will be served.

And yes, the Fall Workshops are free.

Marty Rabinowitz, President
Kirsten Sims, Chair of the Board
John Walsh, Education Director

Thursday, October 9, 6 p.m.
SESSION ONE: THE OVERVIEW
Brief outline: The story of publishing in Boston; the path of the book, from concept and contract into the editing process, rights and permissions, art and design, production and manufacturing, and marketing; the kinds of publishing done here and the types of jobs available; the story of Bookbuilders and how networking enhances your opportunities; Q&A.
Speakers: to be announced

Thursday, October 16, 6 p.m.
SESSION TWO: EDITORIAL
Brief Outline: Acquisitions, contracts, list planning, publication planning, editing styles, manuscript preparation, artwork issues, developmental editing, proofreading, indexing, book design.
Speakers: to be announced

Thursday, October 23, 6 p.m.
SESSION THREE: PRODUCTION
Brief Outline: Production techniques, scheduling, estimating, vendor relations, composition and page make-up, processing artwork, electronic prepress, proofing options, the PDF workflow.
Speakers: to be announced

Thursday, October 30, 6 p.m.
SESSION FOUR: JACKET AND COVER DESIGN
Brief Outline: How designers reconcile the needs of authors, editors and marketing people with their own aesthetic sense, from concept to approval, through proofing, printing and post press considerations.
Speakers: to be announced

Thursday, November 6, 6 p.m.
SESSION FIVE: PAPER
Brief Outline: The varieties, finishes, qualities, weights, shades and calipers of paper seem almost unlimited and can be intimidating to many people in our business. Where do the increasingly important aspects of recycled content fit into this equation? How can the publisher choose the right paper and control costs? What roles do the printers, the paper merchants and the paper mills play?
Speakers: to be announced

Thursday, November 13, 6 p.m.
SESSION SIX: BOOK MANUFACTURING
Brief Outline: Electronic prepress, printing one, two, four colors (and up), offset v digital, paper considerations, component printing, binding styles, binding materials, domestic v overseas, packing, delivery, fulfillment.
Speakers: to be announced