I was able to leave behind the digital world and turn my full attention to the physical nature of book making. Every single aspect of this book went through my hands—writing, typesetting, printing, cutting, sewing, binding, gluing, and designing. Seeing the final product of my two worlds combining was extremely rewarding. I’d done two drafts before the final to ensure my craftsmanship was peak for the final product.
Book jacket fully opened
Book detail
Book jacket , inner front flap
Binding detail
As a dystopian/urban fantasy novel, Beyond the Willows contains darker elements. I chose two typefaces that each exude a darker and rougher vibe while still complimenting each other. The header typeface, Espiritu, is a rougher, by-hand typeface that displays a mix of organic and industrial vibes. I also utilized the typeface’s wide range of dingbats, also industrial in nature, as elements in chapter openers and section dividers. Artifex, the body copy, is a smooth serif type that provides warmth.
Running head detail
Title page
Map spread detail
Chapter opener detail
Spread detail
Gold foil cover - book jacket removed
Gold foil spine - book jacket removed
Beyond the Willows, a comprehensive case bound novel, was completed in February of 2023. The final physical form measures 5.125 inches by 8.125 inches. With a word count of around 48,000, the total page count comes to 192 pages.
