Finally, a "how to" book I haven't seen before (that isn't about software). The book I'm reading this week is Publish Your Photography Book, which just came out a month ago from Princeton Architectural Press.
The best reason to be interested in any book is the reputation of the authors—so, first, briefly, a bit about Mary Virginia Swanson and Darius Himes, pictured at right in an author portrait by Jamey Stillings. I feel I know Mary Virginia Swanson's work best, from her well-known "Marketing Photos" blog, which has just lately been moved to her new website, mvswanson.com. It's now called the MVS Marketing Blog. Elizabeth Avedon puts her career in a nutshell: "Mary Virginia Swanson is committed to helping photographers advance their careers by providing insights into the most effective ways to introduce their work to gallery and museum professionals." She's perhaps best known (although not, in this context, by me) as an experienced and expert portfolio reviewer at art photography events all over the country.
I first heard the name Darius Himes as the founding Editor of Photo-Eye's Booklist. He's also the co-founder of the non-profit photography book publisher Radius Books, and is now Assistant Director of San Francisco's Fraenkel Gallery, one of the leading photography galleries in the U.S. and one known for its own fine publications.
More on the book itself as the week progresses (and as I finish it!), but for now I'll just note that this pair have earned their stripes and know their stuff; their names alone are reason enough to investigate Publish Your Photography Book.
Mike
Send this post to a friend
Please help support TOP by patronizing our sponsors B&H Photo and Amazon
Note: Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. More...
Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
Did they read "Publish Your Publish Your Photography Book Book" before embarking on this project?
:-)
Posted by: Ben Rosengart | Monday, 25 April 2011 at 03:45 PM
Publishing books is good. Selling the books after you publish them is better.
Posted by: Joe Lipka | Monday, 25 April 2011 at 07:45 PM
I have it. I've read it. It's currently on loan to a friend. It is a good overview of the publishing process with very helpful advice to those unfamiliar with publishing (most of us). If you are seriously thinking of "doing a book" I recommend it.
Posted by: Jim Bullard | Monday, 25 April 2011 at 08:17 PM
I not only have a copy of the book, but I have attended their companion seminar and have had a private consultation with "Swanny." For the right person, at the right point in their career, all three of these come highly recommended!
Posted by: Jeffrey Goggin | Monday, 25 April 2011 at 09:56 PM
I met MVS once at an Image Bank meeting in Dallas. If her personality comes through in her writing this will be a very fine book.
Posted by: Rob Atkins | Monday, 25 April 2011 at 10:24 PM
I have a copy of Bill Owen's "Publish Your Photo Book," which was self-published in 1979. It has a nice handmade quality to it and looks it was typeset with a typewriter. It also lists his prints in the back of the book as costing $150.00 each. Such a deal! Of course the details and suggestions of the book are almost all outdated, but still, the need is still there.
Posted by: Hermon Joyner | Tuesday, 26 April 2011 at 02:08 AM