Australia turned out to be a trip of audio difficulties, but even with a blown XLR cable and ONE working microphone Zoë Sadokierski is a voice that comes through in surround sound. For ANYONE with an interest in books, design, writing or blazing new trails this interview is for you. A designer of over 250 books and president of the Australian Book Designers Association, she is on the forefront of all things book culture. Zoë is a maker. She writes, illustrates, designs and publishes on a regular basis, using new technologies as tools of experimentation and exploration. Not to mention she writes a column on book culture and reading for The Conversation, and also established Bookwork Press, an independent publisher of visual essays, artist’s books and multiples using print-on-demand publishing platforms. Is that all? Yes, for now.
Normally when I meet someone for an interview I’m the one pulling out books and magazines, but yesterday, even before my audio rig was out, Zoë handed me two of her latest creations and asked “Have you seen these yet?” From then on it’s playing catchup and trying to act like I know JUST enough to be in the same room with her, but like all supreme creatives she leaves me feeling like I want to run home and open InDesign. I find her endlessly inspiring and I hope you do as well. Thanks Zoë.
Comments 7
Another outstanding guest Dan. Thoroughly enjoyed your conversation, looking forward to more of the same sir.
Author
Thanks Mick!
What a fantastic and inspiring interview…thank you Dan for keeping me informed.
Author
Thanks Justine! You are more than welcome.
Years after this interview….! Thank you. I had an untethering experience yesterday. Listening to Zoe and Dan talk today regulated me and centered me. A couple of things: I am a book person, always have been, always will be, but I tend now to read mostly on Kindle, the Kindle tablet – I emphasize READ. Art books and graphic novels I often put on Kindle as well but view those on my iPad Pro, a totally different experience. What cemented my relationship with Kindle was Karl Marlantes’ “Matterhorn,” a novel I found stunning. But the paper it was printed on was thin and greyish-yellow and the font itself though an adequate typeface was very pale. There was simply no contrast between word and page. It was visually, for me, unreadable. So I read it on Kindle where I could adjust both brightness and warmth of screen as well as boldness of type, and choose from an albeit limited choice the font I preferred. Also, with a Kindle, there is something glorious about walking into a boring or a standing-in-line situation knowing I have a thousand books on a tablet in my backpack!
I do have a question. I have for years collected first editions of books I love. How does digital print, and print-on-demand change the first edition market?
I agree. I use both as well. Have never read anything on an iPad, but use the Kindle when I travel. Endless. Paper when I’m home. Like all things publishing, First Editions are still a big deal but perhaps not the scale they once were. And self-pub sales numbers are through the roof. Most of these authors don’t care about first edition.
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