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The Calligraphy Book is now available for preorder! Join me behind the scenes as I share the journey of bringing this project to life—from writing and illustrating to collaborating across continents.
Earlier this week, subscribers received an email announcing that The Calligraphy Book is now available for preorder. But naturally, there’s more to the story! In true TPK Blog fashion, I’m eager to break down the creative journey behind the book, offering you a clear view of everything that went into its creation.
In the ~9-minute video below, I’ll take you behind the scenes of how The Calligraphy Book came to life, bridging the distance between Colorado and London. We’ll explore the pivotal role of a literary agent, and I’ll share a glimpse of a beloved project that didn’t make it into this book but is, apparently, slated for future publication.
In December 2022, I received a cold email that presented the opportunity of a lifetime:
“I commission practical art and craft titles for DK, the sister company to Penguin Random House. We pride ourselves on being global market leaders and have a long history of best-selling titles to readers all over the world. We would love to discuss with you the potential to create a [calligraphy] book together. We have an idea in mind but would also be keen to hear your thoughts.”
I was thrilled. Publishing an art-related book had been a childhood dream, and although I’d had offers before, they were always from smaller publishers with limited budgets. But this was DK! I knew I had to take the opportunity. Still, I hesitated—my second child was just eight months old, and finding a balance between work and family was already a challenge.
A week later, I handed the baby to my husband and jumped on a video call with DK. The editor’s vision aligned perfectly with mine, and while timing was uncertain, DK reassured me we could work it out. My husband quickly arranged additional childcare, and everything started to fall into place.
At DK’s suggestion, I sought out a literary agent. Shortly thereafter, I became a client of Tanenbaum International Literary Agency. TILA was indispensable in ironing out contract negotiations, which were tedious and a bit stressful.
DK wanted the book finished within eight months. However, I knew I couldn’t deliver the quality I was striving for in that short amount of time. With the help of my agent, we eventually came to a compromise, and the contract was signed.
With DK in the UK and me in Colorado, figuring out the photography was a challenge. We briefly discussed having me fly to the UK, but with a nursing baby and a preschooler, that wasn’t ideal. Instead, after trying out some test shots, I ended up doing the step-by-step photography here.
Then, I sent the projects to the UK for Nigel Wright to professionally photograph. The book now has a great mix of photos from both of us, along with a few from my archives. (Side note: I was so grateful to Nigel for his gorgeous photography that I ended up sending him this mail art.)
Writing the book was quite the process. I started with about 100 pages of raw text, which Nicola Hodgson (editor) and Amy Slack (editor and project overseer) expertly refined into something cohesive. Meanwhile, Jordan Lambley (art designer) regularly sent me spreads for approval.
A lot of the work involved polishing drafts, and it was incredible to see how smoothly we collaborated despite the distance. Between video calls, email, and WhatsApp, we made it work!
In the end, the result of the effort put into The Calligraphy Book is a stunning hardcover book filled with photography, illustrations, and valuable insights for calligraphy lovers. But my real aim was to create something so engaging that even non-calligraphers would want it—and I’m proud to say we pulled it off!
In my Behind the Scenes: The Calligraphy Book video, starting at 7:00, I share some of the fun, quirky details and little fumbles that didn’t quite make it into the book. Curious about the project that almost made the cut? Or how many nibs I snapped trying to get the perfect shot? I’ll also let you in on the secret behind the footprints in the Keepsake Birth Certificate project and why some postage stamps had to be edited out.
The Calligraphy Book is available locally from any major retailer in the following countries: US, Canada, UK, ANZ, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Germany. You can find a link to purchase the book from your preferred local merchant here.
Those who are familiar with TPK know that we’re a very small operation. I *am* selling The Calligraphy Book in the Supplies Shop, but I cannot compete with the low shipping cost of eCommerce giants like Amazon. So, please feel free to order your book from a major retailer who offers you free or low-cost shipping (find a list here). I’m thrilled no matter how this book makes its way into your hands! TPK is the only source for personalized copies, however.
I’ve poured my heart into The Calligraphy Book, and I’m so excited for you to hold it in your hands. Whether you choose to order from a major retailer or get a personalized copy from TPK, I hope it brings you joy and inspiration. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey, and happy creating!
Warmly and with gratitude,
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