In the midst of bleak publishing news…
I just opened a package, an envelope I found on my doorstep…
And inside I found this… a leatherbound, gilded, cloth edition of Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains. It smells like an old library, and feels like a bible. It has a silk bookmark thingy in it, and it is the most gorgous object I’ve ever owned. Seriously.
I’m not sure how or why my editor did this, what moved her to dream this up. But I am completely and totally floored.
Since this ride of mine began, I have been surprised again and again by the individuality and humanity of Random House. It is a family of people who treat me like a person and do all they can to make me feel valued. And whatever may be happening in the business offices, I’m here to tell you that the editors and publishers at Random House Books for Young Readers are an astounding bunch.
Really.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Wow!!!
That’s amazingly wonderful.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
How gorgeous! Nothing like a real book, is there. Unless it’s your very, very own.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
How thoughtful! And what a welcome story right now.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
That single move erases all the bad news I’ve heard this month. A truly lovely thing.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
That’s so cool. what a really wonderful gift. You know – there are some very special people in the world of book publishing. Happy Holidays, Laurel.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Laurel! What a great thing for your editor to do, especially now. Fantastic.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Yowza! That is GORGEOUS! Congratulations!!
December 19th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
oh! That is BEAUTIFUL! What a wonderful thing for her to do. That makes my day!
December 19th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Wow, it doesn’t seem at ALL random there! It seems quite intentional. How beautiful.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Wow, indeed! That’s beautiful.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Beautiful book. Definitely something to treasure. I’m sure it will be in the Laurel Snyder Library & Museum one day.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Oh my. Now that is a gift! Congratulations to you and to the folks at Random House, who know a good thing when they’ve got one.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
How lovely!
December 19th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
What a treasure!
December 19th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I’m over from Facebook–that is amazing and beautiful! What a great way to spread positive energy!
I can almost smell the leather…
December 19th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
How fantastic! An heirloom, for sure!
Congratulations,
Lee
December 19th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Oh my word that’s AMAZING. Wow. So so so so cool.
December 19th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Gorgeous!
Jen
December 19th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
That has to be the most thrilling thing! Wow!
December 19th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Well isn’t that something to make you believe in something a little magical again . . . beautiful.
December 20th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Very very cool
Z-Dad
December 20th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Wow – what a treasure, and what a wonderful experience you’ve had. Very cool.
e
December 20th, 2008 at 10:22 am
WOW – what a great idea! Talk about a unique gift. Gotta keep that in mind for my authors.
Thanks for the post & the pictures – they’ve inspired me!
December 20th, 2008 at 10:27 am
I love old books, so of course I think that’s gorgeous!
December 20th, 2008 at 10:33 am
That is really great, Laurel. Thanks for sharing a positive experience!
December 20th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Your Christmas becomes ours. Thank you for sharing this.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:49 pm
When I am a librarian (in two short years) I will share your books with everyone everyone EVERYONE! And I won’t shush anyone who is laughing out loud at the good parts.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Wow! What a wonderful treasure! The pics made me want to run my hand on the computer screen to feel the binding & pages. Beautiful.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Wow, that is really very cool! Congrats! Also, thanks for sharing the heartening story.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Cool. So where do you buy one pf those neat looking editions?
December 30th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hi Laurel,
That book is absolutely beautiful!!! As a fellow Random House author (debut middle grade novel GONE FROM THESE WOODS is coming out August 25, 2009) I can verify how wonderful and human and best in the world those people who work for that publisher are. Best of luck to you. No matter what’s happening in the financial world, we must keep on writing, and hopefully publishing.
All the Best,
Donny Bailey Seagraves