The Art of Bookmaking
A book can’t be judged by its cover and neither can a building. The Black Rock Press sprawls out behind ordinary doors offering a glimpse of the intermediary world between authors and readers. During an era when digital reading is becoming more popular, the director of the BRP, Bob Blesse doesn’t seem worried about technology overwhelming the publishing field.
“In my opinion books in their physical form are going to be around forever,” Blesse said.
The Value of a University Press
Founded in 1965, the press has become an important part of the University of Nevada, Reno campus, offering everything from publishing books to classes in book arts. Although the BRP is a small-scale operation, only publishing about four books each year, there are many advantages to minor publishing presses.
Laurie Macfee, a BRP fellow, believes that sometimes in corporate structured publishing companies the smaller voices can get lost. Macfee said that smaller presses can sometimes take risks to accommodate authors who might otherwise be overlooked. The BRP is able to carefully select the pieces they publish each year, often working to represent local or regional writers. Manuscripts are usually chosen for publishing based on recommendation, though sometimes the press approaches authors directly with an offer to publish their work. University presses like this one are also able to develop personal relationships with authors allowing both parties to create a final product they can be proud of.
“Being able to work with each one of the writers is hugely important,” Macfee said. “When we are doing the published books that we do, that interaction is really important.”
The BRP not only prides itself in relation to the authors they publish, but also in the presentation of the finished book. As a publishing press that works in conjunction with the art department, the BRP works hard to create books that are aesthetically pleasing, inside and out.
When English and Art Collide
Although making books may be thought of as a literary pursuit, much of the process calls for artistic creativity. The BRP collaborates with the art department to bring classes in book arts to UNR students. Blesse has taught these classes, as an art professor, since 2006 and finds it to be a rewarding job.
“I love teaching, I love working with the students,” Blesse said. “I’m always absolutely thrilled to look at the work they do. It’s amazing to me how these students come up with such great ideas and really execute some fantastic work.”
Book arts students have the opportunity to participate in hands on learning at a working press. Some of the students become so interested in bookmaking; they seek to continue learning through student internships offered by the press. Paige Talbott, an art intern at the press, believes that the BRP offers a rare opportunity to learn valuable skills that are scarcely practiced anymore. Talbott is one of many students from non-literary backgrounds who have become involved with the press. Book arts students have come from a variety of different majors, including English, art, science, history and journalism. Macfee believes that the diverse groups of people represented at the BRP make it an exciting place to be.
Publishing in a Digital Age
Although rapidly changing technology has allowed faster and more efficient ways of publishing, the BRP continues to pass the “old-fashioned” ways of bookmaking down to each new generation of students. Editing manuscripts, formatting books and book arts classes fill up the days at the BRP. The press already seems to be full of vigor, however, Blesse and Macfee hold even higher hopes for the future.
“I’m really hopeful that we’ll have new people who come in here who will bring new ideas, bookmaking techniques and enthusiasm,” Blesse said.
The faculty of the press seem to see eye to eye with Blesse on the subject of the future. Instead of seeing a world where physical books are losing popularity, they see this age of technology as an exciting time of change, that they are willing to meet head on.
“The Black Rock Press is a hidden resource, a treasure waiting to be found,” Macfee said. “With the advent of the digital in our lives, it is a true link to how we think about and construct the container for the written word.”
