Letter to William Blake
designer poet

Dear William Blake,

I know that you are dead, but write to you I must. Perhaps I write for those who love and admire your works, for in their minds and hearts you are very much alive. One day I, too, will join you as dust in the earth. And one day, perhaps, someone will write me a letter, saying that I may be dust, but my work became the fountainhead of their dreams.

It was your dream to develop an innovative method of printing that would “combine the Painter and the Poet.” This method, called relief etching or illuminated printing, allowed you to integrate word and image on a single plate and, ultimately, to act as your own publisher. You also envisioned “a direct relationship between artist and public, without the intervention of theatres, galleries or commercial publishers.” But your method was difficult and expensive, and your publishing career was a dismal failure.

Today I am here to tell you that I, Valerie Kirschenbaum, in the year 2004, on a school teacher’s salary, have realized your dreams. With the help of dear friends and family – but with no help from any publisher - I have written, designed, edited, polished, printed, published, marketed, and promoted one of the most gorgeous books created in modern times. This was all thanks to the miracles of modern technology; I take little credit for my book's beauty, and if I have one primary message, it is that so many others will soon surpass what I have done.

From Hong Kong to the homes of readers all across America, I have realized your dreams of integrating word and image on the printed page and of selling the books directly to the public on the Internet. I have also reached on the Internet more than 120 independent booksellers around the country who want to share this vision with their customers.

In Goodbye Gutenberg, I wrote about the birth not only of another William Blake, but of another generation of William Blakes. You are the forefather of not just one beautiful soul, but of a generation of beautiful souls. Goodbye Gutenberg signals a colossal shift in how we create and enjoy printed books. For the first time in history, we can affordably create books of wondrous beauty. We live in a magnificent age that stands, thankfully, joyfully, on your shoulders.

Warmly,

Valerie Kirschenbaum

< back to newsroom >