Chapbook Introduction
Defined
Chapbook, one of the pamphlets formerly sold in Europe and America by itinerant agents, or “chapmen.” Chapbooks were inexpensive—in England often costing only a penny—and, like the broadside, they were usually anonymous and undated. The texts were similar to those of current tabloid newspapers and therefore reveal much about the popular taste of the 16th, 17th, and 18th cent. The term is occasionally used to refer to old manuscripts showing national character through the use of vernacular expressions.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2004, Columbia University Press.
Did you know...
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Gulliver's Travels
Tom Thumb
Friar Bacon
Jack the Giant Killer
Don Quixote
The Fables of Aesop
The Pilgrim's Progress
Mother Goose
Cock Robin
...were originally chapbooks?
Chapbooks actually came into being shortly after the invention of Gutenberg's movable-type printing press in 1455. It then gained its popularity in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
These chapbooks were typically small, paper-covered booklets that were commonly four inches by six inches, having up to 24 pages, and illustrated with crude woodcuts and decorative cover titles.
The most sought after content contained traditional fairy tales, folklore, nursery rhymes, and ballads – and then became a vehicle for popular bawdy stories and chivalric romances.
Printers sold their chapbooks to peddlers, or chapmen (1592, from the Old English meaning “to barter”), for two or three pence a copy, who in turn, sold them to the consumer. At a time when an average agrarian wage was 12 pence a day, this was considered a fair trade. Thus, chapbooks became a vital part of the popular culture of the lower classes in England, and ironically, were extremely important in the development of a literate society.
They were typically printed on a single sheet of low-quality paper, folded to make eight, sixteen, or twenty-four pages, though some examples were longer still.
Looking for the best price, chapbook printers usually illustrated their wares with crude woodcuts, of which many of these were reused in multiple chapbooks, having a single image that served to depict several different persons, places, or events.
A curious allusion in bishop Corbet’s rough but charming seventeenth century poem shows that they were respected and treasured:
To William Churne of Staffordshire,
Give laud and praises due,
Who every meal can mend your cheer
With tales both old and true:
To William all give audience,
And pray ye for his noddle:
For all the fairies’ evidence
Were lost if it were addle.
Why do you want to self-publish?
I'd like to publish a collection of poetry, short stories, personal memoirs, genealogies, recipes, and family, church or regional histories that I can give to close friends and family who will treasure the gift of my own inspiration.
I'd like to speak at local libraries or poetry readings in my area and offer these books for sale at that time.
I'd like to sell my books through my own network of clients.
I'd like to gain a readership audience of peers.
I'd like to see my work(s) in print.
Research the Basics:
What's it all about? To really understand a chapbook, we recommend that you order some from various publishers so that you can see and touch it, and gain an understanding of the quality you expect from a publication contract.
Understand your reasons for wanting to self-publish. You must be willing to invest time and money (creation of manuscript, editing, proof reading) and working closely with the publisher you select so that both parties clearly understand your goals and your desired outcome from the moment the contractual obligation is sealed. Do you desire to see your work in print (outside of chapbook contests which offer stiff competition), or perhaps utilize the chapbook as a step in the direction of publishing a larger project (novel)?
Plan and set up your distribution. Perhaps you'd like to pay a Book Distributor to help sell your books since most bookstores work on commission and generally do not want to sell a small, private collection?
Consider selling your books through a local library, or gift shop in your town. If charity or fundraising work, why not ask if the organization can help you sell your books by offering a share in the profits?
Do Not Overlook the Details:
Select those poems, stories, memoirs etc. that have special meaning to YOU, that you want to share with others. In some ways, your selections will be a representation of who you are, and subsequently how others see you. Even your title is important and should be thoroughly thought out.
Scrub, scrub, scrub. Once you have chosen the content for your chapbook, make sure you've edited your pages for grammar, spelling, and punctuation at a bare minimum. If you belong to any forum boards where critique is exchanged, by all means, post your selections! Make any necessary revisions that only YOU deem important enough to warrant a change without dramatically disrupting your intended meaning in advance of submitting your manuscript to the publisher. Critiquing one another's works can be a valuable tool when offered and received in a friendly, non-personal manner to aid in cultivating a polished work.
Investigate publishing options. Before contracting with a publisher, make sure you've read and understand all the points of your contract such as deadlines, number of pages, font selection, design parameters, artwork, additional fees (such as ISBN inclusion, color images, editing adjustments post- proof) BEFORE you make the deal.
Ask questions! If you are unclear on ANY aspect of the contract, by all means, ASK QUESTIONS before, during and after the contact is made. Neither you nor the publisher wants to waste time and money un-necessarily by re-editing, re-designing and/or re-printing your chapbook(s). This could end up costing both parties more than expected in the long run.
Make an Informed Decision:
After you've reviewed the chapbooks from those publishing houses that interest you, it's time to put all the pieces together and make an informed decision. Which publisher will best meet your individual goals, needs and pricing requirements?
Choose wisely and seek the publisher that will create your special masterpiece that best represents you and your intended message.
Mosaic Musings offers competitive prices, quality products, attention to detail and an online store to assist you in making an informed decision.
We wish you the best and trust you'll consider Mosaic Musings Publications when making your decision!
Why not build your book right now? Simply click the "Next Gallery" image and begin designing your special chapbook today!
To preview or print our Chapbook Order and Agreement Form, please click here. Thank you for your interest and consideration!
If you have any suggestions or comments, please direct them to lkanter@mosaicmusings.net
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