Today’s Post by Joe Farace
Today in 1604, The first known performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, was performed at Whitehall Palace in London
The United States Department of Commerce recognized National Author’s Day in 1949 and on this day millions of people celebrate authors and the books they write.
Books, it seems, have a mind of their own. They take time to develop, research, draft, edit, revise and rewrite. As readers, we devour stories, indulge in them as we drift off to sleep or travel. And sometimes, we allow them to collect dust on shelves in our homes. (One photo book publishers once confided in me that 80% of the books they sell are never read.) We may have a favorite author or many collected works with which we cannot part. Whether we prefer fiction, non-fiction, or a mix of both, authors have been telling stories to fill our heads for thousands of years.
Through their stories, authors also keep a record of history. They mark time through their observations and create memories of a time and place, sealing it between the pages of the binding. Their books allow us to keep coming back to visit again and again. #NationalAuthorsDay
On a Personal Note
After her grandmother’s death in 1968, Sue Cole promoted the observance of National Authors Day. She urged people to write a note to their favorite author on November 1, to “brighten up the sometimes lonely business of being a writer.” If you’ve own or read one of my books (and have the time) please drop me a note using the Contact tab above, telling me (hopefully) what you liked about the book.
The first book that I wrote in 1985 was about using the then-new Apple Macintosh computer to create graphic images, I then went on to write 36 more books, mostly about photography with a few business related books (that must have sold dozens of copies) tossed in there as well. So while I’m a published author the state of the publishing word is such that I don’t anticipate writing any new book about photography or anything else in the near future—but ya’ never know! In the meantime, many of my recent books and some of my out-of-print ones are available on Amazon and if you find it in your heart to pick one or more of them up, thanks. Any commissions from Amazon help keep this website afloat and doesn’t cost you anything extra.
Joe’s Book Club
Every other Saturday the daily post becomes part of Joe’s Book Club that includes some heartfelt insights about books, reading and maybe just how the photo book publishing world works. (Some of these insights might surprise you.) Please join me there as we come close to two years of this little on-line club. I’m also am glad to answer any book-related question you might have. Just click Contact and ask!
PS. And if you have a mind too, please drop by my YouTube channel—Joe Farace’s Videos—for my takes on film and digital photography as well as what’s become a popular section that features movie reviews.
Along with photographer Barry Staver, I’m co-author of Better Available Light Digital Photography that’s available from Amazon for $21.50 prices with used copies starting at giveaway prices—around five bucks, as I write this, which may be cheaper than your morning Starbucks coffee.