Warded Bookplates

So in addition to all the books coming out and various related excitement, there are a few secret projects I’ve been working on in my not-so-copious spare time. Many of these are still simmering on the back-burner,  in need of seasoning or some serious ingredients, but one just rolled off the artist’s board, so I thought I’d share it with everyone.

Last summer, I had this idea. I know there are a lot of readers out there who would love a signed book from me, but aren’t likely to get the chance anytime soon, either because I won’t be visiting their town, or country, or continent, or whatever. Signed books on eBay can get pricey, and mailing me your book so I can sign it and mail it back to you is a pain in the ass for all concerned.

Enter the bookplate. I remember when was a kid, my mom had these bookplates she put in all her books. They were these little vellum pieces of paper with the Latin “ex libris”, meaning “from the library of” that you could stick in your books and sign, so people would know they belonged to you. My mom’s plates looked like this:

cat_bookplate

I thought about it, and decided to give Lauren Cannon, AKA Navate, Ward Artist extraordinaire, a call and we talked about the project a bit. I wanted something I could personalize and sign, but with a beautiful design as well that spoke of my work. We went back and forth with ideas, and finally settled on something amazing that Lauren brought to life (click image to enlarge):

PVB_bookplate_web_thumb

I love this image of The Warded Man and Twilight Dancer, exploring an ancient ruin of the old world, its wards overgrown and pitted, but still standing. Twilight  Dancer looks kickass, and the Warded Man, even tiny, reflects a determined solitude. There is space for me to write a personal note, or draw a picture, or whatever, in addition to signing.

Now that the design is ready, I will be sending it to the printer next week. Once I have the plates ready, fans will be able to simply e-mail me a request and I will send a plate out to you to adorn your favorite Peter V. Brett book. Or to put in other books, if you want to give them a touch of class. So long as the number of requests isn’t too overwhelming, I hope to be able to offer this going forward, in addition to sending plates to booksellers and giving them out at conventions.

Be on the lookout in the coming months for more awesomeness from Lauren, as well as some other secret projects of mine that I am DYING to share.

2010 is going to be a great year.

Posted on February 6, 2010 at 12:43 am by PeatB
Filed under Bookplate, Fans, Warded Art
24 Comments »

24 responses to “Warded Bookplates”

  1. Wow! That is beautiful and a GREAT idea!!!

    Posted by Lo, on February 6th, 2010 at 1:09 am
  2. Beautiful job, Lauren.

    Posted by Kim, on February 6th, 2010 at 1:50 am
  3. Omigosh! That is so awesome! *grins excitedly*

    Posted by Emily, on February 6th, 2010 at 1:55 am
  4. Amazing! I love this image
    Lucky you, Peat ^^

    Posted by Layne, on February 6th, 2010 at 3:43 am
  5. Wow!
    thats really…so wow…I’m really out of words (and that doesn’t happen that often)

    Seems like there is now no way not to buy that hardcover….
    ’cause that paperback of mine hasn’t the looks anymore to hold this beautiful artwork.

    Posted by Eve, on February 6th, 2010 at 3:50 am
  6. The idea is great, the image is great and I absolutely want one of these ^^

    Posted by Joschka, on February 6th, 2010 at 5:37 am
  7. very nice! it’s beautiful!

    Posted by Elisa, on February 6th, 2010 at 6:43 am
  8. WOW! It’s BEAUTIFUL!!! I really LOVE Lauren’s work, it’s amazing. It’s a really great idea Peat!!

    Posted by Jess, on February 6th, 2010 at 7:29 am
  9. Want.

    Posted by Myke, on February 6th, 2010 at 9:06 am
  10. Just wanted to add my mad desire to the above. That’s got to be the most gorgeous bookplate I’ve ever seen. Cracking word as ever, Lauren!

    As Myke said: do want!

    Posted by N. R. Alexander, on February 6th, 2010 at 9:22 am
  11. Cool! Yes, please!

    Posted by alekalumnus, on February 6th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
  12. A really great idea and a great design – look forward to hopefully getting one!

    Posted by Andrew, on February 6th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
  13. Great idea Peat! And great work Lauren!
    I definitly want one of those!

    Posted by Iris, on February 7th, 2010 at 8:32 am
  14. Gosh, my old book plate looks so lame next to Lauren’s beautiful artwork. Glad you got the idea from my old one, though. Love, Mom

    Posted by De, on February 7th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
  15. That is just amazing how awsome you are.
    I guess it’s your past as a fan that makes you so good to us!
    Feels like a child handed a creamy cake he didn’t even dared dream about by the baker himself saying: “have this one I made it just for you”.
    Great treat.

    Posted by Ben, on February 9th, 2010 at 7:05 am
  16. That is a great idea, Peat, and one I may be stealing for myself (cue evil laugh).

    The plates look awesome. Kudos to Ms. Cannon.

    Posted by Jon Sprunk, on February 9th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
  17. Being well-and-truly OCD about my books, I’ve always been really iffy about getting my copies signed;

    On the one hand it commemorates a great moment where I’ve met one of my favourite authors, or when they’ve taken a moment out to think of me. On the other, my perfect book, filled with joy and wonder, is slightly marred by some manic genius with their biro.

    I’ve thought for years that all books should have bookplates, that it should be a LAW unto all men. But this plate is so beautiful, so wickedly done, that I think if they all had a plate [or at least one by Lauren Cannon] I’d end up with an even more fantastically over-filled bookshelf!

    But I just want to put my name down for this, ’cause nothing would make me happier than having such a shiny adornment & monument to your awesomeness!

    Elicius,
    [Hailing from the UK]

    PS. Sorry for the uber-comment-length! “Long-time reading, first time writing, blah-blah-blah-blah….”

    Posted by Elicius, on February 11th, 2010 at 4:53 am
  18. That book plate is a thing of beauty my compliments to the designer. I’ve seen a few book plates and have a few myself but nothing with this much thought and detail put into it. It is very well done.

    ohh and DIBS!!

    Posted by Greg, on February 13th, 2010 at 4:29 am
  19. I didn’t even know what bookplates were before this, but the design is absolutely splendid!

    I just wanted to add my compliments to all of those who commented before me and I’ll surely be wanting some of these 🙂

    Posted by Catalina Garofil, on February 14th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
  20. trey jealous. they’re beautiful!

    Posted by Blake Charlton, on February 25th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
  21. […] shipped all early requests for bookplates this past week, so if you put in for one, expect it soon. I’ll do a full post about the […]

    Posted by Peter V Brett :: Peephole In My Skull, on March 13th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
  22. […] have 500 signed bookplates to give away. You can read all about the plates in my original post about them a few weeks […]

    Posted by Peter V Brett :: Peephole In My Skull, on March 26th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
  23. hi there I was just wondering if you have any signed book plates remaining. Would love the opportunity to add to my collection if plausible.,thank you for your time.

    Posted by Matt, on July 31st, 2011 at 8:28 pm
  24. More are available. Just put in a request as seen here: https://www.petervbrett.com/2010/03/26/signed-bookplate/

    Thanks!

    Posted by Peat, on July 31st, 2011 at 9:04 pm