Over the past month, I've received emails from two newly-published authors who have upcoming book signing events. They both wanted to know, "Where should I sign the book?" By far the most common … [Read more...]
Mary Norbert Korte
A former nun, Mary Norbert Korte has been publishing her poetry since the mid-1960s. She lives in Northern California, where she has dedicated herself to the environment, poetry, and teaching. A … [Read more...]
Review – Guide to the Identification of First Editions
Bill McBride's Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions details the methods over 4,600 different publishers use to identify their first editions. For many years McBride has worked … [Read more...]
Review – Points of Issue: A Compendium of Points of Issue of Books by 19th-20th Century Authors
Bill McBride's other book, A Guide to the Identification of First Editions, shares the basic methods that individual publishers use for distinguishing first editions from later printings. Points of … [Read more...]
On Collecting Literary Ephemera
The term ephemera refers to items, usually printed on paper, which are meant to have a very short life span. These may include tickets, bookmarks, advertisements, event posters, programs, menus, news … [Read more...]
First Edition Condition
Book Condition & Grading Book collectors generally want books that are in as close to their original condition as possible. Books that appear new & unread (or nearly so), are most desirable. … [Read more...]
Should you write a gift inscription in a first edition or collectible book?
Books make thoughtful, personal gifts. Often, the giver would like to write a short note to the recipient inside the book; this is called a gift inscription. It's worth noting that gift inscriptions … [Read more...]
Authors Copyright and Permissions
For some reason, Empty Mirror receives a fair amount of email from folks looking for contact information for particular writers. On occasion those searching for copyright permissions inquire as well. … [Read more...]
The Lowdown on Copyright for Poets and Writers
What you need to know about copyrights: [Please note - I am not an attorney, and the information presented here has been gathered from a number of sources. I am talking here about copyright … [Read more...]
Is My Dr. Seuss Book a First Edition?
Many people collect Dr. Seuss books, which have been hugely popular over the years and the center of lots of happy childhood memories. They're avidly collected, but, unfortunately, have a reputation … [Read more...]
How to Care for Your Collectible Books: 18 Tips
I recently received an email from a reader who asked, "Is there a correct, careful way to handle a book so as not to damage it? That is--is it possible to be both a book collector and a reader of the … [Read more...]
In Memory of Poet Alan Ansen: Biography, Books & Links
Alan Ansen passed away in Athens, Grece on November 12, 2006. A poet, playwright, and author, he was associated with both the Beat Generation & New York poets. Ansen served as secretary to W.H. … [Read more...]
Book Review — Beatitude Golden Anniversary: 1959-2009
Beatitude Golden Anniversary 1959-2009 / Edited by Latif Harris and Neeli Cherkovski / Latif Harris / San Francisco / 2009. The publisher provided Empty Mirror with a review copy. Beatitude … [Read more...]
Book Review – Who was Sinclair Beiles?
Who was Sinclair Beiles? / Gary Cummiskey & Eva Kowalska, editors / Dye Hard Press / 2009 / 978-0-620-42792-0 Before I opened Dye Hard Press' new volume, its title, Who was Sinclair Beiles? was a … [Read more...]
Remembering Ted Joans – Beat / Surrealist Poet & Artist
Tributes & Celebrations: TED JOANS LIVES! A TRIBUTE is found on this website. To contribute, please email us. A celebration of Ted Joans' life took place in Vancouver B.C. on Wednesday, May … [Read more...]
About photographer Larry Keenan
In 1965, California College of Arts and Crafts student Larry Keenan was asked by his teacher, poet and playwright Michael McClure, if he would like to photograph a group of his friends. Asking … [Read more...]