This substantial prize stands out as an international and cross-disciplinary award. It will be given biennially for an excellent and substantial piece of writing in the English language, in any genre or form. The theme will change with every prize: the 2009 theme is Complexity.

All members of the University of Warwick Staff - from nursery staff and gardeners to professors and porters - are invited to make a nomination for a prize entry by August. Warwick’s honorary professors and honorary graduates will also be asked to make nominations.

China Miéville, award- winning writer of what he describes as ‘weird fiction’, will chair the panel of five judges. Other judges include mathematician Professor Ian Stewart and literary blogger Stephen Mitchelmore. A longlist of 15 to 20 titles will be announced in October 2008 followed by a shortlist of six titles in January 2009. The winner will be announced in February 2009 in Warwick.

The winning submission will represent an intellectual, scientific and/or imaginative advance and be written with an energy and clarity that make it accessible and attractive to a wide audience.
David Morley, Director of the University of Warwick’s Warwick Prize for Writing, said: “We are tremendously excited about the Warwick Prize for Writing.  The award brilliantly reflects the University’s thematic approach to learning and reputation for creative excellence. The prize itself will help define where writing might be going; what new shapes and forms it may take; and even through what media it might be conducted - including electronic forms as well as the traditional form of a book”

The University of Warwick’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said:
“I am delighted that the University of Warwick is making this major commitment to excellence in writing.  This new prize is part of the University’s Vision 2015 plan to enhance the University’s already significant international links and position it as an intellectual gateway to the UK and beyond. The University’s Warwick Writing programme is already one of the largest and most successful in the UK and this substantial new prize will help it build its international profile in the world of literature and creative writing. “

In addition to the £50,000 monetary prize, the winning author will be awarded the opportunity to take up a short placement at the University.

To find out more visit www.warwick.ac.uk/go/prizeforwriting

Complete article here.

An era passes.  A moment of silence please.

I’ve never used a desiccant in storing my books as I live in a relatively dry climate (although after writing this I’m now seriously thinking about it) but it’s certainly something worth considering if you’re planning to store your books for any length of time in a climate prone to humidity or excessive damp.

There are a number of commercial products that one can find in prepackaged form which can be placed in your boxes with your books.  Salt is a common desiccant and is a natural antibiotic and anti-fungal agent as well which is why it is commonly used in the preservation of food.  Rice is another low-cost desiccant and you can easily make small packets of either tied up in a piece of porous cloth to pack with your books.

Thanks to ScifiDrive for this comment on an added precaution for protecting ones books in storage.

At noon on Wednesday 19th March Tennants in Leyburn will host their Spring Book and Map Sale with over 340 lots of books covering a vast variety of subjects. There are some first edition gems by Beatrix Potter including ‘The Tale of Two Bad Mice’, ‘The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes’ in its original dust jacket, ‘The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck’, ‘The Tale of Mr Toad’, ‘The Pie and the Patty-Pan’ and ‘The Roly-Poly Pudding’ estimated to sell for £100 to £500.

In the science fiction and fantasy genre is a 36 lot collection built up over many years by Barrie Stirzaker.  Many are signed first editions in fine condition and are estimated to sell from £50 to £300.

Additionally,

For James Bond fans there is a first edition of ‘Live and Let Die’ with its first issue dust jacket, estimated at £800-£1,200.  A rare first edition of Pullman’s ‘Northern Lights’ from his ‘Dark Materials’ Trilogy is estimated at £800 to £1,200.

Tennants auctioneers Book Sale

Long Term Storage

As much as we love to have our books near us and at hand to admire and reference there will almost inevitably come a time you have to put a number of books in storage for a time. If you must store your books in boxes there are a number of things to keep in mind to maintain your books in a clean and healthy state.

When selecting cartons for storage make sure they are well constructed, preferably with reinforced seams, and on the small side. Books are heavier than they look and keeping your individual containers small will help prevent the likelihood of injury both to the box of books and to you.

Ideally books should be packed into boxes just as they would on the shelf, which is to say, upright and resting on their bottom edge. Often this will lead to a gap between the top of the books and the lid of the box. Using “filler” like bubble-wrap or air-filled plastic bags (like the ones Amazon.com uses for shipping) can help support the lid of the box if others are stacked on top. Avoid stacking too many boxes as the weight will crush the containers underneath.

In addition, be careful not to over pack your boxes and never force a book into a space that is too small for it. If packing books for a short period of time, say during a move, you may wrap books in newspaper or bubble wrap for protection against rubbing. However it’s not a good idea to store newspaper-wrapped books for longer periods as the newsprint can become acidic, damaging the book. For longer storage, acid-free tissue paper is available from many archival suppliers.  I list a number of them on the Resources page of my web site Collecting Science Fiction Books.

Avoid storing your boxes in the basement or attic if possible unless the space is climate controlled. Remember, if you don’t want to live there, then neither do your books. Try and keep boxes off the floor on raised shelves or pallets to minimize exposure to insects and moisture and protect the one on top from sprinkler heads, heaters and windows. Restrain from stacking too many boxes as the weight of those above will crush the containers underneath.  If your books are in a commercial storage facility attempt to find a space that is close to the middle of the building, as far away from insects and weather as possible. In addition, arrange frequent visits to check up on conditions and make rearrangements as necessary.

I highly recommend that you clearly label your boxes so you’ll be able to locate individual books later on. Generally a box number and the authors’ surnames it contains is enough to locate the appropriate container. I also recommend keeping an index of your collection either by hand or on a computer. There are a number of software programs available to keep track of bibliographical and storage location information for your collection. Not only will such a record be helpful in hunting for books to add to your collection but it will be invaluable when trying to locate a single book amongst several boxes in storage.

By and large books are pretty resilient but they can be damaged through neglect and careless handling.  However with a little forethought, a little effort and a little care, you can help the books you love retain their sparkle and extend their life.  Every collector understands the importance of a book’s condition and almost every book owner wants to keep the books they own looking their best.  I hope this series has given you a few tips on keeping your books in the condition you wish for as long as you have them.

Occupo Libri!

Care and Storage Series: Part 1  Part 2  Part 3

Environment

As a basic rule of thumb, if you feel comfortable, so will your books. If the environment is too extreme – too hot, too dusty, too damp, – you wouldn’t want to live there and neither is it a good place for your books.

Heat will dry out the glue or boards and cause warping and discoloration; layers of dust can be abrasive and attract moisture leading to mold.  It is a good idea to incorporate cleaning your books and shelves with your normal household cleaning routine.

Dusting done on a regular basis can be done gently with a clean cotton cloth or a clean feather duster.  Avoid using a household vacuum cleaner (even with handheld attachments) as the power of the average vacuum can easily further damage weak or delicate book jackets and spines.

Some collectors I know use a small handheld vacuum such as one used for computer keyboards.  These have considerably less power than the household variety and can be useful for edges and gutters with less chance of injury.  Care is the watchword here.

A low powered hair dryer may also be used if the unit has a no-heat/low power setting.  These devices can be useful for blowing away accumulated dirt and grime from deckled (rough or uncut) edges, decorated boards or any part of a book you would prefer not to touch directly.

High humidity in the environment can also promote mold and attract insects, whereas extremely low humidity, as found above hot radiators and next to heaters, can dry out glues and leather bindings.  As a rule of thumb, if you find the climate pleasant chances are your books will too.

Direct sunlight or light with a high ultraviolet index will break down paper, cloth and leather and fade colors. Known as “sunning”, it the most common cause of damage to older books other than physical damage caused by mishandling, and is frequently seen as a lightening of the spine of a book or dust jacket as pictured on the left.

Avoid shelving books in direct sunlight or, if necessary cover them with a drape or cloth.

Barrister cases or glass enclosed cases should be opened periodically to allow the air to circulate and to allow the books to be dusted and inspected for mold and insects.

Boric acid is a simple preventative against most pests. A small, open container, tucked in the free space between your books and the back of the shelf, will help keep insects away. A clove or two of garlic per shelf may also help.

The general rule stated at the beginning is worth repeating; keep your books in the same environment that you would prefer to live in yourself.  Books that are keep clean and comfortable and treated gently and with respect will be healthy and happy for many, many years.

As much as we love to have our books near us and at hand there may come a time when we have to put a number of books in storage for a time.  In the final part of this series I will address the dos and don’ts of long-term storage.

Until then, Occupo Libri!

Care and Storage Series: Part 1  Part 2

Shelving

Common sense, and common practice, says that your books should be placed upright on the shelves. Your books should sit a few inches away from the back of the case or wall to allow for good circulation and safe removal from the shelf. They should not be allowed to lean, which puts undue strain on the spine, but should stand upright on their bottom edge in neat vertical rows.

Shelves should be arranged so that they are full, but not so tight that damage is incurred when books are removed. If the shelf is not full, use a bookend with a large flat surface that can be placed next to the last book to support it and hold it upright.

Oversized books can pose a special problem. Oversized hardcovers should be shelved resting on their spines to prevent the text from pulling out of the binding due to its weight. Oversized soft-bound books can also be shelved spine down but may be shelved resting on their fore edge assuming the pages are straight-cut and will not be damaged by the weight of the book.

In either case, the book should be well supported on both sides to prevent sagging and warping. If the oversized book absolutely must be stored laying flat, avoid stacking other books on top, no matter how attractive the arrangement may appear.  The weight from above will put undue pressure on the boards and spine of the book below.

Although shelves made of metal are preferred by most libraries and rare book archives your shelves at home are most probably going to be made of wood. Wooden shelves should be sealed with a lacquer or a coating to prevent the migration of acids into the books. Oak, though very attractive, has the highest acid content and extra care should be taken to assure that the wood is finished and well sealed.

Where your bookshelves are placed in your home or office can also have a significant impact on care and longevity of your books.  In the next installment of this series I talk about how the environment has an impact on your collection.

Until then, Occupo Libri!

This is the first in a four part series on Care and Storage of your books.  Look for Part 2: Shelving next week.

Handling Your Books

Treat your books with the care that your valuable items deserve. Dirt such as grease and sweat, accumulate and can cause damage and staining. Keep your hands clean and handle your books gently. Most of the damage books receive, unless they are stored improperly or left out in the weather, is from daily handling. Treating your books with care and respect will go a long way in avoiding most damage.

A new book or one that is tightly bound is susceptible to having the spine cracked if forced to lay flat when first opened. A simple practice for “stretching” the spine will avoid this.

First, if the book has a dust jacket, remove it. Then, stand the closed book on its spine and let the covers fall open. Next, holding the text block (pages) upright take a small section from the front and let them fall open, gently pressing down along the fold with the fingers of one hand. Move to the back of the book and repeat the process continuing back and forth until you reach the middle. Finally, close the book and let it rest on its back for a moment. Now would also be a good time to place a protective sleeve on the dust jacket before putting it back on the book.

If a book doesn’t want to lay flat on its own, don’t force it. Certain styles of bindings, particularly side-stitched bindings, don’t allow a hardcover book to lay flat without breaking the spine. If the binding does not allow the book to lie flat easily an elegant solution is a Rehal.

Traditionally used to hold Islamic holy books, a Rehal is a “V” shaped book rest that supports the spine and holds the boards of a book at 45 º to 60º angle relieving undue stress on the spine. It’s ideal for a book that will not lay flat or oversized books too heavy or ungainly to hold for any length of time. Another solution is a ‘book pillow’, made of soft material filled with tiny polystyrene balls or foam rubber. It will provide good support for the spine in a range of positions.

Another very common cause of damage to the top of the spine, or “headcap”, is the practice of taking a book off the shelf by pulling on the top of the spine and tilting the book forward off the shelf. It is a much safer practice to slip your hand behind the book and push it out a bit then, grasping it in the middle, lift it off the shelf a bit and pull it out. This saves the stress and possible ripping of the headcap as well as the wear to the bottom of the boards by dragging it off the shelf.

If there is no room to slide you hand behind, push the two adjoining books inward or away creating a little room for you to grasp the middle of the front and back covers. 

Both these methods depend on a little planning beforehand on the way you shelve your books.  In the next part of this series I talk about just that.

Until then, Occupo Libri!

As I’ve mentioned once or twice before, one of the things that attracts collectors is the beauty of books as objects apart from their content.  The publication of books as works of art continues to be a potent motivation for many collectors and it is generally the small press publishers that are most active in this field.

One such publisher is Aio Publishing.  Developed in 2003, Aio specializes in speculative fiction creating books that, as stated on their web site, “… will be a pleasure to hold and see, and will provide thought long after they’re put back on the shelf.” 

Aio is headed by Editor and Publisher Tiffany Jonas.  An interview with Jonas appeared on Xark! earlier this month.

Win two tickets to the Nebula Awards ceremony and banquet in New York!

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and AbeBooks.com have teamed up to give a pair of lucky speculative fiction fans the chance to attend the Nebula Awards ceremony and banquet on May 11-12 2007 in New York. Enter the contest here. [via AbeBooks]

An imprint of Harlequin Books, the Laser Books series was published between 1975 and 1977. Following the successful formula of its romance line, Harlequin produced the series on a strict schedule releasing three books a month all with a distinctly similar design, each featuring a cover illustration by Kelly Freas. A series subscription was offered in addition to the normal distribution to booksellers.

The series was not popular with readers of the time most probably because of inconsistency in quality and a general sense of it being too “institutional” in its production. It is however, rather famous in science fiction fan circles for the phenomenon surrounding the appearance of premier title, Thomas F. Monteleone’s first novel, Seeds of Change.

In an effort to get widespread exposure for the series Seeds was given away in large quantities as a free promotional “collector’s edition”. Large quantities of the book were distributed to attendees of a number of science fiction conventions. The result was less than ideal.

Unfortunately the book was not very good and immediately attracted the mockery of a large number of convention attendees. I happened to attend the Equicon SF convention in Los Angeles that year. By Saturday night of the con, groups of fans were gathered around on the upper balconies of the hotel publicly mocking the text as it was read aloud. As each page was finished it was ceremoniously ripped out of the book and flung out over the balconies to the convention floor below. It was a scenario that was repeated at several conventions that year.

Regardless of its rather ignominious introduction the series continued until February of 1977 ultimately totaling 58 titles. Of interest to collectors is the fact that all the titles in the series are paperback originals, among them books by Jerry Pournelle, Kathleen Sky, David Bischoff, Raymond F. Jones and Dean Koontz under the pen name Aaron Wolfe. Especially notable are early works by then unknowns Tim Powers and K. W. Jeter. Aficionados of Hugo Award winning artist Kelly Freas as well as collectors of exceptional genre cover art will also find the series well worth collecting.

Many of the titles are available inexpensively though a handful of titles such as the Koonz, Powers, Jeter and the last two titles of the series, which were only available by subscription, command higher prices.

A series title checklist of the Laser Books series is available on the collectingsf.com site.