So, I've been thinking for quite a few months now that I wanted to do an independent (as in, not related to school) book design project. Initially I was considering Alice in Wonderland pretty heartily, but my mother gave me quite an argument against that choice and steered me in the direction of Oz.

As much as I would still absolutely love to do Alice I believe that there were a number of compelling arguments against that choice. Therefore, I am currently studying some Oz stories.

Now, before some of you guys get a little stuck on copyright, let me point out an excellent resource: Gutenberg.org. On that wonderful site there are plenty of books that have lost their copyright and are open to butchering. Among these books are pieces by Dickens and Thackeray which certainly made finding some of my textbooks this last year a little easier.

I told a friend of mine what my goals with this project were, and he got extremely excited about the idea. He has asked if he could partner with me on this project, as he was interested in doing the illustrations. I'm not one to refuse a fellow art major an opportunity to expand their portfolio, not to mention one who is a coworker who makes the drudgery of the call floor go by more pleasantly, so we are currently plotting out a project that will hopefully reach its full culmination (as in, completely finished) before Spring semester starts rolling. Optimally that means December or January.

If you know much about Oz, or want to take a fresh look at this delightfully childish series and give your two cents about what you'd like to see designed and illustrated, please tell me. It's certainly not my regular style, and I think it will prove a refreshing challenge. I could use all the help I can get.

If you are interested in owning a copy of the final product please let me know; if we can generate enough interest we are hoping to do a real professional print job with a large run. I'm hoping to get price quotes in about two months. This is a non-profit project, so we'll be sure to keep the prices as cheap as possible, but a large portion of the price will depend on how many people are interested (the more copies then the cheaper per unit it will be).

This project will hopefully go well and give me the experience needed in order to spearhead a project encompassing the entire Oz series. If you're interested in being an illustrator then keep your ears open. I just might need you in the future.