We are currently considering various production options for Shetland Oo and would really appreciate some feedback.
We are going to produce a paperback edition of the book as a matter of course, but are also considering producing a more expensive hard bound, beautiful coffee-table style edition.
Such a book is more expensive to produce, and, being heavier, more expensive to ship too.
The cloth-bound books would be a limited edition, which would be signed and numbered by Tom and I.
If you were going to buy the book, which format would you prefer?
All help gratefully received!
KDD & Co 
I was thrilled to find Haps at The Fold in Illinois. And a sweet bit of Shetland roving. I live in Wisconsin now so such goodies are few and far between. Ideally I would like the book in hardcover format and the pattern in softcover.
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I would prefer a hardback version of your book – I do hope that will be an available option. However, I will purchase a copy whatever you decide and I am happy to pre-order your book. Good luck!
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Wishing you the best with both projects :) I just wondered if it is useful for you to know that, every time I see the title “Lives in Oo” I think: “who lives in Oo, and where is that place?”
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I enjoyed your Book Of Haps for the social history and photography, I’d love to say for the patterns but I’m not capable (yet!) of tackling any of them. I’m a big book buyer so would have to say paperback for economic reasons.
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I would like both styles of book but not an e-book!
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Dear Grammar King, I strongly urge you to change your moniker to Grammar Nazi.
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The grammar poster is correct, but not polite to point out the mistake… one way to determine which to use: Would you say “…, which would be signed and numbered by I.” or “…, which would be signed and numbered by me.”? Just take out the other person’s name. (My Dad always points out my grammatical errors and I seldom appreciate it, since I KNOW what is correct but sometimes get lax…. because. I totally feel your irritation.)
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I know why it’s “incorrect” Sarah but in this context I don’t really care. The “error” occurred in a quick post I put up to answer a quick question, not something I was preparing for print. To be honest, what irritated me more than anything, was the rude suggestion I don’t write my own posts! (Though Bruce of course will be horrified I’ve unveiled myself as his ghostwriter)
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A cloth one would be rather special
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Anne, you’ll be getting one of those!
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I would love the cloth one. You could always do a pre-order for this one. Your photography is just breath taking.
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I would have thought a signed limited edition coffee table book of fabulous photos and stories of the people and history of the Shetland Islands would not include patterns!!
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I voted for hardback, as I prefer it for photographs, and would like to give it as a Christmas present. However, I would be happy with either format. Looking forward to it being published very much!
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I would love to say cloth bounf but my pocket says paperback!
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This is a tricky one, but you have already managed the most difficult part – the marketing ( one I have not been able to crack at all). For me, the format of ‘The Book of Haps’ works very well and you are right in thinking that a hardback is considerably more expensive to produce. I have knitting books in both formats, so have added ‘I don’t care’ to your poll.
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I would love the hardback version as well as an ebook too. With such beautiful photos it’s nice to have them presented in a beautiful book
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I’d love to say hardback but – realistically – more people could afford a paperback and are more likely to buy and use it.
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Shipping would kill me to the US. Even though I have brought overseas from time to time. It’s just not in my budget anymore so an ebook might work.
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A hardback would be lovely, but shipping costs to Canada are prohibitively high, so paperback please.
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I don’t care! is what I voted. And honestly I don’t. If I love it, I will buy it regardless of binding. (Or maybe, buy both versions of binding.)
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I would love a hardback being an old fan of books. I grew up with two uncles one of which ran a book bindary and the other was a dealer in rare books and first editions.
If you do both I would buy both.
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I think a lot of people think this is going to contain patterns – I hope they won’t be disappointed to see it’s a special book of photos and essays. Ithink signed hardback for ‘Lives in Oo’, and for the next pattern book, paperback with rav download code would suit me best x
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Much as I would love a posh version, it’s not something I acn countenance at the moment, so I voted ‘paperback’- however, I’d hate to feel I was polarising the vote, because I’m very happy for others to have a posh version- does it havevto be an either/or?
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Hello Kate,
Is it possible that you could offer a paperback version as well as the hardback version with the understanding that the hardback version will be more expensive and a limited addition? I realize that it is time-consuming for both you and Tom to autograph the books but I truly thought it was very generous when you autographed the two copies of your haps book that I purchased. Would you and Tom consider autographing whatever version of the book is purchased? I know that for me I will be giving one copy of the haps book to a friend of mine for Christmas . She is an avid knitter and also a fan of yours.
Thank you !
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I would love a hardback book to ideally showcase Tom’s photography, but would also hope for an e-book download to go with it as others have mentioned. To me, the higher shipping costs of a hardback would be worth paying to have a signed coffee table book to cherish.
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Nervous about what the cost of postage will be (I just stay in England, but nevertheless still nervous). I find however that paperbacks just fall apart and I am as passionate about photography as knitting, so I’d say hardback every time. Just sorry that one of my recentish purchases the Knitsonik Stranded Colourwork Sourcebook was not available in hardback form as it was obvious it is going to get a lot of use; a real classic.
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I really appreciate being asked and I voted for hardback but whatever works.
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I have the cloth bound Tudor Roses too and it is indeed beautiful. But I find that the more ‘precious’ a book feels to me, the less likely I am to actually use it. I quite like a battered paperback with a broken spine which is stuffed full of notes and bookmarks. I also like my growing set of ‘Kate’s books’ which are all the same size and all sit happily alongside each other on the bookshelf.
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We will buy whatever you decide. Thanks for asking
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I voted for hardcover since it sound like this a book about wool and photography not knitting patterns.. I wonder if the book of patterns is being confused with this book of Oo.
I will order paperback version of the islay inspired pattern book.
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Hardback every time with an e book to print the patterns . Really can mess up a pattern in a book or not …
The quality of the content needs the quality of binding.
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I would love both books, the cost of shipping to Australia would be well spent.
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In all honesty, my heart would desire the cloth bound signed edition. But in reality, my wallet would dictate the paperback.
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I purchased Buchaille in print, but there were many errors subsequently corrected through ravelry updates. I don’t mind marking up the less expensive book with the changes, but I would be disappointed if I had to mark up or file loose pages in the beautiful but more expensive hardcover version. I appreciate you asking, but my concern about the editing means I will wait for the ebook.
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Hi Suzanne, very surprised to hear you say this as Buachaille has, in fact, not been updated? I wonder if you mean the Book of Haps (with which there were indeed a few editorial corrections)? While minor corrections are generally inevitable with any book of patterns, this is a book of photography and essays, and one hopes the editorial process will be robust enough for the book not to require correction .
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I would love the cloth bound version, especially if it’s a signed limited edition. If the patterns are available as downloads that would be perfect, otherwise I would probably buy the paperback as well as a working copy. But yes to the coffee table book
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I would love to see the photos showcased in a fancy book – I find the spines and binding have gone quite quickly on all my others in your collection. Looking forward …
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Concerned to hear that, Mhairi, as we now use a particular “burst” paperback binding process that is very robust. If the books you are referring to are anything other than Colours of Shetland or the first edition of Yokes could you let us know on info@katedaviesdesigns.com? Many thanks
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Although I checked the “I don’t care”, a coffee table book is always nice. Tom’s photos are terrific, and having a book to look at and show people sounds fun.
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I suspect that the photos will be tremendous. I am fond of books, especially of beautiful books. So I would prefer a hardback copy with nice paper! A lovely object for a wonderful content
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I am certain it will be gorgeous whatever you decide. Your books ar e always produced with such care, love and attention to detail that it’s sure to be as special as the others. We are all looking forward to seeing the finished article with Tom’s wonderful photographs and your fabulous essays and patterns.
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Honestly, I’d be happy with either, but the idea of a coffee table, fancy book signed by you and Tom is a fantastic idea! :-)
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Both please. One to admire, one to use.
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I’ve voted for the paperback, only because I’m old and I’ve got so many books already. I’d rather have a book than a fancy book. Modern printing techniques are so good that a good quality paperback would still do justice to Tom’s photos IMHO x
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Please make at least a few of the limited edition hardback books as an option. I live in the US and although shipping cost is higher I believe there are too few real books that are published nowadays. Tom’s photographs would be spectacular in this format. But it is also a wonderful and important way to help accomplish your intent… To help preserve and tell the story of the people, their way of life, their special sense of place, and their accomplishments in this media of wool which we all love so much.
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I voted for paperback, but only because I live in the US and shipping can be expensive.
Thanks for asking! and I’ll buy whatever you decide to produce.
PDF downloads for the patterns in either version of the book would be much appreciated.
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I would love to have both, one to look at, and one to actually use, but as I live in the U.S., my funds dictate a paperback (plus a downloadable copy, although that wasn’t listed as an option). I have the clothbound edition of Tudor Roses, but find myself thumbing through the original paperback version, as I don’t want to muss the newer clothbound edition!
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I also went for the ‘Don’t care’ option because I shall probably buy both anyway xx
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I have also voted “I don’t care” but in fact, like some others, I care very much and would probably end up buying both!
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This is a hard choice. I would like a paperback to join my collection, but there is nothing more wonderful to me than a cloth bound book. Alice Starmore’s cloth bound Tudor Roses is a stunner. In the end, I would probably save my pennies and buy both if available.
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I agree with all the comments here about pros and cons of each type. I voted “I don’t care” because I’m on the fence b/w the two.
I almost always order hardback if given an option (and a beautiful clothbound and signed book would be especially gorgeous and cherished) because they are more fun to read and use, and I’m usually at home.
But one option not mentioned by anyone else (unless I missed it) is a combo of hardback and e-book. To me that would be the best of both worlds for home and travel.
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While a grand coffee table book would complement Tom’s wonderful photos the best, I voted for the paperback option simply because it would be more affordable to me right now. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Tom’s photos & reading your essays.
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I would really like as hardback book as Tom’s photos are wonderful but I will be content with either.
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I don’t know what to vote… At the moment, I couldn’t afford the hardback ( maybe not even the paperback ) but if that were not an issue, I would definitely go for hardback . I think all the effort that the two of you have put into it already, deserves an exquisite finishing.
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I would love a hard bound book but I also
live in the US so I voted for the paperback.
I hope you also do a downloaded version like
the Book of Haps.
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I’d love to purchase the hard copy and digital copy or paper to carry around. A lay flat binding is a very nice option for the hardcover book. No matter I’m looking forward to reading and seeing another wonderful production.
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Yes, downloadable PDFs would be lovely, as I am horrified by the shipping costs and general high price of books in Canada. Paperback, sadly, would be all I could afford.
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I also would opt for a paperback version plus e-book!
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I’ll join the chorus of those across the pond in support of soft cover with e-version.
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I love the idea of the coffee table book and an ebook, but will purchase whatever you decide. I’d also be more than happy to preorder.
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I’m in the U.S. so I would go for the paperback
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Dear Kate!
Many thanks asking for our opinion! Allthough I am living in Hamburg and of course, shipping the hardback version might be a more expensive, I definitely find the hardback version much more attractive.
Tom’s photos are such a delight and his journeys can be accompanied with one’s eyes so exelently – so please at least produce both versions – … and of course your “faible” for “goats in the mountains” will come out as a hardback version much more seriously :o)
Looking forward to this and sending kindest regards to Scotland!
Dörte (which is the Danish version of your Dorothy…)
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adding my vote for an ebook or downloadable patterns with code. love the idea of a beautiful cloth bound book but being in the US probably cant justify the expense of shipping. cloth book and download options would be good.
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I just voted for the paperback version — to add to my ever-expanding Kate Davies library. I would also LOVE an e-version.
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I would definitely go with the hardback book with an ebook. How exciting!
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My favorite would be an ebook plus paperback option, even though I know the photos will be gorgeous.
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Agree with request for ebook in addition to actual book – best of both worlds and I like to print off patterns rather than risk damaging the book.
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I would buy 1 of each.
1 for show and 1 to work from.
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Ebook options too please.
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Love the idea of a coffee table book if patterns (I’m assuming there will be patterns) available as downloads, otherwise knitting might be a bit cumbersome.
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I would love an ebook option!
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Toms photos are excellent, but could we have a wee preview of the content before a final decision? Thanks
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I too would love a preview of the book as I,m not sure what is in it. Cant seem to find out what the contents will be, is there patterns in it?
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Hi Christine, this blog post will tell you more about the Oo book.
https://katedaviesdesigns.com/2016/10/20/our-current-projects-an-explanation/
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I just voted for the hardback version because, personally, I can afford that right now. But a lot of knitters won’t necessarily be able to do so. I am sure I will love the book in any version!
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Love your photography and LOVE coffee table books! OH PLEASE, PLEASE make that available as an option!
You are a very talented couple!
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I am certain the photographs are fabulous which is why I would lean toward having a hardback copy, but whatever works for you works for me 1
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