Independent publishing is partly about how we creatively express our words in print. In this video interview, I discuss the brilliant ways in which adventurer Alastair Humphreys has published his latest travel book, There Are Other Rivers.
Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer, an author and motivational speaker. This year he has been nominated for National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year.
- Alastair talks about his trip across southern India following a holy river. The book is more of a rumination on traveling and the journey. I loved the book and absolutely recommend it if you have wanderlust.
- Alastair discusses the reasons why he became an adventurer. The personal challenge and achievement as well as the fun.
- The various incarnations of the book: it’s a full size map, a paperback, a hardback photography coffee table book as well as an ebook and app plus print on demand.
- Alastair used FoldedSheet.com to produce the map and you can buy one here. He used Blurb.com for the coffee table book and iPad app, and Createspace for the paperback. I am totally inspired by this and want to make one myself
I really believe the future of print is beautiful limited edition pieces.
- How Alastair has been anti-ebooks until recently but has now converted to a Kindle. He’s even taking one on his row across the Atlantic in January. Why ebooks are great value for money.
- How Alastair has moved from traditional publishing into self-publishing for this book and will blend the two in the future. It was about a truly independent project from the walk alone through the publishing process alone. The various creative print options were also easier alone and much faster than working with a traditional publisher.
- Planning for 2012. Alastair is leaving next week to row across the Atlantic and is taking his Kindle with him. He’s also planning to make it to the South Pole. You can follow his journeys on his site and also on Twitter. Yes, Al is available for inspirational speaking globally!
You can find Alastair at his site AlastairHumphreys.com and also on twitter @Al_Humphreys
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Love the fold out map, very cool feature to produce for his audience. I personally think print books will become like vinyl records, always having a place, but eventually it’s purpose will be for limited edition type things. If this becomes the case then making it special (perfect for a gift/collectable) is the way to go.
And super jealous of his adventures, his life is interesting to say the least
Matt (Turndog Millionaire)
Absolutely, the future of print is limited edition, special, personalized and expensive.
I love Alastair! Thank you, Joanna for bringing him on your site! All of Alastair’s products are gorgeous! The map, as you probably suspected, is going to be the favorite since it’s so different. I think, Alastair, you should consider doing maps for most of your adventures. I’m an armchair traveler and have a collection of travel books and maps, but yours would be more than just a map…it would be something to display and collect as I collect certain books. Your speaking engagements must be fun. You have a very personable way of connecting with your audience. I wish you much success in your book sales and safe journeys.
Joanna, can’t you just imagine one of your books done as a map? The photography would be more involved since I could see you using people in it to portray your characters. But so worth it! Fantastic ideas here for marketing books!
Hi Marcia, I should have mentioned that I interviewed Alastair before as well – http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2009/08/28/podcast-alastair-humphreys-on-travel-writing/
We connected then and now have met a few times in person since I’m in England. He is definitely an inspiration to me too. He is currently on his way across the Atlantic so can’t join in here!
I definitely want to do a map but probably for a journey as well – I’m intending to do the Camino de Santiago in 2013 so will do something for that. Exciting times!
This is a great interview Joanna! Alastair’s story is inspiring – it actually mudges, nay pushes me to follow my dream of taking http://www.thegypsygals.com to the next level in 2012!!!
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