The first two volumes of Third Wish were self-published as a work of art to be shared with a circle of family and friends. Photographs of the result are here now on the website - show-and-tell.
The outside box is wooden - fine cedar - Japanese style. The inside of the box is lined with incense cedar - wonderful smell - and tanned leather - likewise a lovely smell. The wood is left natural - no stain or varnish.
A view of the closed box
There is an inner tray made of piano-grade ebony, containing artifacts mentioned in the novel. The artifacts are enclosed in small drawstring bags made of silk and indigo-dyed cotton. The fabric was collected in Japan.
The artifacts nestled in their tray
A closer view of some of the artifacts
Underneath the tray is another box - covered in black buckram - which folds open to reveal the manuscript printed loose-leaf on heavy archival drawing paper. The Czechs may publish the novel in this kind of box. The wooden box with artifacts is not feasible in large production runs.
The manuscript box
Within the manuscript are an illustrator’s notebook with illustrations in color, a journal, sheet music, maps, poetry, and photographs. There is also a CD with ambient sounds of Greece, voices of characters, and music.
