Karina on SpoutBlog

In the 26 months or so since I started editing SpoutBlog full time, we have published thousands of posts, covered dozens of festivals, and reviewed hundreds of films. In that time, blogging has become the default format for online content, while at the same time what it means to be a professional film critic has — to put it kindly — evolved. The meme is that the media is dying, but more precisely, information distribution is in a weird kind of limbo: blogs still seem ephemeral, printed matter legitimate.

So! We are going to publish a book, a compilation of SpoutBlog’s “greatest hits,” with special emphasis on my reports from festivals, writings on below-the-radar films, and posts that reflect the evolution in online film culture. We’re going to publish it through CreateSpace, then sell it on Amazon and at film festivals and like events. The goal is not necessarily to make money (although we do hope to break even on publishing costs), but to create a physical snapshot of this thing that I’ve devoted the last two years of my life to creating, and that many of you have gotten into the habit of reading. Also, I made an empty promise to myself in grad school that if I wasn’t able to publish a book by the time I was 30, it would be a sign that this writing-about-movies racket wasn’t the right vocation for me. I’m no longer such a believer in signs, but I do still like the idea of publishing books.

To do this, we need your help, in three specific areas:

1. Curation: Right now we’re thinking that the book will probably include about 40 posts — about 1-2 per month since I joined the fold. I’m in the process of creating a short list of candidates; I’ve currently whittled the 3,000-something posts down to 53 pieces, although I’m still trying to figure out which posts to include to reflect my coverage of documentary film.  If you have favorite SpoutBlog posts that you think absolutely need to be included in this volume — or, if there’s anything specific you think shouldn’t be included — please let me know in the comments.

2. Photography: I’m looking for a New York-based photographer with access to equipment who can shoot the cover image. We have a concept in mind but would love to find someone who could contribute their own ideas. This would need to happen as soon as possible — preferably within the week — and there would be some small compensation — a couple hundred dollars, a couple sample copies of the book. You can email me at karina AT spout DOT come if you’re interested or know someone who is.

3. Promotion: The goal is to have physical copies of the book in hand by the beginning of October. If you are associated with a film festival/event, an independent bookstore, video store, or anywhere else that would be interested in hosting a reading or signing some such endeavor related to the book this fall or winter, please email me.

If you have any additional thoughts or questions, please let me know in the comments. Maybe it’s pollyannaish, but I really do want this to be something that benefits from the input of the audience — you, after all, are the reason why I get out of bed every morning. Or, at least, fire up my laptop from bed.