Two Hearts That Beat as One: an Autobiography

A peek at some ‘plotters’, locking orders, and a note about a new project
about 1 month ago – Tue, Mar 19, 2024 at 10:21:01 AM

Hello backers, 

We wanted to offer you one last reminder before locking addresses and orders. If there is anything you would like to add on to your order—if, for example, you are not getting the Collector's Edition which already includes them and have not added them to your order, you could consider adding copies of our replicas of Sonia's amateur journal The Rainbow, seen here in printer's proof form with a hound dog wearing a very fetching rain jacket just visible in the background. 

If you are looking to add that or to update your address information, now is the time, so follow that link in your initial BackerKit email or just click this link and enter the email address you used to back the project to reset your access. 

We will be locking everything by the end of the week because we have approved the printed plotter proofs (‘plotters’—ink jet printed proofs produced to let us review the pagination, order, layouts etc. of the book) before the printer begins the final book printing on the offset printer) and final printing is beginning on the books. 

Printing and slipcase production and freight will still take some time, so we’re not quite there yet, but there aren’t many steps left. We will be in touch soon with some more looks behind the scenes. 

In other news that might be of interest to you, Helios House Press has launched another Kickstarter, for a book which does in fact contain references to Sonia, The Gentleman from Angell Street. This will be a full-colour, hardcover, expanded and enhanced edition of the Fenham Publishing original by H.P. Lovecraft's Providence companions C.M. Eddy, Jr. and Muriel E. Eddy. To back the project or learn more about, you can click on the linked image below to view the Kickstarter page.

Best regards, 

Monica Wasserman & Helios House Press

Last chance to update your order or shipping address!
about 1 month ago – Thu, Mar 14, 2024 at 03:00:45 PM

Hello everyone, 

This is just a note that we are about to lock orders on BackerKit, so if you were considering adding anything to your order or if your address has changed and needs updating, please go to BackerKit to take care of that before next Monday, March 18. 

As a reminder, you can reach your BackerKit survey using the link we initially sent you or by going here and entering the email address you used to back this project. 

We are locking orders because the final proofs of the book are on their way to us and assuming all is well, the final printing will begin very soon, and we will begin preparing to fulfill the orders. 

We're so excited to be able to share the final product with you before too long, and we will be in touch with more updates (and maybe a peek at those proofs) before then. 

All the best, 

Monica Wasserman & Helios House Press

As a book is being made
3 months ago – Mon, Feb 05, 2024 at 04:05:46 PM

A lot goes into making a book. There's the writing, of course. Sometimes art and/or photography. Editing, with several rounds of back and forth between collaborators. Layout, with numerous rounds of tweaks. 

While all of that is happening, the production phase is being set up as well. Providing the printers with the book's specifications: how many pages, what size, printed in black & white or color, what kind of cover, hard or soft, paper wrapper or cloth, printed on, embossed, debossed, what kind of paper. You look at paper samples, dye lots, sometimes dummy versions of the book you are making. 

Paper/bindery dummy for Two Hearts (color of final books may be slightly different)

Once the preparation is done, the book goes into production. The printer might send you digital proofs, and 2-3 rounds of printed proof before the final printing begins. This is where we are with Two Hearts now, and we are so excited. All of the preparation is done, all of the book files, and cover and slipcase designs, are with the printers. The digital proofs have all looked great, and we expect to see the first printed proofs soon. 

We'll keep you all posted as the process continues and we will definitely share pictures of the next round of proofs when they arrive. Thank you for taking this journey with us, and we look forward to sharing more soon. 

All the best, 

Monica Wasserman & Helios House Press

Final review before we go to print!
5 months ago – Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 02:24:48 PM

Hello everyone, 

I am thrilled to report that we are in the final review stage before the book goes to print. You can see our beautiful frontispiece by artist Ibere Romani with the title page above. 

Intrepid editor Monica Wasserman has pulled together several sources from Sonia's writings in addition to the main autobiography manuscript in order to add as much dimension as possible to Sonia's story, and designer Justin Baird has done beautiful work to keep that narrative and sourcing clear for readers. Here's a sneak peek at those sources and how they will be delineated for readers:

Everything has been laid out, and is getting one last look before we send it off to the printers. This book is going to be a beauty, and we can't wait to get it in your hands. 

Best Regards, 

Monica Wasserman & Helios House Press

The Shunned House: Recluse Reprint
10 months ago – Fri, Jun 30, 2023 at 10:02:28 AM

Hello, 

We know many of you were also backers of Miskatonic Missives and have already received a note about this today, but we wanted to make sure Two Hearts backers also heard about Helios House's latest project in partnership with the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society. 

This new ultra-deluxe edition of H.P. Lovecraft's classic tale of gothic horror The Shunned House is a beautiful homage to an important historical, could-have-been edition of the story. We are offering a premium edition for collectors as well as a beautiful readable booklet for the general reader. To learn more and back the project, you can go here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/helios-house/shunned-house. 

We will of course be in touch again when we have more news or behind-the-scenes peeks to share about Two Hearts, and we're excited to keep doing everything we can to share Sonia's story in a way she might have been proud of. 

Best, 

Helios House Press