It’s been a while since we sent out one of our Gyaffs, so we have a lot to catch up on. This one covers what we’re doing to deliver books faster, fewer pre-orders books in 2026, why these changes are important to us (and you, our dear collector), individual title updates, Bound for Good, and some time off.

There’s lots to say, so this is going to be a text heavy post. 

What We’re Doing to Deliver Books Faster

A few weeks ago I sent out an update to everyone who pre-ordered our edition of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. In that update, I explained that I had decided to revisit the interior design of the book before sending it off to the printer as I wasn’t entirely happy with it.

In it, I also explained some of the changes we’ve made this year to ensure we have the time and structure to create the best books possible, meet our deadlines, and provide excellent service to our collectors. Here it is again with a bit more information:

• Danielle has become much more involved with Conversation Tree Press. We started out this year working together two days a week, and that’s gradually expanded to most of her time. She continues to work two days each month in nursing to maintain her Registered Nurse qualification.
• We’ve been collaborating with other talented and award-winning book designers, including Jason Dewinetz of Greenboathouse Press, along with two others we’ll introduce in due course. Looking at our 2026 schedule and beyond, all books will, at the very least, already have the interior design completed (if not having progressed beyond that to plate-making, or even further to printing), so delays like this won’t happen again.
• Significant resources have gone into starting production earlier. Artwork for several upcoming multi-state and Short Stops titles is already complete, with other artists currently at work, custom handmade paper on order, metal type soon to be cast, and various production tasks underway.
• We’ve made a number of internal process improvements to help keep projects on track and communication clear.
• A new collaboration with a third letterpress printer is also underway, with more details to come soon.

Adjusting Our 2026 Plans — Fewer Pre-Orders

The delay on the Verne title did have a ripple effect on the subsequent books as I had to play catch up along the way, and this means that a number of 2025 books are all going to be arriving at the bindery in the first quarter next year. This week I had a number of conversations with our printers and Ludlow Bookbinders, and we have new shipping dates for all of our 2025 pre-orders, which you can see further below. They’re all a bit delayed, and I apologize for that.

Importantly, to give Ludlow Bookbinders the time they need to catch up, we’re removing Weird. Volume 3 from the 2026 schedule.

I visited the bindery last year and this summer, and saw first-hand the investment they’re making in people, training, and equipment. But binding is a highly skilled craft, and scaling up takes time. They’ve done a stellar job for us from the very start, and we’re looking forward to continuing our growth together.

Our February 2026 title will proceed as planned as we’ve been working on it for a while, as will all our Short Stops titles.

Why These Changes Are Important to Us (And You)

Although Conversation Tree Press has only been around for a few years, we’ve been working tremendously hard to reduce the time between the moment you pre-order a book and when you have it in your hands. I don’t feel comfortable asking collectors to pre-order books with extended delivery windows again and again, whether as a collector myself or as a publisher.

These changes move us in the right direction, and we appreciate your support as we continue improving.

Individual Title Updates

Weird. Volume 2: Ramsey Campbell’s Cold Print & Others

Cold Print & Others is being worked on right now. The folding, gathering and sewing is complete and the artwork is printed, with tipping in up next. Shipping expected in March 2026.

Jule’s Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas

We’re really pleased that Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas is on the press and is expected to take about eight weeks. So we’re expecting the printed sheets to be delivered to Ludlow in February at the latest. The updates that we made to the typesetting are looking great, and they haven’t gotten to any of the line artwork yet. Shipping is expected in May 2026.

Guy Gavriel Kay’s Tigana

Gomer Press will begin printing Tigana at the start of January. The offset printing won’t take very long, even given the quantity of books. It's our largest limitation yet, and all of them are two-volume sets, so we’re talking about over 1,700 books! Then it’s all off to Ludlow in February for the Collector’s Edition slipcases to be made and the Deluxe and Lettered bindings and enclosures to be made. Shipping is expected around May 2026.

Isaac Asimov’s Foundation and Empire

We’re just completing the final round of proofreading of Foundation and Empire before sending this off to Hand & Eye Editions for printing. The printed sheets should be at the bindery in February or thereabouts. Shipping is expected in August 2026.

Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility

Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered a copy of Sea of Tranquility this week! This one already has all the plates made and all the paper is at Nomad Letterpress. It will be on the press immediately after Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. Shipping is now expected in November 2026.

Cormac McCarthy’s The Road

We’re pretty thrilled that the artist we had hoped to collaborate with us on The Road is on board and we’re starting in January. We’re both doing re-reads now and putting together lists of scenes we think are the most important to capture and offer the greatest potential for illustration.

Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash

In case you missed it earlier, we shared one of Guillem H. Pongiluppi’s work in progress pieces for our upcoming collaboration with Subterranean Press—Snow Crash. We’re really happy with how the artwork is coming along, it’s exactly what I had in mind for this book and Guillem has delivered. I’m looking forward to starting on the interior design soon.

China Mieville’s Perdido Street Station

All the sketches for the full colour artwork in Perdido Street Station are completed (and there are a lot of them). The structure and direction for the pencil drawings have been finalized so those are up next before they’re all sent for approval. The interior design is being worked on by a very talented designer who we’re excited to be collaborating with.

Bound for Good

Our next Bound for Good Campaign is going to start on Sunday December 7th instead of Monday December 8th, as we’re taking a few days off starting on Monday. It will still run until Monday December 15th, so there’s an extra day.

Taking a Little Break

We’ll be away next week, returning on Monday December 15th.