My first book comes out next month!
I've written a book on ink drawing, art history, and much more.
Hello, I am here to share some excellent news: I have written a book about drawing which will be released next month by Ilex, an imprint of Octopus Publishing. I’ve self-published in the past but this will be my first real-deal book. By that I mean:
It’s 176 pages long (versus ~30 pages for all my previous booklets)
I spent an entire year writing and illustrating it (and generally freaking out)
There are sections on history, philosophy, and geometry, in addition to more straightforward drawing tutorials.
The drawing tutorials themselves are far more detailed than anything I’ve ever shared before—they’ll guide you through every step of the mental and physical challenge that is ink drawing.
The production quality is way higher than I could’ve managed on my own. I had a whole team of editors and designers and art directors helping me out, and the end product definitely shows it.
You can buy it from real bookstores around the world, online or in person (and I would like very much if you did that, preferably from a smaller retailer, but the big chains work, too).
The thing about sales and rankings and whatnot is that preorders make a huge difference. So if you think you’re going to buy the book once it’s out next month, I suggest/recommend/implore you to do so now. Preordering will ensure that the book has a pleasant birth experience. It will also mean that you don’t have to remind yourself to place an order—the book will be on its way to you the moment it’s released.
Here’s how to preorder. You can get it in hard copy or ebook format:
Other ways you can help out:
Spread the word to friends and online acquaintances.
Put me in touch with journalists who may want to interview me and/or write about the book.
Ask your local bookshop to stock the book. This is very simple—you just go up to the front desk and ask them to order a copy. I’ve done it a few times in London and everyone’s been really nice about it.
That’s all I have to say about the book for now. In conclusion, I’d just like to express my gratitude to you for following my career all these years, and for supporting me and sharing my art along the way. I am only in this position—doing art full-time, publishing a book, sending newsletters on a weekday afternoon—because of people like you. So thank you a million times over. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about art, writing, or life in general. I’m not an expert on any of those topics but I can still try to help.
Sincerely,
August
Congratulations!! I’ve followed you for a while now and am so proud of all you do, and excited to support it!
I just discovered your book on Amazon last night. I’m a little tired this morning because once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. Your chapter on deciding to draw really resonated with me. it described my path with art as I’m sure it will with many readers. The history of pen and ink and of cross sketching is fascinating. I had to skim the chapters on drawing and technique simply because I was lying in bed and that’s not really a good spot for pen and ink drawing. Wonderful book and after coffee I’m going to plunge in again. (I discovered your wonderful Instagram account (@augustlamm) last night as well. Surprised it took me so long.)