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[Sock Monkey]

I got a shipping notice yesterday that did not include the specifics as to the contents, but if this is what I think it is, then I have some very special headed my way. I don't want to say more in case I'm wrong, but I'll update as more information becomes available.

[mhatchett]

Hi Guys,
Just want to put in a plug for the 3rd volume of Mark Sieber's, He who Types Between the Rows 3. Lots of great essays and observations from somebody that has been around the horror scene for many years. A nice Cemetery Dance effort. I do wish his books were available in hardback but the paperbacks are very nice. As an old guy, I will say the font is easy to read. I was happy to grab this title. Mark will be selling books along with his lovely wife Clara at Scares that Cares Authorcon V in Williamsburg VA March 28-29. You can also check him out at http://horrordrive-in.com/serendipity2021/.

[TacomaDiver]

Back in June of 2024, I posted this link about my basement bookshelves that I built - https://forum.cemeterydance.com/foru...769#post198769

There's a little note about one day adding shelves to this little room that's attached to this part of the basement - well, that project began in February of 2025.

The wood was purchased and broken down then, and ever since, I've been working random weekends (I also started a new job that's been kicking my ass!) so it's been slow going.

Well, today I officially finished one side of the room! (It's all about perspective.)

This side of the room has four shelves that go floor to ceiling (whereas the other side has two shelves in-between various doors so they aren't connected; stand alones.)

Similar in appearance and construction (the same materials though - maple plywood, red oak plywood, and poplar) but assembled differently since I've learned quite a bit more since the original set was completed.

Anyways, here's a shot of them empty:
20250622_222204570_iOS.jpg
(I messed up putting that third one together, so all of my shelf pin holes were in the wrong spots)

And then once they got filled:
20250622_230249602_iOS.jpg

Makes this room look so much taller and brighter (since previously I had a few random IKEA Billy shelves in here and they were DARK.)


I ran out of finished shelf face frame (but have more shelves already made) so I will hopefully get this project finished around the 11th and 12th of July.

Also in the process of finishing a 12 drawer cabinet for my wife's comic book collection.

Next project is slated to be an end grain cutting board for one of my dearest friends.

[Ben Staad]

TacomaDiver Those look great. Congrats to you! On a plus side that third bookshelf can fit all those oversized editions. It must be a great feeling being able to display the books how you want to.

[TacomaDiver]

Thanks Ben Staad !

It is nice to display all of my books and now have room to spare.

I do need to go through my collection and get rid of some random duplicates and books I'll never read or don't need to own.

Do own a few editions I would sell if I could get what people say they're "worth" - looking at you Earthling Goblin for one!

[RonClinton]

Beautiful work, very nicely done! Asking as someone who knows nothing about woodworking, how do you keep the thin'ish shelving from bowing under the weight of the books without a rigid front lip on each shelf?

[TacomaDiver]

RonClinton the shelves are 3/4" maple plywood (from a wood dealer, not the crappy stuff from the big box stores) and are only about 22 inches so sagging isn't much of a concern actually. I could have probably gotten away with 30" before I would get concerned. Plus, there each shelf has some face frame on it (albeit only 1/8" poplar) but that will give it a little extra rigidity.

There's a nifty on-line calculator called The Sagulator, but I forget how wide it said I could have gone. I stuck with a max of 24" to make sure I was within any sort of tolerances, plus it made it easy to size up everything when they are two feet in width.

[RonClinton]

RonClinton the shelves are 3/4" maple plywood (from a wood dealer, not the crappy stuff from the big box stores) and are only about 22 inches so sagging isn't much of a concern actually. I could have probably gotten away with 30" before I would get concerned. Plus, there each shelf has some face frame on it (albeit only 1/8" poplar) but that will give it a little extra rigidity.

There's a nifty on-line calculator called The Sagulator, but I forget how wide it said I could have gone. I stuck with a max of 24" to make sure I was within any sort of tolerances, plus it made it easy to size up everything when they are two feet in width.

Yeah, as soon as I posted my question, I looked at the photo again and thought, You know, those shelves are actually fairly narrow so probably don't require support. Mine are 32" or 36" -- can't recall offhand -- so needed that front lip to ensure rigidity.

I'm as impressed by the fact that you actually still have a bit of free shelf room remaining as I am your skill in creating the bookshelves in the first place.

[TacomaDiver]

I have two more shelving units on the other side - I need to make more shelves for one, and then faceframes/lips for all the shelves. I should have plenty of room to last a bit (I hope.) I do plan on going through and getting rid of various duplicates (unsigned editions that I also have signed, books I'll never read, random trades for LEs that I also have the Kindle version of, etc.) which should free up some more room.

And thanks again for the compliments! I'm still a little in awe that I actually made these and they're pretty nice. My current project (wife's comic book filing cabinet) isn't going as planned (I am not comfortable with drawers yet) but my end grain cutting boards I've been working on this week are turning out fantastic so far!

[jeffingoff]

I buy the Rapture chapbook bundle every time it's available and I'm thrilled to say the one currently up for preorder is from Chad Lutzke. This one's been selling like mad and there are less than 9 available. If you're a Lutzke fan, you need it He's said he's retired from writing but Rapture was able to get this one last story from him and it's pure Lutzke. I loved it. All are signed and numbered.

https://www.rapturepublishing.com/pr...=false&q=false

[jeffingoff]

Aaaannd now that's I'm scrolling about those shelves look amazing, Jason! I am also extremely jealous of your oversized book display abilities!

[sholloman81]

[QUOTE=jeffingoff;n200892]I He's said he's retired from writing but Rapture was able to get this one last story from him and it's pure Lutzke. I loved it. All are signed and numbered. QUOTE]

Wow, hadn't heard he's retiring. Good form him but a bit of a bummer for me as I just read my first book by him last year and really enjoyed it. Also pre-ordered his newest from Thunderstorm.

[Sock Monkey]

I buy the Rapture chapbook bundle every time it's available and I'm thrilled to say the one currently up for preorder is from Chad Lutzke. This one's been selling like mad and there are less than 9 available. If you're a Lutzke fan, you need it He's said he's retired from writing but Rapture was able to get this one last story from him and it's pure Lutzke. I loved it. All are signed and numbered.

https://www.rapturepublishing.com/pr...=false&q=false

Wow, that's a bummer to hear about Lutzke's retiring. Did he give a reason for his retirement?

[TacomaDiver]

Aaaannd now that's I'm scrolling about those shelves look amazing, Jason! I am also extremely jealous of your oversized book display abilities!

Thanks Jeff! I'm lucky to have a lot of space for shelves like that.

Still not done with the wife's comic cabinet (really hoping to be done this weekend but we'll see) and my end grain cutting boards have begun to go awry so we'll see what those final pieces look like.

[jeffingoff]

Wow, that's a bummer to hear about Lutzke's retiring. Did he give a reason for his retirement?

Not explicitly, but it's hard out there for authors who don't have the huge advances and distribution reach from the big publishers. For every Winterset Hollow, there are hundreds of authors who get pulverized by the grind of having to be the author, editor, designer, marketer, and distributor. They don't get into Barnes & Noble and if they post about a new title on Facebook, they're mostly reaching the people who already know them so growth is slow. Fracassi had to have a Kickstarter to fund his Boys in the Valley book tour even though he had a trade deal with a Macmillan imprint. I'm not speaking for Chad, but that's the impression I got.

Here's a link to the book club chat where Chad talks about retiring so you can hear it in his own words: