I had my layout consultancy meeting with Jean Verne a week and a half ago. He's back from Japan! As I believe I mentioned before, Jean has already chosen the typefaces and created the grid for Twisting Unseen, as he detailed in his newsletter if a deep dive interests ya.
We spent a good amount of time correcting some of my amateur layout settings, and talked about how to prep the manuscript for import. Not only that, Jean had some true layout wizardry (for the professionals: Decorations) that kinda broke my brain, but I was able to put into practice emulating some design work Jean had already done for the zine mockups.
Using the unrevised manuscript, and I gotta work on that page number footer
All that was just before the spring break hit. When I posted last month's update, I'd totally forgotten I had to be on vacation this month. Ouch. Plus, my family is preparing for an unexpected transatlantic move this summer! Well, the big move was a possibility, but in our minds it was definitely a long shot. This has naturally put the time crunch on something fierce!
The style guide edits to Twisting Unseen that I mentioned in the last update are running behind schedule, due to other professional engagements taking priority during this crunch. (Check out my 5 Million Worlds Rokaner Reports, i.e. my newsletter, to follow more on that work.)
I'm not too worried about delivering this project on time, however. With the new tools that Jean has taught me, this is likely to be the quickest layout I've done yet. The overseas move does put me in a pickle for getting my hands on print tests, so I've opted to release an updated Project Timeline.
Project Timeline
May 2026: Finish style guide revisions June 2026: Begin Layout July 2026: Finalize Layout with Jean + Order print tests August 2026: Proofreading + Print test checks September 2026: Production (patches, map, flyers, zine) October 2026: Shipping to Warehouse November 2026: Kitting December 2026: No-go postal delivery zone, :( January 2027: Fulfillment Begins
I built in a lot of redundancy for this project just in case the overseas move became a reality. This updated version of the Project Timeline slots all the production together, and runs coinciding proofing with print checks (which was how I did Not Enough Scoundrels). I'll continue posting updated Project Timelines as the months continue, :)
Future Updates
As I do on all projects I run, I'm committed to sending an update on Twisting Unseen's progress on the second-to-last Monday of each month. Thanks for tuning in, and see ya soon. Enjoy the holiday, for those who celebrate, ;)
