Accompanying booklets [LWB]: would _you_ have one if publishing your own deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jmd	14 Apr 2004
Two threads have recently sensibly discussed... and critical appraisals have been made, of booklets accompanying decks in LWBs you love and LWBs you hate - each of those threads certainly worth a read! Yet, I am left wondering what I would do were I to publish my own deck (or someone else's, for that matter!). My first instinct would be that a small explanatory booklet would be desired. In fact, if I purchased a deck which did not include a small book or booklet, I would feel somewhat as though some of the information I would like to have about the deck was missing. If I was publishing an existing historical deck, I would want to inform - as I would want to be informed if purchasing - where the cards were currently housed, who and where were the likely producers of the deck, and whether any alterations were made for the reproduction (eg, a missing card replaced by one made along the same design). Decks like the three which have more recently been published (by Aeclectic members - though this is peripheral), namely the Tarot of Paris, the Tarot of Prague, and the Golden Tarot, need to provide, in my view, details as to where either sculpture or painting are located, and which original artists may have been their creators (in some cases, the location of the sculpture, for example, is all which can be provided - and that is of course fine)... in those cases, they of course do that! In the case of a reproduction of a classic, such as the wonderful (but atout/major arcana only) Noblet and Dodal Marseille decks by J-C. Flornoy, again differences to the original (even if minute), as well as the houseing of the originals, is helpful. As to what else I would like to see in a small accompanying booklet, I personally do enjoy reading the more personal ways in which the artist sees the card. A small detail either omitted or included is thus brought to greater light. For example, I would undoubtedly mention that I tend to pair the atout (majors) as I & XI, II & XII, &c., as I am sure that even if unintentionally, certain elements would appear in the artwork which would reflect this deep-seated connection I have developed. The reader is thus allerted to this. Why certain numberings are used, or why certain colours, may also be useful - even if only to say that the colours were not chosen for any conscious especial reasons. Finally, I would need to consider that the person picking up my deck may indeed be totally new to Tarot - a short historical outline (even if of necessity inadequate), and a number of suggested spreads, would be included. Of the little booklets I have (close to 100), of especial note is one I more recently acquired accompanying the Dusserre Dodal Marseille... its 78 pages (well, 80, but 78 sounded so much more appropriate :)) are succinct, well arranged, and helpful to both beginner and more experienced user - even if the contents also leave much to be desired. I do not include either baba-prague's nor retrokat's booklets, for neither really classify as 'LWBs' in my personal opinion...

Osher	14 Apr 2004
With the Tarot of the Old Path and the Donaldson Dragon there are LWBs, but also books too. Personally, I think an LWB should be included, but it should take the emphasis of explaining the thinking behind each card, and why it was drawn the way it was, as well as any history. For example, in the 4 of Wands, in the TotOP there is a dog. This is a portrait of the artist's dog who died during the painting. Also with the TotOP there is a lot of Wicca influence, with regard to colours, plants, animals, even the sort of clothes. The book explains all this, and really helps me to understand more about this wonderful deck. I voted for a small book, as of the 4 options this would be closest to my thinking. I am not in favour (but not against) LWBs that attempt to teach Tarot in a few pages though.

Astra	14 Apr 2004
I went with a minimum booklet in with the standard deck, and none with the mini-deck (no room). Partly because it's standard to include something for newbies, and partly because I'm so used to seeing them that I didn't even consider not doing one until I was in the second revision (hey, let's try 8 pt type and see what happens!). By then, of course, I'd put so much work into the blasted thing that I was going to get it to work. But that also started me thinking, and to supplement it I'll be putting a downloadable PDF file on my website as a companion to the deck. Not exactly a book, just what I wished I could have crammed into the LWB, plus a few extra notes and links to site that have LOTS of interps and layouts. I liked what Hudson Gray did with the Ferret Tarot - there was a LWB, but there was also a one-page "cheat sheet". Guaranteed to not let you read the deck solemnly!

raeanne	14 Apr 2004
Hi all, I like the books that are about the size of the book that comes with the World Spirit deck. Some of the really big books are nice but I don't usually have the time to plough through such a big book. The little white books just don't give enough information but I feel they serve a purpose for a beginner. If my first deck wouldn't have had a little white book I would have been totally lost because I didn't know there were whole books about tarot for many years.

contrascarpe	14 Apr 2004
I voted for the small book. As much as I love the detail in the Prague book, the small book that came with the Golden is perfect! It has all the info I need and it is always with the deck.

galadrial	14 Apr 2004
I voted for the small book, even though I greatly enjoy reading the longer books and appreciate the time that went into making them. For instance, I am slowly making my way through the Tarot of the Spirit book right now and finding it quite worthwhile. For some decks, like the Tarot of Prague or the Blue Rose, it is so much more meaningful to have a full book that I nearly voted for that, however, for many decks, I find the small books to be a wonderful compromise between a longer book and an LWB. I'm thinking of the books I have for the World Spirit, Nigel Jackson, Light and Shadow, Fradella Adventure, Halloween, Greenwood (though skimpy on the minors), and the Baseball Tarot.

Chronata	14 Apr 2004
I would just love for my Tarot of the Midnight Masquerade to have it's own book... because that is what I first envisioned this deck to have...like a childrens storybook that tells a fairy tale of who all these people are in the cards... and why they have arrived at this particular place and time. But it really wouldn't neccessarily tell you all the detail about the symbolism, or what the card's meaning is...(unless you can find it hidden in the prose...) So I am expecting some form of LWB to accompany my deck as well. Maybe it will be more like a "'cast of characters" the Dramatis Personae that one would find in a theatre program. Hmmm...more things to think about...

MuffinTops	14 Apr 2004
I voted for a proper book. I love having a deck and book set. I think it's a good idea to have all the extra info about the deck and cards. If one wants to go on their own intuition, don't use the book. edited to say: The print in the LWB's is too small too read, unless I take out my dollar store magnifying eyeglasses! *squint*

TemperanceAngel	14 Apr 2004
I didn't vote, because there wasn't a "I am not sure button." XTAX

jmd	14 Apr 2004
Quite so, TemperanceAngel... I originally had about ten options, including various combinations, and another which simply stated that one was undecided or unsure, for it would depend on the style of deck and what was actually in the book/let. The problem with any poll is that it does, to a large extant, partly reflect the author's ways of currently addressing the problem. I was aware it would not comprehensively cater... but thought in the end a 'simpler' division, without even being able to select more than one option, may indicate something of what each of us would DO if we were to produce our own decks, in which a decision would in fact have to be made...

HudsonGray	14 Apr 2004
I really like books when I buy a deck, and try to get the book/deck sets. But when doing a tarot deck by yourself the cost of the book may be higher than the cost of printing the decks, so I only did a little white booklet for mine (though did add a separate cheat sheet as Astra said!). If I couldn't get it all into a LWB I'd think about the pamphlet size, but hardcover books or even standard tradeback size are too expensive for the self published decks for the most part.

closrapexa	15 Apr 2004
Whatever we say about the LWB's, its better than nothing, right?

TemperanceAngel	15 Apr 2004
So I ended up voting for book, because I really have a pet hate for LWB's and I think some decks need a book. But on the other hand, some decks don't. It was a dilemma for me.... XTAX

CreativeFire	15 Apr 2004
I voted for a proper book as I am not really fond of the LWBs as they can be hard to read and don't really give you a lot of meaningful info. I usually like to get deck and book sets, but have bought decks just on their own and then gone searching for the book later (like my Thoth!). I like to look at the cards first and get my own thoughts on them but really enjoy going through the book later to pick up on symbols and imagery that the artist has put on the cards to gain another perspective or further insight and meaning that I may have missed. CreativeFire

lunalafey	15 Apr 2004
I would have a proper book- it could be big it could be small, but it would be a real book.

baba-prague	15 Apr 2004
I didn't vote, because I think in the end the best solution is a deck with a book set (but no LWB - why pay for something that the book mostly makes redundant?) AND a deck with LWB. Although in this thread and others we've all bemoaned the difficulty of getting enough into a LWB I still think it does cater for the tarot novice. I've been thinking about this quite a lot and perhaps the style of LWB all depends on the type of deck? Because we are doing Tarot of Prague and Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot, both our decks seem to attract tarot beginners as well as people with experience. ToP sells to visitors here who in some cases know nothing of tarot but love the images of Prague. "Cats" will, we expect, sell to people interesting in cats and costuming, as well as tarot. In both cases we'd of course prefer people to buy the set, but many won't and so we need at least some basic tarot meanings in the LWB, otherwise where do they even start? If I was doing a deck that I thought would only appeal to tarotists then I think I'd do a very different kind of LWB (one that assumes that people already read) or perhaps no LWB at all. But for our customers, I do think we have to have things like keywords and basic instructions on reading. The trick is to make these meaningful and also to encourage people to carry on and progress further - if they want to. I also think the idea of a short book (a la Golden Tarot) is very good. But for both our decks we just seem to need a larger book (the "Cats" book is shorter than Prague but still quite substantial - and yet even so I am having to leave out half the pictures I want to include). There may be no one ideal answer. Like I say, it does seem to depend so much on who you think the audience for a deck will be.

Kiama	15 Apr 2004
I think it depends on what type of deck it is. If, for instance, you are creating a RWS-clone, I wouldn't mind just having an lwb. There are plenty of other books around to explain RWS symbolism. However, if the deck you are creating is an original concept, I would like a proper book. (My housemate and I are currently doing this. We're both designing the cards, he's doing the final artwork, and I'm writing the book. :D) Kiama

firestorm	15 Apr 2004
I voted for the small book. It would be more meaningful for me to expend a little extra energy to provide more information than the standard fare in most LWBs.

baba-prague	15 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by firestorm I voted for the small book. It would be more meaningful for me to expend a little extra energy to provide more information than the standard fare in most LWBs. Yes, but a small book is LESS energy expenditure than a proper book! Okay, I am kind of joking but sort of not. I think the danger with small books is that they can fall in between and be a bit of a a compromise. Okay, better than a LWB, but not as good as a real book? But, well, like I say, in the end maybe it depends a lot on the deck.

catdoc	15 Apr 2004
I chose the proper book option, but would not be adverse to including a "LWB" for the deck as well. I like having a quick reference for the deck that is easy to keep with the cards. Those decks which I own that have a fairly detailed book to accompany the deck tend to be my favorites. Particularly when the artist / writer reveal his or her thoughts about the use of symbolism and imagery or when the theme of the deck provides an educational opportunity. I guess sometimes a booklet can provide much information so that option would also be appealing. Deb

Myrrha	15 Apr 2004
I chose the "more of a small book than a booklet" thinking of something about the size of the small book that comes with the Nigel Jackson Tarot. A book this side can go beyond a list of "divinitory meanings" and give actual information. It also seems more like a part of the deck than a separately available large book. A "proper book" might be a good idea if the deck were very complicated or unusual or you wanted to give a lot of background about a related topic like kabbalah or numerology. Still, any book that comes with a deck should explain that "meanings" aren't really meanings, but are flexible. --Myrrha

Nevada	15 Apr 2004
I voted, "A booklet which fits in the box, and is unobtrusive." While I do like a deck to have a full size companion book, I also like it to come with an LWB, because sometimes you can't afford both. You want to start working with the deck right away, and have some inkling as to the reasoning behind its design, especially if it diverts from the traditional in any way. I also like a little background on the artwork, the designer's take on the cards, and any relevant background about the design or the designer. Nevada

Solty Dog	17 Apr 2004
I voted "A proper book, sold either with or separately, but no 'LWB'" because I have never even considered them. When I get a new deck I put the LWB and the "extra" cards in a baggie and put them away, just in case I ever trade it off or give it away. Recently I bought the Fradella Adventure Tarot and the handy dandy big book with it. This book gives you some of the storylines about the images and why certain characters were chosen for the card. I like having the why part, it helps me understand the underlying meaning of a card. I dont feel that there is one and only one generalized interpertation of a card, each deck gives something extra to each one. I had to put with or seaprate because when I bought my Legend tarot, I thought I knew enough about the Authurian to use it, but there is alot they dont have in the Monty Python version , so I bought the book separate. B.S. Dog

M-Press	20 Apr 2004
I didn't vote, but my option would be a small book AND a LWB. I used to never look at LWBs, but now I do...and I like to have them when just carrying the cards with me, especially when I want to teach something about a card, to explain it to someone "as is" without my own interpretation... I like the book, for the added info, but I really don't like big books. a book that is not too thick, and not too small, and can be taken on the road and in bed too, is my preference... the size of my tarot journal is such... Keep it compact, even if bigger than the deck itself... Of course now I'm myself in the dilemma to make an LWB of 48p or 64p... (I have too much info for 32p) and anothet thing-although my eyes are still "good", I REALLY like it when the text of the LWB is not tiny-tiny... the bigger the text, the more usable the booklet can be... ToP is a great example for that... Tiny type is just so un-friendly!

Lady Eclipse	20 Apr 2004
Hi, IMO, the proper book is the best way to go. I remember getting or purchasing decks with very brief and vague LWB's and it could get quite confusing if the author's meanings differed from the more well-known meanings or if the meaning in the book did not match the symbology on the card. Many of the LWB's I've encountered over the years look like they were put together without much, if any, real thought going into the content. The way I've done all of my decks, a thorough explanation of the symbology is a necessity since I'm considered by quite a few tarot enthusiasists to be one of the more radical deck designers out there. :-) Joy to you, Maralee

le pendu	20 Apr 2004
This is a hard one. Quality -vs- Quantity for me. Most LWBs don't appeal to me, they often have generic DMs and little more, but there have been large books that came in sets that I have found of only slightly more use. Therefore, for me, the QUALITY of the information is what is critical. The more information the author shares about their viewpoint of the card and "why" they designed it as they did, the better. I love the "size" of the Golden Tarot book/deck. I like how the deck and book fit into a compact box. It is perfect for taking with you in a bag, and I appreciate the extra information. The Tarot of Prague book is a great example of "insight". The personal voice/vision of the creator is communicated, and historical information aids in greater understanding of a card's imagery, and often meaning. I personally feel that anyone that has this deck, but not the set, has missed out tremendously. So give me a book like Baba-Prague's, and I'd appreciate it if it were compact, but ultimately its the content, not the size that matters. robert

The Accompanying booklets [LWB]: would _you_ have one if publishing your own deck? thread was originally posted on 14 Apr 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.