Two things to celebrate in August: my birthday (I'll be 42), and the release by Crossway of a Single Column Journaling Bible. I'm sure the two have nothing to do with each other. Having said that, everybody knows I love the color red, and if you're familiar with my original post about the Journaling Bible, you'll know I had a little input on that as well. If my eyes don't deceive me, this is a red Moleskine-style, Single Column Journaling BIble, best of all possible worlds:
I've been a fan of the red Moleskine since it first appeared (originally unavailable in the US), so you won't be surprised to know that I've just updated my birthday list. As I've pointed out before, single column settings and wide margins go great together. There's no ambiguity about which column of text the notes in the margin go with, because there's only one column. Here's a look inside the forthcoming Single Column Journaling Bible:
You can check out a PDF sample of the interior layout by clicking here. For those of you without my red fixation (or those who live in bull-infested country and worry about the possibility of goring), they will also be available in black hardcover and brown leather.
I see a lot of Journaling Bibles in the hands of young people, who appreciate the format's styling and practicality. The advent of a single colum edition is particularly thrilling in that regard. Getting good, readable Bibles into the hands of young people (yes, I feel middle-aged every time I type those words) is a priority.
That's exciting news, Mark. I still use my Journaling Bible regularly, and when I don't, I'm using our single-column ESV Study Bible. Should we expect "Nothing to Hide" out in Moleskine-style this summer?
Posted by: Jacob | May 09, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Not in Moleskine style, but I did produced a very limited edition, which I wrote (obviously), designed, printed, hand-sewed, and bound as Christmas gifts. Some in marbled hardcover, a couple in full leather. They definitely look handmade (not always in a good way). No doubt these numbered volumes will be worth a great deal of money in the future.
In the meantime, Nothing to Hide will be out this summer as a trade paperback. It's my best novel yet. And the Christy-nominated Pattern of Wounds will be out as an audiobook this summer, too. Back on Murder is already on audio.
I suspect, though, that the next book I write will have to be called something like The Highland Goat Assassin in an effort to bring my various audiences together! :)
Posted by: J. Mark Bertrand | May 09, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Mark, my young friend, the reason you're seeing so many young people with these is that old folks can't read the 7-point font of this little 8" tall volume. If Crossway published this in magazine size (scaling the text to 10-point font) you'd see a more mature crowd using it.
Posted by: bill | May 11, 2012 at 01:01 AM
Mark, you should post some photos of those copies that you bound yourself. I would love to see them.
Posted by: Justin | May 11, 2012 at 04:29 PM
Can we persuade Allan's to produce their own edition of the Single Column Journalling Bible?
Posted by: David Dewey | May 13, 2012 at 07:16 AM
You can also expect to see the single column journaling bible in a really cool vintage worn leather edition. Genuine brown dusty old style leather. Can't get any better than that.
Posted by: Jarrod Connolly | May 15, 2012 at 11:10 PM
I am super excited about this edition as well!
Posted by: Isaac | May 29, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Catching up with my RSS feed, I thought you would have realized the connection... this new edition is almost made to your specifications, so it's a container for the answers to life, the universe, and everything - AND you're turning 42, the SciFi answer to the same question.
Struck me as funny (^_^)
Posted by: Benhastings | June 18, 2012 at 12:51 PM