Join Mary Virginia Swanson and Susan kae Grant in this dynamic workshop, where photographers will explore publishing options and gain insights on book design, editing, marketing, and distribution.

There are no available registration dates at this time.

Mary Virginia Swanson and Susan Kae Grant Portrait - Photo Credit Allison V Smith
Instructors (left) Susan kae Grant and (right) Mary Virginia Swanson. Photo Credit: Allison V. Smith.

Join industry experts and accomplished photographers Mary Virginia Swanson and Susan kae Grant in this dynamic and insightful workshop, where photographers will explore publishing options, from traditional to self-publishing, and gain insights on book design, editing, marketing, and distribution. Engage in site visits to an academic special collections library, a private photobook library as well as a fine press gaining firsthand knowledge.

Who is this workshop for?

Photographers who have a project they wish to bring to the book form for the first time and seek to understand publishing options, ideal audiences and the paths to reach them.

Established and/or published artists who wish to update their awareness of the markets for trade, self-published and artists’ books today.

Artists and/or bookmakers who wish to gain insights into the audience for collectible artists’ books and appropriate methodologies to introduce their work.

“PUBLISH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK”, Third Edition (Radius Books, 2023) with the detachable 16-page Workbook on the right side.
“PUBLISH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK”, Third Edition (Radius Books, 2023) with the detachable 16-page Workbook on the right side.
“GIVING FEAR A PROPER NAME: DETROIT, by Susan kae Grant 5 "x 5" x 2", Limited edition of 15, Letterpress, Silver-prints, Hand-made Paper.
“GIVING FEAR A PROPER NAME: DETROIT, by Susan kae Grant 5 “x 5″ x 2”, Limited edition of 15, Letterpress, Silver-prints, Hand-made Paper.

What is the purpose of this workshop?

To provide an overview of the paths to being published, self-publishing and/or creating your limited edition artist’s book and identifying and reaching your audience.

What will the students expect to learn?

Through classroom lectures and site visits, participants will:

  • Gain insights into the variety of opportunities in publishing, self-publishing and artists’ books. 
  • Identify industry professionals to help bring their projects to publication from large publishing houses to small presses, as well as editors, designers and production experts.
  • Gain an understanding of how and where to access artists’ books for knowledge and inspiration through networking, online research and discussions with public, private and academic special collection librarians. 
  • Learn research methodologies for identifying public collections and private collectors with an established interest in acquiring limited editions and unique works. 
  • Best practices for preparing a professional Prospectus for introducing limited edition and/or hand-made artists’ books for potential acquisitions.
  • Gain experience summarizing and sharing their photobook projects with faculty and peers.
  • Learn about fine press publishing and distribution by meeting with the proprietors of Two Ponds Press.
  • Gain insights into professional collection strategies through visits to a respected private photobook collector’s library, as well as a meeting with curators at the George J. Mitchell, Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library.
  • Experience the impact of excellence in image editing, sequencing, typography, design, and how choices in materials impact the reader’s experience.

Student Testimonials

“A phenomenal week that exceeded any and all expectations. Never have I been in the classroom with teachers who are so knowledgeable and committed to teaching. They have introduced me to a plethora of ideas and resources that are brand new. To say that our instructors went the extra mile would be an understatement.” – Cindy Beams.

“SVEND AAGE BERG” by Elsi Vassdal Ellis, hand-made artist’s book (ed. 8).
“SVEND AAGE BERG” by Elsi Vassdal Ellis, hand-made artist’s book (ed. 8).
Center image, Lower row of books, clockwise from left: a. “DESIRE LINES” by Lara Shipley, Overlapse, 2023 b. “I’LL BE LOOKING AT THE MOON, BUT I’LL BE SEEING YOU” by Hari Katragadda and Shweta Upadhyah, ed. 500 c. Top: “JUST 545 KIDS” by Elsi Vassdal Ellis, hand-made artists’ book (variable ed. 15) d. Top: “JUST 245 KIDS”, below: “SVEND AAGE BERG” both by Else Vassdal Ellis e. “SENSE” by Ann Hamilton, Radius Books (2022).
Row of books, left to right: 
a. “DESIRE LINES” by Lara Shipley, Overlapse, 2023
b. “I’LL BE LOOKING AT THE MOON, BUT I’LL BE SEEING YOU” by Hari Katragadda and Shweta Upadhyah (ed. 500)
c. Above: “JUST 545 KIDS” by Elsi Vassdal Ellis, hand-made artists’ book (variable ed. 15)
d. Below: “SVEND AAGE BERG” by Elsi Vassdal Ellis, hand-made artists’ book (ed. 8)
e. “SENSE” by Ann Hamilton, Radius Books (2022)
2.BookTable-PinkBook-4x7 - By Mary Virginia Swanson and Susan Kae Grant
Clockwise from top left (Header image):
a. “BLEAK BEAUTY” by Kris Graves
b. “ROOTS and BONDS” by Regina Anzenberger, Second Edition (350), 2023
c. Two hand-made limited editions by Julia Borissova, both 2020:
Top, “HOME IS”, Bottom: V (5 ‘zines)
d. “CUT PAPER” by Frederick Sommer, The Artichoke Press (Ed. 350, accordion fold, f/b
e. “SEDUCTIVE ALCHEMY”, artists’ books exhibition catalogue, Ruth R. Rogers (2013, MagCloud)
f. “NOW AND BEYOND” by Ewa Zebrowski (2022, ed. 10, printed at Datz Books, Korea)
g. “ONEEVERYONE” by Ann Hamilton, commissioned by UT Austin. (900 page newsprint book, ed. 10,000 (free), 7 different covers. commissioned by Landmarks, UT Austin.
h. “HAFIZ” by Sabiha Cimen, Red Hook Press (2022)
i. “MOTHER OF DOGS” by Matthew Genitempo, Trespasser books (2020, ed. 375)

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Instructor: Mary Virginia Swanson

Mary Virginia Swanson is an innovative educator, author, advisor, and entrepreneur who guides and assists artists to find the strengths in their work, identify appropriate audiences, and present their work in a professionally informed manner. She counts internationally known artists and respected arts organizations among her consulting clients. Her broad background in the imaging industries encompasses the fine art, editorial, commercial, and licensing arenas, bringing an important range of perspectives on both the making and marketing of art to her students and clients.

Swanson co-authored with Darius Himes "Publish Your Photography Book", the 3rd edition will be published by Radius Books (Summer 2023). The companion online educational series is produced by La Luz Workshops; complete course recordings are available for unlimited replay through January 15, 2024 to all who register.

Swanson holds an MFA in photography from Arizona State University. Selected awards she has received include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Griffin Museum of Photography (2013); Susan Carr Award for Education, ASMP (2014), and the Society for Photographic Education Honored Educator (2015).  Swanson is based in Tucson, Arizona. 

Instructor: Susan kae Grant

Susan kae Grant is an inventive and influential artist, mentor, and educator. Her innovative studio practice and distinct personal vision represent one of the mediums more sustained and recognizable contributions to fabricated photography and book art. She has lectured and exhibited throughout the United States and internationally, from Spain to Japan.

Public collections representing her work include George Eastman Museum; J. Paul Getty Museum; Minneapolis Institute of Art; Tokyo Photographic Museum; Victoria & Albert National Art Library; Center for Creative Photography; and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Conduit Gallery, Dallas, Texas represents her work.

Grant holds an MFA and BS in photography and book arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and teaches workshops at The International Center of Photography, Los Angeles Center for Photography; La Luz Workshops; and Santa Fe Workshops. From 1981-2017 she served as Head of Photography & Book Arts at Texas Woman’s University and was named Cornaro Professor of Art Emerita in 2018. Selected teaching awards include: Honored Educator Award, Society for Photographic Education (2014); Honored Educator Award, SPE South Central Region (2007); and “The Excellence in Photographic Teaching Award”, Center (2003).