Artistry Reigns in Publishing
With the ever-advancing technology and the vastly expanding use of artificial intelligence, the ability to produce books faster and in high quantity is more prevalent than ever. Is that a good thing? In some ways, yes, publishing and other art forms have become more democratized and accessible for those who wish to self-publish or for the benefit of publishing companies that limit their services to just the basics. It’s a rinse-and-repeat type of approach for them. There are, however, major tradeoffs and downsides. Another topic for another time.
Overwhelmingly, there remains and will always be the demand and exception for the artists, whether it be in writing, filmmaking, painting, or other, who focus on the uniqueness, customization, higher value, personalized artistic expression, expertly derived strategic decisions with every detail, and a heritage carry- over of the best of the old world artisanship. There will be a continued thirst for a premium and even luxury quality in content that is only achieved from a mastery of experienced professionals. It is the blend of the old and new, the use of technology without the loss of heart, soul, and imagination of seasoned artists and industry experts. Our projects, respectfully, are never produced by novices, cookie-cutter templates, or skimped on in budget. We invest wholeheartedly in our publishing projects with the utmost passion, experience, and resources. The creativity is unlimited, and the implementation is always elevated.
Indeed, the tools and technology in photography, film, and publishing have dramatically changed over the last fifty years, but the commitment and dedication to the artisanship have not, with the Silverlight Press team and me. It’s the same attention to aesthetics and bespoke creations that I used as a Photography Editor many years ago, through my internships with iconic black and white photographers, and the meticulous attention to color, composition, sound design, and other aspects in the editing bay. It has been refined and evolved with my life experiences, education, filmmaking portfolio, and books.
Every creation is a piece of art. With books, it is an artistic expression of passion and legacy for the author, as well as the publisher. The innovations have allowed us to enhance and produce differently. “Cut and paste” is no longer done with scissors and paste. Cutting and editing are scissorless. Pink erasers and white-out are items of the past. However, the color enhancement, the resolution improvements, the design software, and other features provide a greater ease, depth, and time reduction in routine functions, which allow more time for human creativity, spirit, and hand-crafted implementation that creates the magic. It’s the human-driven innovation in the artistic process that allows your books, as well as their marketing and distribution, to be created just for the author, with every project different than the others.
Our publishing is boutique, specialized, and tailored for each author and book. We are committed to and look for the best in collaboration with our authors and vendors, strive to obtain the best resources, and make each project part of their signature brand. It’s not a race for them; it takes adaptation, collaboration, and embracing a level of knowledge and artistry they strive to experience.
The members of our publishing team come from professional backgrounds, with each having over twenty years of experience. They are worthy of being industry teachers, mentors, and masters with awarded and multi-faceted talents and a depth that only comes from many years of accrued years of professional experience and life. The authors participating are involved in a curated, unique, customized, and one-of-a-kind publishing experience. They have picked up their “paint brushes” and intenti on creating masterpieces.
Susan Sember, Publisher and Founder of Silverlight Press
Susan Sember (standing in the photograph to the left seen laying out yearbook pages as the Photography Editor in high school. Tools and techniques have changed. The heart and soul of the artist has not.
“Old school” experience, values, network connections, accrued accolades and credits coupled with the latest cutting-edge, innovative techniques and tools create masters of all of our team members, each with 20 years plus in the industries of publishing, film, media, and design.
It’s the filmmaker’s aesthetic eye, the storytelling, the writing, and the marketing acumen that comes forth in each published work.
The Road Home: Hope that Extends Beyond this Life
Beautifully written and curated by author, Sharon S. Stewart, accompanied by the original painterly art by Areilla Feuerstein
