If you’ve attended classes at Roy Underhill’s The Woodwright’s School, you might have noticed a printout of a book cover that’s tacked to the back wall – behind the coffeemaker and next to the poster of the Barnes foot-powered machines.
“That,” Roy tells students, “is the cover to my novel.”
Most people don’t know if Roy is joking about the novel or not. He is, after all, apt to sprinkle his live routines with tales of his “uncle,” who was a “radio woodworker.”
But the novel is real. And I’ve read it many times.
Roy spent several years of his life carefully crafting a 1930s-era novel titled “Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker!” – a novel with measured drawings – that combines his love of history, woodworking, Washington, D.C., and a good story. But like many first-time novels, it has remained on a shelf gathering dust.
After twisting his arm, Roy passed me (and Megan Fitzpatrick) the manuscript several years ago. We both loved the story. It is a screwball comedy about a government bureaucrat who studies manure spreaders who then lands the unlikely job as a radio woodworker. While “Calvin Cobb” makes me laugh on almost every page, it also raises troubling questions about the fraudulent way some of us interpret history. And it has some great woodworking parts.
Unlike a traditional novel, this one has measured drawings that play an important role in the plot. I know you’ll want to build some of these projects – I do – and you’ll thoroughly enjoy reading “Calvin Cobb – Radio Woodworker!” – a novel with measured drawings.
That’s because Lost Art Press is thrilled to announce that we’ll be publishing this novel in late 2014. It will be illustrated – like a Hardy Boys book – and will indeed feature measured drawings and have the look and feel of a high-quality 1930s novel (but on acid-free paper).
I’ll be blogging about this book (it’s impossible not to). But Megan Fitzpatrick will also be blogging about it here. That’s because she is the primary editor on this book and will be lending her literary talents to the books as she polishes it for publication.
One final note: Yes, we know this is a bit crazy to publish a woodworking novel. With measured drawings. And high-quality domestic manufacturing. Absolutely nothing about that equation makes economic sense. But we love this book – and that sort of gut feeling hasn’t failed us a single time in our five years.
— Christopher Schwarz
May I reserve my copy now?
Being a pulp and noire fan, I to can’t wait. I’ll pre-order yesterday.
I’ll buy it! Can’t wait!!!
I believe you misspelled “meashahed drahrings”.
Just tryin’ to be helpful.
Nice. 🙂
Sign me up. Will the pages have rough or smooth outside edges?
Will that picture be available separately as well?
Smooth — to suit the era of the book’s production.
I hope you will consider a special limited edition on high-acid pulp paper bound in pre-tattered lurid paperback.
Yes. Complete with coffee stains and missing pages.
I’m buying the crap out of this book.
Oh it will sell…. it will sell.
“Never underestimate the power of the Schwarz.”
–Yogurt
LOL!!!
When can I place my order, Roy’s humor with Megan and Chris…SOLD!!
Sign me up too! I’ll take a couple of copies.
Count me in. Package this with a Roy Bobblehead and it’ll fly off the shelf. (Still want that Schwarz Bobblehead!)
You are the woodworker with the greatest power of conviction I have ever seen.
One of these days you should try politics.
Another automatic buy of this title. I was definitely in the “is this a real book?” When hearing Roy talk about it, but am convinced it is the dawn of a new genre that has enormous (niche) potential. I rarely read fiction because most of what I care about is woodworking, having a story like this will have a huge cult following. I can’t wait for the sequel!
Would this be a family-friendly read, or will I need to hide it from the kids?
Kids will love it. There are scenes with poop.
I’d say it is rated G at this point.
I *want* that poster!
A product properly published in pulp
“One final note: Yes, we know this is a bit crazy to publish a woodworking novel. With measured drawings. ”
—–
No, it would be crazy to publish a woodworking novel WITHOUT measured drawings.
Pulp fiction indeed.
Love film noir and a fan of detective mysteries. What could be wrong with this? I’ll buy it.
English majors who ended up with full-time bureaucratic jobs in DC and now spend their free time woodworking (certainly there are more of us out there) can’t wait to read this!
If Roy wrote it, I’m in for a copy!
They both of them need to work a little bit on their form, index fingers in particular. Granted, it may be a little hard to saw to the line on a motorcycle careening on the edge of a cliff, but really, is there any valid excuse for not doing your best work?
Will the book reveal why the guy is shaving with a #4?
Any chance of the cover as your first LAP jigsaw puzzle?
Cheers,
Burbidge.
I still have a suspicion that this is part of a long setup for some kind of metajoke a la Andy Kauffman. Is somebody presently working on the negotiations for a film adaptation?
I am as giddy as a schoolgirl shopping for hair accessories! I love me some Roy, I’ll buy 2 copies so that I don’t spill any blood, tears or coffee on my son’s book.
That cover reminds me of the adventures of Nick Danger, Third Eye. Wonder if anyone but me remembers them. And is it only coincidence that one of the names Nancy was known as was (wait for it)… Susan Underhill?
I like how the woman’s index finger is properly extended along the saw handle.
Must resist……… No I really need this and a poster sign me up?
Any chance of an audio book?
Probably no audio book. We barely broke even on “The Joiner and Cabinet Maker” audio book. And it was a lot of work.
What about audio book with hand puppet slide show? Like the film-strips from grade school.
Or maybe a marionette “live” action adaptation ala’ “Thunderbirds”.
Instant buy!
I would like to know about the artist – or did Roy draw this as well?
You’d be crazy NOT to publish this. You might think about publishing “Kruschev’s Shoe” as well. And I hope you’ll use that cover art – I’m sure you will but I had to throw that out there…
This is awesome!