The books creation is all the tireless work of my business partner Alan Dye.

And of course our old friend, brand consultant and exceptional human Michael Wolff.

It wasn’t always about the book.

We had other great work to do together, other challenges to rise to, other exciting people to meet.

And when I was involved, which I would often be, I would have the time of my life.

Working with Michael is always motivating and inspiring.

His ideas are myriad and genius.

We did some great work together and it would be like this over a period of many years.

But more recently the agenda has been The Book.

The process will go something like this.

Michael will turn up at our studio often unannounced, certainly unscheduled and on seemingly random days of the week.

He will say his Hellos to the team and anyone who might be visiting the studio at the time.

Those who know Michael know that he is generous with his time and really very polite.

Invariably these days will be the days when all hell is breaking loose in the studio.

I will often have my head down and headphones on.

A pre-pitch-panic.

A cruel deadline to fulfil.

I could be dealing with a sudden and very real client crisis.

Though I’m not.

So because of this, and regrettably, I will only have enough time to mutter a passing hello or perhaps offer a cup of tea.

I will admit I am jealous of the time Alan and Michael have spent together in the creation and design of this book.

I feel I am missing out.

Missing out on gems, ideas and nuggets of wisdom.

Missing out on a relationship.

And of course I know this is my own issue.

Had I so wished I know I would be more than welcome to pull up chair and join in.

But I don’t.

Instead I make my excuses.

I tell myself there is too much to do.

Michael will take off his beautiful coat and sit down next to Alan where the two of them would drink tea, discuss the days events, share stories and dust off memories.

On arrival there will be a hunt for an appropriate and available task chair.

This will mean someone will have to sit on ‘the crap chair’.

Michael will scoot up next to Alan and they will get to work.

There might be biscuits.

They will do a bit of light editing or carry out some rudimentary design tweaks.

Occasionally, and certainly towards the intended date of publication they will be joined by writer Tom Lynham.

Tom has spent many hours in the company of Michael.

A digital tape recorder in hand.

A pen to coax his stories to the surface with gentle but persuasive genius.

Tom is a quiet and calming influence.

He doesn’t drink tea.

He will not eat the biscuits.

The three of them will strategise, edit and gently argue the toss.

If I am lucky, they might ask my opinion on a pressing design matter in passing.

“Nick?’ Michael might exclaim across the desk

(I sit opposite Alan)

“What do think of this?”

I’ll remove my headphones, thrilled to be asked.

“Do you prefer this crop”, “that layout”, “this word”, “that colour”

More often than not I will offer a brilliant solution.

They will usually not take my advice.

Occasionally we might discuss a new piece of branding by a peer or competitor that we will collectively ‘analyse’.

And then Michael, having exhausted the possibilities will say his polite goodbyes and leave, exhausted.

“Is the book finished?” I would ask Alan when the dust has settled.

He will mutter something inaudible.

(I might have my headphones on.)

Now it is finished.

And it is perfect.

Am I still jealous?

No.

I’m thrilled to see that Michael’s book is so well received and that there is so much love for my friends and colleagues.

This product has been forged in the fires of design and brand thinking over many years.

A great number of people have lent a hand, given backing, a quote, an image, a memory, an idea, or simply a kind word.

It’s not really my place to list or thank them all really, they know who they are.

Special mention though must go to Anisha Peplinski who has Kickstarted us and supported us throughout.

And to Emma Dixon who has been both print and production director, and head of finance for Library Street – NB’s new publishing arm.

I am married to Emma so I can’t escape The Book.

Thank you Michael Wolff

Thank you Alan Dye

Thank you for including me on your journey.

You can buy the damned thing here:

https://www.library-street.com