#yegmakers

[yegarts]

Meet Your Makers: Michael Hingston

Presented by TIX on the Square

If you’re a collector of beautiful books and ephemera, you’ve likely heard of Michael Hingston. If not, you’re in for a treat. He’s half the team at Hingston & Olsen Publishing, an independent press known and loved for its Edmontonia Trading Cards, Short Story Advent Calendar, and deluxe boxsets. Finding stories and giving them a permanent home is Michael’s passion. As you’re about to discover, so is writing, reading, collecting, and being a big stubborn believer in paper books. Meet this week’s maker, Michael Hingston.

TIX: We’re taught to believe it’s what’s inside that counts, but it’s impossible to ignore the beauty of your books and boxsets. Tell us about your decision to not only publish books but also celebrate them as art.

M.H.: Well, thank you! When Natalie (my co-publisher) and I decided to form Hingston & Olsen, in 2015, one of the first things we agreed on was that our books would be beautiful objects in their own right. At the time it seemed like everyone was panicking about the future of publishing in the age of e-books. We decided to double down on the qualities that you can only get from physical books: the tactile feel of paper, pops of colour, and an interactive presentation that you just can’t replicate on a tablet. It’s a better reading experience, not to mention a better deal for our readers in the long term. Ten years from now you probably won’t have access to an e-book you bought today, but every book on your bookshelves will still open up like it always did.

TIX: Which of your strengths (or experiences) as a writer have helped you succeed as a publisher?

M.H.: I’d say it comes down to empathy. Publishing is an act of faith between writer and publisher, and understanding the creative process—with all its up and downs—gives me an extra level of appreciation for the work that our writers entrust us with. That’s not something we take lightly. All of our editorial and design choices are made with the goal of presenting the text in the best light possible. I want writers to love working with us, and to feel that their work is in good hands.

TIX: What’s the first thing you wrote that inspired your career path?

M.H.: That’s a great question. The truth is I didn’t start reading or writing seriously until I was in university and fell in with the student newspaper there. I remember my first few production nights—which routinely kept us in the office until past midnight—where I would frantically write something on deadline, then look at it in print the following week and think, “Huh, that’s actually not bad.” Then we had to do it all over again for the next issue, which was a big part of the charm.

TIX: Tell us about your Edmontonia Trading Cards and what inspired the idea.

M.H.: The Edmontonia Trading Cards are a set of all-ages collectible trading cards that showcase this odd, charming, mostly frozen city of ours. Each card features original artwork

from one of 12 different local artists on the front, and an entertaining and informative write-up about that subject—from landmarks to urban wildlife to the four phases of West Edmonton Mall—on the back. They come in randomized packs of 8, and there are 60 total cards to collect. You can get them at independent shops around the city, or from our website (edmontonia.ca).

The idea for the cards was two-fold: (1) Thinking how cool it would be to make a set of non-sports-related trading cards, and (2) Figuring out what to do with all these odd little stories I was gathering about my adopted home. When I first moved to Edmonton, back in 2008, I kept having all these questions about what I was seeing. Like, why do all these buildings look like pyramids? What’s the deal with magpies? Sure, it’s cold, but what’s the coldest it’s ever been? As soon as those two ideas merged, I got to work, and I’m really proud of how it all turned out.

TIX: Your projects all seem to celebrate reading as an experience—combining the physical act of opening a beautiful “gift” with the pleasures of reading. What was the inspiration for that equation?

M.H.: The age of paper being the default vehicle for communication is gone. Digital technology is way more convenient, and also generates less clutter in people’s lives. But that doesn’t mean paper has no function. As mentioned above, I’m a big, stubborn believer in paper books—and I think one of the things they do exceptionally well is ground the reader in a particular time and place, having a particular experience. Throwing in extra layers, like the element of surprise in the Short Story Advent Calendar or opening a pack of random Edmontonia cards, just makes that experience a little more fun.

TIX: Far too often, the conversations around print publishing are centered around worry for it and what’s being lost. What excites you about the future of print publishing and your role in shaping it?

M.H.: As more of our lives go digital, the funny thing is that people actually become hungrier for offline entertainment. (Have you seen the internet joke about spending all day at work looking at the bad screen, then coming home to look at the good screen? I hate how much I relate to it.) We all want to unplug, or at least to stop doomscrolling for a while. This is a big opportunity for print! It’s one of the few modes of entertainment we have that doesn’t require electricity. That’s one reason H&O doesn’t do e-books. We want to give people a different experience, because we believe there’s value in it.

TIX: Your books and advent calendars have become a favourite gift to receive. What’s a favourite book you’ve been given (and who gave it to you)?

M.H.: I love books about books, and two of the chunkiest and most beloved ones on my shelves were gifts: John Sutherland’s Lives of the Novelists, given to me by my friend Jeremy before he moved away (he’s actually since moved back; hopefully he doesn’t want the book returned, too), and Michael Schmidt’s The Novel: A Biography, which was a Christmas present from my brother.

TIX: You’ve said that the retirement of your Advent Series has freed you up to work on some exciting new ideas. Can you tell us a little about them?

M.H.: We try to keep a pretty tight lid on things at H&O, but I can tell you we’re planning to release more titles in 2021 than we ever have in a given year before. That’ll include something new for the holidays, as well as our first-ever standalone novel.

Want more? Visit hingstonandolsen.com, edmontonia.ca and tixonthesquare.ca for the latest from Michael and other great artists.

Artist Bio

Michael Hingston is a writer and book publisher. He is the author of three books, including Let’s Go Exploring, a history of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. His journalism has appeared in Wired, The Guardian, The Atlantic, and the Washington Post. Hingston is also the co-founder of Hingston & Olsen Publishing, an independent press specializing in deluxe boxsets like the Short Story Advent Calendar and the Ghost Box. He lives in Edmonton with his family.

[designdictum]

Hands on, Heads on. Keep it real. #make #makeart #yegart #yegartist #yegmakers #elephantjournalquotes #joshwhedon https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_t7rxl9gs/?igshid=jjomdxhhnhyi

[yegfoodie]

REPOST • @cafebicyclette Feeling sad that you missed last weeks patio party and market? Don’t worry... the outdoor patio is still there to be enjoyed and the market is on this coming Friday as well as the 20th 😀 . . Vous vous sentez triste d'avoir raté le party de terrasse d’hiver ainsi que le marché de la semaine dernière? Ne vous inquiétez pas ... le patio extérieur est toujours là pour être apprécié et le marché est ce vendredi ainsi que le 20 😀 . . . . #yeg #yegmarkets #yegmakers #yegvendors #supportlocal #christmasmarket #shoplocalyeg #madeinyeg #edmontonmade #yegfood #yegdate #yegcafe #artisan #edmontonliving #exploreedmonton https://www.instagram.com/p/B56sYP5g-GE/?igshid=racglb72xu1j

[caskwoodworking]

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A post shared by Shaun | Woodworker | DIY 🇺🇦 (@caskwoodworking)

It’s been awhile since I’ve used the @kregjig K4 jig but it still has a place for things like this outdoor patio furniture I’m building. I’m making another love seat based on @rogue_engineer plans and the previous one of two years untreated has stood up to the elements. This was one of the first Woodworking tools I got when I started almost 5 years ago. If you’re looking to start, this is a good tool to start with. . . . #kregjig #kreg #k4 #pocketholes #woodworking #newwoodworker #juststart #patiofurniture #outdoorfurniture #loveseat #cedar #yeg #shpk #maker #yegmaker #woodworker (at Sherwood Park, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvMUOQrHSON/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u139lujtsvgs

[angiesot]

Meet Laslo! He’s a bit nervous to go out in public these days so he cautiously scans the terrain before making a move. Come visit Laslo and his friend’s online starting this weekend @theroyalbison. #smallsculpture #polymerclay #botanicalbuddies #sculpture #yegsculpture #royalbison #shoplocalyeg #shoplocal #yegdesign #yegarts #angiesot #societyofcuriouscreatures #yegmade #yegmaker #shopsmall #madeincanada #yegshoplocal https://www.instagram.com/p/COO9GlZgHn6/?igshid=jqmb00w31kry

[adampatterson]

I need to start collecting materials for some cutting boards! #salvagedwood #salvaged #yeg #yegmaker #yegwoodworking #kitchen #cuttingboard #walnut #ash #beeswax (at Edmonton, Alberta)

[ironsidepens-blog]

Beautiful virage pen finish in gun metal and blue acrylic. $45.00 . . #virage #blue #gunmetal #pens #ironsidepens #handcrafted #edmonton #alberta #canada #woodworking #lathe #yegwood #yegmaker #madeinedmonton #yyc #yegwoodworking #madeinyeg #madeincanada #yegwright #yeg #yegpens #giftideas

[niksknots-blog]

Dyed some more yarn last night, including a few more minis to add to the rainbow set I dyed last month. I have a cone of black wool to go with the rainbow set and too many ideas on what to make. Should I knit, crochet, or weave a blanket? Or a cardigan for my daughter? Maybe a shawl? #toomanyoptions #decisionsdecisions #yarnlove #yarnaddict #yarndyeing #yarnhoarder #rainbowsfordays #yegmaker #knitaholic #crochetislife #weaversofcanada #dyedmyhandstoo

[argesdesign]

Printing a thing for a client. Any guesses as to what it is?... #noimnotgoingtoblowitup #starwars #yegmaker #yeg3dprinting #3dprinting #robo3dprinter (at Edmonton, Alberta)

[yegarts]

Up on the Square Returns!

Something’s Up in downtown Edmonton, and it’s TIX on the Square’s new pop-up space. Aptly named Up on the Square, this formerly unused rooftop space is TIX’s latest initiative to showcase the work of local artist and bring diverse programming to the community. As TIX’s Business Manager Danny Ross explains, this creative solution to increase foot traffic has yielded some unexpected opportunities.

“Besides being beautiful, our outdoor space shares the same footprint as the store, allowing us to exhibit work we didn’t previously have room for,” says Ross. “We’re also seeing far more families and children in the space—people who’ve just happened upon it and felt comfortable being there. The outdoors really seems to remove the intimidation factor that formal exhibits sometimes have.”

The space has also allowed for more collaborations with other arts organizations. “In addition to gallery shows, we’ve been able to partner with the Works Festival and even host an album release with Capital City Records,” says Ross, “and the upcoming programming is just as exciting.”

If you’ve been missing out, mark your calendars for August 21, 28, September 4 and 11. You can access the rooftop by stairs or elevator, most Saturdays from now until October. As for the pop-ups extending into late fall and winter, Ross says, “whether outdoors or inside the TIX space, our pop-ups will certainly continue throughout 2021 and 2022.

[ivanrosecreations]

Just took these out of the tumble, they are ready for the Wholly Handmade Event next Saturday, December 15. Over 120 talented vendors to shop at #sherwoodpark #ring #jewelry #events #yeghandmade ##yegcraft #yegmarkets #yegmakers #shophere #christmasgifts #lastminutegifts #lastminuteshopping #casuallook #lookswelove #designerjewelry #designer #edmontonhandmade #shoplocaledmonton #shoplocal #shopsherwoodpark #ivanrosejewelry #jewelrymaker #jewelrymakersofinstagram #estore #onlinestore #seenowbuynow #onlinefashionstore #fashion #fashionjewelry #ooakjewelry #shopthepark #madeinyeg #admade #shopyeg #shopyeglocal (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq_d7j1ATm0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yifygfdyydvs

[yegfoodie]

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A post shared by YEGfoodie | Rebecca Reid (@yegfoodie)

REPOST • @cafebicyclette It’s a beautiful evening! Join us for the last winter patio party and Christmas market of 2019!!! Live music and dance starts at 7pm !! . . C’est une belle soirée! Rejoignez-nous pour le dernier party du patio d'hiver et le marché de Noël de 2019 !!! La musique et la danse commencent à 19h !! . . . #yegevents #yeg #edmontonliving #explorepage #exploreedmonton #yegfamily #yegdog #yegcommunity #yegdate #yegdatenight #yeggers #yegmarkets #yegmakers #optoutside #imagesofcanada #edmonton #yegcafe #yegmusic #yegdance https://www.instagram.com/p/B6WFUi_AEgA/?igshid=63ygin0vjkbo

[caskwoodworking]

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A post shared by Shaun | Woodworker | DIY 🇺🇦 (@caskwoodworking)

Ever wonder how I create thicker stock? Here, a quick video on how I do I. I’ve got two 4/4 boards to make 8/4 so I can mill down to roughly 6/4 or a bit thicker depending on the clean up. Really it’s as simple as gluing the two pieces together and ensuring you have enough glue to cover the majority of the face. I do a little wiggle of the boards back and forth to further spread the glue and ensure a good initial bond. Finish that off with essentially all my @besseytools_na clamps in the shop and we’re good to go. . Today I’ll remove from the clamps and clean these vertical legs as well as rip the horizontal components. . . . #kitchen #kitchentable #moderntable #modernfurniture #table #homedecor #home #kitchendecor #craftsman #handmade #woodworking #woodworker #woodwork #yegwoodworker #diy #yeg #yegmaker #maker #yegmade #sherwoodpark #edmonton #bespoke #design #builder #ikea #ikeahack #modern #besseyclamps #glueup #ikeahacks (at Sherwood Park, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BriEM85AdY8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4bbmuiafq5kf

[angiesot]

Meet Wanda! She likes hiding in the soil. We seem to have caught her in a rare moment sunning herself on the rocks. Wanda and her friends will be looking for new places to have adventures starting this Friday @theroyalbison #smallsculpture #polymerclay #botanicalbuddies #sculpture #yegsculpture #royalbison #shoplocalyeg #shoplocal #yegdesign #yegarts #angiesot #societyofcuriouscreatures #yegmade #yegmaker #shopsmall #madeincanada #yegshoplocal https://www.instagram.com/p/COMjuYMgCuI/?igshid=1o5gn0f88nocz

[ironsidepens-blog]

Working on a pen for a good customer I hope she like it. #pink #pinkzebra #pens #ironsidepens #handcrafted #edmonton #alberta #canada #woodworking #lathe #yegwood #yegmaker #madeinedmonton #yyc #yegwoodworking #madeinyeg #yegpens #yegwright #yeg #yegpens #giftideas

[parkpowerltd]

We took advantage of the wonderful #yegsummer light to showcase our new table/bench for the home office. A locally harvested Maple slab on @forge_53 legs purchased locally at @windsorplywood.shpk Hooray for #localpower!! #yeg #shpk #stalbert #sprucegrove #ftsask #localfurniture #madeinyeg #makeityeg #yegmade #yegmakers #yegfurniture #yeglocal #yeggers #ouryeg #maplewood #furniture #woodreclamation (at Sherwood Park, Alberta)