Frequently Assayed Queries
Q. What is The Abbeville Manual of Style?
A. See the About page.
Q. What is Abbeville Press?
A. Abbeville Press is an independent publisher of fine art, illustrated, design, architecture, travel, leisure, and family books. To browse our main site, visit www.abbeville.com.
Q. Why did Abbeville Press decide to create a blog?
A. We could no longer in good conscience spare you the benefits of our exquisite taste and lapidary prose. By the way, we try not to use the word “blog,” as we explained in our introductory post.
Q. Your writers call themselves the Arbiters of Style. Who gave you that title and how can I acquire it?
A. Arbiters of Style are born, not made.
Q. Do you have any relationship with The Chicago Manual of Style?
A. Only as a sworn enemy…
No, the truth is that, as book editors, we consult the Chicago Manual frequently. As Arbiters of Style, however, we frequently wage epic battles against Chicago over the finer points of English language grammar, punctuation, and diction. It’s all in good fun, and we have no affiliation whatsoever with the University of Chicago Press. Frankly, we’re not sure they even know we exist.
Q. Is your site mainly about books or art?
A: Abbeville is an art book company, so it’s about both. Much of the Manual is devoted to exploring the connections between art and book publishing and between art and writing more generally.
Q. I notice you do interviews. Can you interview me?
A. Our interviewees are notable people in the fields of art, writing, and publishing, including the online art and publishing communities. We generally approach our interviewees ourselves, although we have been known to post queries via Help a Reporter Out. If you think you would make a good interview subject for us, please keep an eye out for our next HARO query and respond accordingly. Of course, if you’re really famous, you may contact us at your slightest whim.
Q. I notice you recommend websites. Can you recommend mine?
A. We will be glad to take a look at your website; just leave a comment for us that includes a link. The websites we recommend concern art and/or books, are well-written and well-designed, and resonate with our sense of style. Linking to us is one excellent way to resonate with our sense of style.
Q. I notice you sometimes post news items about New York events, such as book drives and gallery openings. Will you post an item about my event?
A. Most of the events we write about are in some way Abbeville-related: our Arbiters may have attended them, for example, or their programs might feature an Abbeville author. That said, we have been known to spread the word about random events that we feel our readers just can’t miss. If your event is in the New York area, involves art or books, and is at least arguably for a good cause, tell us about it; if not, we recommend you work through other publicity channels.
Q. Why are there “Yachting and Sailing Links” on your sidebar?
A. Becoming a true gentleman or gentlewoman of style requires more than exceptional taste in art and books; it requires expertise in other rareified spheres as well. Yachting is but one such sphere—you may prefer philately or the steeplechase. Our list of Yachting Links offers several fine sources of nautical news, including the homepage of our occasional guest contributor, America’s Cup winner Gary Jobson.
Q. Who is Blad J. Garamond?
A. This post should enlighten you.
Q. Do you have any exciting new features planned for the Abbeville Manual of Style?
A. Bien sûr; we are constantly evolving. Stay tuned.
Q. Is there anything your Arbiters of Style aren’t prepared to judge?
A. No.
