A Closer Look at the Lettered edition of THE WAY HOME
12th Jan 2026
Peter Beagle is my favorite author, and working with him for the Subterranean Press Edition of The Way Home is a privilege I shall always treasure. From the art direction to the final lettered edition I've had a hand in every stage, and I've been able to work with a variety of artists.
I was able to work with one of my favorite binders, Lisa Hersey, of Antler Editions for the lettered edition. I had a marbled paper already chosen (by the incomparable artist Jemma Lewis), and Lisa built upon my vision with suggestions on the leather and cloth. We even were able to add hand-sewn silk endbands, a SubPress first.
This edition features:
- letterpress title pages for the two novellas, printed by DWRI
- art by Alyssa Winans
- the limited edition dust jacket art as a gatefold
- hand-sewn endbands in silk
- goat leather spine
- japanese silk enclosure with leather labels and velvet traycase lining
- marbled paper by Jemma Lewis
-Geralyn Lance, Subterranean Press COO
Lisa Hersey runs Antler Editions, a bindery in Massachusetts. She graduated from the Montserrat College of Art in 2012, with an award for excellence in her concentration. Lisa bound the lettered edition run of Lincoln’s Dreams, and recently completed The Way Home. Many of SubPress’s customers will also be familiar with her work on the lettered edition cases of Earthling Press’s Weaveworld. In addition to binding, Lisa also teaches a variety of bookbinding classes.
Geralyn Lance, our COO, interviewed Lisa to learn more about her bindery and art.
First off, tell us a little about Antler Editions. How did you decide upon your bindery name, and what is the history behind your company?
Antler Editions started in my parents' basement in 2012! It took me a while to settle on a name, I knew I wanted the word Editions, because I love creating multiples. I was looking at bone names at first because I was doing a lot of screen printing at the time, and of course... the bone folder. Everything sounded too medical or hard to pronounce...and then I thought Antler... and it felt right.
Bookbinders tend to fall into Conservation work, one-off fine bindings, or edition bindings. What made you gravitate toward edition binding?
I love doing repetitive work! Watching a stack grow and shrink as the project progresses is so satisfying. I enjoy trying to figure out the most productive method. It feels really meditative to get into a rhythm of repetition. When I do Conservation or one-off bindings I feel like I have to wear a different hat, slow down, and it just feels both over too fast and painfully slow.
Every artistic craftsperson has a particular skill they are proud of, which is yours?
I put magnets around my benches to hold my needles so I don't misplace them*, when students see it they get so excited, it kind of feels like my best work! I do think I am pretty good at adapting my work environment to be easier on my body for repetitive work. I tape little handles on my rulers, adjust my tables or seating so my body is the right height, I have a color coded peg board for my tools to find their way back easier... Easier, but they don't always do that.
You recently completed the lettered edition of Lincoln's Dreams, was there anything in particular you would like to share about this project?
That Lotka paper on the cover got so much attention in my studio! One artist that saw it even searched it out to use for his next book project. It was the perfect choice for the book cover, adding a great dimension and complimenting the lavender leatherette perfectly.
What are you looking forward to binding next?
Every new project that enters my studio is so exciting, I said I love edition work, but I also love sending it on its way and starting the next thing. The projects I'm working on haven't been announced yet by their artists/authors, so you'll just have to follow along for sneak peaks on my Instagram. Teaser! I am excited to get started on The Way Home. My sister and I watched the Last Unicorn animated movie over and over and
listened to that soundtrack countless times. It brought back a lot of dusty memories when I heard about The Way Home, I need to get caught up and read it!
*as a hobby bookbinder, this is genius and I've incorporated it into my personal studio - Geralyn