I’m Kerry, a new intern at Beaufort, and would like to start by regretfully acknowledging that I am no Legolas or Katniss. Though the only time I have ever shot an arrow was from my brother’s miniature archery set when I was young, I would love to be an honorary archer by shooting you some arrows of truth with this blog as my crossBEAU! I will, of course, be using my words, something I expect I’m better at wielding than weapons. I imagine a stance behind a crossbow would be a place of great tranquility and focus (that is, of course, when you are not trying to compete with Gimli to see who can kill more orcs and/or shooting for your life in the 74th Annual Hunger Games) and I aim to write with the enthusiasm these awesome archer characters have for their sport. I’m thoroughly excited to be learning about the publishing industry from within and am already getting a feel for what an interesting and multifaceted business it is.
It’s inspiring to learn about Beaufort’s books and the authors that created them. I am imagining the blank piece of paper that each of their books must once have been as a target, and their finished, published work as their own bull’s-eye. I’ve always loved to write and, for me, a blank page is both thrilling and intimidating. I am delighted to be in a place where the filling of that page, or the journey of the arrow from the crossBEAU to the target, is central.
In keeping with the theme of my new pun, I also considered the analogy of the gun to the crossbow as e-readers are to printed books. In both cases, the former serves a similar purpose with a little more efficiency and a little less mass. More convenient, practical and environmentally friendly, the gun and the e-reader fit with our fast paced society while the crossbow and the printed book linger in an artistic and enduring realm that allows for a respite from all the instantaneousness and technology upon us. While I tend to prefer the printed book to the e-book (I am fond of turning pages and I love that new book smell), I must say of the hi-tech counterparts to the bow and book: leave the gun, take the Kindle.