Some projects arrive quietly and unfold over time. Others ask something deeper of you—patience, trust, persistence, and care. Valley of Castles, Cattle & Coal was very much that kind of project for me.

From the beginning, I knew this book would require more than technical skill or good design instincts. It asked for listening. For slowing down. For honoring the weight of history, place, and the many lives woven through its pages. This wasn’t just a book to be produced—it was a story that needed to be held with respect.

As the work unfolded, I found myself moving through layers of research, photographs, maps, and narratives that stretched across generations. Some days were deeply satisfying; others were challenging in ways that tested my patience and problem-solving skills. But all of it felt meaningful. This project reminded me why I do this work in the first place: to help preserve stories that might otherwise fade, and to shape them into something tangible that can be held, shared, and returned to again and again.

Working with Gary and Teresa Steffens was a privilege. Their dedication to honoring the history of the Ohio Creek Valley—and the people who built its communities through ranching, mining, and perseverance—guided every step of the process. Their commitment, curiosity, and care are felt on every page of this book.

This project also reminded me that bookmaking is never just about paper and ink. It’s about trust, collaboration, and countless small decisions made with intention. It’s about respecting the story enough to give it the time it deserves.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this journey and to help bring Valley of Castles, Cattle & Coal into the world.

The book is available through Abracadabra! (The Bookworm), and directly from the author, Gary Steffens, gsteffens54@gmail.com. More vendors will be announced soon.

If you’d like to see photos from the process, visit my facebook page link below in the website footer.