Cut/Copy/Paste: Fragments from the History of Bookwork

Whitney Trettien's book Cut/Copy/Paste explores the history of experimental book hacks and how they speak to the contemporary conditions of digital scholarship and publishing. It demonstrates how digital forms have the potential to decenter patriarchal histories of print, and creates a method for identifying and comprehending hybrid objects that resist familiar bibliographic and literary categories.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2022
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

In her captivating book Cut/Copy/Paste, Whitney Trettien delves into the enigmatic realm of the London print trade, exploring the hidden corners where paper media are transformed into extraordinary, one-of-a-kind publications. Through meticulous hand-curated digital resources, Trettien resurrects these long-forgotten objects, shedding light on their profound connection to the contemporary landscape of digital scholarship and publishing. As a mixed-media artifact, Cut/Copy/Paste serves as a testament to Trettien's argument that digital forms possess the power to challenge and decenter the patriarchal histories of print.

Tracing the lives and afterlives of amateur "bookwork," Trettien unveils a methodology for identifying and understanding hybrid objects that defy conventional bibliographic and literary categories. In this captivating journey, she bears witness to the rich history of radical publishing, characterized by the use of fragments and found materials.

Cut/Copy/Paste offers an open invitation to engage in the act of cutting, copying, and pasting different histories, fostering a spirit of generosity and inclusivity. This book serves as a valuable resource for students of publishing, digital humanities, and anyone with an interest in exploring the past, present, and future of creativity. Its digital resources remain thrillingly open for additions and revisions, encouraging readers to contribute their own insights and perspectives to this dynamic narrative.

Dimension: 203 x 152 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517904098