Submit your proposal here.

Stage one: Proposals.

The deadline is 30 September 2025

Stage two: First vote on proposals (simple approve/disapprove).

1 October – 15 October

Stage three: Top five proposals are expanded to no more than 1,000 words and the Trustee provides commentaries on each.

16 October – 31 October

Stage four: Second vote on proposals (ranked choice).

1 November – 15 November

Stage five: Fine-tuning.

Per the By-laws: ...the Members may make changes or clarifications to the elected proposal via ballot or, at the Director's discretion, straw poll. The Trustee will provide a commentary on proposed changes, including [a] the effect on the price of the book and [b] the effect on the production of the book.

Sent 9 September 2025

Dear Consensus Press members,

The Members have approved new bylaws for Consensus Press and, per those bylaws, have elected me as our first Trustee.  (I soundly defeated the other candidate, Delay.  My mother is so proud!)  Thank you for your trust and your continued enthusiasm for this experiment.  I'm excited to be a part of it going forward.

My first responsibility is to appoint a paid Director for the press.  I have appointed Richard Hardesty.  Richard is an author, scholar of private presses, and all-around gentleman.  He and his late wife ran a tax accountancy business.  He's a dot the i's and cross the t's sort of guy.  (Which – as a cross the i's and dot the t's sort of guy myself – gives me great relief.) 

There are two topics which I'd like to bring up, and then I'll butt out.

1.  Clarification of roles.

Our newly-adopted bylaws create two positions for Consensus Press: Trustee and Director.  

You've elected me Trustee.  That means that I will determine the price for the edition that you elect, and will personally guarantee the success of that edition.  Simply put, when you order a book from Consensus Press, I guarantee that you will receive the book you ordered.  

All other practical responsibilities are with the Director, Richard.  If you have a question, reach out to Richard.  If you can't find your ballot, reach out to Richard.  If you would like to propose something to be voted on by the membership, reach out to Richard.  If you think that the press is falling short, bring your concerns to Richard.  Richard is our guy.  He's the one who'll make the press hum.

Let me pay Richard a compliment: He is uniquely open to feedback. He's a listener. He's an improver. He'll work tirelessly to improve Consensus Press, by inches as well as by miles. Don't hesitate to take advantage of the fact that we have such a person in charge of our little endeavour – your ideas, feedback, and constructive criticism will find a receptive audience. 

2.  Improvements for Consensus Press in its second edition.

I have two goals for Consensus Press' second edition: efficiency and clarity.

The new structure enacted in our bylaws will help to improve on both fronts.  The question of who is in charge of Consensus Press has been resolved.  Richard is in charge, and is empowered to make quick and necessary decisions.  The Tale of Sinuhe took way too long, in large part because of diffuse responsibility.  With this structure, and with Richard at the helm, I believe it could have been done in half the time.  

Ultimately, however, Richard's responsibility is to efficiently enact the will of the members.  I'd encourage members to propose and vote with an eye toward efficiency and clarity as well.  Consensus Press can certainlyachieve wonderful books, but no fine press book – save for an exceptional few – is without compromise.  Copyrights take time and money.  Handmade papers take time and money.  Elaborate bindings take time and money.  Signatures take time and money.  While nothing is impossible, heaping ambitions upon ambitions is a bit like heaping every topping onto your ice cream sundae, only to find that, when you step back, it's become a sugary monstrocity. 

Other than sharing that advice, I am going to keep my opinions to myself this time around.  I strongly believe in the wisdom of crowds.  There's something magical about the fact that a hundred people can all be wrong, while their average is right.  When the press began, quite a few fine and private pressmen told me that they thought it'd be a disaster.  We have proven them wrong.  It's honestly inspiring that this small and incredibly diverse group, from over a dozen countries and all walks of life, came together and made The Tale of Sinuhe happen.  Let's do it again, only quicker.  I look forward to Consensus Press bringing about another fabulous edition.

Warm wishes from Oregon,

Griffin 

P. S. Richard will take things from here.  Please be on the lookout for his emails.

The results can be viewed here.