How to Create and Upcycle Your Novel

Books have so many purposes beyond simply reading. When you re-use them, you can give them new life. You save them from landfills and do your part to protect the environment.

You can use the pages to create something special, such as flowers or gift bags. Upcycled books can make fantastic gifts, but you can take it one step further using your own words. If you have your own story you’d like to bind or want to create a new one, here’s all you need to know to create and upcycle your own novel.

Upcycling Your Book

Books make a fantastic gift. Unfortunately, they can have a negative impact on the environment if you only buy new ones. You can do your part by upcycling books, especially if it’s your own you’d like to gift. Here’s how.  

1. Create Your Story

Many aspiring authors have a lot of ideas in their heads swirling around. It can be hard to capture one and put it on paper. This online course on how to write a book can help. You’ll learn how to start your novel, including creating characters, developing a setting, and establishing a backstory. You’ll master how to set the pace of your story, tying everything together until there’s a resolution.

All writers can benefit from brushing up on the basics as you create your story. It will help everything feel more cohesive. You’ll be able to learn from seasoned professionals, as well as workshop ideas from your peers. These classes are more than just creating. It’s an open dialogue with others in a safe space where you can bounce ideas off one another and get unbiased critiques. 

If you’re serious about writing a story, even if it’s just for your personal use, it may be worth checking out a novel writing course. You can even workshop stories you’ve already created to make them stronger. It’s up to you how you want to approach your continued learning. 

2. Print and Assemble the Story

Once your story has been completed, you’ll need to move it to paper. Some people write it in stylized calligraphy to add a vintage flair, while others type it out on a typewriter to give it a news-like feel. You can also simply print it out traditionally. How your novel is printed will determine its look and feel, so choose wisely.

Determine the size you’d like your book to be. If you plan on binding it traditionally, you’ll want to print it horizontally and fold the pages in half. Test it out to see what works for you and your story. Gather the pages once you’re done and assemble the story. Staple pages together in groups of 8-12 to help them bind more seamlessly to the book. Set the pages aside in order once you’re done. 

3. Bind the Book 

Now that your story is printed and assembled, it’s time to bind your book together. If you are a frequent book upcycler, you should have book bindings from other craft projects. 

If you don’t have any available, you can remove the pages from a book and set them aside so you can use them later. Don’t waste any materials. Book pages can make good pinwheels or ornaments.

Secure a thin strip of fabric, paper, or cardboard. This will serve as your book’s spine. Once the book has been prepped, place glue on the spine and put your page bundles into place. Hold them stable until the glue sets. You may even clamp them into place to get a secure hold. You can trim the pages to get a clean fit if there is any overlap. 

4. Cover the Book

Now that your book is bound, it’s time to place it into the book cover. If the cover is plain, you can use it as is. If it has words, you may place fabric or other materials over them to make it uniquely yours. You may even need to cut the original binding down to size if it is too big.

Whatever adjustments you need to make to the book covers, ensure it’s completed before placing the pages. This will prevent any accidental damage to the pages. Set aside any usable material for future projects. Even a few inches can make a good bookmark. 

Once the book is completed, add more glue to the spine. Set the pages in place and clamp them together. The increased pressure will ensure they are securely placed. Allow the book some time to settle before flipping through it. You’ll notice some pages cracking the first time you look through them, but this is normal. 

Conclusion

Creating and upcycling your book is a fun and unique gift. It’s truly one of a kind. Using materials you already have reduces your environmental impact, making it even more meaningful.

Whether you have a story you’d like to print or want to write a new one, you can use your own words as a meaningful gift or to decorate a space.