Craig Mod, author of Things Become Other Things, has built an independent publishing system that allows complete creative control as he simultaneously creates alliances with publishers like Random House. In this conversation, Craig explains why books represent the perfect focused technology in an age of constant digital distraction.
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Today, the Spotlight shines On Craig Mod, a writer, photographer, and walker who's spent the last 20 years making Japan his home.
Random House has just released Things Become Other Things, a walking memoir that traces his 300-mile journey along ancient pilgrimage paths in rural Japan. The book blends sharp prose with striking photography, capturing conversations with aging fishermen, inn owners, and cafe "mamas" while reflecting on friendship, loss, and the disappearing village life of Japan's Kii Peninsula. This is an expanded and reimagined mass market edition of the title Craig issued in a fine art edition directly to his online community of followers.
His previous books include Kissa by Kissa, which explores Japan's old cafe culture, and he reaches some 40,000 readers through his newsletters on photography, literature, and walking. Craig's work sits at a perfect intersection of deep attention and wandering feet.
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00:01:45 - Finding outlets for creative ideas and never abandoning projects
00:04:56 - The value in "failed" projects and the importance of finishing work
00:06:25 - "Don't be the best. Be the only" - Finding your unique creative voice
00:07:02 - How themes emerge organically in Craig's work
00:11:28 - From Fine Art edition to Random House: Publishing journey
00:16:58 - The rare transition from self-published to major publisher
00:21:14 - Setting ambitious goals and planning the book tour
00:24:38 - The genesis of "Other Thing" - Craig's new photo book
00:30:13 - The editing process for the Random House edition
00:35:43 - Reimagining the book's structure with an editor's guidance
00:38:59 - The challenges of recording an audiobook
00:41:15 - Contract negotiations and building trust with publishers
00:45:11 - Craig's philosophy on digital vs. analog and why "books matter"
00:47:54 - The impermanence of digital content versus physical books
00:52:38 - Ebook editions and upcoming book release plans
00:54:09 - What's next: Recovery and creating a dedicated studio space
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Visit Craig Mod at https://craigmod.com
Purchase Things Become Other Things from Bookshop.org → https://bookshop.org/p/books/things-become-other-things-a-memoir-craig-mod/21707235
Powell’s Books → https://www.powells.com/book/things-become-other-things-9780593732540
Barnes & Noble → https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/things-become-other-things-craig-mod/1146138224
Amazon → https://amzn.to/3z1CjSt
or Apple Books → https://books.apple.com/us/book/things-become-other-things/id6618121918
Follow Craig Mod on Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/craigmod.com
Instagram → https://instagram.com/craigmod
Threads → https://threads.net/@craigmod
and YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@CraigMod
For extensive show notes, links, and podcast information, go to https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com
Be sure to check out The Tonearm, our new magazine site featuring fascinating perspectives and conversations with creative people → https://www.thetonearm.com
The Tonearm on Mastodon → https://social.lol/@thetonearm
The Tonearm on Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/thetonearm.com
The Tonearm on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tonearm
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