Now that my Montaigne Project URL is back online, perhaps I should start by discussing what’s up with “Essai by Essay.” I’ve recently pulled the first edition of the book from all retail channels in anticipation of my new version. Originally I thought this edition would include just some minor pagination updates and minor editing.

But the more I get into the project, the more I actively dislike the first edition of the book. I’m doing fairly extensive editing across the essays and expect to be engaged in this work for a couple more weeks, at least.

There’s something else that’s bothering me as well, however. Somewhere along the line, my writing about Montaigne lost me and no longer fits the premise of my introduction. I think it’s right for me to shift my analysis of Montaigne as I learn more, but it’s a mistake to turn the book into purely a chapter-by-chapter analysis of his writing.

This may not be something I can address in the second edition, I might just be better off creating a book that works on its existing terms. At some point, however, I need to return to the original purpose of the project, using Montaigne’s model to bring my own thoughts and experiences to light.

That does not mean another 107 day Montaigne marathon is in order. But a better balance needs to be struck, perhaps in a future third edition.