I'm in my last ten days with the book I've been writing on horror tattoos for the last couple of months - then we move into a very short production period (because we've been designing as we've been writing) before it goes on sale in the big world. I think the official date is 23rd May but you can pre-order it here and as soon as they come in, they'll be shipped out pronto believe me. I thought we were keeping this cover under wraps for a little while but somebody told me the guys back at the ranch had posted it on facebook earlier this week - which is about as 'not undercover' as you can possibly get. I think some of the others posted online are a version behind but this is definitely what the final version looks like:
The book is most definitely more than how it first appears. I would say it's 100% exactly what it looks like it is and then another 100% of extra stuff that you won't be expecting to find. To say I'm really pleased with it would be a massive understatement - even if there are still a few sections left to pull together. Just as soon as I'm done with it and I've seen some proofs, I'll dissect it some more and maybe post some previews of the internals. So far, it's been a great journey - I've made some friends, learned new things and seen some of the most mind-blowing art on the streets today. If those aren't good enough reasons to be a writer and work on fully sanctioned pet projects, I don't know what are.
One final thing I need to mention about the book - after much to-ing and fro-ing, debate, false starts and other things so not worth mentioning here - the cover was digitally hand drawn by Mr. Mark McCarthy. Mark sells adverts in the mag - I knew he was a "bit of an artist" on the side but had never really seen much of his work. The concept was dropped on his desk as something of an afterthought if I'm honest but there's nothing better than seeing someone pick up a baton that's been dropped on the floor and run like hell with it over nothing more than a couple of weekends. I'm sure he has an online presence somewhere - I'll find out what it is and add it to the next 'reveal' of the book. Fine work Sir. I feel some merch coming on...
Anyway, once that's out on the street, I think I'll kick back for five minutes or so before starting on the next one in the series - which will either be Sci-Fi & Fantasy or Comic Books. I haven't decided yet - I'm not even sure if it's up to me. Probably best if it's not because I'll only waste time trying to figure it out.
That will do for today - things to do. Nobody to see - not at close to midnight - but definitely things to do.