Schrödinger's Sunburn
I had a newsletter all lined up enthusiastically blathering about the imminent release of Sunburn, the latest collaborative opus from Simon Gane and myself. Released Thursday 24th of November to comic shops and Tuesday 29th of November everywhere else (bookstores, retirement communities, liquor dispensaries, truck stops, all the places good comics are sold in high numbers).
Cool, I thought, no need to share my latest composting news and inform my loyal readers if I've set the chimney on fire yet. Update: home composter is going great, lots of worm action. No news on my daughter's worms. And, no, I haven't caused a chimney fire yet, but if I do you'll be the first to read about it.
Instead of my quotidian nonsense I could give the people what they want: product. Goods available to purchase. For Christmas, or whenever. Maybe Thanksgiving?
Releasing a book on Thanksgiving (although the date on the website does say the 23rd) seemed like a mistake. Our American cousins would be deep in a turkey torpor. Smothered in yams and pumpkin pie and too busy watching sports to buy graphic novels about a teenager spending their summer in the Greek islands.
I consoled myself with the promise that the pumpkin pie eaters could get their copies on the following day, Black Friday. A Thursday dedicated to eating squash-based desserts followed by a Friday of frenzied consumption. Good times for graphic novelists looking to make impulse sales to ease indigestion.
This morning a friendly retail professional informed Simon and myself that despite Sunburn being promised this week there is no sign of it's physical appearance in the comic book distribution system. It has long traveled the Astral Plane but was having a spot of bother manifesting into meat space. A new date of Wednesday 30th of November was mooted for comic shops (St. Andrew's day, as it happens). I have no ETA when it will reach truck stops. Probably a week later, comic-consuming truckers.
So I am presented with the dilemma of blathering on enthusiastically about the release of a book that won't be out for another week and looking like a fool. Or laying the ground for our marketing blitzkrieg early (Image might have put an ad in Previews catalogue or something). Like I say, dilemma. I am no wiser than any of you. Sunburn promises to be out by the end of the month.
Please join me in embracing the chaos.
It's really good. Simon spent years drawing and colouring it. Grab a copy the moment it emerges from the Astral Plane. Get a copy for yourself and all your relatives for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, any occasion is fine with us.
Still not persuaded? Read what the fancy critics say:
Watson (Breakfast After Noon) and Gane (Ghost Tree) whisk readers away to a sunny Greek fantasy island in this romantic character-focused graphic novel... Gane's lush illustrations, portrayed in bright oceanic hues, earthy browns, and red accents, artfully render intricately detailed Grecian backdrops and conventionally attractive characters frolicking in the ocean. Watson conveys understated emotion via layered dialogue and measured pacing paired with deliberate plotting in this quiet, sun-drenched drama. --Publishers Weekly
The spare dialogue flows naturally, propelling the story forward. The luminous, evocative artwork steals the show with its palette of blues and sandy browns accentuated with occasional pops of red and yellow. This is a contemplative study of a girl battered and disillusioned by her first glimpses of adult complexities. Atmospheric and nostalgic. --Kirkus Reviews
Bookplates:
Order from OK Comics and you will get the book with a signed exclusive bookplate.
Order from Page 45 and you will get the book with a (different) signed exclusive bookplate.
We’re very lucky to have wonderful retailers who support our (and many other authors) books so please support them if you can.
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Even More Shameless capitalism
Simon has made three A3 prints from our Paris book and they are gorgeous. Drop by his store and snag one for yourself.
Patreon
I have a patreon which I update regularly. Tuesdays and Saturdays I post sketches and behind the scenes stuff such as Punycorn colour pages. Thursdays I post a one page comic story. And this year I am posting a review of the book I have read that week every Sunday.
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I still have books out in the world, Kerry and the Knight of the Forest & the awards nominated The Book Tour. Support my efforts through my store – digital comics – patreon or by leaving a positive review online