Well, that was a hell of a week. In a good way. I’ve shared most of what’s been going on on social media. Normally I don’t do that because … spoilers! This time, because I keep forgetting to write my blog I just thought … sod it! And of course, now here I am, remembering to write my blog, so while last week, you kind of missed out, this week, you get duplicates. Sod and his chuffing law eh?

Since some of this is a recap, I’ll try and make it brief. On Monday this week, the test copies for my next Book release arrived. This is a bit of a departure from normal in that it’s a book about eyebombing. As you know, in order to make my posts more interesting I use my own photographs. As you also know, unless you’re new to this blog, those photos tend to be eyebombs done by me. I was hit by copyright trolls a while back so I am hyper-careful now about having any posts on either of my sites that are not my own photos.

For some time now, people have remarked, here and there, that I should make a photo book of my eyebombs, but until recently, the costs of doing so were prohibitive — we’re talking £20 wholesale cost to me for a 30 page book. Or the production side of it was too complicated — as in, I’d need to use some proper publishing software and didn’t have any or know how to use it, so I’d probably have to pay a designer, which I couldn’t really afford.

These two barriers to entry suddenly fell this year when I discovered affinity publishing suite, which is like photoshop used to be. No crappy subscription you just buy it. It’s also just as powerful and, woah! I could afford it. Second, a new player has arrived in the print on demand market which is a bit more user friendly and their costs are keener.

Though still a little unsure as to whether I could make a decent fist of designing a book myself, I had a go. It wasn’t bad so I tweaked my proof copy and sent off for 20 or so which I will put on sale at the St Edmundsbury Cathedral Summer Fair next Saturday, to see if anyone is prepared to pay ready money for them.

I think for world wide sales on this one, I am going to do a kickstarter, mainly because there are a lot of book fans on there and it seems a good place to connect with them and I’m not having much success connecting with book people elsewhere.

This week, flushed with the joy of a new HUP product in my hands, one that had been, frankly, a bit of a shot in the dark but which I was surprisingly pleased with, I went to a street art exhibition at my local museum with a friend. At the end, in the foyer, which is also the shop, I wanted to eyebomb a box on one of the shelves and eventually decided that since I was on CCTV it might be politic to ask. The person on the desk said, ‘I knew I recognised you! You’re the eye lady!’

I’m wtf? I thought. ‘Uh … yeh …’ I said.

They were delighted for me to eyebomb the box and when I said I’d been tempted to eyebomb the exhibition space they said,

‘Oh you should!’

And the long and short of it is that friend and I went off and had lunch and then we returned to the exhibition and I stuck Googly Eyes on a lot of things … although I did avoid the actual exhibits. So then I asked if they thought my book could be put in the shop while the exhibition was on and they gave me the name and email address of the curator and said that I should definitely ask. Which reminds me … I must … you know … ask the curator. Doh. They may well say no, after all they are probably someone of taste and discernment, but even if they do, being encouraged to ask felt good.

So all in all, a good week.

I can’t quite explain this, but I seem to have found my art related creative mojo again. I’m guessing that now McMini is older I’m not using all the drawing art centre of my brain (which is totally a medical thing, obviously) to interact with him, be patient, find ways to cajole him into doing the boring stuff like getting from a to b within a certain time frame etc and also into answering question like ‘Is rain God having a wee?’ although to be honest that’s one I asked, he told me that he’d noticed that puddles disappear after rain and he thought that some of the water must go back up into the sky. But yeh, he’s smart and he used to ask a LOT of questions which I would always try and answer if I knew. And was a genuine delight for the most part, but it did tend to use most of the drawing creativity so if I sat down and actually tried to draw it felt like pulling teeth. It’s rather wonderful to have found it again.

Yesterday I knitted a wine bottle sock for someone. Didn’t finish it in time but it is finished now. I’m also working on a display stand for the eyebombing post cards I’ve had done. Yes there are seventeen cards as well (I’m nuts). I’m making this with card, and a lot of glue, and some spray paint. It’s fun and I haven’t had the resources or energy to do anything like this for ages. Perhaps I am finally post menopausal rather than peri, only the brain fog has lifted substantially over the last six months or so and I am getting acquainted with a MTM I haven’t seen for years; the dynamic one who has a bit more energy and who could, occasionally, remember her own flicking name.

I’ve also been taking Lion’s Mane supplements … don’t laugh … well alright, do, if you want to. But after starting Magnesium L-Theonate and suddenly discovering I could sleep through the night, I thought I’d give Lion’s Mane a go because it’s supposed to help with brain fog. I seem to remember someone said it was good for ADHD (which Mum always reckoned I had) in that it helps ADHD people focus and get organised.

Holy shit! First impressions suggest these things are gold. I have been so fucking on it this week it’s unbelievable. I have done stuff. I’ve made phone calls! I’ve remembered to do things … well … except email the curator of the museum to ask about putting my book in the shop but … you know. I’ve remembered to do quite a lot of things and I’ve procrastinated way, way less! Which is golden. So that’s been a hell of a thing.

At the moment there’s been a lot of Mum stuff so it’s been hard to write … although with the amazing Ruthless Efficiency pills Lion’s Mane pills I’m now taking, maybe I will be able to get back to that soon. In the meantime, I am building the kickstarter and I will make a special kickstarter edition which will list the names of funders in the back and have a couple of extra pictures and t’ing.

So here we are, and a book that I only did because the writing is a bit stalled and I needed an easy publishing win, seems to be rather more popular than my Real Books. Mwahahargh! For example; I’m now understanding, for the first time, how it feels to publish a book people actually want and it’s amazing.

Normally, when I bring out a book, apart from a few of you guys and the nutters in my fan group on Facebook, most people just smile with a slightly glazed expression and say, ‘that’s nice dear!’ Three quarters of the people on my mailing list haven’t even read one (God knows what they’re doing there but that’s another story).

This time, holy shizz! They’re asking when it’s coming out, where they can buy it, how much it will cost … I’m suddenly understanding what it feels like for other authors and why they are so enthusiastic about what they do. Hitherto, my relationship with publishing has been a bit like an addict’s with the substance to which they are addicted. I write because I love it and I have to and I need to share it. Also, a select few people do love my books … when they read them. But the when-they-read-them part is a huge problem because people only tend to read K’Barthan stuff as an absolute last resort, when every avenue of other reading matter has been exhausted and they are literally desperate … so desperate they’ll read anything … and then having finally had  to read one of my books, they write and tell me that it was on their to read list for seven years and they read it in a sitting, have read all the other books I’ve written in a week and how come I’ve only written ten? And why aren’t there more? And they want more K’Barthan crack nowwww!

There is no middle ground.

So … yeh … eyebombing. Waaaaay more popular than my actual bona-fide books. Who’d have thunk it? You live and learn. Right now, I’m just enjoying the ride.

Eyebomb, Therefore I Am

You didn’t think you’d escape without me giving the new book a plug did you? Ha! No chance. It may not be on sale yet, but when has that ever stopped me!

Here’s the blurb.

Step into a realm where inanimate objects come to life and a simple pair of googly eyes holds the power to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. This book invites you to immerse yourself in the whimsical and hilarious world of eyebombing; that art of sticking googly eyes on unsuspecting inanimate objects to unleash the joy within.

As you turn each page, you’ll find yourself smiling at the quirky personalities that emerge from everyday objects ranging from lampposts and traffic signs to automatic hand dryers and even dinner. The juxtaposition of the ordinary and the unusual challenges societal norms, reminding us to embrace new or different things, and look for humour in the unlikeliest of places.

Whether you’re a fan of street art, a lover of comedy, or simply seeking a joyous escape from the mundane, this photo book is sure to leave you grinning from ear to ear. You might even end up stashing a pack of googly eyes in our own pockets and having a go at eyebombing yourself.

If you are interested you can sign up to my eyebombing email list. At the moment very little happens when you do this, although I’m hoping to send out a series of eyebombing photos at some point. The main impetuous, though is so I can tell people who want to know when the book finally drops and where they can get a copy. So you’ll hear when the kickstarter is launched, what’s in the fabulous kickstarter edition and you’ll also hear when the normal version goes on sale afterwards … and if I do any appearances selling it. To find out more and be informed when it goes on sale, join my eyebombing newsgroup by clicking on this link:

https://www.hamgee.co.uk/eblhttps://www.hamgee.co.uk/ebl