Announcing the launch of my hardback picture book for adults and all ages due out on 21st August 2018, What the Hell Just Happened?!: Comfort and Wisdom for When Your World Falls Apart. More so than most of my work, this was written and drawn, straight from my heart and guts!
Consider it a friendly pick-me-up to clear the mind and set you up to make plans for a positive future, like a chat and drink with a good friend. It’s visual comfort and wisdom for anyone who’s going through a tough time, be it a bad break up, the loss of a job, failing an exam, losing a loved one, not getting a promotion, or any other difficult life challenge. Also good as a nice day-to-day lift!
Writing and drawing comics and books can be an incredible cathartic experience and this was a perfect example of creating something in order to work through stuff! As ever though, I’ve aimed to make the book universal for as many people as possible, facing whatever their own troubles and burdens might be.
Drawn in dip pen and ink, it may have been my most enjoyable book to illustrate, and has some of the artwork I’m most proud of.
Edited by James Cherry and brought to you by Jessica Kingsley Publishers who also published my children’s picture book, You Make Your Parents Super Happy!, my all ages comic strip collection, Lucy the Octopus, and through it’s imprint Singing Dragon, my graphic novel, When Are You Going to Get a Proper Job?!
Here’s what Jessica Kingsley Publishers say about What the Hell Just Happened?!…
You feel like you’re…how can I put it…falling?’
This inspirational gift book helps readers overcome troubling times in their lives. Through vivid illustrations and positive affirmations, the book shows how you can face your past and embrace your future. The author provides thoughtful tips to remind you of what you can be at your emotionally strongest and smartest.
Written by successful graphic novelist Richy K. Chandler, this will help you face life head-on and appreciate all that is good in your life. Ideal to gift to anyone going through a rough patch, or for use by therapists and counsellors.
Plus other nice things said about the book by awesome people…
‘This charming little book by Richy K. Chandler works like a lifebuoy. When you feel down, reach out and grab it. As you travel through this colourfully and weirdly caricaturized world, eventually you will find yourself kicking away from the depths of sadness and reaching toward the light above you.’
– Chie Kutsuwada, Manga-creator and illustrator
‘When life throws you a curve ball, grab comics pioneer and illustrator extraordinaire Richy K. Chandler’s What the Hell Just Happened. In this beautifully drawn comic, not only will you be guided through encounters with the dragons of your past and any heavy anchors of regret, but, with the help of a large mallet, you will also be advised how to thrash a few flying meteors of powerlessness. This is a truly ground-breaking self-help comic!’
– Dr Sarah Lightman, Eisner-Award winning author and comics artist, and co-founder of Laydeez do Comics
Preorder the book online or buy it from August 21st 2018:
JKP Books
Waterstones
Amazon
On the left below, you can see my amazing co-host, Penny Blackfeather creator and Alidade contributor Francesca Dare.
And there’s two good friends (and Tempo Lush Tales of the Tanoox contributors) who I barely got to chat to at all, even after they traveled to the event from Brighton, the amazing 
Lucy the Octopus
Inko (left) and Chie travelled up from Brighton for the evening, with Inko cosplaying as one of the Rosie and Jacinda characters, Aaron!
Keara was kind enough to give all the contributors framed original drawings of the portraits she’d done.
