Tag: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

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What the Hell Just Happened?! Comfort and Wisdom for When Your World Falls Apart

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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

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Lucy the Octopus Hardback Collection

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Okay, so Lucy the Octopus has been a big part of my life for many years now. She popped into my head while doodling around twelve years ago and her personality took shape in a mini-comic Tempo Lush brought out in 2007.

Eventually Lucy became a constant companion as I wrote and drew 212 of her weekly strips starting in 2012 (just noticed the serendipity of that), appearing online and collected in five comic-books over four years. I’ve had an amazing response from readers around the world, relating to Lucy’s struggles and enjoying her story.  I’ve also had the pleasure of talking about Lucy at many events for adults, as well as to thousands of children and teenagers in dozens of schools, libraries and hospitals around the U.K.


So, of course, the idea of a printed collection of the whole Lucy story is something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. Jessica Kingsley Publishers had published my children’s picture book You Make Your Parents Super Happy! and, through it’s imprint Singing Dragon, also released my graphic novel When Are You Going to Get a Proper Job?!   I was thrilled when they agreed to publish a beautifully produced hardback collection of the strip, complete with new material.

Giving extra value to the collection are special online activity sheets for PSHE and creativity focusing on some of the themes of Lucy’s story: bullying and prejudice, available through a special code found in the book.

Here’s what Jessica Kingsley Publishers say about Lucy the Octopus…

Lucy is an incurably uncool teen, and an octopus. For no reason at all (other than that she isn’t very “girly”), she is very unpopular, and even her parents don’t like her! The only friend who will hang out with her in public is Puffy, her pet puffer fish. But Lucy’s haters don’t know that she is secretly an awesome guitarist, and she has been picked to join everyone’s favourite local band, Lamington Fuzz. While Lucy rocks at doing her own thing, her classmates realise that spending time with the “cool kids” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be…

Richy K. Chandler’s latest graphic novel is a celebration of being who you are, and a story about why it pays to be kind. Bubbling with fun and wit, it will buoy up the self-esteem of children aged 9+, and is a delight to read for big kids of any age.

The book is available to buy now, through the coolest book shops, as well as online at these lovely sites…

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When Are You Going to Get a Proper Job?

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‘”Drawing pictures all day. Nice work if you can get it, eh? I suppose you haven’t had so much time to focus on a proper career…”‘

I am thrilled to announce that my first graphic novel, When Are You Going to Get a Proper Job? – Parenting and the Creative Muse,  will be published by Singing Dragon on November 21st 2017.

Here’s what their site says about the book…

“This witty, insightful graphic novel explores the challenges faced by artists in today’s society, through the life of a comics creator named Tariq. Creative block is the least of Tariq’s worries, as he struggles to be a `good enough’ father while pursuing a career that is underpaid and underappreciated. Swapping notes with other parents in creative professions, and driven by his artistic muse, Tariq maps out a plan for making his art and his other responsibilities work together in harmony – most of the time.”

You can order the book directly from Singing Dragon when it comes out (use the code Y17 for a 10% discount), as well as from Amazon.

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You Make Your Parents SUPER HAPPY!

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‘Hey! I think you should know that there is nothing your parents are more proud of… than YOU!’

I am pleased to announce that my first children’s picture book, You Make Your Parents SUPER HAPPY!  – A book about parents separating,  will be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers on October 19th 2017.    I’m thrilled that the book will be coming from such a wonderful publishing house as JKP, who have been lovely to work with.

Here’s what their site says about the book…

“This simple graphic story helps children whose parents are separating to feel better. The book says why some parents have to live in different places, reminds the child how special they are to both parents, and reassures them that both parents will keep looking after them, and love them just as before.

Getting to the heart of what children need to hear in what can be a confusing time, the story lets your child know that they are loved and safe, and that this will not change. Ideal for children aged 3-7.”

You can order the book directly from Jessica Kingsley Publishers when it comes out, as well as from Amazon.