It’s called A Speccy Man Has a Breakdown. It’s 124 pages, illustrated throughout with my own drawings, and it’s about the time I spent in psychiatric hospital in 2018.
It’s a sketchbook, made on the ward and finished afterwards. Funny in places. Honest throughout.
Last week I sent a proof copy to Rhik Samadder, author of I Never Said I Loved You. This is what he wrote back:
“What a tough, shining, fiercely charming thing you’ve made. It reminded me so much of Michael Rosen’s Sad Book. It’s oddly lovely to see how a wide-ranging, talented mind like yours patiently handles this material, and begins to make something beautiful. I’m deeply sorry you went through what you did, but equally grateful you found the courage and generosity to share. It will help many people directly, as well as part of a matrix of honesty around mental health experiences that holds us all.”
There are 250 copies, each with a signed A5 art print – and at the time of writing 67 are already taken. The book goes to print on Friday 1 May. Every copy is signed and numbered. The thank-you page will carry the names of everyone who supported this first edition – in this and every future printing.
Here are the latest:
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