Something Rich and Strange

You may remember that the Random Writers, or RASSSA (because why not make your group name into something that sounds like it should work with S.H.I.E.L.D. or The Man from U.N.C.L.E.?), put out an anthology a while back. 

A Seeming Glass was fun, albeit the kind of fun where it is hard and tiring and Matt and Jules both wailed 'Never again!' many, many times. So, naturally, our next anthology should be out at the end of this month. 

This one is called Something Rich and Strange and the cover reveal is up on the site now. It has been painted by Mat Sadler, a wonderful artist who Jules and I met and befriended at Uni in Welshy Wales, amongst drinking and karate and wondering how one place could contain so much rain.

It's been marvellous seeing the painting come along, and Mat has created a video of the process. Even more exciting for me is the fact that it is based on my story for the anthology, 'Walls'. 

You can even buy a signed print. I'm certainly getting one. In fact, I've ordered it already. Given that when I asked Mat to illustrate my last anthology story for me it set him off on the process of buying new painting tablets and changing his career officially to 'illustrator', I feel I should tell everyone about this. Also, it is a great painting. (And if I am claiming too much responsibility for Mat being so active with his illustration work these days, don't tell me. Just let me feel smug...)

In any case, this anthology is based around the idea that the ending of a fairy tale is really just the beginning. Or of an historical event. Or of a legend. Or of... Well, anything is really just a beginning, so we have taken various examples and written what happens later. 

Did I mention I'm excited? Because I am. :)