I Wanted to Be a Cartoonist

Except that I sucked

I began my publishing career as a comic strip creator. My strip was called “Reality Check.”

I didn’t get paid for it. I was a regular in my university newspaper, doing it just for the hell of it. I even used a pseudonym: Bangor.

I was a big fan of both Calvin and Hobbes and The Far Side. In my more delusional moments, I imagined I could make a living authoring a comic strip. I mean, Family Circle was a success.

But I wasn’t that good. I struggle to draw action the way Bill Watterson did, and couldn’t come up with my own unique artistic style the way Larson did. Also, the strips weren’t that funny. I’m not good with short and quippy style of humor. I need a lot of preamble before the occasional funny line comes out. Wasn’t meant to be.

But I do still like to do the odd doodle.

In the past couple of years my favorite independent bookstore, Owl’s Nest Books, sold about 2,000 signed copies of my sweary history books. They ship anywhere in the world, and some ordered from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. Their customer service is absolutely top notch.

Anyway, just for fun, in some of the books next to my signature I would draw a little doodle like this one and say something like “Please enjoy this shit.”

Owl’s Nest is still my exclusive provider of signed copies, and if you’d like to order one you might get a copy with a doodle in it. Here is the link:

Order Signed Copies via Owl’s Nest Books

I also have some other important information to share. Canadians can now pre-order the new book! Hooray! Here are a couple of links:

Amazon Canada

Indigo

And also, for American readers, Barnes and Noble has a two-day sale on my book:

My marketing person at Penguin Random House: "SUGGESTED COPY – this is just a suggestion from B&N, feel free to make it your own using all the key info."

Me: "Fuckity shit poo holy goddamn ass crackers you can save 25% on my book! Even more if you got some premium member shit!" 

That "suggested copy" that actually has the details and the link: Happening now! Barnes & Noble Rewards and Premium Members get 25% off preorders from Sep 6 through Sep 8. Premium Members get an additional 10% off physical books. Preorder your copy of ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY SH!T WENT DOWN now! Use code PREORDER25 at checkout (US only)

Me again: Since it's sandwich in there, take note of the code PREORDER25. Only good until September 8 in the USA. 

Pre-order via Barnes & Noble by Sept 8 and get 25% off.