Publisher's (well, my) BLURB FOR THE BOOK:

written largely to convince the UK publisher (Robinson) and their US partner (Running Press), so broad in its references, but helps indicate one possible shape for the book…as it will form according to what i can gather or otherwise becomes available to me…

"The Mammoth Book of SKULLS

The ultimate doom-laden image, the literal death’s head, has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity throughout global culture; in the world of fashion, from haute couture designer scarves (Alexander McQueen, R.I.P.), skull rings and bandanas down to high street and kid’s clothing; countless merchandising icons from graphic novels (Marvel Comic’s The Punisher), cult film (Psychomania), Japanese manga (Skullman), and urban graffiti (KAWS), to name but a few; from Mexico’s Day of the Dead to modern day re-enactments of the medieval Dance of Death. DEATH cigarettes! The continuing adoption of the Jolly Roger Pyrate Flag! Lady Gaga’s skull tattooed zombie video sensation, Rick Genesi! Features fully-illustrated sections concentrated on arenas of music, illustration, graphics, film, art, cult, costume, make-up, vintage advertising, popular culture and the just plain weird."

- ILYA

Think SKULLS!

Hello. I’ve been commissioned to produce a new book, The Mammoth Book of SKULLS. Basically a huge picture book (448 pages!), with minimal captions. I will be starting in earnest in October, for end of November delivery.

First up I need folks willing to spot and send good quality hi-res photos of any skulls that they see and find interesting.

I need to give basic information and photo credits for any imagery that I use: what it is, where, who made it – so, for instance, if you snapped a t-shirt in the street, we’d need to find out the fashion label or source for the design – hopefully by asking the person wearing it at the time and making a note. That sort of thing.

The more unexpected or weird the source of the skull imagery, the better.

I’m also looking for illustrators, cartoonists and so on to show me their skull images – and then, if selected, to submit high res files of any skull imagery they’ve done or want to do that they would like to be included.

Submissions that I use will appear alongside namecheck credits and website details (so long as these won’t go out of date too quickly).

I should also be able to supply a copy of the final book to significant contributors, up to a limit (about 100 copies all told). The more skulls you source and can provide that get used, the higher up the list you go…

I don’t want to swap back and forth details or files on a public site – this blog page is merely a placeholder where you can read about the bare bones (!) of the project, and decide if you want to become involved –

if you DO want to become involved, in whatever way, please talk to me…we can exchange email addresses and continue contact from there, in the new old fashioned way. Thank you,

ILYA,

Editor, The Mammoth Book of Skulls

cover rough, subject to change