Liisa Ladouceur

Back from my road trip to Ottawa where I signed and wax stamped the Encyclopedia for enthusiastic goths in the nation’s capital. Oh, how I would like to get on a magic carpet or climb into a custom hearse and tour the land meeting everyone in person. Alas, that’s the last promotional road trip in the schedule for a while. But I have now set up mail order for the book so that anyone (in North America) interested in an autographed copy can buy directly from me and have it arrive in their mail box. I’ve even put together packages so you can get a book and Gary’s art prints at once, or my Goth as Fuck package with as many treats as I can cram into the envelope. If you act now, there are no extra knives but I do promise it will gothify your life at least %10.

Please see the handy Buy My Book section above. It also lists on-line shoppes and e-book sellers worldwide who are stocking it.

As always, much thanks for your continued interest in my book.

Today we launched the web version of the Goth Band Family Tree that appears at the back of my book. Check it out here: http://www.encyclopediagothica.com/

The concept for the tree was lifted, admittedly, from the documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey by Banger Films. They took all the subgenres of heavy metal and grouped them into a genealogical-type chart, listing the key bands for each style.  I knew (because I worked at Banger after the film came out) how insanely popular this chart was. I also knew Goth had a similar kind of evolution, and thought it would be fun to chart its course. And so…

Post-punk: my fave subgenre on the Goth Band Tree

I drew up my Goth Band chart and the book’s illustrator Gary Pullin make it work visually. Then, my design and development hero Deane Hughes was enlisted to bring it alive for the web. I’m personally very anti-piracy and it was important to send visitors to the band’s sites while also giving them a taste of music. I am delighted with what Deane came up with.

Of course, I expect people to argue over the list. I couldn’t possibly include everyone on there. I forgot some, and others were left out for a reason.  It’s also difficult to slot certain bands into one category. (Really, what would you do with Marilyn Manson?) But I felt it was important to try. Because for me, music is the centerpiece of Gothdom. I realize that for some, in fact many, babybats, it’s all about the clothes and the lifestyle accessories. But music was my gateway into this world, and it remains what binds me to it, as much as my obsessions with velvet, poetry and graveyards. Even if I don’t like all that many new Goth bands. And so I await the hate mail, and hopefully suggestions to make the tree better, or expand my musical horizons. I remember showing the chart-in-progress to one Goth friend who recommended I include the Virgin Prunes. They were a new discovery for me, one I now recommend to others. So whether visitors are learning about new bands or old bands for the first time, this pleases me.  It is the point.

I am grateful for the work that Gary and Deane did for me on this project and I hope that you will help us spread the word about it far and wide. Think of it as a very cheap Christmas present from you to me. Tweet, tweet!

“If you have perchance produced a book which has met with some little measure of success, you are certain to get a letter from some lady whom you scarcely known to bow to, asking you “how it can be got.” She knows the name of the book, its author, and who published it, but how to get into actual contact with it is still an unsolved problem to her. You write back pointing out that to have recourse to an ironmonger or a corn-dealer will only entail delay and disappointment, and suggest an application to a bookseller as the most hopeful thing you can think of. In a day or two she writes again: “It is all right; I have borrowed it from your aunt.” — Saki.

My friend Russell recently related to me that quote.  It’s as good an answer as any I’ve heard to the question, “Where can I get a copy of your book?”

My answer to that is simple. “A bookstore!” This is especially exciting since, for many years, procuring my writing involved attending small press book fairs, readings, or other events where I was physically present to sell it. Now, with Encyclopedia Gothica, I have a publisher and a distributor getting my book on shelves all around the world.  In North America right now you can buy it from on-line shoppes like Amazon USA and Chapters and my publisher ECW Press. Many Chapters/Indigo/Coles stores across Canada have it in stock, or they will order it for you. Some of my favourite independent bookstores seem to be carrying it,  such as Quimbys in Chicago and St. Mark’s Bookshop in NYC. I heard that Sunrise Records on Yonge has a stash.

The book is also in the library system, and I couldn’t be more delighted. There are copies coming soon to the Toronto Public Library. According to World Cat, it can be borrowed from public libraries in Cleveland and Denver, too, and what fun to see a copy in the British Library! I know my hometown public library in Penetanguishene will have a copy as I am delivering it myself this weekend. And my favourite librarian has assured me it will soon be in the stacks at York U.

All this doesn’t mean you can’t still get a book from me directly. Soon, I will have a mail order system set up on this here site, offering signed copies and deluxe packages including Gary Pullin’s art. For now, send an email to liisa@encyclopediagothica.com with a special request and I’ll take care of you. And you can still track me down at special events. Oh, look! There is one this very weekend…..

Sunday, October 23rd

BAZAAR OF THE BIZARRE!

6 Nobel Street (West of Dufferin, steps North of Queen) 11am to 7pm. FREE.

A marketplace of independent artists and craftspeople and entrepreneurs with a macabre bent. I will have a booth selling/signing/stamping books. Come and say hello!

Bizarre? Come to the Bazaar!

Here in Canada, it’s the start of Thanksgiving weekend. I don’t generally make a fuss about that; I don’t eat turkey after all, and when you’re a freelance writer, you don’t really take those long weekend holidays off from work anyhow.  But I am feeling particularly grateful this year. It’s been a dizzyingly wondrous week for me. Encyclopedia Gothica hit bookstores in North America. I held my Toronto launch party, an evening filled with friends and supporters and much laughter, not to mention glittery Ouija boards, after which The Onion’s AV club called me “Goth as Fuck.” I’ve been guest blogging for the National Post’s Afterword.  My home office is perfumed by the many flowers I’ve been showered with all week long, smelling now of that period between bloom and decay.

I am determined to enjoy every small moment of this, and celebrate each small victory. And I thank you, unknown reader, if you’ve had any part of it. Happy Thanksgiving.

Deep, dark thanks to everyone involved in the Toronto launch, including Sarah Dunn for this photo.

It’s been a year since I submitted my manuscript for the Encyclopedia Gothica and a few days ago now I got the finished product in my hands.

Hardcover. In hand.

So many authors must suffer with ugly book covers. Not me. The design, courtesy Gary Pullin, is perfect. The heft of the hard cover is perfect. The frayed paper edges is perfect. It’s a joy for me to behold, and to hold.

The official publication date is October 1. But I’m already starting to get reports back from media colleagues who’ve received their review copies, and American friends who pre-ordered from Amazon. My librarian friends have copies ordered for their collections. It was on sale at last weekend’s Word on the Street book fair, and I hear it’s on the shelves at Sunrise Records on Yonge Street. This thing, that not long ago was only in my head, it lives. I am grateful. I am proud.