Well, ghouls, once again it is Banned Books Week. If you aren’t hip, “Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. [T]he annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.”
It’s kind of remarkable, but mostly terrifying, that in the year 2023 we are still facing these challenges. We are both a horror publisher and a horror bookstore. Censorship is something we are used to battling. Earlier this year, we wrote the following on our chalkboard sign: BANNING US ONLY MAKES US SCARIER.
This felt like an appropriate message, and it turned out to spark several in-person bookstore conversations about the horror genre and censorship. Eventually, we had the idea to commission artist Luke Spooner to create an illustration that would best coexist with the quote, which you’ll find below:
We are in love with how this turned out, and it felt like a no-brainer to print shirts and other spooky merch containing this artwork.
Beginning right now and ending on the night of October 31st, pre-orders are open for not just limited-edition shirts, but also tank tops, mugs, tote bags, and stickers.
Everything will begin shipping out midway through November. What we print will depend on how many pre-orders we receive. There may be a few items still available after October to purchase, but if you want one we definitely recommend pre-ordering before November.
Check ’em out.
