The Books of Odd have launched!

13/1/2025

Did you know? The First and Second Books of Odd have finally been deemed fit for human consumption and will soon be made available on our web-site! They began three years ago as a fumbling return to writing and a way to expand on world-building experiments (whimsies, really) attributed to an especial range of marionettes inspired by "The Dark Crystal" podlings. Simultaneously, they became an escape into story-telling as a means to help carry ourselves creatively through the emotional and physical turmoil of a cancer experience, and the treatment and recovery that ensued. Without dwelling on it, the Land of Odd revealed itself, in stops and starts, as a vibrant world filled with 'peeple' and places Sara and myself were only just meeting for the first time.

We acquired a handsome map designed by the very talented Tom Quinert aka spOrewood, which became a first crucial reference device for our first forays into a Land we'd yet to encounter. Characters already realised as puppets then had a place to explore themselves, not just localities but a vibrant series of contrasting realms and cultures that were only beginning to germinate. The customs and associated Lore of the Land was a slow but steady unfurling as we turned playful notions and frivolous banter into something more real. For me, the opportunity to create apart from but still adjacent to the many years of puppet-making which stole me away so long ago was a breath of fresh air. It was intoxicating! And as the journey continued, Sara and I found a new enthusiasm, and the vision for our other shared endeavours grew manifold...

I've always been somewhat protective of the First Book: Preludes for it wears openly all my early naivety as regards what writing requires to be fun, clever and interesting all at once. A stranger in a strange Land, I had much to learn of course, and much more after that. My second year writing and the Second Book: Overtures then continued with a better (though still faltering) confidence as I pushed further into finding the voice to describe what was obviously becoming something of a conceptual juggernaut. Still, I was loving every minute of it.

So, after a third year of going back and righting wrongs and correcting glaring grammatical errors while desperately trying to edit myself (a failure ultimately), I came to the realisation that the whirlwind within which it was all written was essentially part of the ride! I cleaned up the worst of what I could, added a disclaimer and a glossary (which felt almost like writing another Book again) then endured months of painful self-flagellation trying to make the words fit into files and on-line formats good enough for a final print run. Even then, I had realised that anyone not already acquainted with the Land of Odd through our puppets would hardly have an idea of what an oddling (a denizen of the Land) even looks like. So it also became important - nay, vital! - to have some illustrative edition like fairytales of old to illuminate with images much of what makes and oddling Odd. So now, thanks to the unique and beautiful creative efforts of Kristy Mary, the Wandering Artist, ideas once constrained within my meandering word-speak gained a new visionary quality to guide the uninitiated!

The bottom line? There is now a whole kitbag's worth of world-building goodies to entice and inspire those of you who have accompanied our puppet-making journey this far:

The First Book of Odd: Preludes and The Second Book of Odd: Overtures are now available in a very tidy A5 novel format to read and enjoy. The First Book of Odd has also been brought to life in an A4 Illustrated Edition featuring eleven beautiful and original artworks by the Wandering Artist, Kristy Mary. Prints of each intricately-rendered drawing can be bought upon request, of course. And for those needing even further immersion in this burgeoning Land, the fabulous map by spOrewood which started it all is also now up for grabs!

Ideas and concepts (and even a little writing) for Book 3 is already underway, and much of the journey from this point on can be followed through our Instagram page: @thebooksofodd. Of course, it is a new year with a lot of new work ahead which (shock! horror!) does not always revolve around the Land, but I have determined to make a better go of regular blogging and sharing and all that social shinola which keeps these mad dreams relevant. At least I promise to try.

Most of all, I encourage and crave any constructive feedback you might care to provide as we go. It is the easiest thing to ask for but surprisingly the hardest thing to achieve, so anything you care to share will be taken graciously as tool to help these Books (and indeed, the Land) become better and brighter at a time when fantasy and storytelling seems most needed.

Thank you for lending me your ear.

-Sol Puppetman

Explore the collection: Check out The Land of Odd to see all the Oddling marionettes inspired by these stories.