THE WEIRD & WONDERFUL SURVIVERIES OF SQUID HORSE - COMIC BOOK memoir
“Honest, poignant, absurd and an absolute joy.”
“This tender series hooked onto my heart and refused to leave.”
“Hilarious and shocking.”
“An essential read.”
“Consistently revindicates the right to rest in the face of a capitalistic ideology of ceaseless productivity.”
“Does what memoirs do at their very best.”
WHERE TO BUY
“The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse” is available now from Argonaut Books (Edinburgh), The Common Press (East London), Gay’s The Word (Central London), Juniper by the Sea (online + pop-up), The Queery (Brighton) + other good bookshops.
Upcoming Events
Monday 28/10/24 - Online interview / book launch with Juniper by the Sea and RU Informed Bookclub
Sunday 02/11/24 - Online Interview with Shaded Writers followed by creative workshop
Weekend 16th - 17th Nov - Thought Bubble Comic Convention, Harrogate, Yorkshire
ABOUT THE BOOK
You’re invited to dip or dive into this quirky debut autobiographical collection of 37 self-contained yet interwoven short comic stories. Based on the unique (yet relatable) lived experiences of The Mollusc Dimension, a British-born Chinese, trans artist, this book is about surviving multiple hidden challenges and daring to tell one’s story - in a world that refuses to believe you exist.
Deep in the pandemic, a frustrated performer / musician / visual artist finds a new way to unlock crucial memories from his troubled past. WWSSH explores mental health, grief and growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s through an intersectional lens, colourful drawings and absurd humour. It’s strange, shocking, sad, funny, honest and may well inspire you to draw a comic. #CosyTrauma
Dialling in from the swamp of the model-minority myth, this adorable huddle of fragments features interactions with Chinese parents, awkward 90s goth teen times, romance, aliens and cats. Muddling through mental health journeys, playful, subversive moments and friends in unexpected places.
‘90s Teen from The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse.
Reviews for The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse
I love me a neologism, and 'surviverie' has broken into my top five. Life really is a string of surviveries, isn't it? The Mollusc Dimension (TMD)'s comic autobiography does what memoirs do at their very best - he offers the hug of relatability to the reader whilst detailing the specificities of his life.
Read the full review in Snack Mag by Natalie Jayne Clark
Consistently revindicates the right to rest in the face of a capitalistic ideology of ceaseless productivity.
Read the full review in AutCasts Recommends: Neurodivergent Memoirs by Aisling Walsh
Despite some of the difficult topics covered, the art style made every story accessible and was filled with heart, warmth and honesty. The entire book felt like a hug, or a friend holding your hand as they tell you their story...”The Weird and Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse” is honest, poignant, absurd and an absolute joy.
Read the full review by Mel Piper
A wonderful visualisation of the ESEA diaspora experience… These narratives speaks to our desires; to be seen, allowed space to grow and above all...humanise. This tender series hooked onto my heart and refused to leave…This collection inspires and reminds all of us to seek joy and meaningful connections.
Read the full review by Wing yee on IG @WingReads
Praise for The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse
If I had a copy of WWSSH growing up, navigating the world as a creative and East Asian would have felt less lonely. Reading this comic had a cathartic effect on me... An essential read.
Amy Phung - Artist and Besea.n Co-founder
[Read the full review here, or on Besea.n’s Instagram post]
The Mollusc Dimension’s work has always been boldly alternative to the mainstream,giving a voice to people like me, who don’t fit neatly into boxes. His vulnerability in sharing personal stories is truly inspiring. Transforming personal experiences into art takes courage - “The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries” of Squid Horse is a testament to that.
Fox Fisher - Artist, Author and Film-maker
A truly brilliant and surreal explosion of creativity... By turn hilarious and shocking, The Mollusc Dimension opens up a new world for us, where we can dare to imagine ourselves and our worlds otherwise. Beautifully drawn and written, this work captures the spirit of our times with grace and humour, inviting us “to find safety in the jaws of magic. [read the full review here]
Dr. Diana Yeh - ESEA Hub and City, University of London
[Read Dr. Yeh’s full review here]
WWSSH Book Editor Shaven Raven Designs - Black, queer artist (she/they) says:
As a lifelong comic and graphic novels fan, I can tell you that NOTHING like this book exists. It’s a project that will absolutely have deep and wide cultural value. The stories of '3rd culture kids' (in this instance, a British-born child of immigrants from the ESEA community) are often forgotten when speaking about the British experience. Not to mention navigating queer identities within that already complex cultural framework. We should all be excited that we will get to witness something truly groundbreaking.
Written and drawn by: The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse by The Mollusc Dimension
Editor: Shaven Raven Designs
Forewords by: Kim Chin and Dominique Duong
ISBN: 978-1-80517-723-4
Recommended for ages 14+
Content notes: This book explores various traumas affecting mental health including discrimination, racism and sexual violence.
Potential discussion topics which appear in The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse: anxiety, autobiography, British Asian / British Chinese culture, community (what it means and how to find it), cosy trauma, creativity for mental health, depression, ESEA culture, East Asian heritage, family, food, gender, grief, growing up in the 80s/90s, humour (finding it during difficult times), LGBTIQA+ identities, mental health, queerness, music, nature, neurodivergence, non binary identity, piano, relationships as marginalised person, transness, traumatic bereavement - and more!
#BritishChineseComics #CosyTrauma #ESEAbooks #MentalHealthComics #QueerESEAComics #TransBooks
Are you a bookseller who’d like to enquire about stocking my book or would do you have a cool idea for distribution? Would you like to interview me or review my book? Please drop me a line with an enquiry
Would you like to be the first to find out about the book launch, pre-orders, events and generally support me feeling NOT being beholden to social media? Please sign up to my email list. (Feel free to leave any time!)
Maybe you’d like to see my quirky comic posts (ranging from WWSSH images to random happenings in my life, jokes and musings)… If so, find me on social media @SquidHorseComics on Instagram and/or Facebook (I know… I know… I do use it though!)
Why is the sea pink?… Find out about the meanings of the artwork in the cover design for my comic book.
I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of this project so far including: The Shaven Raven (Book Editor), Kim Chin, Dominique Duong, Rachael House, Boe Studios, Dr. Puck Fletcher, Eris Young, Lydia Stockbridge, Christy Ku and Suyin Haynes, Amy Phung, Eris Young, Dr. Jamie Pei, Len Lukowski, Lishan Chan, Maisie Chan, MG Zimeta, Peter Collins and many more!
Thank you to EVERYONE who supported me by reading, buying, borrowing, sharing about this book and/or my zines and supporting me on social media. Your efforts mean so much!
Thank you to London Writers' Salon, where I wrote my funding apps and developed and edited the book for many hours.
Many thanks to Arts Council England for funding The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse using National Lottery Funding.
