The Iowa Review has published my graphic book review of Guantanamo Voices: Sarah Mirk’s masterpiece (editor, writer, comic). It’s a must-read for 2021 if you haven’t already picked up a copy! Here you can find my review: The Iowa Review
How delightful! The writer and editor Cammie Finch recently interviewed me about my recent book for the Michigan Quarterly Review. You can find and read the interview, titled “Resurrecting Walter Benjamin’s Archival Spirit”, via the link below.
Also, follow Cammie Finch, she’s a bright beam of intelligent light.
I have just published my second book, a graphic memoir titled “The Highs and Lows of Shapeshift Ma and Big-Little Frank,” through by Gold Wake Press, and the book will be hot off the presses in late September/ early October. I’m planning a book tour from Colorado all the way back East to Vermont.
Here’s the book, with the tools of my trade: yes, flowers are tools too! I created of the artwork in the book with pen and ink, and I designed the cover with the help of Liza Cannon and Nick Courtright.
As a teaser, here is a brief description, and an illustration from the book:
Frances Cannon’s illustrations and prose dance in tandem in this dark fairytale of mental illness, adventure, and resilience. This graphic memoir traces the bumpy road-trip of an unusual mother and daughter duo. Shapeshift Ma displays the erratic behaviors of manic depression. She soars insatiable appetite for love, accomplishment, entertainment, and sex; and in times of emotional despair, she transforms into a wild mare. Her daughter, Big-Little Frank, steels herself against hardship by developing an alter ego—an old, wise grandmotherly self—but when she reaches adulthood, her more vulnerable animal core reveals itself as a bunny-child in need of comfort. Together, they travel around the country in an old junker car, fleeing from fire, divorce, and depression, seeking distraction in romance and art.
For more information about the book, and to pre-order, (book will be officially released October 1rst), here is Gold Wake’s website:
are still solidifying, but for now, here are the events that have already been booked and the towns that I will be passing through, between late September and the first half of October. Keep your eyes peeled for my announcements, and if you live in one of the following towns, come out to hear me read and buy a book. Also, if you have suggestions for venues for the dates later in my tour (East Coast, mostly), reach out!
FRANKY FRANCES CANNON 