Fourth Genre has published my graphic essay about the process of writing autofiction, selected as a finalist for their multimedia essay prize, judged by @KristenRadtke for @FourthGenre . Take a read, and check out the other winners!
Sometimes I’m too productive for my own good—I lose track of art and writing pieces as I start new projects, and I’m grateful that my old computer hasn’t kicked the bucket (yet), for I often rediscover artwork that I forget even having created. Here’s a painting of mushrooms that I made to compliment and article I wrote for Vice magazine’s food imprint, “Munchies,” many years ago, although I’ll admit that they didn’t choose to include the illustration, and they gave my essay a new title which I’m not as fond of (so goes the editorial process!): This Man Believes Mushrooms Can Solve Virtually All of Humanity’s Problems
I have some BIG ART and LIFE NEWS! I turned my manuscript in today for a new book with MIT Press! It won’t be released until next year, but the deadline was last night, and though I feel like a paper doll or zombie from lack of sleep and overworking my drawing fingers, I’m ecstatic and relieved to have completed this stage of the process. BUT, I am thrilled to be working on this book, which in short, is a graphic nonfiction “translation” of Walter Benjamin’s dreams, philosophies, and aphorisms. It’s been a long process and much more work lies ahead. Here are some teasers and some evidence of the towers of research texts that I accumulated during my process. You’ll also notice a stack of *some* of my notebooks filled with drawings. I can’t share any full illustrations, because art is not free and I want the book to stand alone as a physical art object in collaboration with MIT. For a better idea of what I’m working on, check out the fall 2017 issue of The Iowa Review, they published a visual essay of mine about Walter Benjamin, which was the precursor to this upcoming book, here’s the link.
I’ve been published! Read the new issue of MIRACLE MONOCLE: a Poetry, Prose, and Hybrid journal, out of Louisville. I am going to borrow some of the words of Sarah Anne Strickley, the Faculty Editor of the journal, to announce the release:
There has been a new edition published of the online literary and art journal, Gold Wake Live, by Gold Wake Press. They have selected one of my illustrated poems. Check it out! Thanks to Prompt Press as well for the original publication of this poem,
and
I’m launching my new website and project: art and writing mentorship, where you can find more descriptions of the courses I will be teaching at the Shelburne Craft School, and other opportunities for individual mentorship. This is a soft launch, I’ll admit that the “school” is currently more conceptual than actualized, but I’m living more in my imagination than in the corporeal realm these days, so this fits,
I’m thrilled to be published in the new Prompt Press book, Prompt 6, which is a collaborative collection of visual art responses to the prose poems of Francesca Abbate, designed by printmaker and bookmaker Rachel Kauff. I’m one of the six artists to respond to her work. You can view the responses here, but I recommend buying the book if you want to hold a beautiful handmade object d’art in your hands.
ALSO, I’m very pleased that Jennifer Colville, the editor extraordinaire, has published my graphic poem on their website. Check it out:
Dear followers of my book tour/ book life, there’s an exciting change in my book tour plans!
After Buffalo, NY, tonight, with Max Weiss and his artsy community buddies,
I’m re-arranging a bit to participate in the POP CULTURE COMIC ARTS FESTIVAL AND SYMPOSIUM in Burlington, alongside my heroes,
Alison Bechdel, Art Spiegelman, Joe Sacco !
I will be sharing my books and thoughts at the Day-Long Comic Arts Festival and Symposium on Saturday, October 21, 10am-6pm
at the Fleming Museum, University of Vermont
https://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/exhibition-room/
Then, my tour will resume, off to New Haven!
I can’t tell you everything, or anything, but I’ll tease you with some artwork! This book is coming out in the next season through GOLD WAKE PRESS. 
I’m honored to work with this musical genius. He’s putting out a new album this season, and he asked me to illustrate his songbook. So I did, of course! “Pay up” on kickstarter and you might just get some of my original artwork. I’ve included a sneak peeks (illustration above).
Support Eric George’s project here
FRANKY FRANCES CANNON 