So far, 2025 has been quite a poetic year. Featured in a few books here and there (most recently last month, in the Midnight Treasury of Macabre and Weird Poems), my last commission was for an author who’s not only an inspiration to me, but also a friend.
A couple of years ago, I read an early draft of Chris Panatier’s DAYTIDE; a black metal Wizard of Oz, an epic rip-roaring storm through grief, humanity, religion, and the state of the world today.
With a kick-ass angel or two thrown in for good measure.
Recently, I heard that it was being published – finally! – with Rapture Publishing as a limited edition. Not long after, Chris asked me if I’d contribute a poem to the book, for the main character to carry in his wallet. What’s especially cool is I’m referenced as a poet in the world of DAYTIDE, which is so meta that it just makes me want to “Whoop”! Anyway, I jumped at the chance to work on the piece, and I have to say, it was one of the most ‘me’ commissions I’ve ever done. The themes in this book… Oh my. Wait. You just wait, readers.
Not only that, but a recording of me reading the poem is featured in the cover reveal. Chris is a hugely talented artist and illustrator, and has not only illustrated the book but painted the absolutely magnetic cover. If I saw this on a shelf, it would be in my hand in seconds.
Keen to hear the poem and see the cover? Watch on Instagram…
I don’t know how many of the book are left – but there won’t be many. Not only is this a truly special story, I do reckon that it might be extra special one day, when Chris wins all the literary prizes and tops the bestseller lists.
Interested to find out more about Chris’ novels? He actually wrote a guest blog for me not long ago, dissecting the first draft of his recent novel, SHITSHOW. Enjoy!
Caroline Hardaker Author 