To celebrate the Liverpool Forbidden Planet, I was invited to do a signing alongside legendary horror writer Ramsey Campbell. It was such a fun day, and a real privilege to return to the shop for a second time—especially since Liverpool is my favourite place in the world. I thought I’d share a few pictures from the event to give you a glimpse of the brilliant atmosphere.
Here I am with Ramsey—an incredible writer whose work is well worth exploring. You can check out his books here.
I also had the surreal pleasure of meeting an original 1964 Dalek from Dalek Invasion of Earth, featuring William Hartnell as the First Doctor. A true piece of sci-fi history! Seeing that original Dalek up close gave me goosebumps. Childhood dreams unlocked! Have you ever met a sci-fi icon in real life? Tell me your story!
This is Cathy from Kraken Comics—a fantastic new bookshop in Bebington. If you get the chance, definitely pay them a visit! If you’ve visited Kraken Comics, what gem did you discover?
I was also lucky enough to be visited by Enrico Cadillac Jr. and Steve Lindsay from the legendary band Deaf School. What a treat.
My old drama teacher Steve Roberts came along as well.
To top it all off, Forbidden Planet COO Andrew Sumner gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Bold Street building—where Nipper, the iconic HMV dog, once lived! Huge thanks to everyone at the shop for their warm welcome, and especially to Caroline for putting together such a special event. It was a day to remember.
The book tour continues this weekend in Oxford….
THE CAPTION COMICS FESTIVAL
The Caption Comics Festival is a small, cozy event in Oxford celebrating British small press and independent comics. The 2025 edition, called Caption Rebirth, will take place on August 16-17 at Seacourt Hall, Botley. Unlike larger conventions, Caption fosters a relaxed atmosphere where creators and attendees mingle freely.
This year’s festival features panels, workshops, portfolio reviews, and a community sales table. Confirmed guests include Lucy Sullivan, Andy Oliver, Beck Kubrick, Chris Shepherd, Dominique Duong, Zara Slattery, Paul B. Rainy, Cara Brown, Mike Armstrong, and Shane Melisse. If you’re into comics, storytelling, or just love discovering new artists, this could be a great event to check out! You can find more details here.
THE LAKES INTERNATIONAL COMIC ART FESTIVAL
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) is an annual celebration of comics and graphic novels held in Bowness-on-Windermere, England. The 2025 edition will take place from September 26-28 and will feature live draws, interviews, workshops, exhibitions, book launches, and a Comics Marketplace. LICAF is known for its international lineup of comic creators, which this year includes Chris Shepherd, showcasing talent from around the world. The festival also runs year-round projects under the theme Comics Can Change the World, using comics to promote literacy, education, and environmental awareness. If you’re a fan of comics, storytelling, or illustration, this is a fantastic event to explore! You can find more details here.
If you haven’t experienced the phenomenon that is Anfield Road, now is the time! This groundbreaking work continues to captivate readers, redefine artistic boundaries, and leave a lasting mark on the literary world.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan or stepping into this universe for the very first time, don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this remarkable storytelling masterpiece.
If you can’t make it along why not watch a reading of the book?
Head to the official website for all available purchase options and dive into the magic today!
The journey awaits—will you be part of it?
