The Bristol Alternative Market, Bristol, 04/06/2023

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche

This quote appears at the top of the “About” page on this very website, and it is not a random one: since as far as I can remember, this is the way I have been living my life. And it was lovely yesterday to see so many young people at the Bristol Alternative Market daring to be different, and so many traders selling their wares. There was some fantastic art, loads of clothes, records, and so, so much more! The Trinity Centre is a truly fantastic venue, a real gem!
Thank you to the people who bought books, especially to the ones who purchased copies of The Book of Thoth! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This book has a special place in my heart!
The next book, The Right Place, inspired by the PJ Harvey song “The Wind”, should be published in early 2025, but I can’t promise anything as the publishing schedule has been changed to many times!
Also, a special shout-out to the young girl who bought the “Black in Fashion” book and who is going to study textiles and make clothes: good luck! I love it when young people are creatively ambitious!
Yesterday reminded me of the 10+years I spent as a music journalist in London writing for alternative culture/music magazines, and of how alternative venues/clubs/events have always been so safe and welcoming to anyone who dared to be different or were different being of no fault of their own. Long may it last!
I don’t do a lot of markets, but I still have one left to do under the Arcane Publishing banner this spring/summer and I will announce it in a separate post. It will be much closer to home this time!