A number of years back I bought Picturebook Makers. I was attracted because I wanted to use it as inspiration for drawing in general. At the time I wasn’t thinking about writing books for children. OR maybe I was, who knows.
I pulled it off the shelf this morning and I’m noticing that how I think about what my art needs to look like is inconsistent with a lot of the artwork in this book. I sense that my idea of polished perfection comes from cartoons/animation vs the freedom of an illustrative style.
So while I would have to be consistent within a book, there is nothing that says I have to use the same style with all books. AND over time I get to see how I’ve grown. Which is the coolest part.
With that realization – I will muster the courage to illustrate my next book. (oh God, I’m already filled with panic, terrification and belly aches.)
After Kai, I have two picture books in the funnel (corporate sales speak.) – I haven’t written anything down yet but I can see what I want to say. I also feel that it will be exceedingly rewarding compared to fighting with AI to get shit just right, you know.
That is where I am today.
I haven’t touched my novel in ages; but I must remember what I said, “You’re not writing a novel, you’re writing one scene at a time.”
I don’t feel afraid to go back, my attention’s been on finishing Kai. Maybe before I start the next book I will get some work in on the novel.
Last week I learned why AI images drift and I dreamed of a genie who can make healthy snacks and cook for me. 🤞 Cause I think the hummus I bought poisoned me.
Alright It’s Tyrant No. 13 Time?
I am very pleased to let you know that the War Crimes Gift Shop has expanded.
We have a few prizes for you this round but more importantly, we are inviting the winners and their families to join us for
the grand opening of…
The War Crimes Amusement Park
So far we have three rides.
- The Long Marching Rollercoaster
- This one looks to be lots of fun – you’re basically walking up hill the whole time. The ride is done when you fall off from exhaustion.
- We might rename this to The Long Marching Mountain
- The Great Leap Forward to Your Doom Skyjump
- This one is self-explanatory. You climb several meters then jump from one platform to the next.
- The pit might be filled with sand or wastewater, not sure.
- The Collectivization Carousel or The People’s Land Grab
- we haven’t finalized the name yet
- While spinning, upside down, you must grab dirt from the buckets above your head and put it in your pocket.
- Whoever has the most dirt, by weight, when the ride is over gets one extra canteen ticket. You cannot keep the dirt.
We’re very proud to announce that all rides were, and will continue to be, crafted by hand, with willpower, inadequate tools and enthusiasm. While it’s difficult to say how safe they are, we know our workforce of peasant farmers is eager for you to try them out.
Once you’re done having fun, join us at the canteen for 10 grains of rice per person. We don’t have any other food so don’t ask. You should probably bring drinks. We may have water but you never know.
If you notice that the employees look malnourished, they’ll be fine. The park is here for your enjoyment, ignore them.
Please check your trunk and underneath your vehicle before departing. If any peasants make attempts to leave with you, inform security immedately.
We’re also planning our first
– details to follow.
Public Humiliation Day
A fun, confidence-building group activity
If you haven’t guessed by now, Tyrant #13 is
Chairman Mao Zedong.
Historians disagree on the exact death toll, but estimates suggest that somewhere between 40 and 70 million people died as a result of Mao’s policies and political campaigns. Including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, through famine, execution, persecution and political violence.
AND ALL THIS DURING PEACETIME!!!
In other words, he comfortably qualifies, or uncomfortably, for Platinum Tier status. People say it’s Mao, Stalin then Hitler, who we haven’t done yet because he’s well known so I need to think on that one.
Disclaimer: According to various website, the Chinese government’s official figures are vastly lower and generally contested. Independent estimates fluctuate wildly based on whether researchers count only direct executions or include those who succumbed to the man-made famine and forced labour.
Most mainstream scholars place the death toll between 40 million and 80 million. Biographers like Jung Chang and Jon Halliday argue for 70 million, while other archival researchers like Frank Dikötter place the total even higher.
The Black Book of Communism, estimate roughly 65 million deaths (while its estimation of 65 million deaths falls within the range used by other scholars, the book itself faces heavy criticism from specialists in the field. You can read about why yourself if interested.)
Prizes:
Bring the canteen home with our:
Family Work-Point System
Start on a small scale by distributing work credits to your children (beginning at 6 months – if they can move they can contribute), parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. In order to eat, they must exchange their credits for food.
- If they don’t complete their chores, they don’t eat.
- If they cannot work fast enough, they don’t eat.
- If they are too young, old or sick to work, they don’t eat.
- Encourage them to overcome these obstacles through willpower and enthusiasm.
Your starter package includes production quotas, work-point cards, one red pen and a family-sized grievance-reporting form (which you won’t pay attention to.)
The People’s Pantry Conversion Project
Why should members of your household have unrestricted access to the kitchen?
Our construction team will help you lock down cupboards, refrigerators and all food stores. Depending on your layout, they can even install a full metal sliding glass door enclosure.
We’ll also provide you with sampurus, the highly realistic fake food displayed outside Japanese restaurants. Give us a list of their favourite dishes and we’ll make them. The promise of a meal should incentivize family members to work harder.
Access is granted only after they have accumulated sufficient work points. Surviellence and alarm systems are included so they don’t take more than their share.
I wish I’d had the People’s Pantry when my boys were younger. I could have saved so much money, plus my kitchen wouldn’t have looked like one of the homes on that show with the two old English ladies who clean up.
The other day, I walked in on them cooking and they asked me, “Mom, what do you do with dishes you don’t like washing?”
“I throw them out.”
They thought that was hilarious, but I was serious. I’m careful about buying things with lots of seams and grooves where shit can get trapped because, over time, they start to look gross.
Like knives with wooden handles. Those are also the worst for committing murder because blood can get trapped inside, and when the forensic team takes the knife apart, you’re fucked.
Ease of cleaning is always a factor when I buy things. And I hate wooden utensils because they never feel clean.
sam
And finally,
A 2027 Tyrant Calendar
Dying to see a shirtless rock-star Mussolini? We’ve got you covered! Since May and December are overcrowded, we might also include a special tyrant centrefold spread and a movie-poster-sized tyrant pin-up for December.
Just in time for the gift-giving season; or you can keep it to yourself.
And finally, finally…
I know I said no books, but I would be remiss if I didn’t provide every current and past winner with a copy of the Little Red Book — said to be second only to the Bible in circulation.
We’ll also throw in a few stickers for the kids, but only give them out after they’ve been earned.
The stickers can be used as a substitute for food.
You good? Bye!
Tue Aug 4
Photo by Liz Sanchez-Vegas on Unsplash
© 2026 Ociola Samantha Williams. All Rights Reserved.
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