Headline publishes art book by Gaiman and Riddell

Neil Gaiman has written a book about art for Headline, with illustrations by Chris Riddell.

Art Matters will be published in September 2018 and “will inspire its readers to seize the day in the name of art”.

Combining speeches, poems and creative manifestos, the book will explore how reading, imagining and creating can change the world. Billed as “a creative call to arms”, the title considers freedom of ideas, making art in the face of adversity and how to be bold.

Frankie Edwards, commissioning editor at Headline, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working once again with the combined artistic genius of Neil and Chris, especially following the huge success of the special illustrated edition of Neverwhere, Neil’s modern classic which Chris illustrated in 2016.”

Jennifer Doyle, publishing director, described Art Matters as “a special, timely book, inspirational to young and old, that will encourage glorious, creative rebellion”.

Gaiman said: “For years now, Chris Riddell has taken my words from speeches or poems or articles, and illustrated them, in order to communicate things to the world with deftness and charm. I’m thrilled and delighted that Headline feel it’s time to bring them to a wider audience.”

“It is a particular joy to work with Neil Gaiman's words,” Riddell said. “They are wise, witty and have the cadence of poetry and I hope, in this volume, I have done them justice.”

Headline has been Neil Gaiman’s publisher for 19 years, publishing more than 20 titles.