The HIDEOUS PLASTIC web site was originally set up to serve as an information outlet for the book of the same name; and to this end it’s still providing updates. So let’s take this Anniversary occasion as opportunity for this year’s final update regarding HIDEOUS PLASTIC – In stores everyone can hear you scream.

For those not familiar with this Project, this book investigates almost everything you could  want to know about the very first ALIEN action figure made by Kenner Products in 1979. This hefty volume is now at a very advanced stage in its development and the 250 page manuscript is almost complete. Most of the content is finalised and locked down with some work still to be done. The next task will be to arrange for accuracy and fact Continue reading →

Work continues on the 1979 Kenner ALIEN action figure book, HIDEOUS PLASTIC – In stores everyone can hear you scream.

It’s time to give you some idea of what its content will be comprised of. This preview of the book’s 3 Contents pages below outlines the locked down features present in the 200+ page book. I’m still filling in a few remaining gaps here and there and today, for example, I completed documenting Kenner’s 1979 ALIEN Movie Viewer, something I’ve been wanting to add to the book for a while.

As you can see by inspecting the accompanying images (See below) the book is substantial and organised into 5 major sections, each section consisting of multiple ‘Chapters’. The first section documents the Kenner figure’s history and influences. Section Continue reading →

It’s been a while since I’ve posted about the book I’m writing, HIDEOUS PLASTIC – In stores everyone can hear you scream. A little over a month now, actually, so an update is due to keep people who are interested in its progress up to speed.

The manuscript is almost complete – and has been for a while now. Nonetheless, there’s been many small changes and revisions to the text and upgrading of image content during the past month and at this point there’s just a few holes that need to be plugged. Just a few questions that need to be answered and one or two images I want to include that I am seeking permission to use. Right now this is where the challenge lies for me to bring the ms into a finished and ready state for editing.

These final pieces of information are important – but not critical. For example, how many of these 18 inch action figures did Kenner manufacture in 1979?  That’s definitely a detail I would like to include in the book – but I don’t even know if an answer is possible.  Everyone I have asked so far simply draws a blank.  If I can’t find answers to this – and similar such questions – I still have a manuscript consisting of more than 250 pages and worthy of publication.  It’s answers to a handful of questions of this nature that remain and if I can acquire them, such information will give the book the full depth and polish I want it to have.

At 250 pages long, it comprises almost 60,000 words and features over 200 images (photos, diagrams, drawings and illustrations). It’s a massive manuscript dedicated to the Kenner ALIEN figure.  It documents its history, how to repair one, what to look for if you wish to purchase one and its many derivative descendants released since 1979 until this year. There’s so much content here, it’s incredible.  I anticipate the book will compact down somewhat after professional editing, typesetting and design has been completed. I guess it will eventually be around 200 pages long when published.

Right now, that’s the goal and if nothing else, I could publish the book today and achieve that ambition without any additional input; but to go beyond what it currently is and initiate that final push to make it the best it can possibly be is the goal now.

Then, it’s off to the Editor.

Essential third party services have already been organised.  People involved in undertaking the necessary tasks of editing, proofing, typesetting – along with cover and interior design – are ready to receive the manuscript and shape it into its final form. I’ll be sending the ms to those people soon. The book will most likely enter this phase of its development cycle in early 2018.  I’m allowing myself a few more months to add the final elements to the book prior to sending it on.

Then, it’s off to the printer and the distribution of the book.  It is anticipated to become available sometime in the middle of next year.  Maybe a little later, to be on the conservative side.

Right now, it’s progressing very well. The legal aspects were addressed 12 months ago.  I’ve been working on it since June 2015 and despite an unsuccessful KickStarter earlier this year, its preparation has developed and progressed more or less as planned. No big deal, really. This is more or less the stage I anticipated the book to be at with or without such funding.  The only major difference: it will be released next year instead of being available Christmas this year.  So be it.

Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions about HIDEOUS PLASTIC – In stores everyone can hear you scream or you have some contribution you wish to make to this unique book, please contact me. Such contributions will be appropriately recognised and credited in the acknowledgements section and any copyright image content used will be respected as such.

-Windebieste.

I’ve been updating a few features on the site lately. Of most interest to visitors are the updated About the Book and FAQ pages regarding the publication of my upcoming book HIDEOUS PLASTIC – In stores everyone can hear you scream. These areas of the site have been needing attention for some time.  Now their content is more current.

I’ve also removed the Free Preview Edition of the book from the download section of the site for now.  This is a temporary action only. The Preview Edition item was made available soon after the site was launched in December, 2016 and much of the content has changed substantially since then. This item will return and I’ll be posting an updated version at a later date, closer to when the book is published.

As for the book itself. Yeah. There’s no problem there at all. It’s ticking over as planned and progressing well. All 200+ pages of it. There’s still plenty of work to do and I’ll talk about it more at a later date. There’s also more site updates coming soon, too; and likewise, I’ll be talking about those later, as well.

Thank you for your attention.

-Windebieste.

Right now, I’m going through the visual content of the book.  Making additions, revisions and changes to illustrations, diagrams and photographs where necessary.  It’s a long and demanding set of tasks for a richly illustrated book.  There’s well over 200 images in it now, and some updating has become necessary.

Among the work I am now doing is updating photographs, replacing placeholder content with finished pieces and basically lifting the pictorial content of the book to where it should be.  This will take some time but included in this process is adding extra illustrations, drawings and diagrams to the volume.  I have a background in building services and civil engineering so simple technical drawings are quick and easy to do – there’s a few of those and they are already in place.  Plus I also have a background in fan art and cartoon illustrations so I’m bringing those skills to this Project as well.

As part of the graphical content to help brighten up a volume that heavily features photographs of ugly old grey toys, these bright and playful illustrations will help to bring some life to the otherwise dry and dark ambience of a book exclusively about face ripping space monster play things.  AGES 5 AND UP is a series of (up to) 6 cartoons I am specifically preparing for the book.  They encompass themes of young children in that age joyfully playing with their Kenner ALIEN action figures and the situations they find themselves in.  These images have been a lot of fun to produce and I’m about half way through assembling this little collection.

Also of considerable importance in regards to visual content in the book, I’ve recently acquired some copies of 3rd party illustrations of the most invaluable kind.  As an asset to the overall Project these items are absolutely priceless and their inclusion will significantly boost the book’s appeal to anyone who is interested in these old Kenner toys.  Thank you, Steve, for your permission to use these.  Your contribution has helped to raise HIDEOUS PLASTIC – In stores everyone can hear you scream‘s visual standard to a new level.

At this stage, the book is progressing very well and I’ll have  more News again sometime soon.

-Windebieste.

Around 2 years ago, sometime in June 2015 if I remember correctly, I accidentally dropped a flawless 1979 Kenner ALIEN action figure and destroyed it.   This particular item was extremely valuable to me as it had been given to me by my mother at Christmas, 1979.  The head snapped off and both arms were damaged. At least the dome remained unbroken but to say the least a lot of rude words were used freely and liberally on that day. I decided I could fix the unfortunate victim of my carelessness.  So I set about to do so.

I hunted for a damaged figure on Ebay with the intention of cannibalising it for parts to replace the damaged and broken ones on my figure. I found one that was perfect for my Continue reading →

It’s time to start talking about my plans regarding my continuing work effort on this Project.  In this post-KickStarter period the book is still under development and progressing well.

I’ve restructured my work load and expect to be able to publish HIDEOUS PLASTIC – In stores everyone can hear you scream. sometime in late 2018.  In order to do so, I’ll be raising funds personally via my own means as well as engaging in another KickStarter Continue reading →