Before Shanster and talented artist Amity Lee embarked on her ambitious Inktober project (drawing a different character from my Cirque Du Freak books every day of the month of October) she came to my event at the Edinburgh Book Festival in August and presented me with this beautiful picture of Darren and Madam Octa.

As you can see, Amity Lee likes to put her own spin on my creations, and she's put her special touch on all of the Inktober drawings to date, throwing up some very unexpected imaginings of Darren, Mr Crepsley, Mr Tall, et al. She's halfway through the month and going like a storm. My advice is to click on this link for her Instagram page, scroll back through all of the drawings to date, and follow her for the rest of the month going forward for a truly freaky Shan experience!

https://www.instagram.com/_amitylee_/