Invitation to the Adventure of a Lifetime

Getting ready for Croneville Carnival

CRONEVILLE CARNIVAL is a graphic novel about coming to terms with aging as a woman and finding freedom and joy by embracing the archetype of the crone. It’s also a reverse coming of age story—post-menopausal freedom to return to the true self of an 11-year-old, unencumbered from the baggage that society piles on women during our lives

In Croneville Carnival, my fictional alter-ego is struggling with depression and anxiety in the aftermath of the death of her father. As she is grieving and worrying, she falls through a portal into a magical carnival where she encounters Mimi, her personal tour guide intent on leading her to accept and embrace the last quarter of life.

• On the carnival rides, she learns that ups-and-downs are normal, but going around in circles is not. She gets off and moves forward to the next phase of her journey.

• In the food court, she learns that many of the foods and other things she enjoyed in her youth no longer nourish her.

• At the games, she learns that you can’t cheat death and you can’t avoid the aging process except by dying young. The only way to win is to accept reality.

• At the fortune teller’s tent, she encounters her own ancestors who help guide her into realizing all the goodness she will experience in her last years.

• And finally, in the fun house, she faces the fears of her own aging in the mirrors and learns to have a sense of humor and the courage she will need to face future challenges. The Funhouse exit returns her to her own reality with a new perspective and realistic expectations.

Targeted mostly at women over 40, but all are welcome. A comedy/horror/inspirational graphic novel, serialized on Substack. I hope you’ll join me on this adventure of a lifetime!

Cats are welcome too! Anton is my new helper and he’s learning to watch and not try to help me move the pen or paintbrush.