New light on origins of 29 Myths

[Hermes]

This was linked recently on Terry's site, and provides some interesting insight into 29 Myths. (This is the third part of the feature, but it links to the two previous parts.)

One thing it reveals is how old it is - it goes back to DH and LB's student days, before Lemony Snicket was invented. This may explain why there are no thirteens; it also shows that the Swinster Pharmacy was conceived in this setting before it turned up in Stain'd, perhaps suggesting that the town in 29 Myths was an inspiration for Stain'd rather than the other way round.

The other striking thing is that she describes it as a poem, which I must admit had not occurred to me; knowing that may lead you to read it in a rather different way.

[Dante]

I must admit to having heard about this, but it was all a bit troublesome to corral into a single thread... but yes, it is a pretty delightful origin to the book, as a shared personal joke of sorts between Handler and Brown, and that they're bringing it out today in barely modified form feels... quite a lot like them, too. I recall a previous article on their joint work in which Handler recalled them laughing and laughing while Brown drew latke after identical latke for The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming...

[Skelly Craig]

I really like that the "Jolly Jokes" book illustration was based on an actual book.