The Book of Venym is a fully illustrated grimoire, detailing the philosophy and invocation of a pantheon of pagan nature deities, known as the Increscent, that have shepherded life, in all its forms since it appeared on earth. They are guardians of compassion and love, betrayed by humanity with the emergence of organised religion. This book envisions their summoning, to not only defend the natural world from our destructive proclivities, but also our hatred and violence towards one another. It is written from the perspective of an unnamed author, from the comfort of his 1800’s study, whose prophetic visions foresaw their return. It is part anti-fascist call to arms, part cosmic horror, part occultist text, a bestiary of frighting and beautiful creatures, each of which represents the disenfranchised, innocent and the othered. The book of Venym is a battle cry for the much beleaguered idea of compassion above self interest and bigotry.
Alex CF is a writer and illustrator of animal mythology, fantasy and speculative fiction. His current series of books is collectively known as "The Books of Orata," -. the first of which is "Seek The Throat From Which We Sing" and its sequel 'Wretched is the Husk,' a visceral tale of animal mythology, a dark environmental epic in the tradition of Watership Down, Rats Of Nimh and Duncton Wood. He has also created an encyclopaedia of the mythological world in which these books take place "The Orata, a compendium of the cultures and creeds of Naa." - an illustrated encyclopaedia and companion piece, 148 pages of full colour illustrations depicting the animal cultures within his novels.
Separate to his animal mythology novels, he has self published 'The Book Of Venym; An Egalitarian Demonology' an anti-fascist grimoire, a novella about a haunted north London house and attempts to explain the presence through science in 'An Absence: A Scientific Approach To A Haunting' - and his first published work, 'Punks in the willows' - an illustrated guide to the punk rock community.