The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined

by Nancy Kilpatrick

Published by St. Martin's Press - October 2004 - ISBN # 0-312-30696-2

The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined is just what it sounds like,
a comprehensive yet light-hearted look at modern goth.
To write this book, I interviewed over 200 people, 96 of whom are anonymous goths from the Internet. They are The + Section
They kindly answered my virtual call and graciously responded to my 125 questions.

The + Section gave me their time and energy so that I could formulate a base for this book and the information herein.
As well, I interviewed shop keepers, craftsmen/women, musicians, artists, writers, photographers, comic meisters
and a variety of people who are goth, or are 'darkly inclined',
all of whom are important in some way to the goth world.

I felt it was crucial to be in contact with goths from around the world.
The goth culture is large and seems to exist in most countries, and I tried to show the scope,
within the limits of time, energy and finances.
Consequently goths from countries outside the ones you would expect to see are included,
but unfortunately not every country with a goth population is represented.

Well over 2 years of my life went into working on this book.
I wrote the initial draft in a year.
Gathering interviews, images and sidebars required a lot of time.
Initially the book was much larger and cuts and revisions took about 9 months.
This book was a massive layout job for the publisher, and let's just say there was a lot of checking and re-checking,
and still errors and omissions slipped through the cracks.
A contract was signed with St. Martin's Press in November of 2001
and I saw the last of the galleys they would let me see in July of 2004.
It's been an incredible project.

There are a number of people who went out of their way to enhance
The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined.
One in particular is Fred H. Berger, of Propaganda Magazine to whom I am indebted.
Fred's 12 amazingly beautiful photographs open each chapter of the book.
Another photographer who contributed quite a number of stunning photos is Hugues Leblanc
and I'm grateful for his incredibly valuable contribution.

Two other people in particular that I would like to thank for going above and beyond in so many ways are the fabulous goth father himself Mick Mercer. Mick has contributed more to the goth culture over decades,
particularly concerning music, than anyone else on the planet.
The other person who provided me with a tremendous amount of help
not to mention a considerable number of laughs
is the amazing writer PeeWee Vignold, formerly with Germany's Sonic Seducer Magazine.

There are, of course, many photographers, artists, business owners, manufacturers and creators of goods and providers of services,
and experts on all things dark and delicious who have spoken within the pages of the book.
You have my heartfelt thanks.
What you do is wonderful or you wouldn't have been included.

The reason for this webpage is essentially as follows:
The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined is an ENORMOUS book,
crammed with information and visuals.
And yet this is just a portion of what I collected.

Some of the questions that The + Section answered had to be excluded because publishers
tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to anything contentious.
I feel it is important those comments be available. Consequently, I'm posting a bit of that information here.
Also, I wanted to make sure that readers had a sense of who the individuals are who make up The + Section.
(Again, that information was excluded.)

If you haven't purchased a copy of The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined, feel free to do so.
Copies are available at a bookstore near you, online at Amazon ,
and you can always buy a signed copy from the author;
just send an email to Nancy.
Personally, I think it's one of the best guides to the goth world you'll find.
I say this not because I wrote it, but because of the wonderful people who shaped the work by participating in the project.

Their voices should be heard, their art viewed.

This is their book.

Enjoy!

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CORRECTIONS & OMISSIONS

THE + SECTION

THE + SECTION SPEAKS

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