Adventures Underground is holding a book launch at 1pm on Saturday, July 17 for Ian Martin’s second book, Aphelion. Ian’s first book is Apotheosis (amazon.com/dp/B06VTXW4HL). The illustrator, Katie Baker, will be on hand to sign copies. Dana Oatis, LICSW, MBA, the Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Lourdes, will be on hand at the book launch to talk to people about mental health.

Illustration from Aphelion by Katie Baker.

Not a Thing

And I say: “Life’s strange, isn’t it?
We really have found something here.”
And you say: “A success,
Now there’s nothing left for us to fear!”
And that’s precisely what worries me,
That’s what worries me, dear.
See,
Nothing has teeth,
Has claws, and red eyes,
Nothing’s one bad customer.
Nothing’s coming for us,
Nothing will never stop,
I’m telling you, NOTHING’s the reason I’m scared!
And I know that nothing ever changes,
Nothing simply won’t stay the same,
And you know that nothing ever lasts,
Yet, in the end, only nothing remains.
So, how many times do I have to explain?
NOTHING’s what scares me, what has me afraid!
Remember!
Nothing has teeth,
Has claws, and red eyes,
Nothing’s one bad customer.
Nothing’s coming for us,
Nothing will never stop,
I’m telling you, NOTHING’s the reason I’m scared!

From Aphelion / Copyright 2020 Ian J. Martin / Seiders House Publishing

The description of Ian’s first book talked about one man’s journey from the darkness towards the light. Tragically, the darkness won. Not long after finishing the poems for this book, Ian made the choice to leave this world and continue his journey on the other side. We can only hope and pray that he has found what he was searching for.

Thanks to Ian’s many friends and family members for your unwavering support. Ian was truly loved by so many. Thank you to Katie for her love and her incredible illustrations in this book.

Ian and Katie were the best of friends when they started working on this book together. Through the years, they became soulmates, confidants, and support systems for one another. As lost as Katie was after Ian’s passing, finishing this book was the only thing she could think of to truly honor his memory. This book isn’t always pretty or happy. But love isn’t always pretty or happy, and this book was a labor of love for Ian and Katie.

To you, the reader, we want you to know, if you suffer from, or know of anyone who suffers from depression, please find someone to talk to. Remember, though it may not feel like it at times, there are people who love you and support you.

— Ian’s Mom & Dad

Book Bios

Photo of Ian Martin by Greg "Fish" Martin.

Ian J. Martin loved words — how they were constructed, their etymology, and their deeper meaning. He was an artist, a musician, and a poet… but most of all, he was a loving father and son. Although Ian’s struggle to find sense in this world has ended, perhaps through his poems, you, the reader, might find some answers you are seeking.

Photo by Katie Baker

Katie Baker has been drawing seriously for over a decade. She never thought about illustrating for poetry until Ian approached her about this book. Ian is the only person she would EVER agree to do it for. She hopes that this book can be a source of comfort for the people that miss him as much as she does, and that Ian would be as proud of it as she is.

Aphelion will be available at Adventures Underground and on Amazon after the launch.