Instagram artist Bill Crisafi (@Billsafi) has been entertaining and empowering fans for years with comics and drawings of freaking fierce characters such as The Glam Reaper and Babushka Toad for years. Combining his sharp, irreverent talent with a wit to pierce any armor and a heavy helping of humor, camp, and folklore, Crisafi has made his mark with a style that is unmistakably his own.

 

 

Now as we are on the cusp of the start of spooky season, Harper Collins is debuting Crisafi’s The Glam Reaper’s Guide to Slaying: Life Lessons for Rebellious Souls! The book is chock-full of Crisafi’s sass and excellent linework, but, maybe more importantly, Guide to Slaying contains a story with a message of being kind to yourself and, as the press release reminds us, to “tell those voices in your head to drop dead!” The book follows the titular Glam Reaper as she helps her friends put the negative nonsense that can plague their noggins:

 

 

Having read The Glam Reaper’s Guide to Slaying: Life Lessons for Rebellious Souls in one sitting, I can attest that it’s just the bitchy balm that can help slay even the sourest of days. Crisafi, as always, knew the assignment.

Bill Crisafi’s The Glam Reaper’s Guide to Slaying: Life Lessons for Rebellious Souls goes on sale Tuesday, August 18th, 2026, from Harper Collins.

From the official press release about the book:

The Glam Reaper—a little sexy, a little spooky, and full of droll witticism—is the perfect “feel good” companion. Glam is always up for an adventure, on hand to remind you just who put the “bitch” in obituary, sassily admonishing you to “tell those voices in your head to drop dead!”

As The Glam Reaper moves through the world beyond, she finds her friends are dealing with problems we’ve all faced:

  • Miss Phillip, a demon with her own inner demon, grapples with negative self-talk.
  • Orange Frog doesn’t feel confident after her friends mocked her outfit.
  • Miss Rotten tears down the other pumpkins in the patch because she’s afraid of rejection.
  • Sexy Ghost is being haunted by the embarrassing mistakes in her past.
  • Babushka Toad struggles to tend to her garden and give each flower the care it needs.

Behind these whimsical characters lies the fascinating story of how CRISAFI found his literary voice and illustration style as an author and artist, ultimately switching focus (for now) from fashion design to drawing, culminating in the creation of The Glam Reaper. It’s an inspiring and insightful backstory for any would-be creator attempting to find their way.

Completed as he grieved the loss of his mother, with whom he was particularly close, BILL CRISAFI is proud that this unique character and her friends take their inspiration from his mom’s no-nonsense New England charm.

The Glam Reaper, with her trademark wit and acidic bite, helps us all overcome our troubles with practical tips and hilarious mantras (Look in the mirror and say, “I’m a hot bitch,” three times).

THE GLAM REAPER’S GUIDE TO SLAYING, Life Lessons For Rebellious Souls is a funny, cheeky, and insightful handbook to self-love and self-acceptance for every ghoul gone wild!

About The Author: Bill Crisafi is an artist and costume designer. Originally from Salem, Massachusetts, his work is influenced by the occult, drag, and fashion. His illustrations explore themes of magic and folklore, merged with camp and humor. Crisafi holds a Fashion Design degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as a Fine Arts degree from the School for the Museum of Fine Arts & Tufts University. The Glam Reaper’s Guide to Slaying is his first book. For more information and additional examples of his art, find him here: https://www.instagram.com/billsafi/?hl=en