The Complete Dramatic Works

For all of his fame and lasting influence, we still know very little about Shakespeare and are unlikely to ever know much more. For this cover I decided to do a rare bit of Photoshopping to obscure the face on the portrait, implicitly asking the question, ‘Who was William Shakespeare?’ I also wanted to avoid any sort of copyright issues arising from the specific use of the portrait – mission accomplished. I also thought it quite funny to suggest that there would be a single-volume, pocket book-sized edition of the complete dramatic works of William Shakespeare – it would be about as long as two loaves of bread – not in the least pocket-sized. Imagine trying to read it lying down, or for that matter, sitting up. Unless you were reading a play that was right in the middle (Much Ado About Nothing, if I had to guess) you would find the front and back covers at ridiculously divergent heights and depths. You’ve heard of the First Folio? This one would be known as the First Trade Paperback.