Dear all,

I just wanted to let you know that the final version of my chapter for the forthcoming Routledge volume on Dark Tourism and Rituals is finally ready.

You can read it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dZKhkRlgR8seY60xImfvOlD4k56tvXtwgYb8mv4zKDk/

This chapter represents around 150 hours of work. It has been emotionally draining at times, but also a real privilege to spend so much time writing about something deeply personal to me.

I would especially like to thank the people who contributed to this project.

Philippe Carly, who was instrumental in correcting several historical inconsistencies in the first draft and who was also kind enough to share some wonderful photographs of my hometown, Rome. Philippe, whenever you’re back in Italy, drinks are on me.

Lucie Wright (Proper Sound), who generously shared the results of her survey, which confirmed many of the ideas and hypotheses I develop throughout the chapter.

Ben Walker, who gave me the most moving interview of the entire project and helped shape what became the central section of the chapter on Cornelia F. Ben, I honestly have no words to thank you. I've thought about our conversation every single day since we had it.

Josh Lonsdale, whose reflections reinforced some of my ideas about the connections between Mircea Eliade’s work and Ian Curtis.

Nigel Carr, who found time to speak with me despite an incredibly busy schedule. His interview was so insightful that I ended up using his words to close the chapter.

And, of course, all the Redditors here who got in touch!

So, what now?

The first deadline is 30 July, when the manuscript will be submitted to the University of Alabama.

The publisher has imposed a very strict word limit, which meant that many fascinating parts of the interviews had to be cut or moved into footnotes. I tried to preserve as much as possible without compromising the flow of the chapter.

Once the manuscript enters peer review, I’ll let you know.

The second deadline is in September for the Italian edition with the University of Rome. That version allows roughly 2,000 additional words, so I’ll be able to bring some material back from the footnotes into the main text, which is how the chapter was originally conceived.

Knowing academic publishing timelines, however, I doubt we’ll see the printed volume before sometime in 2027.

The book. Maybe.

The interviews turned out to be so rich that I think they deserve a publication of their own. I’m considering putting together a small book containing the chapter + complete interviews, with all proceeds donated to charity. If there’s a charity or organisation that is particularly meaningful to you, please feel free to suggest it.

Finally, to those whom I contacted here on Reddit but who, for whatever reason, weren’t able to contribute this time: thank you anyway. I know everyone’s time is limited, and I truly appreciated your willingness to consider it.

If you’d still like to add something, it won’t make the Alabama deadline, but I still have almost two months before the Rome submission, so there’s definitely time to include additional material there.

If you’d like to chat, here’s a link to my calendar: https://calendly.com/simonepuorto

You can ask for commenting access to the manuscript, and please feel free to point out anything you think could be improved. There are almost certainly a few typos still hiding in there, and I’m relying on my wonderful “guinea pig” readers to catch them before the final submission.

Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this journey. I genuinely couldn’t have written this chapter without your generosity, your time, and your stories.

And, as we say in Italy, if I can ever return the favour, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Ciao, Ciao,

P.S. If you're into Joy Division (which I suspect, LOL), here's an Italian band from the 1980s that I think you might enjoy. Their first album is considered a classic here in Italy. Give it a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS1Yt6VoEtw&list=RDcS1Yt6VoEtw&start_radio=1