Skin (Paperback)

Kathe Koja

ISBN 10: 106834976X / ISBN 13: 9781068349768

Published by Dead Ink Books, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. As Tess Bajac welds jagged scraps of salvage metal into brutal, beautiful forms, she dreams that her sculptures might one day move. Bibi Bloss is a dancer in search of sensation, her practice drifting from movement toward a more dangerous kind of performance - one etched directly into the body. When Tess and Bibi's paths cross, a partnership sparks which quickly becomes defined by obsession and need. As their collaboration grows more intense, both their work and relationship are remade in a dangerous new form. As Bibi pursues perfection, others join in her acts of risk and surrender. More blood is shed with each new work, culminating in a daring final performance that demands the ultimate sacrifice. Skin is a haunting exploration of artistic devotion and desire, a descent into the brutal intimacy between artist and muse, and an unflinching examination of how far the body - and the heart - can be pushed before it finally breaks. A landmark of queer body horror with a tender love story at its centre, Skin is a dark meditation on power, manipulation, and transformation. Perfect for fans of Clive Barker, JG Ballard, Carmen Maria Machado & Han Kang. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781068349768

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Skin (Paperback)
• Publisher: Dead Ink Books
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 106834976X
• ISBN 13: 9781068349768
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

A landmark of queer body horror with a tender love story at its centre, Skin is a dark meditation on power, manipulation, and transformation. Perfect for fans of Clive Barker, JG Ballard, Carmen Maria Machado & Han Kang.

As Tess Bajac welds jagged scraps of salvage metal into brutal, beautiful forms, she dreams that her sculptures might one day move.

Bibi Bloss is a dancer in search of sensation, her practice drifting from movement toward a more dangerous kind of performance – one etched directly into the body.

When Tess and Bibi’s paths cross, a partnership sparks which quickly becomes defined by obsession and need. As their collaboration grows more intense, both their work and relationship are remade in a dangerous new form.

As Bibi pursues perfection, others join in her acts of risk and surrender. More blood is shed with each new work, culminating in a daring final performance that demands the ultimate sacrifice.

Skin is a haunting exploration of artistic devotion and desire, a descent into the brutal intimacy between artist and muse, and an unflinching examination of how far the body – and the heart – can be pushed before it finally breaks.

About the Author

Kathe Koja is a writer, director and independent producer of live and immersive events. Her titles include The Cipher, Skin, Buddha Boy and The Blue Mirror. Her work crosses and combine genres, from historical to contemporary to YA to horror, and has won awards, been translated into many languages, and optioned for fi lm and performance.