Fan Mail

I spent a fantastic day yesterday piercing at Anomaly Body Piercing in Pasadena, CA. It was a blast, and everyone was really great. My first appointment of the day (and the first piercing I performed in several months!) was a 10 gauge ampallang. It went very smoothly, and this is an email I just received from the piercee:

Elayne, I just wanted to let you know how excited I was to have you do my ampallang yesterday. I have got so much out of your book as well as getting a feel for the person you are, someone quite intelligent, passionate and dedicated to her craft. Upon meeting you it's easy to see that you are all of that and a lot more. I love the piercing, I think it looks totally 'hot'. I haven't been able to stop looking at it!! And your placement was 'exactly' where I wanted it. It has been bleeding just a bit but otherwise it feels fine. I could not believe that it didn't hurt nearly as bad as what I was anticipating, but I can imagine that having this piercing done with someone not as skilled could indeed make it much more traumatic. Thank you again!!!! Mike

I was looking at The Piercing Bible on Amazon.com and I saw that another great reader review has been added. As of right now, there are four of them posted there, and they ALL have 5 out of 5 stars!

5.0 out of 5 stars "Buy it"! By: Mike (Los Angeles) - If you are mildly interested in having something pierced or a bit more serious about it, whether it be an earlobe or an intimate bodypart, if it's your first piercing or you've had several, you owe it to yourself to get Elayne Angel's book. She covers every facet of this subject, from just the anticipation of having it done to the actual procedure, including finding the right piercer, as well as the necessary aftercare and commitment involved to have a happy and healthy piercing. Her vast knowledge and experience are brought into words in a way that is easy to understand and refreshing to read. She covers every piercing located on the body that you can imagine, complete with its procedure, recommendations for initial guage and type of jewelry, as well as healing and aftercare information. Also covered are the stereotypes and myths that have been attached to this subculture. She shows that if you are at all interested in becoming a piercee, it may serve to alleviate any apprehensions you've had when you come to realize that people of all ages and walks of life enjoy having a bit of metal somewhere on their body, perhaps someone you would never even suspect. Just buy it, you'll be glad you did.

I'm absolutely thrilled that the people who have been reading my book are enjoying it and finding it useful and informative.

I just found this fantastic review of The Piercing Bible on a Aniareads weblog about body modification:

There are only few books on body piercing out there, so each new addition, especially when it’s a good one, is welcome. That’s the case with ‘The Piercing Bible. The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing’ by Elayne Angel, a well-known female body piercer who got her education in the Gauntlet and witnessed all the changes body modification scene has been undergoing during the last few decades. The book is divided in 7 parts (table of contents here) discussing the most basic information about the various types of body piercing, their procedures, healing and aftercare. Now and then there are included some anecdotes from Angel’s own experiences, interesting pieces of information about history of body piercing and people’s experiences and opinions about body piercings they got done themselves. The Bible is addressed primarily to the piercees, both these who already have some body piercing experiences under their belt and those who are about to enter the world of body modification but professionals may also find it useful. With her vast experience, international fame and all other ‘cool’ icing, Angel’s tone throughout the book is, however, very friendly and always customer-directed/oriented – it’s obvious that her customers’ well-being is always her priority and main concern. She understands her customers’ doubts, fears and problems that may appear after the procedure and initial healing, so she provides as detailed picture of body piercing with all responsibilities, possible problems and solutions as possible.

One of my friends on Triablectic just sent me this great feedback about my book:

I Just wanted to say that I love your book! I received a copy from Amazon.com a couple weeks ago and have gone through it cover to cover. I am relatively new to the piercing thing (2008 was my first piercing) but it has really been something I've found to be so totally liberating even at this point in my life, I am 58. I love the way you write, it is so thorough in its coverage of every aspect with just enough subtle humor thrown in to keep it light and refreshing to read. I found it very informative with it's coverage of aftercare and also on one of the piercings I am considering. I am also totally thankful for your recommendation for the emu oil. I have been using it on my piercings every day for about a month now and I can't believe the effect it has had. I live in Southern Calif. and have had Eric 'Sque3ze' Anderson as my piercer at his shop 'Anomaly' in Pasadena. I feel fortunate to have found someone so knowledgeable and professional. In fact I just called and talked to him today about the possibility of getting an amphallang (I'm still in fact a bit hesitant about it and just trying to get a lot of feedback on it). I was impressed to see him mentioned in your book. Anyway I just wanted to say how much I loved your book and that I find you to be one 'awesome' lady.

This post is from my friend Cloud's blog, The Pierced Consumer:

Today’s the day! April 1, 2009 [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="240" caption="The Piercing Bible on Amazon.com"][/caption] The Piercing Bible, by Elayne Angel, is now available for shipping at Amazon! Here is the link: The Piercing Bible on Amazon.com (pic above is copied from there.) This book will be the single greatest resource for piercees and piercers that I know of. Angel is one of the foremost professional piercers in the world, and her knowledge and expertise shine through all of the detailed information contained in the book. I’m proud to say I had a hand in creating the concept for this book, and I know all of you will get a lot out of it. I’ll do a review when I receive it, but it won’t be unbiased. I cannot tell you how excited I am! Just buy it! The Pierced Consumer.

I wanted to reiterate what Cloud said about having a hand in creating the concept for the book. She did more than that. In fact, the book is dedicated to her!

So far, there are two short but sweet reviews on the Amazon.com page where my book is sold:

5.0 out of 5 stars Priceless Resource and Enjoyable Read, April 6, 2009

By
S. M. Wheeler

This book is not only informative but enjoyable to read as well. Elayne Angel has created a masterpiece work that brings the mystique of piercing to the masses. No matter if you are a serious body modification devotee or a single mother deciding on a getting a first piercing you will enjoy this book. It is an approachable, candid, and friendly source for all a piercee should know before stepping foot into a studio.

I'm SO excited! Guess what I've got? Finally: a copy of The Piercing Bible. For the first time, I've been able to see, hold, and read a finished copy of the book--just like the one you'll get when you place an order. It looks GREAT! The format looks a little bigger than I imagined it, and the color on the cover is tinged with a tad of purple (though I'll admit that I lobbied for a more punchy purple color). I opened the box and lifted the book--hefted it really, to feel its pleasant and considerable weight. Smiling, I took a look at the front and back covers, then thumbed through the whole thing and heard the sound of the paper, as I took a big whiff of the fresh paper and ink. I did everything but lick the thing; I wanted (needed, even) to experience my book with every possible sense I have. What a delight! I also got another mini pre-review from one of the reviewers:

I received an email from another one of the writers who will be reviewing my book:

Your book is brilliant!  It's the perfect book for ANYONE who wishes to get a piercing and is extremely reassuring, detailed, and authorative....  I can see how much work went into it and it's a wonderful book.