Lake of Tears

A Journey of Captivity, Courage, and Redemption

Set against the hazardous backdrop of the inland fishing industry on Ghana’s Lake Volta, Lake of Tears follows the lives of three teenagers woven into a gripping tale of survival. It is an empathic "ode" to the thousands of children trafficked into forced labor—a speculative fiction narrative built on a foundation of hard-hitting social truth.

~As a shop dedicated to indie titles and independent creators, we look for books that push the medium forward. Lake of Tears is a masterclass in independent publishing:

A Flagship Selection: This powerful story was chosen as the flagship publication of THICKET & THORN Publishing, domestically, representing a standard of excellence and social consciousness that we are proud to champion.

Global Origins: Bringing together the vision of John Schaidler (Managing Editor), Kobe Ofei (Writer), and the breathtaking art of Setor Fiadzigbey (Illustrator), this project was born through the collaboration of Full Circle and Kugali Media.

Cultural Impact: It isn’t just a comic; it’s a movement. Winner of the Nommo Award for Best Graphic Novel, it uses bold, lush colors and speculative elements to tackle one of the most pressing human rights issues in West Africa.

Independent Voice: This title perfectly embodies our mission to provide a platform for minority-owned creators and stories that reflect the global human experience.