Tag: announcements

Posted on

Fantasyville Productions, Conventions, and Sassy Teapots

Grrrrrrrl.

Boy has there been a lot happening!

PART A – FANTASYVILLE PRODUCTIONS

Fantasyville Productions is something I’ve talked about with patrons on Patreon but I don’t think I’ve discussed it here. Basically it’s this: I wanted to file Fantasyville Productions, LLC into existence because my business has grown enough that I need to separate my personal and business information and finances. Plus, my goal is to grow Fantasyville Productions, LLC into a viable small-press publisher and distributor. I admit, it’s mostly because I DON’T want to deal with Diamond. I have no positive experiences with them so far, at least on the retail-end. I don’t think Fantasyville Productions would get so big that it would compete with Diamond, but I’m not ruling the possibility out either. I have accepted that the world is weird.

So – I filed Fantasyville Productions, LLC into existence earlier this month. Today I FINALLY got my EIN, which will help me set up a separate checking account for the business. #adulting.

This might sound boring to you, but I’m genuinely excited that Fantasyville Productions, LLC is now a thing!

PART 2 – CONVENTIONS

Currently I’m gearing up for Classic Plastics Toy and Comic Expo in Parkersburg, WV. If you’re going, I have a freebie for you (more info in this link). Things are printed and ready to go, and I have an artist buddy I’m crashing with for the weekend. Thank you, Kampie, for being so awesome! The plan is to go down Friday night, that way I don’t have to get up at the butt-crack of dawn Saturday for set-up.

While this is going on, I’m doing what I can to get ready for Awesome Con in Washington, DC at the end of March/beginning of April. I’ve never been to this show but I know it’s huge. Like, possibly bigger than Phoenix Comic Con huge. I haven’t been to a show this big (as a seller) in five years. And I’m terrified that I won’t be able to have enough for the show! But I can’t really order excess stock on books until after Classic Plastics. May grace give me patience.

There’s a couple of other shows between the two that I MIGHT go to, but the appearances will be related to the comic shop I work with now, not to sell my work. I’m already booked for Rathacon, 3 Rivers Comic Con, and Parkersburg Pop Con, though. Working to get back into more of the shows that I went to last year.

PART WHAT – MONSTER MADNESS

You know how March is typically March Madness for basketball? Well, I’m doing Monster Madness and drawing monsters. This’ll be like what I did for Witches: The Sketchbook – drawing a new sketch every day as an art challenge, and posting those sketches on my Facebook and Tumblr pages. Then I’ll be compiling them into a book.

Also…(I can’t believe I’m writing this) I might finally buckle down and get an Instagram. I’m still on the fence about it, so leave your most convincing arguments about whether I should join or not in the comments below. If I join, some of the first sketches will be Monster Madness-related.

PART THING – THE LEGEND OF JAMIE ROBERTS

The Legend of Jamie Roberts WILL be happening. The goal is to get the story’s script complete this summer, and then start drawing pages in the fall and winter.

Why the wait? Well, The KickStarter campaign for The Case of the Wendigo raised enough money to make the comic short story Dance Around the Maypole. So that story will take priority. That and, well, the script for The Legend of Jamie Roberts is still being worked on. It’s in the final draft phase! But still.

OK THAT’S IT FOR NOW.

I may be able to squeeze a video update after this blog post. Don’t hold your breath.

Thank you for reading, and for your support! Hope to see you at Classic Plastics this weekend.

You. Are. Awesome.

P.S. That sassy teapot was found at some mall in Phoenix, AZ back in 2013/2014. You’re welcome.

Posted on

An Unusual Summer Agreement

studio space february 2018

Here’s the truth – while making comics does pay the bills, I’m still living with my mom. This is partially because the oil and gas companies who have moved into the area have also imported pipeline workers from out-of-state, which means most rent-worthy spaces are gone, and what’s left over means rent prices have SKYROCKETED. So lack of places for rent, plus the places for rent being ungodly expensive ($500 a month for a room with no private bathroom is a pretty common listing around here), means living with mom because it’s more affordable.

It’s been ok, as far as living arrangements go. Mom works a full-time job outside of the house, which means I can work in my studio uninterrupted (for the most part. Her boyfriend also works from home but has his own office space set up). In fact, the only times we really see each other are at night.

This spring, that arrangement is actually going to change. Continue reading “An Unusual Summer Agreement”

Posted on

My Next Appearance is At NDC’s Anniversary

witches the sketchbook

Get hyped – my first appearance of the year is at the New Dimension Comics 2-year anniversary event at the Ohio Valley Mall!

That’s right, New Dimension Comics has been in business at the Ohio Valley Mall in Saint Clairsville, OH for 2 years. They’re having all kinds of sales that day, plus a special prize giveaway. Double plus, they’re letting me set up a table to sell my wares!

So if you’re a local, and you haven’t picked up a copy of my new book, Witches: The Sketchbook, come on over February 3rd from 11 am to 6 pm.

If you can’t make it for whatever reason, I’ve got ya’ covered: Witches: The Sketchbook is also available on Storenvy.

As an added bonus, I’m offering free sketch cards to folks who make an appearance at the shop. Here’s the rules to get a sketch card of your very own:

  1. You have to make it to the New Dimension Comics at the Ohio Valley Mall in Saint Clairsville, OH February 3rd between 11 am and 6 pm.
  2. Leave a comment below to let me know what you would like me to draw.
  3. Keep in mind these sketch cards are wee – 2.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall.
  4. Please keep it safe-for-work: this is a public venue and kids will be around.

And that’s it!

Depending on how it times out, I may even have some information about the KickStarter campaign for The Case of the Wendigo.

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.

Posted on

Bringing Vlogging Back!

Aww yiss, I’m bringing back the vlog!

Here’s some stuff mentioned in the video:

Convention Appearances for 2018:

3 Rivers Comicon (Pittsburgh, PA)
Comicon Erie (Erie, PA)
Awesome Con (Washington, DC)

The Thomcast!

The Dollop (a hilarious history podcast)

Ask me questions on…
Facebook
Tumblr

Sound Effects by SoundBible.

If you have questions you would like me to answer on camera, please leave a comment below.

Thanks for watching!

You. Are. Awesome.

Posted on

So I Might Make a Game. Maybe. Possibly…

validation webcomic panel
This panel is from Validation (written by Christian Beranek, drawn by me)

I like games. Video games are cool, but right now, my love is for tabletop games.

If you want to understand why I love tabletop games, especially Dungeons & Dragons, so much, I highly recommend you watch this TedTalk about why D&D is good for you, and this Cosmonaut Variety Hour video about Dungeons & Dragons.

Of course I’ve played other tabletop games, too: Evil Baby Orphanage, King of New York, Settlers of Catan, We Didn’t Playtest This At All, Quelf, and Pathfinder are all games I’ve trod the table for. But Dungeons & Dragons is my big favorite right now, especially 5th edition. 5th edition is really the best beginner’s version of Dungeons & Dragons that’s out right now (aside from the Starter Pack).

With that said, I’ve been wanting to make a new game for quite a while now.

Not just a new D&D 5th edition campaign (I’m already in the process of brewing one). But a new tabletop game.

Christian Beranek and I have been throwing around the idea of finally making Tiny Unicorn, which is a game mentioned in our comic Validation. That’s great. I don’t mean to discredit that.

No, I mean, making a new game.

The idea I’ve had for a little while is something based on the world of Charlie & Clow and The Case of the Wendigo. In my mind’s eye it would run off a D20 system, partly because I’m most comfortable with that, and partially because…

Ok look, I know there are games based on existing comics, movies, TV shows, etc that generally favor the Fate System as a root to base the game on. But I’ve looked at the Fate System and I just don’t like it. It’s too complicated and nonsensical, especially when it comes to how characters in the game take damage. While there are aspects of the D20 system that can make a game easy to break (by overpowering characters, spamming certain spells, etc), I still find it preferable to the mess that is the Fate System.

So anyway, yes, I’m thinking of brewing a tabletop game based on the world of Charlie & Clow and The Case of the Wendigo with the d20 system as its base.

I’ll be updating here on the blog if I finally get the chance to start this thing.

Thanks for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.